#yvreon

Eventually, the child, upon seeing no one around descended the tree, only to be met with the skull. They yelped, stepping away as the skull watched them carefully.

Child: You’re not evil. Are you? You’re not a hunter, are you?

The skull shook it’s head and pointed at the tree.

Child: Is that your tree? Are you it’s guardian?

The skull nodded.

Child: I’m Yvreon. You can call me Yvee. What can I call you? Skull? Mister Skull? Skully? 

“Do you miss it?” “A little, maybe mostly the quiet.” “So still sure?” “Yes, I think I would miss you more.”

They had arrived at the treehouse, Hayden remembering the first time he had told him he lived in one, and how he had found that quite strange.

“Say Vy?” “Yeah?” “Where are your parents?” “Ehm… away?” “How far away?” “Very very far?”

He looked at him, deciding not to push it any more, as it was clear that he wasn’t quite ready to talk about it just yet.

“Okay, so, what do you want to take with you?”

Vy looked around the house, taking a few things in his arms, then putting some things back, and that’s how hours passed, Hayden just watching him.

“You can bring it all if you want, but then we need to rent a moving truck.” “I… I don’t know.” “Choose a couple of things, and we take them with you now, and then we can just bring a truck, and you can decide the rest then?” “Okay!”

He walked through the house one more time, taking with him the most important items he had realizing it was a little too much for him to carry.

“Here, I’ll take some.” “Are you sure?” “Pretty sure.”

A few minutes later they walked out of the tree house with their arms full of little things. Vy looking over at Hayden as they walked, wondering if he should really be carrying all that he did. The answer to that he got a little later when they were home, and all the little things had been put in Vy’s room, Hayden going back to his own, letting Vy figure things out on his own for a bit.

“Hay… Oh….”

He stood there and looked at Hayden sleeping on the floor, before he lied down next to him leaning his head over his back.

“So tired… your heart.”

He sighed, just lying there trying to help with a bit of healing, listening to Hayden’s heartbeat. It always sounded so tired to him, and it worried him every time he found himself listening to it.

“Still not sure?” “About Vy staying with us?” “Yeah?” “Nah, I have been sure about that since Hayden mentioned it.” “He is starting to feel like he is one of ours isn’t he?” “Yes, is that normal?” “I think so, at least when it is someone that seems homeless.” “He says he has parents.” “He probably does, but I doubt they are here.”

Chris smiled at his husband. He had noticed how Vy slowly warmed up to them a little, not much, but enough to make his husband see him as one of his kids. He had to admit, with him being around so much, he had often thought just about the same himself.

“And before you ask, I doubt he is there yet. Maybe he will one day, but for now I think we can just work on getting him to trust us, and take it from there?”

Hayle nodded, he knew his husband was right, and that they could at least help him out with a house, food and a place where he could slowly feel safe.

Hayle smiles at his husband as he carries the last few boxes of Christmas stuff into the living room, Chris holding a large tree, Hayle rummaging the box for the thing that holds said tree in place. 

“So he talked to you?“ “Yep, even got a hug!” “Impressive, you want to knock on their door then, and I'll get the gamers?“ “Oki!”

Hayle knocks lightly on the door before looking inside, smiling at them. 

“Want to wake the sleeping one and come down? We have located all the Christmas stuff now.”

Vy looks at Hayle nodding, then looks down at Hayden. 

“Hay Hay, it's time, wakey wakey. Let's go decorate for Christmas!” “Okay, just give me 5 to wake up a bit.”

Stretches before he pulls himself up, sitting next to Vy yawning slightly as his body slowly waking back up again. 

“So, ready to decorate?“ “Yes, let's go decorate!“

Smiles brightly and nods grabbing Hayden's hand leading him back downstairs, glowing green. Hayden a little surprised he isn’t hiding behind him as he usually does. 

“So, Hwoarang’s special is kinda kicking someone into the air, and then just not letting them fall back down?” “Yeah, kinda lame I know.”

They talk about the different Tekken figures is ended by a knock on the door, Chris opening it just a few seconds later. 

“We have all the Christmas stuff ready now, if you two are ready?” “Sure dad, ready for... well a whole lot of Christmas?”

Looks at River with a smirk, knowing just about how much Christmas decorations they have all over the house normally. 

“Okay. Time to go do family stuff you only see on the movies!”

Rylan just smiles, taking Rivers hand, leading him back to the living room.

“I swear there are more boxes here every year... 

“Looks at the mountain of boxes, and Chris already doing what is his standard job to put the lights on.

“Welcome to the insanity that is Christmas decorating in my family...” “ That's a lot of boxes.”

Chuckles, and slaps his hands together and pulls back sleeves. 

“So, what must I do, Mr Wards?” “Oh! That's a lot of stuff!“

Vy looks at all the boxes as the two joins the rest, Hayden still waking up, but shakes his head, sure it was even more boxes than before. Chris taking command, much like he did every year

“Well start opening boxes and we can put all that goes on the tree over here, and everything else over on the other side.” “ Alright.

Rylan starts opening one box, recognizing it as tree decorations, looking up at River. 

“Take this over to the tree and I'll check the next one.”

Vy looks around then looks up at Hayden. 

“I don't know what to do? What are you going to do Hayden? Then I can just follow you or help you...”

His voice drifts off as he realizes he doesn't know anything about Christmas decorating. River taking the box to the tree and actually dangles a couple of tree decorations on his hair and comes back to help Rylan opening more boxes and waiting for him to notice. 

“Well how about I open boxes like Rylan, and tell you where to take them, and then we work from there?” 

He takes Vy with him over to the boxes opposite of where Rylan is, and opens the first one, rummaging through it a little. 

“Hmh, I need your help here Vy, this box is mixed if I put the things that need to go over to the "tree pile" can you go over with them?” Yes, I can take the boxes!”

Looks up at Vy holding a few small boxes with ball-like decorations, that Vy takes from him and walks over to the tree with. Rylan on his end has opened the second box, going through what is inside it... 

“Hmh, seems to be for the outside really.”

Turns to look at River, just staring at him for a while, before he suddenly bursts out in laughter making everyone turn their heads and look at them. Vy looking at them wondering why they are all laughing, suddenly noticing the decorations in Rivers hair

“I have myself a Christmas prince now.” “Oooh! I get it!” He's a Christmas tree!“ “Yeah, a proper Christmas tree prince”

Rylan tries his best to stop laughing but has no success with it, finally gasping for air, shaking his head. 

“Only you could pull that one off.. and please don't say it makes me Princess Anna” “But Anna, don't you want to buiiild a snowmaaaan?!”

River laughs and grabs another box stealing a kiss from Rylan on the way. 

“Love you, princess!”

Hayden snickers, handing Vy a couple more things to bring over to the tree, the rest of the box being things they normally have right here in the living room, pushing it aside, and then opening another box. Vy carrying the things to the tree putting them down and looking them over, eyes big at all the gold and red decorations, especially the gold trinkets.

“Pretty!” 

Shakes head and returns to Hayden, waiting for what to help him with next.

“This seems to be random indoor decoration, want to get me another box to check, we can keep this one here Vy?

Hayle lifts a box passed them all looking and Rylan and River. 

“Can I borrow your Christmas prince, and carry the outside stuff outside. sometimes dragon form comes in handy, like when decorating the outside of a house!” “Cheater!” “Not my fault you can't fly!”

sticks his tongue out at his husband, and continues towards the door and the outside. Rylan still lauguing, getting a kiss from River who is ready to follow Hayle outside. 

“Perfect, this one goes outside as well, so here, you can carry this Mr prince.” “Great! I shall start carrying the boxes outside. Wait... dragon form? Does this mean I get to see a real dragon that isn't familiar? Yusss! This winter prince is on his way! 

Starts carrying the boxes outside Vy looking at Hayden for a bit

“What type of dragon is your dad?” “Ehm... Ice dragon, I never really asked more than that? You can go out and help if you want, I'll get my dad to help me sort instead?” “Okay and I'll be right back!“

Takes the box that Hayden has just proclaimed being an outdoor box, just to get a little peek at Hayle and what kinda dragon he is. 

Hayle carefully takes ornaments in his claws as River comes out.

“Ah, help has arrived, these claws are quite bad at small boxes. Mind taking some out?

Looks at River, the snake-like dragon form seemingly hovering just above the ground. Vy looking at them, quickly putting down the box, realizing Hayle is not the same type of dragon as him, something that made him a little sad, quickly finding his way back to Hayden, looking a little bummed. 

“That's one big arse lizard!”  “Calling a god a Lizard is a touch risky, huh? But since eating you would upset one of my kids... I guess I can let it slide

Hayle grins, showing a rather sharp row of teeth, River staring wide-eyed at him then opens the box and removes the ornaments.

“Yo, Mister Ward. Maybe you can lift me to the roof and I can put the decorations?” “And why not, get on.“ “Oh my god! I am going to Daenerys Stormborn!”

Laughs and hops onto Hayle's back, carrying a whole bunch of decorations.

“This is awesome! That's it,”

yells downstairs, purposefully mimicking Flynn Ryder.

“Guys, forget the castle! I want a dragon!” “Watch it now dragon rider, keep your balance.”

Lifts off the ground to get to the top of the house, allowing River to put the decorations up and then get back up before heading down for even more decorations.

“Handy this.. much easier than shifting forms all the time.”

Rylan carries boxes around the house and starts decorating with his father, leaving the living room, minus the tree, hearing Rivers voice from outside

“Well someone is having fun!” “I think they both are.. and to think he was once a fairly vengeful god.” “I admit, it is hard to think of him that way.

Hayden hands Vy some off the decorations then takes some for himself leading him over to the fireplace.

“Just put things where you think they look good and tell me what is on your mind. I want to know, although I can guess?”

hangs stockings on the fireplace, trying to see if he can get the garland on it as well. Vy pouts a little, then starts hanging the socks and decorations, having a clear preference for the gold and shiny ones.

“Oh, I Just... I thought he'd be a dragon, like me... but he's different... he doesn't have wings!”

Stops and lets his half-dragon form show, showing his horns and scales to Hayden

“I guess I had hoped I had found another like me... I thought he was. he can feel your heart too, so I thought...” “Ah, if I remember the stories my uncle told me, they are an Asian type dragon, very old family... but I never really thought to ask.”

Put's a hand on Vy shoulder.

“I'm sorry, he wasn't what you thought.. do you miss your family a lot?”

Vy looks at Hayden and shrugs. Kinda doesn't want to admit to Hayden that though he has a notion of who his mother is and how they look like, he has never actually "met" her and that he doesn't really have any family here.

“I... I guess...”  “Or is it more you wish there was more of your kind around?”

Fidgets with a very pretty gold flower

“Can I keep it?”

Has a hunch there is more too it, but also not wanting to tread on any toes, looks at the golden flower he holds in his hand.

“I would say yes, but that's not mine to give, I'll ask my dad though when he comes back from flying River around out there. And if it special too him, I'll find you one, that can be from me instead?” “I wish...”

Stops himself, looking at Hayden, before he says he wishes he had an actual family and that Hayden would be that family. When Hayden asks about the flower, he looks at it and smiles.

“I'd love a flower from you instead... “

Places the flower on top of the fireplace and smiles.

“What do we decorate next?” “Everything but the tree, just take things and put it where you think it fits.”

Slowly but surely they were all getting done with the decorating, leaving only one thing left. Slowly the others found their way back to the living room, all impressed with the decorations. 

“It’s mostly Vy, he is very good at this.” “I got to ride a dragon, all is good.” “So we heard, Daenerys, does that make me John snow?” “You know nothing, John Snow!” “That's Ygritte, not Daenerys!”

they all chuckle before they gather around the tree. The final piece of the evening, ready to be decorated. 

🎶

They had slowly become used to Vy «sneaking» in to the house after he figured out no one would bother him. He still avoided Hayden’s parents as much as he could, Hayden only having seen him look at them from a distance. This day though it felt different, as he stood outside looking up at Hayden’s room, having tossed a stone at the window which he often did when he wanted to visit. This time though, no one had answered. Phasing back and forth between the window and the door, he finally ended up just pressing the doorbell.

“Oh… Vy right?”

Hayle opened the door, surprised to see him there, but also quite easily guessing why.

“He is in his room, you can go to him if you want? “Yes…”

Yvreon stared at Hayle, he was a dragon, but what kind, dangerous? He didn’t seem dangerous, he seemed sad, or tired, he wasn’t quite sure which.

“Oh, and Yvreon?” “Y…yes?” “I’m glad he has you as his friend, he needs it.”

Hayle walked into the living room, letting Yvreon find his way upstairs, finding much like his father had said, Hayden sleeping in the bed, the room feeling abnormally warm, Yvreon opening the window that Rylan had mentioned he could do, before sitting on the bed next to him.

“Hayden?”

He put a hand on him, warmth radiating from his skin, as he moved slightly.

“Vy?”

His voice sounded so tired, he couldn’t help but want to help him. Watching him open his eyes, looking at him moving his head just slightly.  

“Let me help?” “mm.”

This was the first time he hadn’t protested much to Yvreon’s surprise, slowly starting to heal him, being careful with the energy.

“See, I learn and adapt.” “How did you get in?”

Hayden looked at him now sitting up while Vy still transferred energy to him, the cool air from the outside also helping.

“I used the doorbell…” “You did?” “Yes... your dad opened, told me I could go to you.”

He knew only one dad was was home, but mostly he was surprised he had actually come in at all when he hadn’t answered him and come to sneak him inn.

“Not as dangerous as you thought then?” “He is a dragon yes?” “Yes.” “He seemed nice?” “He is nice actually, why did you do it?” “Do what?” “Ring the doorbell, I would have expected you to go back home.” “You needed me, I could feel it?” “Really?” “Yes!”

Hayden just watched him, wondering how that worked. He had been thinking off him earlier, mostly that he wished he had a phone, so he could tell him not to come over, but now that he had, he was pretty happy he was there.

“Just… don’t overdo it?” “I won’t just to make you feel a little less sick?” “Okay, but no wings okay?” “Okay!”

As Yvreon was healing him he sat quiet wishing he didn’t have to be such a burden to everyone around him, his body slowly feeling lighter and better.

“Now try and sleep some, I can be here when you wake up again.” “Won’t that be boring for you?” “No, you have books, I can read.”

He watched Hayden sleep, slowly lending him more energy, just watching him, a green glow slowly forming around his body as he smiled, shimmering slightly into blue and pink as he turned around towards him.

“My Hay hay….”

🎶

“So you are absolutely sure?” “Yes?”

Hayden had asked Vy to come on a walk with him, it felt safer to go for walks with someone, and he knew his brother was out on a date with River, and besides, he loved going for walks with his friend.

“What will you do with your old home then, just let it stay as it is?” “I don’t know.” “And all your things?” “Eh… I don’t know?”

Hayden looked at Vy standing there looking so very uncertain suddenly, something he hadn’t intended to make happen.

“How about we go past your place, and you can decide then. We will make place for all of it if you want, I am sure the house is big enough to make some kind of dragon’s den for treasure?” “Would your parents think that is okay?” “Of course, you should see my dad’s castle, there are so many crystals and things that you would almost not believe it.” “Ooooh.” “I’ll take you one day, if you want too?” “I’m not sure, I mean your uncle might not like the visit?” “Oh he is only there if he is asked to be, he has a much warmer home normally.” “Oh, then Yes! I would love to!”

They started walking again, stopping not all too long after as Vy noticed a fish jumping in the river they were walking alongside. It was hard not to smile at the child like nature he sometimes had as he ran along the river to see if he could see what kinda fish it was.

“I think… it was a salmon!”

He chuckled as Vy hugged him from behind, the sun slowly setting changing how the world they were walking in changed too.

“Hayden?” “Yeah?” “Can we stop by my tree, and I can see what I want to take with me now? I mean, is that okay? Or do you need to go home?”

Taking Vy’s hand he started pulling him along.

“Let’s go see how your tree is doing, hopefully it isn’t angry with you for leaving it, you said it had a mind off its own?” “If anything, I think it will be happy not to have me fill it with even more things.” “See if we can lighten the load some maybe?” “Yes!”

They walked towards Vy’s old house, Vy talking about all the things he would like to bring, Hayden wondering if maybe they needed a truck to move it all.

“Vip lounge princess, did we really need that?” “No, but why not use that ever so slight perk when I can?”

The sounds from downstairs were slightly muffled, Rylan having decided that this date could be just a bit different, taking River with him to a club his work usually went to whenever they were going out.

“Is the frog prince that out of place?” “Just a little, I am used to sneaking into venues like this, not being bowed at.”

Rylan chuckled, he had seen the look on River’s face when they came here, even more so when the bouncer for the vip section smiled and opened the door for them.

“You know what the best part is?” “You tell me princess, what is the best part.” “Were alone here, just you and me.” “And what does my princess want with a frog all alone?”

Rylan smirked as River put his arms around him, turning around to look at him.

“I have been told, on fairly good authority, that if a princess kisses a frog, they will turn into a prince.” “I see, are we testing that thesis?” “Yes.”

🎶 (mostly for where River and Rylan is)

Hayden tried to ignore the worried look Vy was giving him, he knew he would try his best to heal him, and he felt horrible that his friend kept having to do that just to keep him going. As they reached his bedroom, he found himself in his bed, leaning against the backboard, as he saw his brother look for PJs.

“Top drawer, left side.”

Rylan nods, getting the pj’s, about to head back down when he stops in the doorway.

“You text me if you need me, right?” “Vy is here, I doubt it will be needed, but fine. Now hop along and go be with your frog.” “Really” “Yes, hop to it.”

As they finished the last of the cleanup, Hayle took River with him to show him Rylan’s room, which surprisingly is quite small, just having the very basic things of a bed, tv, a console and a dresser.

“He doesn’t spend much time here really, mostly if he is playing something on his console.” “I admit… I imagined it..” “Grander?” “Yeah.” “Well, you were watching movies, I’ll get you both some popcorn and some soda, Rylan should be here soon.” “Okay.”

Oddly he felt nervous walking back to his room, knowing River would be there and that he was going to spend the night simply made him nervous. Stopping outside his room, he took an extra deep breath, before opening the door.

“Not the biggest as you can see, but it has what I need.” “It’s nice though, minimalistic, but nice.” “Yeah, I guess so, and here.”

Holds out the pj’s for River to take them.

“Thanks, so now that Vy lives here, where do you spend most of your time? I mean, it is just clearly not this room.”

Rylan is about to say something, when he sees River starting to undress, sitting with his back towards him on the bed.

“Oh I spend most my time in my game room, it’s kinda the place I keep all the D&D stuff, mostly plotting adventures for them, and some I just go for walks.” “Come on, now, princess, don't tell me you're shy! Just messing around, and yeah, this doesn't feel like this is your space...”

Looks around the room, getting closer to Rylan and wraps an arm around him

“For some reason, I thought I'd enter a room and it would just yell "Rylan", like D&D posters, or old magazine prints you liked or... stuff like that.” “Well, I can show you that room if you want? I don’t have a bed though.”

There is a light knock on the door, Hayle coming inside, handing them popcorn and some sodas, just smiling at them, and then heading back to his husband.

“I’d love to see it, and hey, if it has a sofa I can sleep on that. I'm used to sleeping on sofas, I often end up on one of the shelter ones.” “Okay, come on then, you can see the rumored game masters den.”

Chuckles as he pulls River with him to the room he spends almost all his time in when he has nothing else to do.

“So hay-hay, what is a Christmas movie?” “Oh... It’s movies made around Christmas, mostly they are romantic and sweet ones, yet some with humor.”

Flipping through the many movies, he stops at The Holiday

“Oh, this one is nice.” “Oh! Jack Black! I like his movies!”

Places his arm around Hayden's shoulder and pulls him closer so he can lean on him or lay on his lap if he'd like.

“What's it about? “ “It is about two women that change houses for two weeks, and how that changes their lives. My favorite character in the movie is Arthur though, I think you'll see why.” “Oh, why is he your favorite? ” “You can tell me if you can guess after we watched it?”

Leaning against Vy, he wraps an arm around him, knowing he will be asleep long before the movie is over, their talk is interrupted by Chris coming in, putting some sweets on the side table as well with something to drink, before he leaves again.

“Okay. I'll pay a lot of attention for when Arthur comes in scene, so I can try to guess!” “Sounds good, you’re okay with me lying like this? “Yep!” “I’m glad you here Vy..”

Yawns, unable to keep himself awake, Vy watching him with a smile, a green glow around him as he watched the movie carefully so he can tell Hayden all about it in the morning.

“Hayle?” “No! Mine!” “Dad, stop hogging the sweets.”

Hayle looks at Hayden, grumbling a little and then holding out the box for him.

“Fine, since I am the reasonable adult.” “You know, we might have believed that if you didn’t do a grumbling growl first.”

Chris chuckled, putting an arm around his husband’s shoulder, getting a grumpy look in return. Rylan looking over at River, wondering what he made off it all.

“Your parents are cool if I spend the night, do we get to share a bed?” “My parents are... Well, a bit odd but I guess kinda cool? Although I am not sure they always remember their age.. “

Chuckles and finishes his food, almost chocking on the last bit when River mentions sharing a bed.

“I... I think they meant you get a guest room.” “Awww, I'll sneak over then during the night! Nah, don’t worry I am only joking princess.” “I honestly doubt they would mind, Hayden and Vy share a bed most nights” Ignoring his brother, Hayden holds out the box to Vy. “You choose one first.” “Can I?” “Yep!”

holds the box so Vy can look and pick, there being cakes, cookies, and small filled chocolates, Hayle staring a bit at them as he watched them, feeling the hand of his husband on his. 

“I can get you as many boxes as you want.” “I know..”

Vy looks at the box, then at Hayle, clearly not fully comfortable with having “stolen” his box and being told to pick something.

“You can choose first Mr. Hayle. I can eat after everyone has theirs” “Nah, I already ate a full box earlier, you can pick first.” “I know you love chocolate Vy, so I suggest one of the sugar cookie birds, they are filled with chocolate.” “I agree with them, you get first pick.”

Rylan nodded as well, leaving it up to Vy to pick what he wanted first, Vy looking between them all with a big smile, before taking, much like Hayden had suggested one of the bird cookies.

“I love Birds!”

Smiling Hayden looks into the box, taking out a cupcake looking cakes, handing the box over to his brother.

“Hmh… “

Takes a different cupcake than his brother, with green frosting on top, holding the box out to River for him to pick something.

“I do have a tv in my room, we could watch a movie after this?” “Sure, what should we watch, Romantic, Horror, action?” “Hmh.. how about horror, seems perfect for Christmas.” “Sweet! It's good!”

Rylan chuckles looking over at Vy who has taken his first bite out of the cookie. Hayle still looking a little miffed about losing his box of candy to the kids.

“Oh btw dads, Vy said yes to decorate with us.” “Perfect, after all your decorating skills are normally a bit limited to lying on the sofa bossing us all around.” “I do not boss you around.” “Really, do you want me to show Vy a picture off last year?” “Can I see? Oh... it's a joke! And yes, I'd love to decorate for Christmas. I never had a Christmas before with my... huh... parents being abroad I never got to celebrate it.”

Receiving a hmpf like sound from Hayden made Rylan smirk. He normally wouldn’t tease him about it, but with Vy there, it sort of felt like something he could do.

“I asked River to join us too, so you can boss the boss around!” “I shall allow it, this one time.” “Sweet, I mean, I hope I can actually help this time, and not just lie on a sofa and be bossy.” “Hah! You admitted it.”

Rylan chuckles, noticing the slightly sad look on his brothers face for a second, knowing this was a bit of a sore point, but also knowing his brother well enough to know where the line on teasing him was.

“Me and Hayle will do the cleanup, so unless you want more food, you can go have some fun. I’ll get the guestroom ready, and I think you can probably borrow one off Hayden’s pj’s even if they might be slightly big for you, but better than too small.” “And then you get me more candy.”

Chris smiled at his husband.

“Yes, boss.”

Feeling Vy’s hand on his shoulder snapped him out of his thoughts, the fact that the last few years of decorating really had been him on a couch wasn’t something he was overly happy about.

“I can give you a little energy that way you can help us too.?” “It's okay Vy, I can just be the boss, it's honestly a little fun to think I get to boss River around. Besides, I have a hunch you do that pretty much every day?

Puts a hand over Vy's

“Want to copy them and watch a movie? We can find one of the many many MANY Christmas ones?” “Then I'll give more. You can boss River and help me decorate. And yes! Let go watch Christmas movies!” “I’ll just go with you and grab pj’s then.”

Stretching slightly, he watches River help his parents clean, before getting to his feet.

“I’ll be back down before you know it.” “Hayle can show him to your room when we are done.” “Sure.” “Come on Vy, let’s find some pj’s so we can send lover boy back”

Chuckles slightly at the glare his brother sends him as she stands up, his legs deciding they are not up to being stood on, Rylan catching him with a slight shake off his head.

“Right, come on Vy, help me get the “boss” here to bed.”

🎶