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Chapter Text

"So it is you."

Atsushi paused in his rummaging of his duffle bag, blinking up at the man who seemed to appear out of the mist that bordered this garden constantly.

He glared down at Atsushi, like he was nothing but a mere speck of dust on the man's dark as night boot. 

"You are the one who has been running through this garden, determined on causing mischief?" 

"I'm not causing mischief." Atsushi frowned, straightening from his crouch. 

He truly wasn't, he was here to take care of the small garden that he had found in these woods.

Chuuya had gone missing a year ago in these very woods. Atsushi's heart aches each and every day that he was gone, and he had searched the woods through and through for his older brother.

He had found nothing. 

It was as if Chuuya never existed after that day.

"A very likely story." The man sneered. "Something all people who pass through here say. And no doubt that bag at your feet is not filled with that distilled swill that you men love so much."

Atsushi raised an eyebrow, and backed away from the bag, motioning to it. "Look through it yourself then." He challenged the man.

A small niggling thought in the back of his head. He would keep his guard up.

The man stepped forward, opening it, and freezing. He pulled out tool after tool, muttering their names under his breath.

"Trowel. Spade. Hand rake. Hand hoe." He paused when he came across a bottle. "And this?"

The accusation was back in his voice. 

"Read the bottle." Atsushi would admit that his voice was slightly mischievous, but the man had accused him of things he would never do.

Chuuya had loved to drink, but Atsushi couldn't bear to touch the stuff. His nose was far too sensitive to stand drinking alcohol himself.

"Liquid fertilizer." The man whispered, tracing the letters. "Then. . . It is you? You, are the one who has been caring for my garden?"

Atsushi nodded.

The small clearing they were currently in was something that Atsushi had stumbled across when he had been searching for his brother in the early days of his disappearance.

It was filled with flowers that bloomed in the dawn and dusk, the twilight mornings, and at night. Morning glories, moonflowers, gardenias, night blooming jasmines, and Atsushi had even found some evening primroses.

This garden had quite the variety.

But no gardener.

Atsushi, with more time on his hands than ever because his brother was missing, had more time to kill. Had more time to waste. Had time to care for the small garden he had found out here.

"I apologize for trespassing." Atsushi said sincerely. "However, when I saw such a beautiful garden was falling into disrepair because of the lack of a gardener-"

"No, I am the one who should apologize." The man straightened to his full height again, stepping away from Atsushi's bag and towards the night jasmines. His black coat swirled around his ankles, as if the mist itself brought it to life. "True, you should not have been trespassing. But my garden had fallen into disrepair because I have been busy, before you started taking care of it. I thank you for stepping in when I was busy with other things and caring for my garden."

Atsushi smiled, and crouched again for his bag, pulling out his hand rake.

"Tell me, did you plant the mock oranges?" The man asked as he touched the leaves of the night jasmine, likely feeling for the plant's health.

Atsushi felt his cheeks flush. "A friend gave it to me. However, I had no place to plant it, and this garden had so many blooming flowers of the night- I can remove it, if you wish-"

"There is no need." The man shook his head. "It brings a better ambience, a lovelier scent, to my garden. Thank you."

Atsushi smiled, returning to caring for the soil under the evening primroses.

"Can you give me your name?" The man asked. His voice curled around Atsushi's head like incense, trying to coax it from him with the alluring cadence.

Warning bells, like the Sunday church bell that sat high in the belfry, sounded loud and clear in Atsushi's mind. 

The man had not given his own yet.

Atsushi could not seem to hesitate, but he could not give his name to this- this man? 

But he also didn't know how to answer properly. 

However, something in Atsushi whispered that it would end rather poorly for him.

So he would at least have to sacrifice something.

"It's Atsu." 

A fraction of the power, but still some power over Atsushi.

"And what is your name?" Atsushi countered, sitting back on his haunches to face the. . . Being in front of him.

"You may call me Dragon." The being's eyes softened. "Now, what may I give you for your help? You saved my garden from disrepair. You cannot get nothing in exchange for something, Atsu."

Atsushi was not going to allow himself to be in debt to something that was not human. If he accepted something from this being, they may come to call later.

"I do not need anything." Atsushi said, clearly. 

"Are you certain?" The being, Dragon, arched a thin brow. "Surely there is something I can give you. My garden was in such disrepair after all, and you saved it from such a fate."

Atsushi shook his head. "No, I need nothing. However, if you want, I'd be happy to help you." 

Perhaps if he offered this being, Dragon, his help, they would help him find Chuuya?

A smile curled Dragon's lips. "I would be a fates damned fool to not take you up on that offer, Atsu."

Atsushi returned to tending to the flowers, more than likely enchanted. 

He would have to be careful to wash his hands of the pollen later.

"Has your family always had this garden, Dragon? Or have you been the only tender?" Atsushi asked, to pass time. He did not like how the being's eyes bored into the side of his head.

"Oh, this land has been passed through my lineage for. . . As old as time itself, it seems." Dragon stated. 

Atsushi believed him.

"I was the one who planted the garden, in my youth, but unfortunately, it fell into disrepair as I grew busy with my work." Dragon sighed. "It will indeed be nice to have help."

Atsushi made a noncommittal noise, trying not to promise a lifetime to the being beside him.

"What brings you to these woods in the first place? My garden is not easy to stumble upon, and you have been taking care of it for a while at least." 

Atsushi's shoulders dropped as he remembered his brother. "My older brother disappeared in these woods a year ago. When I tried to find him, I could find nothing."

"Perhaps the fae took him?" The being beside him offered a solution.

"Maybe, but what use would they have for him?" Atsushi was careful not to say Chuuya's name. He did not want to accidentally bring his brother into servitude to Dragon if his brother was simply elsewhere in the world. Even though Atsushi doubted it.

"Their rules are different from human's rules." Dragon pointed out. "They look for other things. You yourself should be more careful."

Atsushi had to laugh. "What use would the fae have for me!?"

"Their rules and what they look for are different." Dragon simply insisted upon.

It was then that he noticed the sun's position in the sky, and Atsushi stood, packing his things away.

"Leaving so soon?" The being asked.

"I need to, if I wish to be back at the village before nightfall." Atsushi said plainly.

"Ah, then." Dragon said, standing and walking to the corner that Atsushi rarely had to touch. "At least take a cut of one of my flowers."

"I couldn't-" Atsushi began to protest.

"I insist." Dragon refuted. "I will not have you leave empty-handed. Here." He returned, a bloom of a lily that Atsushi had never seen before in his hand.

"I've never seen anything like this flower before." Atsushi whispered, cradling it gently in his hands as Dragon placed it there. Perhaps, if Dragon was willing to share such a beautiful creation, he wasn't so terribly bad of a being?

"I imagine you would not. They are a special variety of Casa Blanca Lily that I have cultivated to grow in my garden." The being boasted slightly. "I dare say you would be able to grow more blooms from it."

Atsushi marveled at the flower in his hand.

"It is hardy enough to survive winters, and its fragrance is sweet enough to make one's head spin, if they breathe too deeply. Try it." The being urged.

Atsushi froze, not wanting to even dare. Who knows what it would do? All nice thoughts of Dragon flew out the window.

"Try it, Atsu."

It was an order, with the name he had given attached.

Even though it was merely a fraction of the name, the fraction of the power that this being had over Atsushi, it was enough to make Atsushi lift the blooming lily to his face and breathe the scent of the flower in deeply.

"See? Quite lovely, is it not?" The being, Dragon, was smiling, smirking. Atsushi could tell.

Even though he had more important things to worry about right now. Namely, the fact that Atsushi could practically feel the pollen settling in his airways, clogging them. The magic seeping into his body.

"Still, it pales in its beauty to you, my dearest Moon-blossom."

Atsushi's head was spinning alright, just like Dragon predicted. His breath was growing heavy and his eyelids felt like there were weights attached to them. His legs felt like they could buckle under him at any moment. His mind was fogging over, trying to blanket his thoughts and smother them.

"Hmm? Whatever is the matter, Dearest Moon-blossom? Ah, could it be, that your mind is growing hazy, and your head is spinning?" Dragon sounded amused. Sounded like he was pleased with himself. 

He grabbed onto Atsushi's shoulders, steadying him when Atsushi started to list to the side.

"Let go of me." Atsushi whispered. It was hard to speak. His tongue didn't want to move.

"No. I do not believe I will." Dragon refuted immediately, only drawing Atsushi closer to him. More unique features came into clarity, the red lightning etched along the dark coat, the tracing, spiraling mist-like patterns on Dragon's skin. The sharper teeth Atsushi saw when Dragon opened his mouth to speak. "I have waited for you. Far too long, in my opinion, but I waited for you, and finally, I have you. So I will not be letting you go."

Atsushi swallowed, his throat dry. Things around the garden grew more and more hazy, then grew into clearness. There was a- there was a house, a manor of all things, bordering the garden they were in. "Am I dreaming?"

How could he have missed it?

"No, in fact, you are finally seeing for the first time." Dragon chuckled. 

"What are you?" Atsushi whispered. His legs were starting to buckle, and they finally collapsed under him.

Infuriatingly, Dragon guided him down, resting Atsushi in his lap and resting his head on Dragon's shoulder.

"Oh, I believe you know what I am. You simply will not allow yourself to believe it quite yet. But you will."

Atsushi shook his head. 

"A word of advice though, my Moon-blossom? Do be careful when you give out your name. You never know what someone, or, something, will do with it." Dragon chuckled. "Although, you will not have that problem soon. Not with what I have planned for you."

Well wasn't that ominous. Atsushi thought bitterly. Atsushi bit his tongue. He needed to stay awake.

"It is quite impressive that you are still awake, my Moon-blossom. But you needn't worry, you shan't be hurt if you sleep." Dragon soothed. "So sleep. Sleep Atsu. Sleep."

Atsushi was pulled under.

Chapter Text

Atsushi woke up to a night sky.

Which should not happen, because he could feel a bed beneath him. It was as soft as he imagined a cloud may feel.

He could feel the sheets on his fingers. They felt as soft as flower petals under his fingertips.

He sat up so quickly his head spun.

Where am I!?

His eyes took in everything. The room was enormous, the feel of it like a yawning cavern. 

It was cast in shadows, the mist writhing and dancing around the room. It curled about the furniture, made of trees and flowers and other plants. Twinkling lights, drifting on unfelt wind, provided small pockets of light.

Atsushi swallowed. 

Right. Dragon took me.

He shifted, trying to feel for some sort of chains. The other creatures could not touch certain metals, fae especially could not touch iron. Some were more vulnerable to silver.

Atsushi had neither on his person.

He wished he was wealthy enough to have some.

No chains.

Either Dragon was confident in his ability to keep Atsushi here, or confident in the fact that Atsushi would never want to leave.

Atsushi was incredibly certain that the being was banking on him having his name to keep him.

Unfortunately for Dragon, he only had "Atsu," not "Atsushi."

Atsushi was certain he could fight through the fraction of the power that the being had over him.

Atsushi shifted out of the bed, placing his feet down on the moss floor. 

Thankfully, he was still in his normal clothes. He was honestly scared that he would wake up in something else.

Unfortunately, he was without shoes. 

That would be a problem as he walked back to the village.

He walked towards the door, that seemed to be made of a simple trunk of a tree. Atsushi swallowed and pressed against the door, and thankfully, thankfully, it opened, sliding to the side. 

Sticking his head out, he found a corridor. 

Moss was once against the floor, and the mist curled and danced throughout the place. It danced around Atsushi's ankles, swirling up his legs and back down.

He stepped out into the corridor, the hallway, he assumed, and the twinkling lights from the room followed him.

They hovered around him, dancing around his hair. Sometimes ducking into his hair. 

It had been pulled out of its ponytail, fluttering around his shoulders.

Atsushi didn't want to think of the fact that his hair had been pulled out of his ponytail without his knowledge, or permission. 

So instead, he picked a side of the corridor, and started down it.

The shadows twisted and seemed to follow him as he descended some stairs, trying to find a way out.

The stairs were carved of stone, rough and handhewn. Atsushi nearly stumbled and fell down them if he didn't grab the vine that was trailing along the side of the stairs.

He breathed easier when his feet hit moss again. The stone stairs had been cold on his bare feet.

And then his breath caught in his throat.

A door.

And with how large it was, it was more than likely one that led to the outside. One that would allow him to leave this other creature damned manor.

His feet walked quickly towards it, taking care not to run. Atsushi dare not run, dare not do anything that may alert Dragon to the fact that he was leaving.

He was twenty feet.

Fifteen-

"Good eventide, my Moon-blossom."

Atsushi stopped where he was. So damn close to the door of this manor. And yet now it was so far away, wasn't it?

He turned his head, looking in the archway he hadn't seen before because it was cleverly hidden by an arching tree trunk.

Dragon lounged there, in a parlor-like setting. He sat on what Atsushi could only assume could be the being's version of a loveseat. There was a table full of some sort of food.

"Would you be ever so good as to join me, Atsu?"

It was an order. They both knew that.

Atsushi could resist it. Could fight it, could walk through the door and run away.

But he didn't want to give away his trump card quite yet. 

Chuuya had been a good gambler, able to trick many travelers out of their coin through cards. 

"Keep yer best hand so close to yer chest it seems like it ain't a best hand."

Atsushi turned and walked into the parlor.

He couldn't give up his trump card quite yet.

"I am so glad to see you walking. Or perhaps running?" Dragon raised a thin eyebrow. 

Atsushi clenched his jaw. He would not rise to the bait.

"Please, sit down. Join me." Dragon said, motioning to the open space beside him on the loveseat.

Atsushi, to be contrary, sat across from him in a chair.

"How are you feeling?" Dragon asked, leaning his head on his fist, watching Atsushi with dark eyes.

"Dizzy. Disoriented."

Short, small sentences and answers. He can't get much from them.

"I imagine so. Going through the Veil is always so disorienting for you humans." Dragon sighed. "I hear it is far from a pleasant experience. I would apologize for it, but it brought me you, so I cannot lie."

Atsushi worked his jaw, going over the rules and laws of the fae. He had looked them over briefly, but he and Chuuya were always so busy. He could barely spare time to leave the village, unlike his brother, who was a hunter and brought meat to the village. And with Chuuya around, he never truly had to learn the laws. Chuuya simply told them to him.

"What do they call you?" Atsushi finally settled on, wanting to know the fae's name, or his moniker at least. Atsushi was rather certain Dragon was a fae, he had asked for Atsushi to give his name and held the power of it.

"An apt question." Dragon hummed. "They call me Ryuunosuke. I am Lord of these lands, which are called Nightmist."

Well that certainly explained the night flower scheme and the mist swirling about the manor and the fae himself. 

"Come now, you needn't restrain yourself." Ryuunosuke chuckled, motioning to the food in front of them. "Go ahead and eat."

"Where are we?" Atsushi asked instead.

He would not eat the fae's food. That was simply asking for disaster.

"My manor." Ryuunosuke divulged easily, sipping some tea from a cup. "Go ahead, look through the window."

Atsushi's eyes flicked over to the window, but stayed seated.

"Go on." Ryuunosuke coaxed. "There's no need to fear, I have no ill will towards you, my Moon-blossom."

Atsushi stood, reluctantly moving towards the window. The vines shifted as he grew nearer, giving him more access.

Sunrise eyes widened. He knew where he was now. "It's-"

"Yes." Ryuunosuke said, and Atsushi heard the clink of him setting the cup down on the table. "The manor you saw, before the enchantment to lift the Veil sent you to blissful dreams."

Atsushi didn't have blissful dreams.

He only had nightmares.

"The garden was a trap." Atsushi said flatly.

"No, it is indeed more akin to a snare, for those more sensitive." Ryuunosuke refuted. "You visited it many times, did you not? And never once did you fall through to this side. You slipped around and avoided alerting me. Until you began working on my garden, that is."

"Why did you bring me here?" Atsushi asked, turning to face the fae, who propped his chin on his fist to watch Atsushi.

"Come and sit, and we shall talk. You needn't fear me, or anything on the table. Eating or drinking my wares will not damn you to an eternity on this side, which is a pity." Ryuunosuke sighed. "We are not in Hades, my Moon-blossom. Come, you need to drink something, at least."

Atsushi reluctantly walked back and sat down, pouring himself a drink of what appeared to be water.

"I am glad you are using your common sense. Humans cannot go long without food and drink." Ryuunosuke smiled.

"Why did you bring me here?" Atsushi asked again, tentatively sipping the drink. It looked like water, but tasted like moonlight.

Atsushi didn't know how he knew what moonlight tasted like.

"I am the Lord of this land, Moon-blossom. I am, as you humans would put it, akin to a Duke, or a Prince-appointed Guardian of the land. Unfortunately, that means that I am high above my people. High above the land. I need someone closer to the ground, a confidant, a chosen person. A flower to whisper in my ear why doing such things would make my people upset."

"Me." Atsushi snarled, placing the cup down.

"You." Ryuunosuke nodded. "I noticed changes in my garden. Changes from the other side of the Veil. New bushes of a mortal variety, the weeds being plucked, the soil tended to, the spent blooms being trimmed away. I could hardly dare hope that a mortal was actually caring for my garden, so I needed to see you for myself."

"If you want someone to take care of your garden, couldn't you simply hire someone from your side?" Atsushi asked sharply.

"Ah, but what I need is not a gardener, Moon-blossom. Were you not listening? I need a confidant. A whisperer in my ear. A lover who will hold me back from my more. . . Volatile, outbursts on my subjects and the land."

"You speak of marriage." Atsushi said flatly. 

"I do." Ryuunosuke nodded. 

"I'm a human. Wouldn't that cause turmoil?" Atsushi asked through gritted teeth.

"Quite the contrary. You being human is blessing, as intermarrying in the fae has caused entire courts to fall before. If I want you, I shall take you as you are." Ryuunosuke explained. "Especially since you look as you already belong in this realm. You will be a stunning addition."

"And what is stopping me from simply walking out the door and leaving this side?" Atsushi asked, his eyes falling to the utensils on the table. There was a rather sharp knife.

"Nothing, I suppose. Physically." A mean smile curled Ryuunosuke's lips. "But are you forgetting, Atsu? I hold your name. You cannot leave while I have it."

"You don't hold my name." Atsushi's trump card slipped from his lips like water out of an open-fingered palm.

Ryuunosuke's dark eyes narrowed. "Eat something, Atsu."

Atsushi stiffened his body against the command, refusing to obey it.

Ryuunosuke's jaw worked back and forth as his dark as night eyes studied Atsushi. "It still had some effect. So you gave a portion, a fraction of your name. A fraction of the power. Clever."

He was praising Atsushi even while frustrated with him. Great. 

Chuuya, how do I get rid of a fae's interest?

"So if you'll excuse me." Atsushi said, standing. "I need to be leaving back to the village."

"Ah, but you are forgetting one other thing, my Moon-blossom." Ryuunosuke was smiling again, and it was setting Atsushi's finer hairs on his arms and neck to stand up. "You offered yourself to me."

Atsushi froze.

"I didn't."

"You did." Ryuunosuke purred. "In my garden, you said you would help me."

"With the garden!" Atsushi snapped.

"Ah, but what were your exact words, Moon-blossom?" Ryuunosuke pretended to think. "'If you want, I'd be happy to help you.' You never specified how you would help me, Atsu."

Atsushi's heart sped up. He swallowed. "That- that-!"

"And what I need help with is ruling Nightmist." Ryuunosuke said over him. "After all, what ruler of lands had naught but empty air in the seat beside him? With only the whispers of the wind to guide him? No, no. I need someone by my side, and it shall be you."

"'You cannot get nothing for something.'" Atsushi quickly quoted. "That is the law of your lands. I want to claim my freedom as payment for caring for your garden."

"True, that is the law of my lands." Ryuunosuke nodded. "However, you already forfeited payment. You said you wanted nothing, and needed nothing, in return for helping me with my garden."

"It wasn't how my offer was to be interpreted!" Atsushi cried.

"However unintentional it was, you offered yourself to me." Ryuunosuke shrugged. "I interpreted it as such, and accepted your offer."

Atsushi's mind worked, his eyes darting.

Ryuunosuke chuckled. "Look at you. Your mind running and racing like a trapped mouse, trying to find a way to escape me. But you will not be able to. The bargain was struck, and it cannot be undone."

"I refuse it." Atsushi said weakly. A last-ditch attempt. "I refuse your bargain."

"If you were a fae, that would be a normal part of the courting ritual." Ryuunosuke shrugged, leaning back in his seat. "However, you are not. You cannot refuse. You have no power to do so."

Atsushi's hand shot out, grabbing the knife.

"My dear, put down the knife." Ryuunosuke sighed. "You cannot hurt me with it, and should you try, my people will not look kindly upon you, should you try to walk out the doors."

Atsushi kept his hold on the knife.

Ryuunosuke's eyes hardened. "Put. It down. I will not look kindly on an aggressive spouse."

"And I do not look kindly on those who force themselves on others." Atsushi snarled. 

"Watch your tone!"

The shadows grew lives of their own with Ryuunosuke's shout, snapping at Atsushi's own. He felt pain from it, but he stood his ground despite his fear.

"Such words are more fitting for a poisonous snake than my future spouse." Ryuunosuke hissed, standing. "Put the knife down."

Atsushi's eyes narrowed.

He could hold his nerve. "Or what, you'll hurt me?"

He could threaten himself and his life. That was his only, only last trump card here. 

"No, no my Moon-blossom." Ryuunosuke chuckled. "I will hurt someone dear to you." 

Atsushi's brow furrowed. He had no one dear to him. Not since-

"Someone you thought once lost to you. You are not the only human to come stumbling into my snare, did you forget?"

Atsushi's eyes widened. 

"Your miscreant of a brother came into my garden, tracking a deer he had been seeking for a hunt. He stumbled through the Veil with such ease, and I was going to send him back, until I appeared before him and he shot one of his arrows at me. It was not until I locked him away did I realize why he was able to stumble through with such ease."

Chuuya had- 

Chuuya was-

"For his crime against me, he sits rotting below us. He will never see the mortal sun or fae sun ever again."

"You can't!" Atsushi yelled. Chuuya loved the sun. Loved being outdoors.

He lived off of being outside. Lived off of sunshine.

To deny him such a thing-

"And why not? He tried to kill me. He has no way to repay this debt." Ryuunosuke said coldly. Before a devious smile crossed his face. "Unless, of course, should a sibling wish to pay with their own life."

Atsushi felt his heart drop.

Because Chuuya needed to be freed. 

"Put the knife down. And accept your fate, Atsu."

"How do I know he is my brother!?" Atsushi countered quickly, throwing off the enchantment of his name. "It's as you said, many people stumble through and trigger the snare! How can I be certain that this is Ch- this is my brother?"

Ryuunosuke's eyes grew angry again, and the shadows twisted around Atsushi.

He tensed, fearing he had gone too far.

"You are correct." Ryuunosuke said thoughtfully at last. "All right. I will allow you to see the human prisoner."

Down, down, down they descended, the chill growing biting and fierce. Atsushi rubbed at his arms, wishing he had his cloak.

"I apologize for the chill. My own brother is the keeper, and he's taken something of a shine to yours." Ryuunosuke sighed. "Much like how a human child would treat a dog, I assume. Would you like my cloak?"

Atsushi glared.

He would take nothing from this fae.

"Very well." Ryuunosuke led the way.

"Aww, did you bring me another one, Akutagawa?" A velvety, icy voice cooed in Atsushi's ear, and he felt cold fingers skitter along his arm.

"Leave him be, Dazai." Ryuunosuke snapped, turning sharply to glare at the fae behind Atsushi.

"So mean!" The fae named Dazai whined, but left Atsushi be, walking around him. 

He was dressed in blacks, his hair an earthen brown. "What brings you down here, dearest little brother?"

"He's the human prisoner's brother, I believe."

"Akutagawa, are you taking my Slug away? No fair!" This fae was much more animated than Ryuunosuke, but Atsushi believed it to be a façade.

"Leave, Dazai." Ryuunosuke ordered, and the other fae rolled his eyes as he walked past them again. Back to the surface world.

They traversed deeper.

Down, deep into the earth where no natural light could reach, in the farthest corner.

A cell was located.

Ryuunosuke rapped on the bars. "You have a visitor."

"Go the fuck away."

Atsushi's eyes filled with tears immediately as he approached the cell, peering through the bars. 

After a year, he had nearly forgotten his brother's voice. Its cadence. The roughness that reminded Atsushi of a wool blanket, wrapping around him and making him feel warm.

"I'm afraid I can't do that." Atsushi whispered, finally seeing his brother after a year.

Chuuya's head snapped up, his hot sky blue eyes widening when he saw Atsushi on the other side of his cage. 

"At- Kid! Kid, what are you doing here!?" He asked, scrambling forward and just barely able to reach the bars. He gripped the hand that Atsushi had placed on the bars, and Atsushi let the tears spill down the side of his face when he finally touched his brother after a year.

"I tripped the snare." Atsushi shrugged, his voice weak.

Chuuya's jaw worked. "What's he keeping ya for?"

"Marriage." Ryuunosuke said smoothly, reminding them both that he was still there and listening.

"What."

Atsushi winced.

Chuuya was an incredibly protective brother.

And incredibly volatile when provoked.

People in the village used to say that his hair color was a warning of how hot his temper ran.

"Your brother offered himself to me." Ryuunosuke shrugged as he walked forward. "How could I possibly resist, when he loves the land as much as I do?"

Chuuya worked his jaw back and forth. "How voluntary was the agreement, Kid?"

Atsushi's eyes dropped to the side. 

Chuuya's jaw set. 

"It's fine." Atsushi whispered. "It'll be fine."

"Indeed." Ryuunosuke hummed. "In fact, you should rejoice, prisoner. Because of your brother, your debt will be repaid. You will walk in the sunshine again, and he shall be married to me."

"I don't fucking agree to this!" Chuuya snapped. 

"Too terribly bad." Ryuunosuke shrugged. "It was our bargain, not yours."

"You can't-!"

Atsushi squeezed his brother's hands to gain his attention.

Once the hot blue eyes were back on his, Atsushi slowly closed one eye in a wink.

"I'll figure something out. Trust me."

Chuuya studied him. Stared long and hard and his jaw was clenched and Atsushi could tell that his brother wanted nothing more than to break free and attack Ryuunosuke.

"I'll trust ya." He muttered, squeezing Atsushi's hands one last time, before releasing them. 

Atsushi stepped away, and Ryuunosuke grabbed his arm.

"You promise? You swear it?" Atsushi asked. 

"On my power as a Lord of Nightmist, your brother will be released when you repay the debt." Ryuunosuke said, and Atsushi finally nodded his consent.

As he was dragged away from his brother, Atsushi started thinking. 

Started reviewing what he knew.

I need a library.

Chapter Text

Atsushi paced, hoping against hope this would work.

He knew it was far-fetched.

He knew that this plan could possibly not go through.

But Atsushi had to have hope-

His door in the Nightmist manor opened. 

"Good eventide, my Moon-blossom."

Atsushi's feet froze, looking out the "window" he had. Damn it. Damn it all.

Atsushi worked his jaw back and forth, doing his best to not let his frustrations become visible.

The first plan he had hadn't worked. 

"One might confuse you for a statue, Moon-blossom." Ryuunosuke teased lightly as he glided forward. "You are frozen still."

Atsushi turned and glared at the fae.

"Ah, the February face. If I was made of delicate spring blossoms, I might die if given a glance at such a thing." Ryuunosuke sighed. "It was a brave attempt, my dear. Sending me on such a quest. One so long and arduous that I may not return for our wedding tonight. But I have returned. And I am victorious. It is time for you to accept your fate, Atsu."

Atsushi turned away, trying to keep his breathing steady.

This was fine, this was fine, this was fine.

"While I admire an oak tree that will not bow to the winds of change, I must admit that I prefer the flowers closer to the ground, that accept their dates more easily. I have won, Atsu. Please, stop fighting." Ryuunosuke asked, his hand reaching out and taking a strand of Atsushi's hair. 

Atsushi smacked his hand away.

This was fine, he just had to keep his nerve, he was fine, he was fine, everything would be fine. 

He had promised Chuuya.

He had come up with a plan. 

He simply had executed it.

And Ryuunosuke had come back by a time he hadn't expected. 

"Ah, so you are not indeed a statue!" Ryuunosuke laughed. 

"Isn't it bad luck to see a spouse before the wedding?" Atsushi instead asked, keeping his eyes away from Ryuunosuke's. 

The floating lights, his only companions, danced around him.

Atsushi had long since realized that these were how Ryuunosuke kept an eye on him.

They followed him everywhere, no matter where he went. They glowed brightly whenever he even tried to approach the door, and Ryuunosuke would appear out of nowhere, seemingly called.

"Are you finally admitting that you are mine?" Ryuunosuke's voice curled around his ears, coaxing.

Atsushi set his jaw. "Unwilling spouse. I have no ability to say no in this situation, and yet the wedding will march on anyways."

Ryuunosuke sighed, withdrawing from Atsushi's personal space. "While it may be bad luck, I think it shall balance out, seeing as I am gaining you in a few hours time."

Atsushi didn't respond.

"My dearest Moon-blossom, I understand that you are unhappy currently, but you will be happy soon." Ryuunosuke tried to coax. 

"You promise you will set him free?" Atsushi asked instead.

"Of course." Ryuunosuke sighed, already used to this dance. "Always turning back to your brother's fate."

"Do. You. Promise?" Atsushi asked through gritted teeth, watching the sun set in increments. Time seemed so slow and yet so fast here.

"I promise, once the debt is paid, your brother will be set free." 

Atsushi released his breath slowly. "On what do you promise?" He asked slowly. "I need- I need something more. Please, he's- he's the only family I have, and-"

Appear desperate, don't look into it, give me something, c'mon-

"Calm yourself, Moon-blossom. Fae cannot lie. It is our boon, and our curse." Ryuunosuke smoothed an arm down Atsushi's arm. "I promise, your brother will go free once the debt is paid. A plague on myself, my lands, and my people, if I do not keep my word."

Atsushi's breath caught in his throat, but he coughed slightly to overshadow it. "Alright." He said slowly. "I accept the terms."

"Wonderful." Ryuunosuke sighed, seemingly relieved. "Now, I must go get ready. I shall see you beneath the arbor, dearest Moon-blossom. You'll be the envy of all, with your beauty. And I will be the envy of many, for being the one to wed you."

Atsushi grimaced. He was dressed in a trailing ombre dress, pure white like the Casa Blanca Lily that Ryuunosuke had given him, and then gently fading into a deep midnight purple at the bottom of the dress. It was stunning. Atsushi hated it, because of what it represented to him.

Ryuunosuke's coat swirled as he left, and Atsushi could breathe easily once more. 

If he truly was victorious with the quest- then-

Atsushi watched the sun slowly lower.

Then. I have a chance. It's so small. But I have a chance.

Atsushi paced as the sun set lower and lower.

The court, the lands were called Nightmist. They would predictably start the marriage rites at twilight, so Atsushi would enter the court properly at night. Ryuunosuke no doubt had the preparations to make Atsushi a full-fledged or a half-fae ready.

"Hello little brother-in-law!" Dazai trilled as he threw open the door.

It seemed Atsushi was rather popular today.

"I'm not your brother-in-law." Atsushi sighed, turning to look at the icy fae.

"Not yet, perhaps." Dazai sighed, walking forward to run a hand through Atsushi's hair, frowning. "You haven't done your hair for the ceremony." He tsked.

Atsushi didn't reply, turning away.

"Still showing defiance in smaller ways, are we?" Dazai sighed. "This won't be a terrible thing, child."

"Were you taken by the fae? By everything you knew?" Atsushi countered.

"No, I wasn't." Dazai sighed. "But you will like it here. Despite Akutagawa's more. . . Fiery outbursts, he is quite nice for a fae."

"I am not your brother-in-law." Atsushi said quietly.

"You'll see." Dazai instead insisted, turning away and walking back towards the door. "By the way, any chance you could give me your brother's name?"

Dazai's charm was stronger, but he didn't have Atsushi's name fragment.

Atsushi stuck his middle finger proudly over his shoulder. 

"What does that mean?"

"Fuck off." Atsushi said proudly.

"You two are seriously alike." Dazai sighed. "I'll come to get you in thirty minutes time~!"

The door to Atsushi's room closed.

He had thirty minutes to plan.

Thirty minutes to review.

He had spent countless hours in the library while Ryuunosuke was on the quest, reviewing what he knew about fae laws.

He went through what he would say, how he would say it, in his mind. He begged and pleaded and prayed to any gods that he knew of that this final plan, his last ditch effort, would work.

True to his world, like all fae, Dazai reappeared in his doorway in thirty minutes time.

It made Atsushi feel a little better, knowing that the fae are also bound to their words.

Dazai had a hand on his shoulder as he led him along, probably to ensure that Atsushi wouldn't run away from the ceremony.

Outside, there was quite a gathering.

Fae that Atsushi had never met, because he had been locked away in the manor all the time, turned their heads and looked at Atsushi.

One fae looked at him, poked their tall friend, and whispered. They both whispered together, and soft chuckles echoed from them. The raccoon around the taller fae's neck chittered.

Dazai's hand tightened. "You are planning something, are you not?" 

"What do you mean?" Atsushi asked.

Dazai thinned his lips, but still led him to the arbor, where Ryuunosuke stood.

An officiator stood behind Ryuunosuke, who looked utterly pleased that Atsushi was there. 

Atsushi stood on the arbor, and Ryuunosuke took his hand to help him up. Once he was on the arbor though, his hand was dropped.

"Welcome, friends of Nightmist." An older fae said, his monocle made of something that looked like metal, but wasn't. His silver hair brushed against his neck, and the wisps of the mist curled around him like smoke. Atsushi got the feeling that this fae was rather powerful.

"We are gathered today, to celebrate the joining of Akutagawa, Guardian of Nightmist, with his chosen human. As per the records, they will present their gifts to each other, to show their devotion."

Atsushi inhaled shakily, held it, exhaled steadily.

Here we go.

"First, Akutagawa, as you are the Lord. What have you brought for your chosen?" The officiater asked.

Ryuunosuke turned to him, his eyes soft. 

Atsushi almost regretted the fact that they met like this. That Ryuunosuke was like this. If he hadn't kidnapped Atsushi, if he hadn't threatened Chuuya, Atsushi would have fallen willingly for the fae.

"My dearest Moon-blossom. You asked me for an item of legend, and I traversed far and wide for it, braving land, sea, fog, and lava for it. But I was victorious, because I would not stand before you otherwise." 

Atsushi hid his grimace with the tilt of his head.

"Behold." Akutagawa brought something out of his own coat. "A mantle, a cloak, of invisibility." 

A murmur went through the crowd.

Atsushi heard the soft chuckles from the fae pair before.

"It is yours. Take it." 

Well, how can I refuse?

Atsushi took it in his hands. "Does it work properly?" He asked, peeking up at Ryuunosuke through his eyelashes.

Ryuunosuke smiled. "Try it and see for yourself."

"If you insist." Atsushi whispered, and threw the longer part over his shoulders, clasping it at his throat, and pulled the hood up.

The world became a little bluer looking, but otherwise normal to him.

He laughed softly.

"I am glad to see you enjoy your gift. Or, not see, as it would appear." Ryuunosuke sounded amused.

"And the chosen? What have you secured for your spouse?" The officiater asked.

"Do you remember, what I asked of you, my Moon-blossom?" Ryuunosuke asked, reaching a hand towards him, before lowering it. 

"A smile." Atsushi said.

"Yes." Ryuunosuke himself smiled. "Your happiness is all that I wish for, and to see you happy is all that I will want from you."

Atsushi smiled under the cover of his invisibility.

"Well?" Ryuunosuke arched his thin brow.

"I am smiling." Atsushi bared his teeth, barely restraining his laughter.

The fae pair were giggling, having no need for restraint, and Dazai sat up straight. Horror written across the icy fae's face, but he was not allowed to interrupt the proceedings.

Atsushi knew this, because he had read it in the library.

"Perhaps you are, but it is quite useless if I cannot see you smile. Remove the cloak, and allow me to see your face." Ryuunosuke requested.

Atsushi allowed his smile to settle.

"No."

Ryuunosuke blinked, and his own smile faltered. "Atsu, our friends are waiting upon us. Remove. The cloak."

"I will not." Atsushi said clearly.

Ryuunosuke closed his eyes, and the shadows writhed. But it seemed that he was quite unable to lash out in a social setting, as it would be a bad show of control. "Of course. One last way to spite me, then? I will have to remove it myself then."

"You can't." Atsushi said confidently.

Ryuunosuke paused.

"'Once the ceremony is started, and until its end, the two are not allowed to touch.'" Atsushi quoted from the books of Nightmist law. "The cloak is now a part of my wardrobe, it is mine now. You cannot touch me."

Atsushi peeked out at the crowd again. 

The two fae had broad grins, and the raccoon was on the taller fae's head to get the best watching point.

Dazai looked like he was watching something horrible happen.

"You cannot stay under there forever!" Ryuunosuke roared. "You will not deprive me of your face forever! I will not have it!"

"But I can. Think back to your words." Atsushi taunted.

"Back to-" 

Atsushi saw the comprehension dawn in Ryuunosuke's eyes.

"No-"

"'Naught but empty air in the seat beside him.'" Atsushi said, barely restraining his triumphant laughter. "'Only the whispers of the wind to guide him.'"

"No! You cannot stay under there forever! Are you so desperate to get away from me!?" Ryuunosuke, surprisingly, against his laws, reached out to try and grab Atsushi.

Atsushi avoided the hand. "You said you would take me as I am! You never specified how!"

Ryuunosuke's snarl was fierce, and Atsushi could taste victory on the edges of his tongue. "Giving me a taste of my own power!?"

And then his face settled. "But think carefully. Very. Carefully, Moon-blossom. Our bargain does not affect just you. Should you forfeit your end, your brother must pay. And I will make him pay with his life."

Atsushi breathed. He knew this. Ryuunosuke was vengeful.

"I am aware."

"So be it." Ryuunosuke's voice and eyes were cold. "This marriage has been called off. But fear not, friends. You will still have a spectacle."

He turned to Dazai.

"Bring the prisoner. We shall have an execution instead."

"You can't!" Atsushi protested.

"Silence Moon-blossom!" Ryuunosuke turned to where Atsushi's voice came from. "You knew the consequences. You will pay for your selfishness."

Chuuya was dragged forward by Dazai's hand.

"With your brother's life."

Chuuya's eyes darted around. Searching for him. But his body was lax. He wasn't trying to attack anyone. He trusted Atsushi.

"I claim him as my reward!" Atsushi cried.

"'Claim him?' On what grounds?" Ryuunosuke sneered.

"For tending to your garden. I claim my brother as my reward. You cannot get nothing from something."

The fae pair let out righteous laughter, leaning on each other.

Atsushi stood strong.

"You cannot claim him. You forfeited your right to reward."

"He's not a thing!" Atsushi said. He prayed to the gods that he had read about that this would work. It had to. "He's a person. I forfeited something. I claim him as my someone of reward."

Judging by Ryuunosuke's paling face, Atsushi was right in clarifying.

"No. No! You think, with a mere twist of my words, you can wretch yourselves from my grasp!?" 

"You cannot get nothing from something!" Atsushi cried the words as his defense, as if it would become a shield and save him. "It is the law of your lands!"

"Damn the laws! I am Guardian! Who can stop me from breaking them!?"

"You can! Your words!" Atsushi yelled. Yes yes yes yes!

"What?" Ryuunosuke took a step back.

Atsushi took a step forward.

Chuuya grinned.

"'I promise, your brother will go free once the debt is paid. A plague on myself, my lands, and my people, if I do not keep my word.'" Atsushi quoted Ryuunosuke. "Those are your words. My debt is paid. You never specified the debt, it is paid."

Ryuunosuke stared. He lowered his head. His shoulders heaved. 

Laughter.

Laugher was spilling from his lips.

"Well. Played." He whispered. "It seems, in this battle of wits, you are the victor, Moon-blossom."

Atsushi felt everything dissolve. The tight knot binding him to this side dissolving.

Chuuya's ropes dissolved around his wrists, and he raced over to his brother, holding him by the shoulder.

"Before you leave." Ryuunosuke asked, turning every which way to look for him. "I have a request. I would be a fool, to not wish to see the face of the one who bested me. At least, one last time."

Atsushi gripped Chuuya's shoulder.

"He can't do nothin' kid." Chuuya muttered. "You were declared the victor."

Atsushi relaxed, and pulled the hood of the cloak off.

"Ah, my dearest Moon-blossom. It seems that your wits are as sharp as a tiger's claws." Ryuunosuke whispered. "Take your brother and leave. But be alert. Be aware. Your face is written in my book of memories. Should our paths cross again, you will not win a second time."

Atsushi nodded, and pulled the hood back up. He covered his brother with the cloak, wrapping his brother's arm over his shoulder to help him walk.

Nightmist dissolved around them.

They were in the woods.

Atsushi quickly found the cardinal points and started walking.

"We're fucking moving, Atsushi." Chuuya muttered as soon as they left the woods.

"Chuuya?" Atsushi whispered, taking the hood off.

"You heard him, Atsushi. You heard him. 'e ain't gonna give up. Just 'cause you escaped this once doesn't mean yer gonna get a second chance to it." Chuuya's arm tightened around his shoulders.

The changeling's eyes glowed as the sun rose. His orange-red hair growing more vibrant. "And I ain't gonna let him get a second chance."

Atsushi hummed, holding Chuuya closer.

Chuuya had been left in the middle of the road, near his parents' land, a few years before Atsushi was born.

His parents knew about the fae, but saw no reason to let one of their children die. Why should any child die, had been their thought.

Chuuya had simply existed in their household, not really doing anything for a few years.

And then Atsushi was born.

Chuuya had, from then on, been sworn to protect Atsushi from everything and anything. By his own power, by his own words. He loved Atsushi, and Atsushi loved him. When their parents died, all the had was each other.

Chuuya drew his power from the sun, from the natural light. He had no fae-like abilities, beyond being faster and stronger than a human. But he thrived in the sun.

It was no wonder that he hated Nightmist so much. It was everything that Chuuya hated. Including someone trying to trick Atsushi into marriage.

"Where are you thinking of moving?" Atsushi whispered.

"Dunno. Just away from these damn woods." Chuuya grumbled.

Atsushi and Chuuya sat down, just breathing for a moment.

"I don't care where we go." Atsushi muttered. "Just as long as you're okay."

"Dumbass." Chuuya nudged him. "Yer the one 'e wanted, worry about yerself."

Atsushi smiled.

I don't care either. He heard, loud and clear.

After all, the fae can't lie, but they can say things without saying them.

Ryuunosuke had implied that he would never stop coming after Atsushi.

Atsushi would like to see him try, now that he had a mantle of invisibility, and a brother back.

The odds were firmly in Atsushi's favor, this time around.

And he felt more confident than ever.

Chapter Text

Atsushi had taken to taking the invisibility cloak everywhere.

Out of the new cottage to the village? Invisibility cloak on him.

Going to the woods for foraging? Invisibility cloak on him and Chuuya with him.

Just leaving the house in general? Invisibility cloak.

Chuuya didn't blame him for the paranoia, instead, seemed to actively be encouraging him to taking the cloak wherever.

That was wonderful and all, but it made it very hard for Ranpo to get close.

Not impossible. Nothing is impossible for him and Edgar! But hard.

And before you ask, he only knew the twosomes full names because he overheard them! He wasn't given them, so he held no power over them.

Ranpo munched on some candy (one of the best human inventions, if he did say so himself), and pondered his dilemma.

Finding the two brothers was a chore in and of itself. They had moved far far away from Nightmist's main court.

Little surprise, Akutagawa had still expressed interest. He was the type of fae who saw being outdone as a beauty rather than a slight.

However, Nightmist has a long range.

And that currently brought Ranpo and Edgar to their current dilemma.

He and Edgar had wanted to impart a boon on the two brothers, for entertaining them, mostly Atsushi, during the "wedding."

Atsushi's escape of Nightmist with himself, his brother, and an invisibility cloak was unheard of. Unprecedented. And utterly clever.

Ranpo and Edgar liked clever people.

No, not like that!

Ranpo and Edgar were quite happy with their marriage, thank you. But finding truly clever people, fae or other or human, was hard. Everyone was predictable and boring to them.

They had predicted a boring and long service. Edgar, as Leanan Sídhe, needed stimulation. He could certainly inspire others artistically. He mostly used it to inspire Ranpo to not be bored and to do things. However, he also needed some stimulation as well. 

Ranpo, as an Elf, specifically a water elf, simply needed to move. Life was unpredictable but also so predictable and boring. Everything was a cycle. Everything had a cycle. Even Nightmist.

Atsushi had broken the cycle of Nightmist.

No one had escaped Nightmist.

Atsushi not only escaped, he took spoils from the other realm and his brother.

Ranpo and Edgar loved clever people. 

And unfortunately, so did Akutagawa.

A boon was quite needed to guard them against the wiles that the Nightmist fae was willing to go to in order to call Atsushi his.

A double boon from two fae, two married fae, would most certainly help in that regard.

Being married had doubled their powers, their enchantments, they were practically unstoppable.

But whenever Ranpo tried to approach, a twig would snap, something in the village would pound, or perhaps Atsushi had grown sensitive to the presence of fae and others that lived in the world with humans.

Whenever Ranpo or Edgar tried to approach, Atsushi ducked into an alleyway and threw his cloak on.

Not even Ranpo and Edgar could track someone with an invisibility cloak.

It was created to thwart any attempts to.

Ranpo threw himself across his chosen beloved, (as if he had any choice in falling for Edgar truly, the Leanan Sídhe had stolen his heart and Ranpo had stolen his in turn and Ranpo was perfectly happy with that, but he digressed) and groaned loudly.

He wanted to gift the boon now.

But he supposed the mental exercise of trying to get close to Atsushi certainly helped him not be bored.

Edgar was currently writing a story for humans, his hand coming up and patting Ranpo on the head. "Still frustrated?"

"Yes. I thought we would have been able to approach by now." Ranpo whined.

"It makes sense that he is so sensitive." Edgar commented, putting the quill in the inkwell and giving Ranpo his full focus. Ranpo was quite pleased with this fact, because Edgar loved to write. So by putting away his writing to focus on Ranpo, it meant he loved Ranpo more.

"He was in Nightmist for nigh on six months thanks to that quest for the cloak." Edgar continued. "Growing sensitivities to the presence of us is a natural reaction."

"Especially if he was studying the laws of Nightmist so intently that he knew Akutagawa couldn't touch him during the ceremony." Ranpo sighed. "That is quite buried in their law books. The trackers didn't help that as well."

Edgar's lips thinned with displeasure at the mention of the seemingly pretty and innocent lights that Akutagawa had employed to keep his betrothed in the manor.

Edgar did not like the forced marriages that some of their kind employed. He found appreciation in the art of making someone fall for you, as seen with Ranpo.

Ranpo buried his head in the crook of his beloved's neck, trying to distract him from the rather unpleasant thoughts for Akutagawa he must be having.

"What should we do?" He mused aloud, trying to distract his chosen other.

"Well." Edgar said slowly, tapping his fingers lightly against the desk. "If we cannot approach, then another will have to." 

Ranpo grinned into his beloved's neck.

He always had the best ideas.

~~~~~~~~~~

Atsushi was on edge.

He had felt eyes on him.

Chuuya had only confirmed this fact, pacing the perimeter of their new home at times when he thought Atsushi was asleep and trying to keep anyone out.

Atsushi was always awake during these times, because what if Ryuunosuke appeared and took his brother again?

What if Ryuunosuke forces him to go with him again?

What if there was no escape, no loophole he could exploit this time?

These thoughts kept Atsushi up, prevented him from getting rest until his brother was in the house with him and slipping into the bed across the room from him.

Then, and only then, could he breathe easily and sleep soundly.

Then, and only then, could Atsushi sleep, with his brother's sounds in the same room as him.

As he pulled weeds out of the neighbors yard, he heard chittering sounds.

However, his paranoia did not creep up, and his guard did not rise, because this neighbor was on the edge of the woods.

He looked up.

A raccoon sat on the fence.

"Hello?" Atsushi asked, blinking at the animal. He could swear it was watching him.

It chittered at him, descending off the fence and making its way through the carrots to him.

Animals always did love Atsushi, so he simply brushed it off, reached out a hand and offering it to the animal so it could sniff.

The raccoon sniffed at his hand, brushed against it, twirled around three times, and laid down in the carrot patch. 

Atsushi stared at it.

This was unusual animal behavior, even though he has never interacted with a raccoon before.

"Um? Make yourself at home? But this isn't my garden you know."

The raccoon watched him with unusually intelligent eyes, the sounds being made almost like laughter.

Atsushi just shrugged, and went back to weeding the garden.

It was nice, to have some company, even if it was in the form of an animal. 

At the end of the day and when Atsushi has his money in his hand and putting it in his coin-purse, the raccoon swirled around his ankles and feet.

"Uhm– what?" He asked, trying to move forward.

The raccoon latched onto a pant leg and tried to tug.

This was getting weirder by the second.

"Do you want me to go somewhere?" Atsushi asked, concerned. This was– this was odd.

Something about this raccoon was off–

A memory of the wedding popped into his head.

Two fae, a pair.

And a raccoon, one that sat on the head of the taller fae.

Atsushi pulled his pant leg out of the raccoon's mouth, and ran.

He forgot to grab the piece of cloth back.

~~~~~~~~~~

Ranpo hummed in curiosity when Karl came scampering back, holding a piece of cloth in his mouth and preening.

"Now what do we have here?" Ranpo asked, as Karl gifted him the cloth and scampered up Edgar's shoulder to perch on his head.

"Ranpo?" Edgar tilted his head, his melodious voice trickling through Ranpo's ears as he studied the cloth in his hands.

"I see, thank you Karl."

Karl chittered, preening in approval.

Words in Ranpo's Olde Language, the language of enchantment and water and spells, flowed out of his mouth.

The cloth was submerged in water condensed from the surrounding air, and Ranpo knew his eyes were glowing a brilliant sea green.

Edgar was watching in interest and intrigue, the spells of water elves were always strong and capable and fierce like the sea they could command. 

The water dispersed back into the air, and Ranpo made sure to cleanse it. It may be used later by another fae, which could tell them about Atsushi. Ranpo didn't want that. The unfortunate side effects of water is that unless it was cleansed, it could be used to see a previous spell.

Water never forgot after all, only changed forms.

The cloth plopped back down in his hand, still dry. Ranpo was an expert after all.

"Ranpo?" Edgar asked again.

Ranpo smiled at his beloved.

"Let's talk to the one we want to give the boon to, shall we?"

~~~~~~~~~~

Atsushi was on edge.

He had been ever since he came back and Chuuya flipped out on him missing part of his pant leg.

Apparently, fae had tracking spells, and enchantments of all things, that could compel you into doing what they wanted. Simply by having something of what you deemed yours.

Chuuya had been pacing the house, the cottage they were renting, and wouldn't let Atsushi out of his sight. 

It was sweet.

But ultimately worrying.

Right now they were eating stew and bread, Chuuya still unable to stay still and eat properly, wandering the perimeter of the room.

It was for naught though.

"Hello!"

Atsushi leapt to his feet, and Chuuya shot around, hand on his knife's handle.

Two fae, because they were fae, Atsushi could feel it, were in their living room.

The raccoon preened atop the taller fae's shoulders.

Atsushi wasted no time in throwing the invisibility cloak over his head.

The smaller fae pouted.

"Oh c'mon. We didn't go through the whole process of meeting you on equal footing for this to happen!"

"You call intruding our home equal footing!?" Chuuya snarled as Atsushi hid himself away in a corner of the room. He wasn't going to leave without his brother.

"Yes! I've been trying to approach your brother for weeks now! Imparting a boon should not be so hard to do!" The smaller fae stamped his foot.

Boon? Atsushi blinked. That wasn't a term he knew.

Chuuya's reaction was what told him everything however. He drew back, completely caught off guard, staring at the two fae. "A boon?"

"On both of you." The taller fae said, his voice soothing and pleasant to the ear. "Nightmist's reach is long and far. We do not wish you harm."

Chuuya studied them both.

But Atsushi knew that fae could not lie. These two did not mean him harm, they said they did not, but just to be sure–

"Do you intend us harm?" Atsushi asked, still hidden under the cloak

"We don't!" "We do not." Chittering noises from the raccoon.

Atsushi breathed, and took off the hood of the cloak, revealing himself.

The smaller fae brightened up when Atsushi revealed himself. "Great! Let's sit, shall we?"

They all took a seat around the small table, the raccoon draping itself around the neck of the taller fae. 

"What should we call you?" Chuuya started. 

"You may call me Ran." The smaller fae pressed a finger to his smirking lips.

"You may call me Poe." The taller said, and reached a hand to the raccoon. "And this is one is called Karl. He is sorry for ripping your pants, but we were getting impatient."

Atsushi drummed his fingers. "You may call me Atsu."

"You may call me Naka." Chuuya said, glaring at the two fae.

"Why are you here?" Atsushi broke in, tapping his foot under the table and gripping his cloak tight. 

"To impart a boon." Poe stated, leaning on the table. "You intrigued us at that spectacle of Nightmist."

Atsushi winced at mention of Nightmist.

"We are powerful fae in our own rights." Ran said, and words that Atsushi couldn't comprehend flowed off his tongue, and water condensed in balls in the air. "I am a Water Elf."

Chuuya was staring at Ran.

"And you?" Atsushi asked Poe. 

"I am a Leanan Sídhe." Poe stroked the top of Karl's head. "My powers are of inspiration. Most of my inspiration goes to Ran, however."

A completely lovestruck look slid into Poe's face as he looked at Ran.

"You two are involved." Atsushi said, the words slipping out without himself able to catch them.

"We are!" Ran said brightly, completely not offended. "And that is actually in you two's favor!"

"How so?" Chuuya leaned back.

"Because two powerful fae boons are well and good on their own." Poe started. "But having two joined fae that are both powerful?"

"The boons are more powerful." Ran said. "Especially for you, Changeling."

Chuuya's jaw set as he stared at Ran. 

Atsushi cleared his throat delicately.

Ran steamrolled on.

"While you're a mix of water and fire elf, which was stupid for them to try by the way, there's a reason that we stay within our brackets, you have the innate but inactive magic for both types. A boon would probably be tripled on you simply because of that."

"Ran." Poe said sharply.

Ran tilted his head.

"Stop talking about the heritage that my brother does not know as if it is clear." Atsushi said lowly, digging his nails into his palms.

"Ah. I've upset you both." Ran sighed. "I apologize for that. It is simply clear for me to see. I will try to refrain while we talk."

Poe sighed. "He gets excited. But yes, a boon would do you both good. Especially because Akutagawa is still searching for you, Atsu."

Atsushi sat upright, gripping the cloak tight. "We didn't run far enough?"

"Nightmist reaches as far as the continent's edge." Poe sighed, stroking Karl's head before placing the raccoon on the table. He immediately scampered over to Atsushi. "Unless you leave the continent entirely, you will never be free from his reach as Lord."

"How would your boons help?" Chuuya asked quickly, to get Atsushi's mind off of the Lord of Nightmist.

"By imparting what we will, then you will be safer than you would have been before."

Atsushi shifted, scratching Karl behind the ears. "Can you not say the boons?"

"No, not until we impart them." Ran said.

Atsushi swallowed. "Why? Why are you imparting these things?"

A finger pressing against his nose. He looked up the arm to see Ran on the other end of the arm.

"You, were entertaining."

Atsushi blinked.

Chuuya startled.

Poe sighed. "What Ran means, is that you surprised us. No one has ever escaped Nightmist court. No one has ever brought themselves and their brother out of Nightmist court. No one has ever escaped Nightmist court with an item of legend with their brother."

"We have never seen anything like that!" Ran crowed. "Never ever! And we were gonna be so bored at that wedding! You made it enjoyable!"

"You're giving us boons. . ." Atsushi said slowly.

"Because Atsu was entertaining?" Chuuya finished.

"Yup!" Ran said, sitting down properly.

Atsushi placed his head on the table as he thought, and the weight of Karl pressing onto his neck cleared his head a little as he thought it out.

Fae could not lie.

Ran and Poe had stated that they did not mean harm.

They had given names first.

They laid things out clearly.

And Chuuya would have called them out if they had tried anything.

He turned his head to his brother.

Chuuya saw his eyes and sighed.

"Alright. Impart your boons then."

Poe smiled gently, and Ran brightened up.

"Great!"

His hands shot to Chuuya's, claiming both of his hands. The other language flowed around the room again, and Atsushi watched in awe as the words seemed to take form under Ran's hands.

The words stopped their flow, and when Ran pulled back, there were matching gloves on Chuuya's hands. 

"These will keep your dual nature in check, and help you activate that magic that has been out of your reach. Should Akutagawa attack, you have the means to fight back."

Poe smiled, shaking his head and muttering something under his breath, before reaching to Atsushi. "My turn, if you will?"

Atsushi straightened, Karl still wrapped around his neck like a shawl, and reached his own hand out.

More otherworldly words spilled from Poe's mouth, wrapping around Atsushi like a well-worn cloak.

It felt like something he had felt before.

"There we go." Poe murmured, taking his hand back. "Your words can now hypnotize other fae that wish to entrap you."

Atsushi's jaw dropped. Such a gift like that–

"It will keep you safe, especially from those who only wish you harm, and one last thing."

Ran and Poe joined hands, their words blending together in a beautiful, wonderful mesh of otherworldly sounds.

As they pulled their hands away, two pendants gleamed in their grasp.

They had intertwined ravens and cats on them.

"Should you break these, it will take you to a place of safety in our joined realm. Only break them in times of emergency." Poe warned.

Atsushi held the pendant with trembling hands. "This is too much– only for entertaining you– what has Akutagawa done to you?"

"Nothing. But we do love spiting him." Ran grinned, and stood from the table, and Poe did as well. Karl scampered off of Atsushi's shoulders and to Poe's arms.

"Do take care of yourselves. And while I do enjoy your companies, I hope you never have to use those." Poe smiled. "Have fun with those boons!"

And then in a blink of an eye, a sparkle of a dew drop, a flicker of a candle's flame–

They were gone.

~~~~~~~~~~

Ranpo sighed happily, leaning back in their bed and clasping his hands over his stomach.

"Do you think that they will have to use the last boon?" Edgar asked, leaning against the window on his window seat.

"I should hope not. But who knows with Akutagawa? What I'm concerned about, is whether Atsu is aware of the first boon placed on him?"

"I do not think he is." Edgar sighed. "Longevity boons like the one that Naka placed on him, even as a young elf, is hard to detect. I only knew it was there because I know you."

"His magic has been fueling that boon for so long." Ranpo mused. "I can't wait to see if those gloves help."

"In any case." Edgar said, opening his book and flipping to a page. "I am quite sure those two will be fine. They are quite clever, as seen by Nightmist."

Ranpo grinned to the watery ceiling. "Yeah. Those two are clever. Can't wait to see Akutagawa pull his hair out."

A window seat pillow flew at his face and hit it dead on.

"Mean! Edgar, mean!"