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totiredtowrite · 3 years

Note

I love how everyones just agreed that daishou is a naga in a fantasy au

Snake

Warnings - cursing, unedited

Note: He could strangle me and I'd apologize. Also tf is his eye colour???

Male Reader - Fem Readers DNI or you're a horrible person who disrespects boundaries of writers :)

You had one job.

All you had to do was pick something up from the market. Your village healer only needed like ten things! Of course you just had to be the nice guy and get it for her.

Still though it was rather rewarding. She was a nice old lady, anyone in the village would do things to help her out. You sighed, furrowing your brows angrily. You should have just let Hanamaki do it. After all, he was the navigator. He'd done it before. He wouldn't get turned around at the simplest fork in the path!

With another heavy sigh, you pulled yourself off of the forest floor. No point in sitting about, right? The place was beautiful, even if it was a little too close to the swamps for your liking.

It's not like the naga and the elves hated each other. No, they were more just...wary. Existing so near to one another made sure that both always knew what the other was up to. You weren't exactly neighbours, (being almost a mile away), but there weren't any other villages in the area. Or, in the snakes case, nests.

Not to mention how the peace treaty kept them at a distance. Most of the younger elves in your village have never seen a Naga. You included. Not that you were that young, though you never had a reason. Training with Oikawa and the rest of the fighters in the village took up most of your time anyway.

Speaking of, you were starting to be thankful that Oikawa makes you train so hard. The walk was starting to near a couple hours.

You rubbed your face. This was bullshit. And how did you even get lost so bad you ended up in the swamps? Well, the outskirts of the swamps, but it still counts. The trees were starting to droop more, vines hanging off of every other one. You stepped in a puddle occasionally, cursing every time you did.

On the bright side, (at least), you knew now to walk in the opposite direction to get home.

You will walk in the opposite direction.

The...opposite...direction.

Or not.

What was the worst that could happen? You were already about two miles away from the market, and there were things in the swamps that you needed. You only had to go a couple yards in, it's not like you were going to wander straight into the heart of the nest.

You drew in a controlled breath. Naga don't typically take strolls along the outside of their nest anyways.

Taking another step in, you started to calm down. The only sounds you could hear were the birds and your own footsteps. The sound every time your boot collided with the ground was rather disgusting, the dampened landscape getting progressively wetter.

You were a couple minutes in, (still not having found the plant you needed), when you heard it.

Even never coming face to face with one, the sound was unmistakable. The only accurate word you could think of was slithering. Like a giant snake making it's way through the swamp.

You froze up instinctively, long, pointed ears twitching to try and catch the sound again. Nothing but your own laboured breathing.

Slowly, after a minute of a whole lot of nothing, your hand creeped towards the dagger in your boot. You knew it was just a supplies run, but better safe than sorry right? Maybe the Naga passed by already.

If you'd turned your head even slightly though, maybe you wouldn't have missed the pair of glowing green eyes watching you.

And maybe you wouldn't be in this position right now.

You couldn't describe how it happened because you weren't even sure how it happened. He moved surprisingly fast for how cumbersome that giant tail must be. Your dagger had clattered to the ground, the murky green blue of his tail coiled around your body.

"Well," his eyes still seemed to glow at you, "What's an elf doing all the way out here?"

You snapped out of your momentary entrancement to actually take in the situation. His eyes, slanted like all Naga, took in every little movement. He actually seemed relatively put together, hair looking tame and neatly parted to one side. His face was rather cut and slim, cheekbones sharp and pronounced. Hell, if he wasn't a Naga he'd still look like a snake.

His tail tightened around you slightly, urging you to answer the question. You sputtered a bit at it. "Well I could ask the same! Your kind don't wander the outskirts like this!" You attempted to sound commanding, hiding the discomfort in your voice.

Luckily he didn't pick up on the fear in your tone, instead giving you a harsh glare and momentarily squeezing you. You let out another harsh breath. "Well at least I'm on my territory."

You were about to retaliate, but you fell short. He was right in a sense. No words were exchanged for a moment. The snake leaned in further narrowing his eyes further, (if that was even possible), and studying your features. "So it's true then?" He finally said something.

You regarded him with confusion.

"About your kind," he poked at the satchel that you'd also dropped. "They're all pretty."

You blanked. You were about to comment on the fact that 'ruggedly handsome' might be a better term, but ultimately decided against it. All elves, regardless of shape or size, gender or skin tone, were ultimately just...better, in a sense. Stronger, faster, they lived longer, and, as he said, prettier.

"Have you never seen an elf before," You sneered instead.

"Have you never seen a Naga?" He shot back quickly, head tilting slightly. Seeming more comfortable, he had a sly smirk on his face.

You didn't respond.

He laughed almost tauntingly. "Dont look so confident elf," he leaned in closer, to the point where you could feel his breath on your lips. "What makes you think I won't wring," you felt his tail shifting, "You," it got tighter, "Dry?"

You attempted to scoff, the sound being cut short at the pressure on your chest. "And-" you took in a breath, "And break the peace treaty? No way," you let out a raspy laugh.

He let something else take up his attention. His hands lifted to your ears, long, slender fingers trailing along them and prodding at the pointed tips. You shuddered. His hands were cold. Unsurprising of course, but still catching you off guard.

"Would you cut that out! Just tell me your name and let me go!" You snapped.

"Someones impatient," he, quite literally, hissed. In all honesty, listening to him speak was somewhat addicting. You'd thought it was just a stereotype, how half snake people always dragged out the 'S' in the words they say. As it turns out you were wrong.

"Okay, let's just keep this civil." You exhaled slowly. "My name is (l/n) (y/n), I'm trying to find something for my village medic. Who are you?"

He eyes you suspiciously before responding. "Daishou. I'm just...patrolling."

You nodded, pushing your arms out slightly. You were still wrapped in his tail.

Sending your discomfort, Daishou loosened his grip. The sound of his tails grip going slack following soon after his realization. You sighed with relief, slumping to the ground as he repositioned himself to face you.

It took you a moment to look up.

"What are you looking at," he hissed at you.

In truth, everything. His scales were brighter than you thought Naga usually were, green blue and muted yellow. "Nothing," you said, mouth still agape.

"Right." He clearly sounded unconvinced, though he decided not to pursue the matter any further.

You had to admit to yourself, he was rather attractive too. He gave you another look at your continued staring. "What were you even here for anyways?" He slithered closer.

"Just- uh," you stuttered slightly. The tail made him look more dangerous than he most likely was. Or not, he might be just as dangerous as you thought. "I...forgot."

He couldn't stay composed, snickering at you.

"What?" You huffed and stood up, pulling your satchel over your shoulder once more.

"Nothing," he chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck, face going red. "Get back safely okay?"

You, confused at his little bout of care, nodded. "Okay."

You turned around, though just before you walked off he stopped you. "Oh, and elf."

You turned once more. "Hm?"

"Try to stay aware next time," he opened your palm and placed your dagger in it, another sly smile making its was onto his face.

"We wouldn't want another snake to catch you."

#hq x male reader #m!reader #anime x male reader #x male reader #male reader #haikyuu x male reader #daishou x male reader #daishou suguru x male reader

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idjitlili · 4 years

Text

I see stars

summary:

Imagine getting drunk at the feast of starlight , and becoming over happy,and dancing like the complete opposite to what elves are used to. Leasts just say Thranduil is more than impressed.

translations:

rukhs shirumund caragu=beardless orc dung

warnings:two boners

wordcount:2356

After the dwarves and you were taken prisoner,Thranduil had kept you with him once he sent Thorin to the cells for refusing his offer. Before he was even able to begin to talk to you the dwarves had escaped,theu had left a note which the guards handed to Thranduil ,who read it before passing it to you. His face was unreadable you didnt know what to expect,as the scrap paper was upon your hands. The rushed note had read:

"Our friend from strange lands,

your journey ends here, come vist us in erebor once it IS safe,not now,we cannot afford to lose anymore family.

much love,

ps Thorin says if you get the chance near that rukhs shirumund caragu lowers,bite it off."

Your face lit up with embarrassment,knowing Thranduil had known what Thorin was implying for you to do,it was a good idea,but hiding a knife in your vagina and then chopping it off with that. That seemed like a better idea,what if you had his coxk in your mouth,and you bite it off and then you choke to death on it,it happened to dean winchester just with a sausage. You looked up to the king ,you was watching you intensely. "Thank you." you had spoke quietly,folding the note placing it in your front pocket of your jeans.

Yes you were still wearing your clothes from home,you had cleaned them last at a stream,but when you had first joined the company ,they had given you spar tunics , blankets and such. You had known them since you fell froma portal ,four feet from the ground infront of the company. They had grew to think very fondely of you ,and protected you from all danger.Now you felt very insecure with out them around ,especially when this king seemed very scary.

"what for?" Thranduil had questioned you circling ,your body ,you had crossed your arms and faced the floor. "for allowing me to have that note from my friends." he had stopped circling to look at you ,he liked you not like that at least not yet,you were being held captive yet you were treating him with kindness.

He hadnt kept you in a cell,infact he given you a room,it was locked at night and such incase you tried to kill him. In a few days you had warmed up to the king,but now erebor was reclaimed and he qould be going to reclaim his jems. You had practially begged him to take you with,so you could see your friends. He didnt like the idea,but then you started crying,you enjoyed the kings comapny when you would eat with him and such ,but you couldnt not go especially if you could prevent somes death. In the end he had agreed and sat you infront of him on his elk,you were excited to see your friends ,you just hoped Thranduil wouldnt kill them. You had been shy with Thranduil at first ,but you soon found out he was very nice,and you came out of your shell.

That led you to be literally bouncing on the elk once you had arrived infront of erebor ,with Thranduil having to have his arm around your waist,which led you to be very close to each other. He had to tell you to stop,as nice as he could,you hadnt realised you had caused the king a little problem.Which luckily his outfit hid,he didnt tell you that was why,he had just stated someobe might aim for him and then hit you with an arrow. Bouncing looked like yeah. You had spotted Thorin whos gaze lingled on you ,he thought Thranduil was using you so they wouldnt try kill him.

However you smiled widely up at Thorin. " Thorin! Your crown looks very lovely on you!" you had shouted up at the king ,who sffered from dragon sickness,his mouth twitched slightly before turning back into a frown. "You are fooling around with an elf?and an elf thats him?" he had scoffed in disgust at you,your face fell. "no,thorin." you had been hurt at his words,thranduil had tighted his grip on you waist,protectively.

Once you had found out that Thorin and his best fighters had been led into a trapped ,you had forced Thranduil, totake you there and help save them. In which had surprisingly did,you also may have used your sons also heading there ,what if he gets hurt and you couldve saved him. You ended up jumping on azog's back ,legs around his waist stabbing him in the back with daggers,so thorin could go for the kill;you literally looked like drax. Now your life was complete ,you looked awesome,you had also saved fili and kili. Darn Fili deserves more screentime. Azog had flipped you over his shoulders ,slamming you into the ice,strangling you with one hand and blade in another sending a slice up your arm, You had just became loki ,being slammed by hulk,and now you needed stitches. "I...c-can...see..y-your cock." you had to try to speak,face red,unable to breathe.giving Thorin the chance to end his life.

Thorin pushed azogs body away from you,pulling you into his arms. "you are very much crazy ,y/n and for that I will be forever in debt to you as you saved my family and I" he spoke stroking your hair, as you gained your breath back,your neck was definitely was going to be bruised. "I ...r-repaid..my debt for keeping me safe in this strange world all those month,plus i got to see that majestic hair everyday." you reached your hand up,to his hair,running your fingers through it, "i am really sorry for saying what i did earlier, I do not want you getting hurt that was all." he spoke sincerely to you. "dont worry little man,no one has taken my innocence." you smirked in which Thorin smiled at you in relief before carrying you bridal style to erebor to find oin,trying to avoid hurting your bleeding upper arm.

That was until Thranduil stopped him on his elk,his eyes wondering over your injured form,you smiled at the king. Thranduil knew he had to take you home with him,he had felt things he had never felt before ,even with his now dead wife. "let me take her back with me,to the woodland relm,we have the finest doctors." he had spoken sternly,Thorin had scoffed in response. "oin is the best in erebor!" he had growled,he didnt want you with an elf at all. "more like the only one." Thranduil had annoyed Thorin with this,his stomach bubbled with anger. "Thorin, its fine I have to go back anyways ,I left belongings there." you tried to convince the dwarven king,however he was stubborn,so it would take more than that. "i will buy and have you made new belongings." he really didnt want you to go,he felt like it was his duty to protect you,he thought of you as a daughter almost.

"Thorin , I will come back,and if not straight away, I will write." you had jumped down from Thorins arms ,before hugging him tightly,and pulling away. Your eyes watered ,as you looked at back at Thorin who's did the same ,as Thranduil lifted you up onto his elk infront of him.

Also you forgot to mention,Tauriel fell off a cliff , rip. Legolas was going away for a while,but promised his father he would try to visit on the feast of starlight. Thranduil had comforted you saying Thorin was safe ,there wasnt any huge chances that something could happen to him while you were gone,you would be able to see him again. Anyways that was many months ago and you wrote to the dwarves and bilbo often,Thranduil would even get elves with drawing talents to draw you so you could send them back for Thorin and Bilbo. Bilbo had requested it. But tonight was the feast of starlight,Thranduil had you a dress made ,and fitted , it was mint green,come to think of it looked exactly like Arwen's dress in return of the time. Maybe you become friends with her tonight ,and gift it too her in the future as she loved it so much. wink wink. Thranduil had personally came to chambers,and walked with you to the feast. Yeah so you had been staying in the woodland relm way longer than you had thought you would have been staying.

Thrandul had sat on the end of the table ,while you sat at the side of the table next to him,there was many high elves at the table such as celeborn,Elrond,Lady Galadriel,and many others,you could barely remember any of there names. However there had been wine,you were barely an adult ,let they kept topping up your glass ,no one told you how strong elvish wine was. You were tipsy very quickly,you didnt make much conversation with anyone as you very nervous of saying something innappropriate. Soon as you all had entered the hall ,the music filled your ears it was quiet boring music. So you just lingled around Thranduil , drinking wine ,which was everywhere ,soon you were very loose ,and very close to Thranduil. Basically jumping around him, that was until a slightlly up beat song started playing. "Thranduil I am going to go danceeeeee." you had spoke excitely ,gripping the kings arm he had simply nodded.

You had skipped off to the dance floor,letting out a "wooooooo" hitting your fist in the air,Thranduil watched you as you tucked a part of your dress into your short legging shorts,he had gasped at your action as your whole thigh was revealed. You began dancing like you were doing just dance to umbrella,singing the lyrics,pointing to Thranduil ,gesturing him to join he shook his head,you shrug at him. You had learnt this not only because of tom holland but as a child you loved just dance and memorized the movements.

"you have my heart

And we'll never be worlds apart

Maybe in magazines

But you'll still be my star

Baby, 'cause in the dark

You can't see shiny cars

And that's when you need me there

With you, I'll always share"

you had began,as the elves had changed the music to suit the music , you smirked at heart you had gestured to Thranduil,who's face was a beet,he couldnt deny he liked it.

"When the sun shine, we shine together

Told you I'll be here forever

Said I'll always be your friend

Took an oath, I'ma stick it out to the end

Now that it's raining more than ever

Know that we'll still have each other

You can stand under my umbrella

You can stand under my umbrella, ella, ella, eh, eh, eh

Under my umbrella, ella, ella, eh, eh, eh

Under my umbrella, ella, ella, eh, eh, eh"

you gestured under your dress before ,winking at Thranduil,before pulling the dress off swiftly,causing the elves to gasp ,leaving you in a tight black corset from Thorin and black shorts,you threw the dress at Arwen mouthing keep it.These fancy things

"Will never come in between

You're part of my entity

Here for infinity

When the war has took its part

When the world has dealt its cards

If the hand is hard

Together we'll mend your heart."

You strut over Thorin ,high and might ,getting very close ,before turing and dropping your ass slightly grazes him ,before flicking a leg out then bring it back in and doing the same with the other. Before standing up quickly,facing him wipping the back of your hands down his face before going back the dance floor.

"When the sun shine, we shine together

Told you I'll be here forever

Said I'll always be your friend

Took an oath, I'ma stick it out to the end

Now that it's raining more than ever

Know that we'll still have each other

You can stand under my umbrella

You can stand under my umbrella, ella, ella, eh, eh, eh

Under my umbrella, ella, ella, eh, eh, eh

Under my umbrella, ella, ella, eh, eh, eh"

Thranduil stares at you,licking his lips at your performance,he was deeply attracted to you there was no doubt about that. You skin glittering in the light as it reflected onto your sweat,

"It's rainin', rainin'

Ooh, baby, it's rainin', rainin'

Baby, come here to me

Come into me

It's rainin', rainin'

Ooh, baby, it's rainin', rainin'"

you finished off ,voice hurting slightly,before grabbing a glass of wine chugging it,bow at the elves that claped for you, smiled brightly,they hadnt seen anything like that ever. You didnt get to anything else before Thranduil practically run at you. You had revealed you love Thranduil ,in your song, He cupped your cheeks gently with his large hands before he pressed his soft lips against yours ,the elves around you clap around you,as you both kiss passionately.

"will you marry me,y/n?" he spoke once you both pulled away,you nod eagarly before pressing your lips to his quickly,you bow once more before pulling out of the hall,he thanks everyone for coming as you walk out.

lets just say you dont bite his cock off,you went to visit Thorin with Thranduil the next day , they put aside their differences for you ,as Thranduil tells them about your stunt ,not about the boner he hid when you slut dropped infront of him.

#the hobbit imagine #the hobbit x reader #the hobbit x you #thranduil imagine #thranduil x reader #thranduil x y/n #thranduil #the hobbit imagines

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greenflamedwriter · 3 years

Text

Fea, Stray Knight | Chap Four

Lance | Keith

Lance gave a huff when Keith skulked off, a part of him knew why Keith was stressed out, finding something out that flips your whole world on its head. Lance could'nt say with confidence he wouldn't react the same way.

Except another part was irritated and wanted to call Keith on it.

Too lost in his thoughts he had no idea that someone was next to him.

“Quick tempered isn’t he?”

A voice asked besides his ear, Lance yelped almost jumping in the air as he whipped around.

“You!”

It was the hooded woman from the Fae party.

Her lips were tilted into an amused smile and Lance found himself staring, then looked away trying not to be obvious.

“Mind taking a walk with me?” she asked raising her head delicetly to her left,

Lance swallowed, “uh sure.”

She laced her arm around his and easily guided him away from the school entrance, leading the further along the pathway, both watching as students layed around on the grass, basking in the morning sun.

Lance flushed letting himself be led all the way towards the park where other students were studying.

Most of them turned and stared at the pair, Lance noticed and for once in his life, felt self conscious.

Could they see him with some hooded elf- would they think it's cosplay?

“Why are they staring-can they see you?” he asked, tensing up further. She glanced his way “Of course, they see me, but not the way you see me.”

“Um, what?”

“It’s called a glamour," She explained and Lance's eyes widened, so it is true.

"We use it to conceal ourselves. Camourflage to look like you.” She then sat on the grass and Lance joined her, placing his arms over his knees.

“But why do I see you, like that?”

She turned giving her undivided attention towards the lake watching, the students play.

“Look ahead and tell me what you see.”

Lance did as he was told, and gasped to see along with humans, there were thousands of Faeries a part of the mix!

He recognised some as fellow students he took classes with but with pastel skin and wings!

He saw trolls in the shade of trees watching fondly, he saw some pixies flying after children with a kite.

“H-How am I seeing this?” He asked the woman, something told him he should not be seeing this.

She spoke her usual smile replaced with a frown.

“I thought I recognised you." She began placing her hands in her lap,

"Your family had a rare gift.” She then faced him and then outstretched her hand towards his face, Lance stopped breathing when her fingers traced under his eye.

“You have the sight. You can see through the Fae tricks, even things that our own kind cannot see. Which is dangerous. Others would rip them out to protect themselves.”

“Wait- I’ve never seen the Fae until last night, so you’re wrong.”

“You’ve never looked anyone in the eye before, and I have a feeling someone charmed you. Made you temporarily blind. Last night was the trigger to awakening your gift, I believe your whole family has it.”

Lance tensed “Wait- can they, no one knows that they can-” He was on the edge of a panic attack, she noticed and drew her arm back.

“No, I am the only one with this knowledge. Your family is safe unless they are exposed to our kind.” Lance breathed a sigh of relief.

He glanced down at his necklace made of iron and pulled it out, the rock with a hole in it lay in his palm it was small but a reassuring weight.

“Where did you get that?”

She spoke softly and Lance forgot she was there.

“I, my grandmother. She told me lots of stories about the Fae, I forgot about them until we started researching about it.”

She nodded “It’s good for you to learn our ways, some Fae try to be noble while the others are less so. But both see humans as play things and think of their passing life as no different to a dog. It’s sad or amusing depending on which side we’re on.”

“Is that what you think of me?” Lance couldn’t help but ask, she was cute, don't get him wrong. And she seemed to be so open with information.

It'd be easier if she was on their side.

The fea splayed a hand over his chest and pushed him down, the grass scrunched under his back. He gasped when she sat on top of him.

“Whoa, okay," Lance went along with it then tensed remembering where they were "Wait the others will see-!”

“-They cannot. Glamour works in more ways than changing appearances.” Her lips tilted in amusment.

Lance blinked “Um,”

“I’m here to warn you. Never return to the courts. Seeing us is only the half of it.” She leaned closer her white hair spilling forward and curtaining the side of his face.

Lance forgot how to breathe.

“Do you know how easy it is? For us to control you like a puppet?” And she did the most extraordinary thing. She kissed him.

Lance tensed his hands coming up, then hesitating. He tilted his head and leaned into the kiss practically turning into mush.

She pulled back, her usual warm smile was gone.

'Why? Was she sad?'

He wanted her to be happy, he reached out and cupped her cheek, her hand closed around his and he beamed in delight.

“Why are you sad?”

“I am uncomfortable, can you be my seat?” Lance easily turned over on all fours, he felt her weight sit against his back and he vaguely wondered how on earth could he manage.

“Dont move.” He tensed, then took a slow breath, he could hold this stance for hours! This was easy!

The sweat rolling down his brow, and the way his arms shook disagreed. A hand stroked through his hair, and he swore he died and ascended to heaven.

“Even now, you have no control. You would blissfully walk into the ocean by my word. You would kill yourself to please me.”

“Yes…” Lance gasped even breathing was a struggle now, maintaining this position for who knows how long was killing him.

She took pity and stood up.

Lance bit his lip to stop any sounds, he barely moved until she told him.

“Stand up,”

He did just so, she leaned close and Lance’s eyes fluttered shut his lips pursing until she kissed his forehead.

He hummed happily, until that wonderful feeling vanished, like surfacing from the ocean. Lance felt cold the dawning horror of what he'd just done.

Of what she made him do!

“I can’t believe you just did that.” he was sweating his heart thudding against his chest.

She looked calm, “There was no other way to explain-”

“No I can’t believe you did that without a safeword!? I am in to a lot of things, tying me up ropes gags whatever the whole shebang. I’m cool with it.” He beamed and she almost took a physical step back beyond stunned.

“You’re quite insane.”

“Only with beautiful woman.” He winked,

Honestly he was terrified, but there was no way in hell he was letting her know that. Even for a warning that was too extreme.

The woman covered her mouth with her hand to hide a smile.

“Something tells me you won’t stay away even if I enchanted you. You’re quite attached to this Keith fellow.” Lance felt his heart rate slow,

“Well yeah, I’m not leaving him with the fea- er no offense.”

Her mouth pursed like a knowing smile “None taken.” She then reached inside her pouch and did not miss how the teen flinched.

“Don’t worry, I’ve tricked you enough for one day. Now for a treat.” She took his hand and began to wrap around twine, and flowers into a bracelet.

“Is this some sort of daisy chain?” He asked nervously, she pinched his wrist when he struggled and tied the knot in the healthy green vine.

“It will protect you from charms, like the one I used on you for example. You should be...safer, not completely but a little. The only other thing I recomemd is wearing iron.”

Iron?

Then he remembered that fairy that tried to touch him at the fairy pool, his hand raised up touching the necklace.

“Like my pendant?” He asked to make sure and she nodded.

“You said it was from your grandmother, what was her name might I ask?”

“Ro-”

“Lance!”

Both recoiled when Keith began to stalk towards them, power in his step and- Lance cried out in alarm when the ground beneath Keith’s feet began to grow to the point of dying.

It was as if the grass was burned from his footsteps.

Extraordinary enough the Lady pushed herself in front of Lance. Shielding him...from Keith!

Keith didn't miss it, his lips twitched into a snarl until his eyes dragged towards Lance.

“We’ve got to go.” Lance blinked then peared closer at Keith’s face- wait hold on.

Lance leaned closer raising his hand, then his eyes widened.

“Is that a scar!?” Keith slapped Lance’s hand away, from his prying.

“Doesn’t matter, I know where Shiro is going to be. But we have to go before we lose our chance.” Keith gaze turned to the Lady in suspicion, but she only bowed.

“I won’t get in your way.” She turned to Lance her smile fading “Goodbye, boy.” She turned away as Lance held a hand up.

About to correct her about his name...then thought better of it.

"Goodbye."

Keith tugged at his arm, “Lance it’s almost five, the suns going down.” Lance could only let himself be led as Keith grabbed his hand. “Let’s go, already!”

Keith scowled when they made their way towards the river near the park. Lance watched as Keith began to scowl as if he lost his phone and was trying to find it.

“I know it’s around here somewhere,” He growled Lance could only watch from the side lines. He found his eyes wandering and perked when he saw a stick- well strange looking branch.

“The other court was near a bank of water," Keith reasoned with himself, ignoring Lance completly.

"They said they would be near water!” Keith hissed kicking the dirt. Lance glanced up at that.

“Who’s they?”

Keith paused raising his hand to cover his cheek avoiding eye contact.

“Um, no one.”

Lance wasn't buying it. “Well, how did you get that scar?” He asked and Keith looked away.

“Just drop it.”

Lance mouth fell open “What? We were supposed to figure this together so you keeping secrets is completely pointless and you're trusting some stranger-”

“I said drop it!”

Lance mouth closed with a snap, he scowled looking away leaving Keith to struggle finding the courts himself.

Keith kept mumbling to himself. “Maybe... are all fea the same? Do they share courts?”

Lance tossed the stick into the air almost ignoring Keith, then sighed, “There’s two courts, Seelie and Unseelie the rest are called solitary fea. They belong to no one.”

Lane swiped at his stick like it was a sword, although it spit into a v at the end he still liked playing with it.

Then stood straighter aiming the stick in front of him, Keith scowled looking as if he was losing patience.

“What are you doing?”

Lance smirked looking back at Keith with a playful grin.

“Dowsing,"

Keith merely stared watching as Lance began to walk aimlessly.

"Sometimes people use a crystal but they only work so much.”

Keith crossed his arms staring Lance down.

“Really? I’m trying to find the entrance into these... feaire courts. And you’re playing with sticks.” Lance ignored him as he closed his eyes and started walking aimlessly.

“Y- where are you going!” Keith yelled exasperation as he slammed his book shut. Lance called back “What’s it look like?”

Keith struggled to catch up. And once he did he thumped Lance on the chest “What the heck is dowsing, anyway?” Lance glanced back “Did you read those books at all?”

“Dowsing wasn’t in the books, and you didn’t read them.” Keith deadpanned.

Lance frowned “Really?” He could’ve sworn someone told him before. He heard Keith’s grumbling behind him, but that slowly faded when they began to hear the lyrical music.

Lance smirked and tossed the stick to the side, looking way too smug.

Keith stared at the cave then back at Lance as if he was the rising sun.

“How did you do that?” He asked breathless, Lance wiped his hands on his trousers.

“No clue, I my Grandma, mentioned it. Who knows." Lance glanced back at the entrance that had two toadstool glowing an illuminous green.

"She was my...Mejor amiga- I mean” Lance shook his head “Urgh what is it. Someone you can rely on? And you tell each other everything?” Lance pocketed his hands. “She told me this stuff, and I thought it was cool as a kid. When I played swords or made flower crowns...she was the best.”

Lance looked wistfull, looking up at the entrance then looked to Keith.

“Are we going in or what?"

Keith still looked suspicious as they neared the roof of the cave his face darkening further.

“Still why is there no one standing at the entrance?” He asked at last, and if that wasn’t the least bit foreboding.

“I have chills now. Thanks Keith.”

“Sorry.”

“Apology not accepted.”

The music felt different this time, much more rough and the bass seemed to pulsate and thrum through the walls. The sound beat against their chests and Lance could feel himself responding to it.

The cave was full of tunnels and columns and some of the walls had statues carved out of them crudely. And yet the vines and moss growing on the walls made it look as if the cave was being buried into the earth...or erupting from it.

It was kinda like the pool, peaceful and unspoiled. As if no human had discovered this place, but unlike the pool, which felt inviting and even easy to fall into, this place was the opposite.

Lance felt like he didn't belong there and his skin crawled, unlike the pool that was light and full of water, this was place dark and dry.

Lance watched as Keith paused "What? What is it?"

Keith picked up a leaf and placed it in his journel.

Lance rolled his eyes "Really, we're in a fairy court and you would rather waste time scrapbooking."

"Lay off, It's how I remember things..."

It must of been a Keith thing... they heard voices and knew they were close.

Lance stopped,

"Keith wait."

The other paused giving Lance his attention, Lance licked his lips

"...I...I don't think we should say our names around these types of people."

"What? Why?"

"Well names are powerful right? It's why middle names were invented, so you wouldn't accidently be spirited away by the Fea."

Keith blinked "uh..."

"I'm saying we need codenames."

"oh."

Sweet jesus.

Keith suddenly looked amused "You know with all that knoledge on courts I would say you were the fearie here."

Keith walked away missing the instant change on Lance's face.

Lance swallowed "Okay I get it that you're one, but some people won't like being called a fearie, kay?"

“What?” Keith paused caught of guard by the sudden animosity, “What’s wrong with being called-”

“-Can. You. Not.” Lance growled out.

Keith was unsure how this happened, they were joking weren't they?

Lance blinked back to himself, he had no idea what triggered the response. He just...didn’t like others implying he could be...not that he was…

Lance looked away instantly feeling bad and closed his eyes. Keith was only watching cautiously.

“Dude, why are you upset? Out of the two of us I am a literal fairy.” Keith asked, looking more lost by the second. Lance opened his mouth because honestly? He had no idea what the reaction was himself...there was something niggling at the back of his mind he just couldn’t grasp it.

Giving up chasing the cloud that were his thoughts he only sighed “Forget it. What’s our codenames then.” Changing the subject was the best thing.

Keith wanted to ask more, then decided against it. He turned back to the mouth of the cave. Looking at it more like the jaws of the beast.

“Mine will be... Akira.” Lance raised an eyebrow and Keith saw him staring.

“What?” He asked defensive Lance just shrugged “I had no idea you were into anime.” Keith tensed looking like his feathers were ruffled “Wha-” He guffawed and Lance interrupted.

“I think mine would be...Blue.” It would be a bad time to say he recently watched Love, Simon. He really liked the alias.

Keith eyebrows raised "Really?"

"What?"

"And you were judging me?"

"Leave me alone!"

Making their way through the cave was easy, almost too easy. But once they stepped over a branch Lance screamed like a girl when a silver glint of a spear slashed in front of his face. Almost chopping his nose off.

Keith shoved Lance behind him his hand oving to his hip hovering over his knife.

“Pay the toll fee!” One barked and they gaped to see two giants almost made out of stone, with husks as teeth crowding their lips giving them a lisp.

Keith frowned then said “Um would this do?”

The guards growled low and threatning when Keith showed off his watch.

“Such worthless trinkets are useless to us.”

How in the hell were they going to get past them!?

Until the other glanced at Lance “How about you give us him. That is suitable payment.”

“Not gonna happen.” Keith spat like a fire popping on a spit, the others didn’t like his tone and Lance wished he had something. Then he thought his chain...

Was it valuable enough?

“Would this do?” He asked holding out the iron chain with the rock dangling. Both froze like they were trolls caught in sunlight, “Algor- do you see that?”

“How much that would cost?”

Lance raised an eyebrow, “Well would this get us in?”

The one named Algor nodded “Of course and for many nights to come,” His smile grew yellow and lecherous “You are welcome any time young ones.”

Lance should’ve known he would hate this place from how the guards acted, but it wasn’t as if he could go back in time or anything.

Removing the iron chain he gave it over and instead of feeling lighter he felt heavier all of a sudden.

Glancing down at his wrist at least he still had the braclet with him that the Fea gave him in the park. It gave him some small hope and both he and Keith walked together further into the cave.

Stepping into the cave, Lance realised he had a few criticisms.

The pool party, he liked.

Hot topic angsty teen-cave. He did not like.

Walking into this place overlooked a vast room full of tunnels, columns made him think a giant bunny burrowed it’s way through.

Like a hobbit hole he was expecting this to be cozy. But it didn’t, it felt suffocating and dangerous.

Like a tomb.

He glanced at Keith and saw the bliss on his face, the teen looked like he was at home, which nerved Lance even more.

“Uh, Keith? maybe we shouldn’t-” Keith shook his head almost planting his feet into the dirt.

“We came here for a reason. We should split up and look for Shiro. Look for the guy with the black hair and a white fringe and overcompensating armour.”

Keith left before Lance could speak.

“Wait Keith- Keith!”

This was the second time he was abandoned at a faerie convention.

Sucking in a breath, Lance tried to step over broken glass and drunken little tinkerbells, he hopped over another broken furniture. He tried to watch where he was going keeping his arms tucked in.

Now he knew how teenage girls felt on a train full of guys.

He finally fell over to a table gasping and caught a Fea with a plate of cups balancing on top. Maybe some liquid courage could make him relax.

He picked up the goblet bringing it to his lips until a voice gruffed out from his left. He turned to see a lithe robin type fearie cleaning his fingernails with a small knife, glaring at him.

“That’s not for you.” they spat, their knife flashing from the scant amount of candle light that managed to illuminate this place. Which was a good thing because most of these Fea were not running in the next top model if you knew what he meant.

Lance pouted, instantly feeling indigant of anyone telling him no.

he wanted to tell the little Feaire that he could drink what he damn well pleases.

Telling him that he can't drink anything just made him want to drink it more.

His throat burned with the need of some salvation and he swallowed his own saliva.

He placed the cup down slowly, almost reluctantly. He couldn’t drink or eat anything of the fea, he could be turned into a goat or be eating mouldy mushrooms for all he knew.

Lance moved away wondering how he could even know about that when, unlike Keith. He read nothing even though it was his idea to be prepared.

Unlike the allure of others, Lance couldn’t find himself being drawn to these people. The other court was perfect, he could imagine going there again. But these guys...they were dancing and fighting and um.... Oh.

Lance flushed and looked away, he guessed some Fearies were into voyeurism.

He glanced around the room and for once lacked the fear of looking at the Fea. His eyebrows furrowed, some were being...

Well not Pg rated. While others were fighting, almost dirty. Gambling, betting playing darts with people standing in front of the board, tremling in fear.

It was grotesque. This place was honestly making Lance’s anxiety spike, if this keeps up his stress would manifest into a living embodiement.

He knew there was a reason this place was setting him on edge, this place wasn’t evil but not good either.

Something about courts...what the heck was it again?

His thoughts were interrupted by cheers and whistles, he followed the sounds to see a group crowded over something he managed to slip through the hulking forms and peared closer, it looked like a crude net on top of a hole.

To keep the others from falling in?

Lance looked closer and gasped to see two figures at the bottom circling, one another each with a weapon in hand. The other moved so fast Lance almost missed it, it seemed to be gliding over the earth like he was surfing on water.

And yet his opponent stayed still and on the last second thrusted his sword up slicing the other through the middle. The others cheered and bellowed around him.

“Champion! Champion!” They crowed and Lance shivered holding himself together, the net wasn’t to keep everything out. It was to keep that monster in.

Until it looked up and Lance stopped breathing to see golden eyes looking straight at him, a lock of white hair falling in his face. Lance realised with dawning horror as he slowly came to a realisation.

I guess I found Shiro.

It must have been hours by the time Lance was able to get out of the rambantious crowd. This place was the stuff of nightmares!

He finally collapsed against the wall to catch his breath and then overhead some Elves talking.

“Lotor is a hero my friend! He’ll find the quintescence and join the courts together just you wait.”

“But hasn’t Allura got her own people searching for it as well? Isn’t it a bit soon to count your victories?” The elf teased, the other sniffed “That floaty princess can’t tell her nose to her broadsword. Mark me, Puck. We’ll merge with the Galra. Us Balmerans won't stand a chance against any conflict, and the Alteans are pathetic cowards!.

We'll share resources and they will share theres, we’ll be rich not only in wealth but virtue and prosperity.”

“...Isn’t that the same thing?”

Quintescene? What in the heck was that? Whatever it was it sounded like a big deal.

“Excuse me? I couldn’t help overhear, what is quintescence?” Lance asked hoping these guys didn’t want a price for knoledge. Thankfully they were huge gossips.

“What? Have you been living under a rock, boy? The high elders of the two courts Lotor and Allurea are in a race. Whoever finds the quintescne first will be our king.”

“Or Queen.” Puck interjected “The quintescence is a life giving resource and ever since the human population, us feaires are dying out.”

“The lands are dying out, they keep killing us off.” The other said sadly and Lance couldn’t help but feel bad, global warming and deforestation was something he wished he could fix.

But he was just one guy, people in power who can change things won't listen to one guy.

“So this quintescnee can what? Fix everything life and even nature?” Puck shot him finger guns “Got it in one.”

“Everyones helping out, so pick a side and stick with it or you’ll get a hurting.”

“Well the Seelie or Unseelie will beat you up whichever side you're on anyway.”

“I guess you have a point…”

Lance liked this guy, he was fun to talk to. But this sounded like a serious fued or maybe to fea who lived longer petty drama. Something Lance did not want to be a part off, and he doubted Keith wanted to be a part of this either.

Giving a polite farewell and shot his own finger guns to appease the elf, he stepped away and hoped he could find Keith.

He found Shiro, quicker the get to him the quicker they can leave.

He caught a flash of red and felt instant relief to see that crappy red jacket and outdated hairstyle until he saw what Keith was doing.

“Oh no.”

Keith was eating off of a table, as if he was starved his whole life. Lance tried to shove his way through past the onslought of people just loitering around. He accidentally bumped into someone “Sorry,” He said in passing and kept moving finally making his way over towards the table.

Only to grimace in disgust, it was full of mouldy food with maggots and flies buzzing around. The stench was unbearable how was Keith eating this?

Keith was eating like a mad man, it was getting to the point of unbearable to watch, Lance placed his hand on his shoulder “Um Keith? Might want to stop there buddy?” He cried out when Keith shoved him away, hunching over the food almost guarding it.

Keith coughed, wiping his mouth then bit into another fruit the juices staining his chin and his tongue chasing the stray droplets.

He moved faster and Lance could only watch in dawning horror, “Oh my god, K-Akira Stop!” Lance grabbed his shoulders and spun him around “Stop, Look at me. Look at me!” Lance cried out but Keith only growled his eyes never straying from the decaying fruit.

Keith reached out for more fruit but it slipped and fell onto the floor, Keith fell to his knees in a desperation.

“Oh dear it fell to the floor.”

Lance looked up and blanched to see a tall Elf, lithe and handsome with long white hair.

He looked important, much more higher statues than the other fea mingling around.

“Maybe you should eat it with your teeth,” Keith lowered his head and bit into it and Lance covered his mouth feeling sick.

Lance pressed his lips together, he had no idea what he could do.

Before the Elf could leave he swallowed.

“Wait, Please you have to help him.” The fea raised a perfectly arched eyebrow, “Why would I do such a thing?”

Lance scrambled "I um- well," he stopped as he witnessed.

Keith even eating more crap of the floor, he licked up some ants along with the burst druit.

“Stop- Stop it! I’ll do-” He cut off. He couldn’t do anything, that was stupid.

“I’ll bargain something.” Even that sounded weak, the man seemed to think so, his amusement clear regardless of the outcome.

“And what do you have to give.” It wasn’t a question, and Lance swallowed, shit.

Keith owed him big time.

“Well, what do you want? I’m human and I can get you anything from ironside-none of the poisonous stuff.”

Ironside...wait that was his world, wasn't it?

“What could you possibly get me, that any other pixie wouldn’t steal?” Well crap, the guy had him at that.

“Hmm well,” he was becomming flustered especially when those eyes were staring at him so intently. No don’t get lost in them.

Lance stood straighter and even though it was a struggle to look at the Fea properly he felt more in control.

“I can get you a watch with your name on it, or preferred name. I can get you make-up, books artworks, dresses- something shiny,” He said exasperated “I can get it for you new, nothing stolen or already used by a human. This could be yours.”

The fea held a hand to his chin, even that motion was eloquent, he looked as if he might be considering this. Lance waited, the sounds Keith was making were heartbreaking.

“I could take you as payment. You could be my pet for the day and do anything I say until sunrise...Or I could take your skin, that is more than adequete.”

“No.” He said it so softly he doubted the Elf heard it, the laugh told him the other heard him just fine.

“I jest, Instead I require something from your world. A picture.” Lance blinked, okay. That sounded...way too easy.

“Maybe, depends on the picture.” The Fea eyes lit up like a christmas tree as he crossed his arms.

“You’re a smart one, of course it’s not that simple. It’s a photo of a woman I cherished a long time ago, her time here has passed. She never gave me her real name,

Few humans are smart enough to know why. So I doubt you can know who she is. She had a very canny resemblance to you, and she called herself, Azul.” Lance tensed, there was no way in hell.

The Fea kept jabbering away on how clueless humans were and how he could never find her, Lance could only nod his eyes kept flickering to Keith.

“Okay I’ll get a bunch of photos until you’re satisfied. Deal?”

The Elf watched him for a moment taking him in, he nodded after finding out what he wanted.

“Deal.”

He held out his hand and Lance hesitated for a second and then shook it. He felt something inside him twist.

“Now, let's clean up his mess.” He grabbed Keiths arms roughly, hefted him up and slammed him against the table, before Lance could make a move the Fea raised something against Keith’s lips.

Keith gladly opened his mouth and took in the object then his eyes bulged the Fea covered his mouth forcing him to swallow and the poor kid looked ready to throw up.

He struggled until he swallowed, eyes scrunching up then gagged moving away from the purple hand keeping him still.

The Fea smirked taking obvious amusement in Keith’s suffering. It just pissed Lance off even more.

The Elf turned towards him his lip still quircked in an amused smirk. He took Lance's hand and placed a leaf into it, Lance frowned when he looked on it with further inspection. There was a small slit in the middle.

“Blow on that and my servants will appear to retrieve you and your findings..” Lance nodded barely paying attention.

“Okay.” He wondered how in the heck he was going to do this, but whatever.

Lance could only stare after the figure once he bid farewell, he felt tight all of a sudden like a invisible hand was clawing around his ribcage, he was disrupted from his thoughts when Keith gasped coming back to the land of the living.

“Lance? What…” Their eyes connected and Keith suddenly frowned taking a shaky step forward “What did you do?” His voice was just short of simmering with rage.

Lance responded with his own barbed words reflecting them like a warped reflection,

“Don’t ever eat that crap in this kind of place ever again- what were you even thinking!? This stuff is rank what made you think it was even edible!?” Lance fumed gesturing wild at the rotten fruit. Keith shook his head “Wha? Lance this is edible look at this fruit cake it looks fresh.” Lance could ony stare.

“Keith...that’s a mushroom.”

“You’re seeing things.” Keith shrugged opening his mouth and Lance slapped it away “Don’t eat it! Haven't you learned anything?” He grabbed Keith’s arm and led him towards a corner.

“At least tell me you found something out?” Lance asked and had to double take at the others face when he looked guilty.

“I have found something out...it’s...It was before we got here and I just had to make sure.” Lance had no idea what Keith was talking about, but the tone was setting him on edge.

“Keith? Keith, what did you find out?”

The boy wasn’t looking at him, he opened his mouth to finally reveal something important, until a loud crash distracted them to look into the other direction.

One moment it was controlled chaos, now with an unknown signal all hell broke loose.

KEITH

It was his fault, it was all Keiths fault. One moment he and Lance were on an adventure exploring this new world and finding out the mysteries of who Keith was maybe where he belonged.

But Lance could die, he was stuck here watching Lance battle against Shiro the two squaring off against one another, and Lance was going to get hurt.

And it was all his fault.

Hours before, if he hadn’t wanted to find the Fea court so desperately then none of this would’ve happened….

Keith was on his way towards the cave, certain it had answers pertaining to the night before. Something was drawing him there and those markings on the wall were oddly ominous.

Ever since finding out he was a fearie he had wondered what type of court he would be a part off. Winter or summer, seelie or unseelie? Or maybe they had a different name, those strays words of Galra and Altean.

He heard those names mentioned at the fearie pool with Lance. At first he thought nothing of it, but now, it could be something important.

From what he knew of the books he'd read, one court was seen as the most good. They valued honour and Keith as a child did like samurais and ninjas or any archetype of warrior when he was little. But doubts settled upon his shoulders, it would explain why he couldn't fit in. Why he could never socialise with others and why he never felt like he belonged.

But this- this was a chance- to fine a place where he belonged, a home.

It felt too good to be true, but he couldn't help but get his hopes up.

He left the campus and was on his way towards the pathway that would lead him towards the cave but paused when he heard a voice.

"I wouldn't go that way if ah' were you." Keith flinched at the strong irish accent, he turned to see a small...rabbit?

It scratched its ears and Keith thought he was going insane. After all these years it finally happened.

But then it spoke, it's red eyes gazing up at him "There are strange folk up there," it warned "Galra. Nasty ones. Wouldn't want to get tangled up with that lot."

"What are Galra?" Keith asked urgently, and the rabbit looked at him as if he was daft.

"Ugly purple folk, and no one you want on your bad side. What buisness do you have with that cave anyway?" The rabbit asked while ruffling it's fur.

"There was some markings, I thought-"

"-That is just gibberish some older and wiser fea have driven themselves made with. No one can figure it out so don't bother, kid."

"But I..." He trailed off, Keith needed information on the fea. He needed to find Shiro. If Keith paused to wonder where these intense feelings were coming from he'd figure that something was wrong.

"I'm looking for an elf called Shiro, black hair, white fringe?" Keith asked, even holding his own fringe.

The bunnies nose twitched. "Hmm, I might but you gotta do something for me first."

"What is it?"

The bunny gestured for Keith to move closer with his paw and whispered low while Keith bent low and listened intently.

"There's a toad squatting in me Warren. Get rid of it and I'll not only tell you where to find a fea court is, I'll tell you how to find all of them. Special invite to every party in this town." He smirked buck teeth a gleaming.

Keith stood up "Where is this toad?"

The bunny hoped onto the floor and dashed forward "This way-keep up!" Keith chased after it, like Alice chased her own rabbit down a rabbit hole.

Unlike Alice, there was no way Keith could claw his way back to the human world no matter how much he wished he could. He regrets following this rabbit for years to come, knowing if he hadn't followed none of the events would've happened to him...or Lance.

They seemed to go deeper into the park, and just as Keith was growing tired did the bunny rabbit slow to a stop. In an open field Keith glanced around.

"Well where is it?"

"Shh," The rabbit scolded "Hold yer horses, sheesh." It stomped the ground like Thumper from Bambie and the ground began to rumble.

Normal people could not see, but Keith was mesmerised as the ground shook then conceived beneath them in a swirl of earth sliding deeper still.

The bunny turned around and pointed at the hole.

"The nasty thing is in there. Get rid of it and I'll tell ya where the Fea folk are." Keith nodded and stepped forward he took a step and hopped into the rabbit hole.

He landed on his knees and stood realised the tunnels were enormous, bigger than any man. But as he tried to navigate his way from the hole above him he realised it was dark he had to squint to see.

He passed a mushroom that glowed a soft red illuminating the cavern slightly.

Before he could even sigh, or utter a sound he turned a tunnel and almost gasped to see a looing silouette of a large toad. Keiths breath hitched and he felt unfairly cheated.

This toad was huge the size of a small cottage! How in the heck was he going to get rid of it?

Suddenly a large dragonfly floating ahead of Keith, hovered then landed on his shoulder.

Toad like eyes opened and gazed at him.

Keith tensed as the toad grumbled and Keith screamed as a pink tongue snapped towards him, he managed to dodge out the way in time but in the narrow tunnel Keith scraped the side of his cheek against a stray branch and grimaced.

He was cornered.

And before he could move the tongue lashed out again, Keith yelped as it wrapped around him and he was tugged forward like a shot.

He opened his legs wide and the slammed against the toads mouth and he strained against the pull. His legs strained and he prayed to whatever god that was listening that he didn't slip.

If he didn't react fast enough he was going to get eaten!

He wriggled an arm out of the tongue along with his blade, he never hesitated as he plunged the lick of silver into the toads tongue.

The toad gave a squeal of pain and lurched back. Dropping Keith as it did so, Keith landed in a heap and barely had time to move before a pitiful wail erupted from it's croaky throat.

"Oh woe! Can you please leave me alone!" Keith frowned a little confused "Um, excuse me?"

"As you should be!"

"No, I mean," Here Keith stood and dusted of his pants then grimaced as he saw he was slick with toad drool and sludge of mud.

ew.

"A rabbit told me you stole his warren." The toad blinked one eye at a time.

"His warren?" Keith could only raise his arms in alarm as the Toad bellowed "His warren!? That mangy waste of furr, that absolute Jabcalute! How Dare e' how dare e'!" Keith only flinched taking a step back.

"I've been here for years, defending ma land!" It cried, then sobbed further on over it's bloody tongue. Keith grimaced.

"Now I'm defencless, you ave to protect me!"

Now Keith took a step back "I am not going to do that!"

"What is price you ask? Hmm? Gold jewels? I ave that! I gave a prince a beautiful hand crafted carpet and a ring so he could become king, a toad as a wife-"

Keith could imagine that did not sound plesent "And a ring to please his father oh woe is me!" Keith took another step back.

"I just want to find the Fea courts whenever I desire." The Toad blinked again one at a time.

"You have to be the most daftest elf I've ever heard off."

Keith gasped affronted "I am not!"

"Are too, a complete and utter dunce, a waste of brain- a dumbo!"

"Well at least I'm not stuck in a tunnel!"

"You slander!"

Look at what it's come to, Keith was arguing with a toad.

He sighed then jumped when he heard the Rabbit "Ya done yet lad?"

The Toad yelled up "Bunny Barker! Get your fluffy paws in here so I can eat you!"

"Wrack off ya bloody toady, I ain't movin squat." keith groaned then glanced at the toad.

"Wouldn't you prefer to be near the waterfall, there's lots of bugs there instead, and water and nice open spaces."

"No, I like this place. It's warm and cozy."

Keith would've brushed a hand over his face but remembered that his hands were dirty. He wiped his hand over his head instead.

"Okay, Then you're going to have to get out. I had a promise."

"Wait- I'll tell you how to get to the courts." Here Keith paused and raised an eyebrow, the Toad nodded.

"It's instinctual, all feas gather together and feel the draw. You can't find the places they just happen to come about. Those are the parties. The courts however, are more stationary and those I can tell you where they be."

Keith sheathed his blade, "Tell me everything."

Keith walked back out of the hole and it closed up behind him, the rabbit looked furious "You let em go!?" Keith glared down at him.

"He told me what I needed to know, he seems like a nice toad. Why don't you make a new warren?"

"I was here first!"

"And now here he is now! I'm not getting involved until I know the whole story, who knows maybe you're lying. But know this. Even if the toad is gone what happens if another one takes his place how will you defend yourself?" The rabbit was quiet and Keith sighed "Those tunnels are too big for a rabbit. Try the tree's near the stream, they seem nice."

The rabbit was still silent and Keith could only shrug and walk away.

Once he was outside he realised he was absolutely filthy, and his cheek was burning he barely touched it in case it got infected but he had a strange feeling it might scar.

But now he knew how to get to the courts, there was four in total so the fea books were wrong there.

Olkarian, Bulmarin, Altean and the Galra. Shiro he learned was a champion of Altea and to prove his honour and loyalty he was sent to the galra to fight in the arenas.

He knew where to find the Galra court.

Maybe Shiro could finally answer some questions.

Lance and the stranger gaped at Keith when he walked towards them in the open field "What the hell happened to you!?" He smirked "I won." Then grabbed Lance's hand "Come on, I know where to find the courts."

And the rest is history, Lance managed to find the courts, he took the chain from around his neck and passed it towards the guards to pay the fee.

Keith felt something cold settle in the pit of his stomach, why did he feel like the more they came to the courts the more they take away from Lance?

Stepping into the cave, Keith felt himself relax. Unlike the pool party that was so open and full of scantly clad pixies and lofty music, this place felt more up his ally.

It was like a burrow as if bears carved out holes and tunnels, with lanterns lighting up the dark corridors.

"Do you think that Fea lady is here?" Lance broke the silence, referring to the stranger Keith almost growled. He did not like her.

But Lance sounded nervous and tried to think of ways to placate his friend.

"I think she knows where Shiro is." Lance said at once with utmost confidence, it irked Keith some more.

"How did you come to that logic?"

If he sounded bitter, Lance rarely noticed. Honestly? Keith was a little peeved with how close Lance was becoming to this stranger. They didn't even know her nae and yet she had her clutches in Lance.

Keith worried she may spirit him away, or god knows what else. And knowing Lance he would blindly walk into a snake-pit if she asked.

Keith didn't trust her, or whatever her intentions with Lance were.

Then suddenly the music grew louder and Keith gasped as they drew closer to a crowd of fea and other mythical creatures.

The music sounded more modern and mixed with irish lyrical instruments that actually sounded good.

"Did they put a linkin park mixtape in or what?" Lance said his mouth pulled up into a sneer. Keith rolled his eyes, of course Lance would hate it. He scanned the crowd and his face fell when he couldn't find Shiro.

"We should split up." Lance said catching Keith of Guard.

"We'll cover ore ground if we look seperetly." Keith blinked at him then turned towards his friend.

"This isn't one of your typical raves Lance, you could get hurt-" Lance mouth pressed into a pout his eyes narrowed.

"I can take care of myself, just because I'm huan doesn't mean I'm useless."

Keith was taken aback "I didn't say that-"

Lance turned around sharply "-We'll meet back here in an hour, kay?"

"Lance- don't you dare!" Lance ignored him and danced out the way of Keith's fingertips looking all the world like a nymph playing tricks on him.

"Watch me!"

Lance vanished into the crowd.

"Lance! Goddamit." He crossed his arms visibly fuming then closed his eyes trying to breathe, he had no idea he was babysitting a child.

"What are you doing here?"

Keith almost groaned outloud, god what now>

He turned then blinked to see a light purpled Fea, a galra he thought in surprise.

Her lilac eyes squinted "You are not of age to choose, yet." She pursed her lips, her eyes scrutinising him.

Keith blinked but one word eluded him "Choose?" She nodded "You are a returning fea, correct?" And Keith instantly thought back on the libary of Lance with a book looking up at him.

"Oh listen to this," Lance began and Keith glanced at him and nodded for the teen to continue "Changeling children; Fearies sneak into homes and exchange their own otherworldly children for mortal ones. Some human parents don't notice but if they do the end result usually ends....badly." Keith gripped his own book, changeling. That's what he was. Wasn't it?

"The fea do this either because their own child is sick, and to take stronger healthier babies to revitilize their speicies or to punish the human parents- oh that explains Rapunzel."

"Lance-"

"Sorry, um or the human children are sold into slavery..." Lance bit his lip that sounded horrendous, he looked at Keith and he grimaced realised that Keith was just as horrified with this knoledge what if it-

"-I don't think that's what happened, Keith." He said as if Keith could real his thoughts.

Back to the present time, Keith listened as this Galra spoke to him, almost feeling familiar.

"A solitary fea can remain alone, or choose a court. Is this place to you're liking?" She gestured outwards and Keith followed her gaze, he hated to admit it. He liked this place.

The loud music, the fea fighting one another, there was a feral animalistic tone to the air. And Keith felt at home here.

"You like it better here than the other court." She spoke softly and Keith nodded "It was too happy go lucky there but...fake, here at least you know someone hates you." She smiled. Keith suddenly tensed.

"Why are you being so nice?" She shook her head "I can tell you are new to this, as all new changelings. I was the same." Keith blinked and she took amusment in his expression.

"I'm Axca. From one Changeling to another." She held out her hand and Keith almost instinctively gave his name, he then paused.

"I'm akira, and likewise." Her eyes shone like she held a secret or...that she knew he was lying about his name.

"Nice to meet you, Akira."

She let go and gazed cooly into his eyes "You don't have to choose a court now, but being in a court is much safer than being alone, be careful on what you choose." Before she could leave Keith suddenly remembered.

"Wait!"

She paused and turned around Keith lowered his hand "Do you know Shiro?" At her blank stare, he felt foolish...maybe?

"The champion?" He tried and recognition brightened her face, but her playful smile vanished.

"Stay away from him, the Champion is duty bound." At his blank look she explained further "Whatever your feelings are for him, they are lies. He tricks those and manipulates their emotions for his own gains. Don't fall for it."

Keith flushed a brilliant red "I never- that's not what I-" She interrupted him and gave a final departure.

"Farewell, Keith."

She disappeared and Keith took a sigh and leaned against the table full of food, then his hands tensed clutching the thick wood.

He didn't tell her his name.

To calm his nerves he plucked a grape from the small wooden plate and popped it into his mouth.

Flavour exploded in his mouth and tingles shot down his spine, he glanced down at the food surprised. God that was good. He kept eating more and the whole world blurred around the edges of his vision, as he tried to cram more fruit into his mouth.

He could barely remember what happened next, one minute he was eating and all of a sudden he was being pushed away from the table, Keith growled and reached blindly only for something to push hi back. It was too weak to keep him away from the salvation that was delicious fruit!

A grape fell to the floor and burst upon impact.

"Maybe you should use your teeth."

Keith followed the voice and almost did what it was telling him.

"Keith don't-" He drowned out the rest, until he felt something press against his mouth he felt heavenly at the prospect of more food.

Until the taste assaulted his tongue, like stale dust and wet socks. He gagged but someone pressed their hands against his mouth forcing him to swallow.

Once he'd done so, he felt the thing settle in his stomach like a rock and with the uncomfortable feeling came the clarity.

He blinked, slowly coming to...he saw both Lance and a strange man with yellow eyes and long white hair.

The man smirked and turned towards Lance and spoke about seeing him soon, he walked away and Keith was panting.

"Lance? What..." Their eyes connected and Keith suddenly frowned. Taking a shaky step forward "What did you do?" His voice was just short of simmering with rage.

Lance looked irritated his his tone his shoulders hunched and eyes flashed with rage.

He responded with his own barbed words "Don't you ever eat crap in this king of place again- what where you thinking!? This stuff is rank!" Lance waved his hand at the table "What even made you think this was edible?" He raised to Keith what looked to be a tart, with disgust on his face.

"It looks freash to me." Keith shrugged irritation now Lance frowned and glanced back at the tart "keith, this is a mushroom."

"You're seeing things." Keith had enough and made to grab the tart to prove to Lance there was nothing wrong with it.

Lance pulled it out of reach "Don't eat it! Haven't you learned anything?" He grabbed Keiths arm and pulled him towards a corner.

"At least tell me you found something out?" Lance asked and had to do a double take at keiths face when he looked guilty.

"I found out something," The toad told him more in that dank tunnel than some whereabouts of a court.

"Keith what is it? What did you find out?" Keith opened his mouth, until a loud crash distracted them.

One moment it was controlled chaos, now with an unknown signal all hell broke loose.

Suddenly the crowd surged around them like a wave pushing Keith and Lance into a direction amidst the crowd and they had no other choice to follow unless they were stampedded.

"What's going on?" The dull roar became louder and Keith felt as if he was in a football match. Lance grabbed his hand and Keith had no reason to let go, he clung back just as tight.

#FEA

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