[ P ] Don’t Look Back

This place was called Aberdeen. A seaside village Diaval had found himself in after the great fall of the Nightingale kingdom. His Kingdom. It was a beautiful region and it might have been a place he would have vacationed to at this time, but now it served as an escape from persecution rather than an escape as relaxation.

He had to count his blessings, however, seeing as the events that took landed him on the coast in the warmth of emerging Spring rather than in the dead of Winter. The fallen monarch may not have survived otherwise. There was still much to worry about, however, as he roamed the streets of the village, his appearance haggard and worn down.

Locals avoided him as he begged them for even the left over scraps of meat they had to get him by while he gained his bearings. These folk had no idea how humiliating this was…going from a time when the populace would sing your praises and place gifts at your feet to being shunned away and having to scrounging the garbage for even a quarter of a meal.

And today it was raining.

Diaval sat, leaned up against the remnants of a structure that was at a crossroads where people traveled. He shivered as the rain soaked his coat and when other wolves passed him by, he would attempt to gain their favor.

“Please, could you spare some-”

“Sir, do you have even a morsel of-”

“My lady, I’m in need if you could just-”

Many of them would shoulder their way past him and he slumped against the crumbled stone wall, continuously scanning the area with dulled golden eyes that still held the hint of a spark.

@Sage

table by Yahtzee-Penguiduck [da]. click for attributions.

THREAD TITLE MUSE

T

he herbalist spent the early morning gathering the fresh herbs from his garden before hunting some small prey. Before the sun reached the middle of the sky, the man had filled a woven basket with fresh stock and a few slabs of meat wrapped in dried leaves, ready to take a trip to the seaside town of Aberdeen. He always enjoyed the walk, it reminded him of his childhood. The bright sun, the salty air in his fur and the emerald green grasses swaying in the breeze. The smoky male smiled as his eyes fell upon the hills of the seaside town, despite the rain clouds that had gathered, dampening the fur on his back.

Wandering through the crowds, Sage eyed off those that seemed a little less fortunate, handing over some of his meat and a poultice or two where it was needed. He was handing over a slab of fresh meat to a young woman when a voice caught his attention. Deep and enchanting, the voice made his fur stand on end. Blue eyes searched the many faces around him, looking for the source of the voice.

A rain soaked black figure lay against a crumbling structure, the wolves passing him ignored him entirely, as if he didn't exist. With a huff of mild annoyance, Sage started forward, stopping abruptly when the male looked up. His heart beat hard in his chest as he locked eyes with the figure. Sage stood, cemented to the spot as he took in the face of the one that had been pleading with the crowd. The features before him were almost exactly like the ones he had dreamed of. Deep, dark fur covered his underside and his muzzle, his face framed by flecks of pale off-white. His eyes, a piercing yellow that held a glint of mischief. With his stomach roiling, Sage moved toward the figure, bending his head down slightly as he approached to lay a wrapped piece of rabbit down before the man.

@Diaval

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

It was hardly worth the effort after a while and he closed his eyes with a long sigh. He now simply listened, to the pitter-patter of the rain droplets against the various surfaces, the distant thunder as the storm rolled through, the sound of footsteps as they moved along. He could be dead right now and not a soul here would’ve batted an eyelash.

When he opened his eyes again, they immediately connected with vibrant cerulean orbs from afar that seemed to widen the longer he stared. Diaval furrowed his brow, confused by the reaction of shock displayed across the features of the other male and then his eyes narrowed and he tuned his face away. Perhaps the other had recognized him from before, which could only bring him misfortune, for all those he had counted friends among his royal company were now long gone.

He allowed his mind to wander to those days of his past and had distracted him from the stranger’s approach. Diaval only turned his head to the sound of something being placed at his feet and he turned his head to find the same male directly in front of him, having offered him the leg of a rabbit.

Golden eyes flickered upwards, searching the depths of ocean within the other’s before he uttered a quick, “Thank you.” The half-starved exile wasted no time and he tore into the meat, picking every single bit from the bone, ensuring there was practically nothing left after he’s inhaled it rapidly.

@Sage

table by Yahtzee-Penguiduck [da]. click for attributions.

S

age couldn't help but stare. The male, disheveled as he was, represented everything the herbalist had been dreaming of. The yellow eyes, the dark fur highlighted with perfect flecks of opposing hues. Sage's head tilted slightly, watching how desperately the prince lapped up what was put before him. Legs weak, the boy couldn't help but sit, cerulean eyes still engrossed in the sight before him, the simple words echoing in his ears, his heart seeming to pulse with each syllable.

Soon the rabbit's leg was nothing but bone, prompting the boy to scrabble for what was left, all he could find was a strip that had come loose from the creature's rib, wrapped neatly in leaves. With an apologetic smile, Sage placed the next piece in front of the dark man. "Sorry... I can always find more..." The herbalist offered, averting his eyes for a moment. "Are you hurt? I'm a herbalist. So I can... you know..." Blue orbs surveyed the figure quickly, trying not to linger while checking him over for injuries. Every word seemed to burn with shame in his throat, as if he felt like he didn't have the right to speak to this man. And yet, even as he did so, he couldn't rid himself of the image of the man dominating him. His body over his own, his warm breath against his neck. Eyes widening, Sage cleared his throat, hastily returning his gaze to the dark male's face.

@Diaval

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

Something else was set at his feet and finishing what he could get from the bone he looked over to see another smaller bit of meat left. And more surprising still, the other male was still sitting there and watching him with a rather peculiar gaze.

He shifted apprehensively to where the other rib bones was, his sharp golden gaze studying the stranger. Shaking his head dismissively at the apology, he offered the briefest of smiles. “No need to apologize, this is far more than I would have ever expected…”

It was revealed that a healer stood before him and when offering to assist him with any injury he chuckled bitterly. “I’ve no major injuries…not unless you can heal my pride…” There was somewhat of a jest there, for he knew there was no miracle worker powerful enough to rewrite his past and make him see sense.

Diaval lowered his head to begin eating once more, his eyes lingering on the smokey face of this Good Samaritan. There was something that moved in the churning waves of his ocean eyes, thoughts behind those mirrors to his soul. He slowly closed his parted mouth before he took a bite and lifted his head slightly. “Have we…met before?”

@Sage

table by Yahtzee-Penguiduck [da]. click for attributions.

W

armth enveloped his cheeks as the man shook his head. He should have expected a response like that, considering his bad habit of apologising for nearly everything he did, something that his twin would often harp on about. But no matter, what mattered right now were those honey colored eyes, that amazing deep voice, that scent that was as smokey as the boy's own coat and warmed his nose with each breath despite the frigidness of the rain-soaked atmosphere.

The man's words hinted at sarcasm, and Sage offered up a small smile, biting back the apology that tried to rise from his chest. What had the man done that was so bad? How had he found himself begging for help, here in the seaside town. How did he find his way to Sage, who had dreamed of his face so many times that looking at it now, he couldn't be certain he was awake at all, if not for the chill in his bones from the rain dripping through his fur.

Though he didn't understand it fully, he kept his eyes locked with the older man's as he resumed eating. He watched with wonder, as if he had never seen another person eating in his life. When the man spoke again, Sage flinched, averting his eyes to watch a couple walk past, their eyes flicking back to the rain soaked pair suspiciously. Anxious to keep his dreams to himself, to avoid seeming like a lunatic, Sage ignored the question, moving to stand before turning his head back to the man. "Do you have somewhere to stay? I can offer you shelter for a small time, but it is a bit of a walk away." He said, trying his hardest to not let his voice shake, he was just a good Samaritan and that was all. He had merely happened across this poor soul and decided to help for no other reason. His face was not familiar. His voice did not make his inside's tingle, nor his scent make him want to bury his face in the soft fur of his chest. Sage turned his head away from the man's image, staring down the path. "My name is Sage, by the way." His tone was non-chalant, but he shook inside. It took everything he had not to slip into the extremely vivid image of just what might happen if the two men shared shelter. The herbalist thought of his twin's reaction to his bedroom being rented out for just a second before the optimistic day dream returned and all thought of Valerian vanished.

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

His inquiry was completely ignored, causing Diaval to only become more suspicious that his assumption was true. The shifty and anxious nature of the smaller male was also an indicator that he had something to hide. Instead of providing him with an answer, he was offered a roof over his head.

He has returned his focus to eating, feeling the weight of a cerulean gaze upon him. The feasting was hurried though less ravenous and once he'd cleaned the bones and discarded them, he sat up, nearly looming over the other in their height difference. Diaval licked remnants of the meal from lips, thoughtfully considering the offer of shelter.

He peered upward at the darkened, stormy sky, rain spattering his face lightly. By the looks of it, the bad weather would persist for a while. While he contemplated, a name was gifted to his ears that swiveled to catch the pleasant sound of it. He lowered his golden eyes to study the features that were paired with the monicker.

A small half smile tugged at the corner of his mouth and he spoke his own name. There was no point in coming up with an alias if his identity was already known. "Diaval." He stated plainly with a dip of his head. He took a breath and let it go with a sigh. "I have nothing to offer you in return. Even my body is too weak to provide you with labor around your homestead...though if you are willing, I would appreciate shelter until the storm passes at the very least."

@Sage

table by Yahtzee-Penguiduck [da]. click for attributions.

S

age gulped, lowering his gaze when he realised he had been staring again. The man seemed to take his time listening to the herbalist's name before offering up his own. It was strong, and regal sounding, nothing like his own whimsical name, one that matched that of the herbs he tended with such delicate paws.

His head shook in earnest, dismissing the man's concern. "No problems. It is my job to nurse others to health. You will be fed and kept dry. You can always repay me later on, when you have regained your strength." Sage couldn't help the image that came to mind. How he could pay off his debt in a way Sage had never even considered before. "Uhm... Yeah so, if you wanted shelter and... All that. Feel free to follow me, I'm heading home now anyway." He averted his gaze, going through the names of every herb in his garden and picturing them in an attempt to rid his mind of the dirty thoughts.

[Exit Sage]
@Diaval

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

Diaval stood there a bit stunned with the selfless offering of this individual he'd only known for but a moment. Fed and kept dry? The man would surely spoil him into thinking he might be back at his own castle being waited on paw and tail. Those thoughts he needed to banish...he no longer lived the lavish, fairytale life he'd grown up knowing. It would be foolish to have such expectations.

He certainly would repay this kindness, he was certain of it. Although Diaval had not worked hard labor a day in his life, he only assumed his body was capable once his strength had returned. He nodded to Sage, holding the last downward tilt of his head in a respectful bow. "I can assure you, all of my debts will be paid. I intend to keep my word."

When he lifted his head once more, Diaval aimed to hold the male's ocean-eyed gaze for as long as he possibly could, sharp, golden eyes sealing the deal. And like that, the healer's small legs had him off back in the direction he supposed his den would be. "Wastes no time, does he?" He murmured to himself as he moved quickly to keep up with Sage, following behind him at a respectable distance.

Diaval studied every little mannerism of his savior to try to understand what it was he was hiding, stowed away lock and key. He could only assume that he would find out sooner or later.

[Exit Diaval]

@Sage

table by Yahtzee-Penguiduck [da]. click for attributions.