Chapter Text
It was nearly sundown by the time Varian and Hugo finally began to think about moving from the glen. Varian had managed to find some willow bark, giving it to Hugo to chew as a natural pain-killer until they could reach an apothecary, but it wasn’t enough to fully dull the throbbing ache in his side. Varian supported Hugo as they walked through the woods, the blond leaning on him quite heavily as they stumbled from the shadows and into the light together. Hugo let out a sigh of relief when they finally were far away from the tower’s ruins, the blond moving slowly due to the dull pain steadily pulsing in his torso with each heartbeat.
“We’ll get you somewhere comfortable,” Varian was saying, “I can make us a shelter, or-”
He was cut off by a sudden chittering, a streak of black and grey bolting from the woods and running up Varian’s body to settle on his shoulders. Varian’s form stuttered in shock for a second, but quickly restarted when he realized what exactly had jumped him.
“Ruddiger!” Varian laughed, bringing a hand up to pet the raccoon, “Oh, I was worried about you, bud! Where have you been?” Ruddiger chittered in glee, rubbing his face up against Varian’s cheek with a purr. Varian rubbed back- Hugo couldn’t help but laugh at the antics.
“Varian!” Twin voices crowed from nearby, both teenagers looking up to see a frantic Hector and Adria running towards them. When they caught sight of Hugo, their pace swapped from a run to a sprint. Hugo let out a choked noise, scrambling around to hide behind Varian. The shorter teen threw up his arms, hiding Hugo from the adult’s glares. They skid to a stop a few meters from the teenagers, Adria reaching for Varian before stopping her hands and clenching them into fists instead.
“What the hell have you been doing?” She asked, her white hair in disarray. “And with him? Varian please, by the Moon, can’t you just listen to us for once in your life-”
“He saved me!” Varian argued, still protecting Hugo with his own body. “He saved me, and nearly died doing it! Adira, aunty, please, just listen-”
“We listened to you before!” Adira finally seemed to fully lose her temper, her voice borderline shrill in the calm, quiet forest. “We listened, Hairstripe, and then you vanished for two weeks! And then-” She cut herself off with an angry laugh, something self-deprecating and mean, “-then when we finally found you? You were half dead and strapped to an autopsy table!”
Varian stepped back in the face of his furious aunt, eyes wide. He legitimately didn’t know how to respond, flubbing his words as he scrambled for something to say. Even Hector seemed a little concerned- if not for Adira than for Varian. Ruddiger chittered nervously from his place on Varian’s shoulders. Adira wasn’t done, it seemed, as her glare snapped from Varian up to Hugo, who flinched. Hugo’s hands dug into the stone armor on Varian’s back as well as they were able, the blond clinging to the smaller boy like Varian was the only thing keeping him alive… though knowing the pair currently aiming for his head, Varian kind of was. As if reading his thoughts, Adria’s eyes narrowed even further, and Hugo felt his heart stop.
“And you.” Her voice was pure venom. “I believe I made a promise.”
She pulled her sword from her back; Hugo felt his lungs stutter. Varian tensed in front of him, shifting so he was fully between Adira and Hugo. The woman hesitated when he did so, gritting her teeth. There was a pause; Varian could see the gears turning in her head. With a sudden, sharp movement she stabbed the tip of her sword into the earth in front of her, slowly pacing around the two teenagers in a wide circle. Her sword made a small skertch in the dirt as she dragged it behind her. Varian shifted so that he was always between Adira and Hugo, following her as she circled around them, his arms out as if to hide Hugo. The blond assumed they looked ridiculous, seeing as Varian was so much smaller than the person he was protecting, but Hugo knew better than to leave Varian’s protective aura.
He appreciated having his head attached to his shoulders, thank you.
Adira seemed to finish her pacing, having made a full circle. Varian refused to back down, even as she ripped her sword from the earth. Around Varian and Hugo was a perfect circle drawn in the dirt, stabbed cleanly through the grass in a diameter of about four meters. She spun her sword around in her hand, the blade whizzing through the air in a wide arc, fixing her eyes on Varian with something challenging in her expression.
“Alright then,” She muttered, “If you think you’re so ready to strike out on your own for good… prove it.”
“What?” Varian breathed. His arms fell slightly, in shock from the request. “Adira, you can’t be serious-”
“Oh, I’m serious.” Adira said, “Deadly so. Prove to me, Hairstripe, that you can handle yourself. If you can finally beat me, then you can go… after we gut Glasses, over there.” Her head nodded towards Hugo, who’s hands clenched a little tighter against Varian’s armor. Hugo could feel Varian’s spine straightening, and it made him nervous. He felt like a coward, hiding from Adira, but he’d prefer to make it through the rest of today alive- after the morning he’d had, Hugo felt like he might be entitled to a break.
“Goggles,” Hugo hissed into Varian’s ear, “Not to be a downer- I’m sure there’s this whole proving yourself thing going on, and I get that- but neither of us are in any shape to fight.”
“I don’t think I have a choice.” Varian whispered back, his face stony, “We’re not good to fight… so we’re definitely not good to run.” Hugo opened his mouth to continue arguing- Varian looked like he’d been through hell, this was not the time for a family pissing match- but Adria’s voice cut him off.
“Tick-tock.” Her words were loud in the clearing. Both teenagers flinched, looking at each other with twin expressions of resignation. Hugo slowly uncurled his hands from Varian’s armor, something in him nervous at the idea of removing himself from Varian’s side, even by a few feet.
Varian turned his back to Adria, leaning up and hurriedly claiming Hugo’s lips in a kiss. There was a muffled sound of surprise from Hugo, but it died in the face of pure enthusiasm. The blond seemed surprised by it, but took the chance he was presented with, quickly dipping down and deepening the kiss.
Hector made a noise like a dying cat.
Hugo could see the lines in Adria’s face grow deeper, her face morphing into a scowl. The two teenagers broke apart, Hugo instinctively chasing Varian’s lips with his own as they separated. Varian smiled, a soft thing as he looked up to Hugo, but his face quickly hardened into something determined as he turned to face his aunt.
“Okay.” He said, “Let’s get this over with.”
Hugo backed out of the circle, Ruddiger crawling from Varian’s shoulder’s to Hugo’s, as Adira tossed Varian her sword. Varian caught it by the handle, seeming more familiar with it than he had before Donella’s interruption. He bounced the weight of it idly, shifting on his aching feet as Adria held out a hand to Hector. The man tossed her his own sword; she caught it deftly, and gave it a few spins with a sharp grin. Varian seemed unphased by the showmanship, simply taking position and waiting for her to be ready.
Adira paced for a bit, sizing up Varian like a lioness in front of a gazelle. Her eyes were sharp, her grip on Hector’s sword tight as she inspected her nephew. Varian didn’t back down, rolling his shoulders as she tried to intimidate him.
“Last chance.” She said to Varian, “Give up, come home.”
Hugo could see Varian’s stance tense, his heels digging just that little deeper into the dirt. “Not happening.” Varian said, in the same, steely tone Hugo was very quickly learning to be cautious of. Adira’s eyes narrowed at Varian; the boy merely shrugged, putting on airs as he tried to keep his guard up.
Then, with a small cry, Adira leapt forwards, swinging her sword in a wide arc.
Varian parried immediately, sparks flying when their blades met. Varian knocked her sword away from him, using the split second to take a jab of his own at his aunt. Adira dodged, leaning backwards and only just missing the tip of the sword as it passed her by. She swung at Varian once more-
And then it got interesting.
Varian, instead of moving out of the way by his own accord, brought up a pillar of stone under his feet and used the force of it to launch himself up into the air. He did a startlingly high flip, up over Adira- Hugo could see a flash of blue behind her, an even larger platform of rock catching Varian and slowing his descent. The rock created a perch about two meters in the air, Varian crouched atop like a gargoyle. Adira spun around, shouting as Varian’s platform violently spread a series of blunted pillars parallel to the ground, nearly slamming into Adira’s chest. She growled, jumping back and slicing at the pillar with her sword.
Varian jumped down from his perch, landing so that it stood between himself and Adira. It split apart, creating a full wall that covered half the circle. Hugo lost sight of him for a second, Varian disappearing behind his structure. Adira went to give chase, but stopped when the ground under her rattled, a series of flattened stones punching up from the earth beneath her feet. She nearly toppled, the woman staggering backwards as she regained her footing. She was forced to slam her sword into the dirt to keep upright, using it as a crutch.
From close nearby, Hugo heard Hector wince.
Adira huffed out a breath, watching as the stone wall disappeared back into the earth. When it was gone, there stood Varian, standing tall in a perfect second position. His arms were bent at exact ninety-degree angles, back ramrod straight; his feet were firmly planted into the dirt. Varian held his sword aloft, focusing the tip of the blade to point right between his aunt’s eyes. Adira huffed a few breaths, her eyes darting around as she began to think. She stood a little taller, looking over her nephew with a new expression- it took Hugo longer than he wanted to admit to finally figure out that it was pride. Adira rolled her shoulders, adjusting her weight as he held her sword up in a guarded position.
“There we go,” She chuckled. “That’s more like it.”
Varian attacked first this time, moving forwards like a black and blue blur. Hugo only just was able to see the blade of Varian’s sword as he swung it, Adira shifting her weight and bringing up a foot to try and kick at Varian’s chest. Varian brought his free arm, the one not holding the sword, up, and with a flash of blue light the armor on his forearm expanded, creating a perfectly smooth circle of unbreakable stone. Adira’s heel connected with the improvised shield, the woman letting out a grunt of pain when her boot roughly hit. She dropped her leg, limping slightly as she withdrew again.
Varian was getting tired, Hugo could see it, but he could also see Adira starting to lose her stance as they both backed off from each other again. Both fighters circled around a few more times, the dust kicking up under their boots in little puffs. Varian’s shoulders were slumping, the weight of the sword slowly starting to weigh him down; Adira seemed to be favouring her left side-
“Are you sure about this?” Adira said, twirling her sword once more as she looked at Varian. “Are you sure about him?”
Varian chanced a look back to Hugo, a shy smile cracking through the determination.
“I’m sure.” Varian said, turning back to his aunt. She grit her teeth, like she wanted to say something else, but instead opted to move forwards once again-
Varian side stepped her, bringing up another wave of blunted rocks. Adira let out a small, offended yell as they hit her, the woman’s injured foot slipping out from under her as she fell backwards. She rolled, springing back up, but Varian was faster. He coaxed another wave of stone from the earth, forcing Adira to keep moving, the boy easily dodging her hectic swings. He was tiring her out, Hugo realized, keeping her moving so she wouldn’t have time to go on the offensive properly.
Adira was, at the end of the day, a better fighter than Varian was… but she wasn’t invincible- and Varian was smart.
With a sudden cry she leapt forwards, sword pushing forwards into a sloppy lunge. Adira’s footwork was fumbling, solidly planted on the ground but weak in the way she favored one foot over the other. Varian used his shield to knock away the trajectory of her attack, dropping his own weapon and grabbing onto her wrist. He used her forward momentum in a spin, moving her even as her eyes widened with shock. Varian’s hair glowed for a split second, and the ground beneath Adira’s feet split open, a small platform pushing up under her to help Varian as he twisted around and used the energy to throw Adira forwards.
She landed on the ground harshly, a plume of dirt kicking up from underneath her. Her face as the perfect picture of surprise, her eyes wide as the dust around her settled. Adira let out a grumble as she rolled in the dust, coming to a harsh stop and jumping into a crouch-
Until she paused, looking down with a laugh.
Before her was the ring she had drawn, still carved into the dirt in a perfect line. She had been thrown clean out of the circle, with only Varian left inside. Her face turned up to see her nephew shrink the shield on his arm back down, allowing it to disappear into his armor again. She stood with a pointed grin, letting her own sword clatter down to the ground.
Varian had won.
The boy huffed for breath, looking ready to faint. Hugo was finally able to move forwards, running the few meters over to Varian and looping one of Varian’s arms up over his shoulders. Varian’s hand grabbed tightly onto Hugo’s support- his eyes were full of gratitude as he leaned closer to Hugo with a tired sigh. Ruddiger slipped down to the ground when Hugo moved, cooing as he weaved between their feet. Hugo could feel Varian shaking with exhaustion, the tremors overtaking Varian even as he tried desperately to stay upright. Hugo shifted his grip, trying to take more of Varian’s weight despite the fact that his hip still burned.
Adira rolled her shoulders, picking her borrowed sword up and handing it back to Hector. She let out a small groan, looking again to Varian and Hugo in the circle. She paused, as if seeing Varian in a new light.
“Well fought, nephew.” She finally said with a dip of her head. Varian returned it, albeit much more clumsily as he tried to breathe through the exhaustion. Adira’s face was beaming in pride, even as she moved a long piece of escaped hair back into place behind her ear. “Well fought indeed.”
Hugo’s hand moved up from Varian’s hip to his waist as Varian began to get his feet back under him. Adira turned to Hector, the two of them seeming to have a conversation without words. Hugo leaned his head a little, burying his face into Varian’s sweaty hair with a smile.
“Good job, Sweetcheeks.” He murmured. Varian in turn tucked his face into Hugo’s neck; the blond could feel Varian grinning against his pulse point. It made him shiver, tightening his hold on Varian’s waist as Varian’s arm in turn began to draw Hugo closer by the shoulders-
“Varian.” Adira’s voice rang out through the grove. Both teenagers turned to her, seeing her face. “A deal is a deal.”
“I guess it is.” Varian said, looking at her with an arched brow. She moved forwards, Hector following, standing in front of them. Hugo could feel Varian tense- even if Adria had promised it was hard to believe them after they’d lied about Hugo’s abandonment. Varian was willing to move on- but something in him was still wary for Hugo’s safety. Adira’s eyes met his, and the woman seemed to finally concede something. There was yet another beat of silence as she seemed to fumble with the words. She opened her mouth finally, the words seeming to pain her has she said them.
“We just…” Adira trailed off, looking again to Hugo with a small grimace. “You had to pick that one?”
Varian laughed, tugging Hugo closer. The joke had done the trick, it seemed; Varian had relaxed into Hugo’s arms the minute she said it. “I don’t know what happened either.” He said with a happy smile, the expression growing as Adira let out a small laugh.
She looked at the two of them, taking one last resigned breath before fixing Varian with a pleading look. “After you go to Corona, will you at least come home for a bit so I can prove to your father that you’re not dead?” She sounded almost like she was begging.
Varian nodded, “Of course.” He said hastily, “I… it’s not like I never wanted to go home, just. I want to do my own thing for a while. Find who I am.”
Adira winced; Hugo could swear he heard Hector mutter something about goddamn teenagers. Varian’s guardians both seemed to deflate at the teen’s words, Adira especially giving a hefty sigh. Varian finally shrugged, looking away as if ready for them to turn and leave him behind.
Hector grunted at that, moving forwards to scoop Varian up into a rough hug. The boy let go of Hugo, returning it wholeheartedly, grinning into his uncle’s cape. Hector let go, giving Varian one last pat on the shoulder before beginning to draw back. He fixed Hugo with one last glare, pointing a finger at the blond. “I’m watching you.” Hector hissed. Hugo paled, shrinking back towards Varian as Hector disappeared into the trees of the forest beyond.
There was a beat of silence, Varian wringing his hands and looking nervously to where Hector had vanished.
“He’ll be fine.” Adira assured, seeing Varian’s concerned face. “He’s just grumpy.” The woman shrugged, playing it off as a joke, but Hugo could see the resignation in her eyes. Varian bent down, scooping up her sword from the ground and holding it out to her. Her hand rose up, as if to take it back, but she closed Varian’s open fingers back around the hilt with a sigh.
“Keep it.” She said with a weak smile as she let go of his hand once again. “But this time keep better track of it. We’ll make you one of your own, next time you come home.”
Varian grinned at her, eyes brimming with tears. She looked at him with pride, a soft smile crossing her face. Varian lunged forwards, grabbing her in a hug before she could react. She returned it wholeheartedly, nearly lifting him off his feet. She pressed a kiss to the top of his head, holding him close.
She clung to him tightly, as if savouring the moment. Adira rocked them slightly, little movements that seemed natural, in the way one holds an infant for the first time. Her eyes were clenched shut, but Varian could feel the slight drip of tears in his hair as she held him close.
“You’ve grown so much.” Adira said quietly, burying her face into his hair just that little bit more. “I remember when you first came into the world; you were so small.” She blinked rapidly, trying to clear her eyes. Hugo heard her clear her throat, looking to the setting sun as she tucked Varian’s head under her chin. “Where did the time go?” She whispered, and Varian sniffled. They clung to each other for just a moment longer, Adira’s arms tightening around Varian a fraction more as her face crumpled in a resigned sorrow.
Adira let out a sudden grunt, pushing Varian away from her gently. There was a beat of silence between them as their eyes met, a silent conversation between the two of them. Varian sniffled again, looking down to the ground. She smiled down at him, lifting his chin with her knuckle. Varian’s eyes were wide when they met hers, filled to the brim with tears that he frantically tried to blink back. Adira’s smile was a mix of emotions, loss, sorrow, resignation… but lacing it all was the solid undercurrent of pride.
“Safe travels, nephew.” She said, her voice cracking.
Varian wiped at his eyes, giving her one last smile before she turned, following her brother into the woods. She vanished between the trees, the sudden silence creeping in with her absence. Varian stepped closer to Hugo, tucking himself into the taller teen’s side. Hugo felt Varian press close, and wrapped himself around Varian as the smaller boy refused to look away from where his family had vanished.
“And with you.” Varian said softly, voice echoing in the quiet of the glen.
They’d gone back to Donella’s hideout, abandoned after Varian had torn it to shreds, and stolen the caravan from the ruins. Varian paused when he looked at the crumbling corpse of the mansion, realizing with a startle that he couldn’t remember what it looked like before. Both times he’d been outside the mansion he’d been unconscious, either carried in by Donella or carried out by Adira. The mansion was impaled right through by massive spikes of stone, the roof having sunken in to crush the floors below. It was long abandoned, deathly quiet in the evening light. Varian shivered as he looked at it, hugging himself close as Hugo dipped into a nearby barn, hoping to anyone who was listening that Donella hadn’t thought to take the caravan.
Sure enough, there it was, tucked away in the back with a newly repaired back wall. Hugo waved Varian into the barn, delighting at the way Varian’s face lit up seeing the caravan and their trusty steed. Dolos seemed excited to see Varian, braying with unconditional joy at seeing one of his missing humans after weeks. The boy had responded in turn, cooing to the large animal as Hugo rolled his eyes and hitched the caravan to the horse. Varian had taken a second to pat old Dolos on the nose, the horse whinnying softly at the gentle touch. “You’re the best horse,” He mumbled softly, scratching along the animal’s nose. Dolos leant forwards, gently batting his face against Varian’s, the boy laughing at the contact.
They’d led Dolos and the caravan away from the rubble, Varian and Ruddiger guiding as Hugo tried to steer from above. The caravan wobbled over the uneven stone, Varian doing his best to level the way over the bigger obstacles with a well placed use of his powers. Once they were finally clear, on a small hill overlooking the ruined manor, Hugo offered a hand down to Varian to help him up onto the bench.
“C’mon, Glowstick.” He said, “Let’s get you to Corona.”
Varian had found the ending of their trip rather disappointingly quiet, to be honest. The last bit of their journey to the city was borderline boring. No bandits, no voices, no high-speed chases through dangerous mountain paths. It was a relaxing sort of calm; the road was smooth, the weather pleasant, the journey safe. It was a mere two days from the ruins of Donella’s hideout to Corona, even at the leisurely pace they’d set themselves. Varian could see the beauty in the tranquility, at least, just the two of them slowly meandering down the path.
The first time Varian saw Corona, the very top of the tallest spires breaching over the trees, it nearly took his breath away. Hugo stopped the caravan for a second, letting Varian take the sight of the shining city glimmering in the sun, poking through the clouds like beams of light. Varian stared at it for a minute more before turning to Hugo, his grin bright with joy. Hugo felt his heart thump at the sight of it- he swallowed through the lump in his throat.
“Well, you made it.” Hugo said with a soft smile. “What do you want to see first?”
Varian paused for a second, thinking hard. His hands curled into Ruddiger’s fur, the raccoon happily asleep on his owner’s lap. Hugo let him take his time, quietly laughing as Varian chewed on the inside of his cheek in thought. Varian shoved at him, playfully slapping Hugo’s arm with a pout. Hugo only laughed harder. Their teasing slowly trickled away, a soft quiet taking over as Hugo waited for Varian’s answer. The shorter teenager took a second more to think, seemingly unable to make up his mind. Varian finally turned to look at Hugo, his brows scrunching together.
“Everything?” Varian finally said, his voice lilting into more of a question as he looked to Hugo with apprehension.
“I feel like we can pencil everything in.” Hugo grinned back, looking to Varian with a smug smile. The smaller teenager pouted, but his face slowly sank into something soft as Varian looked back out to the glittering spires of Corona in the distance. Varian took hold of one of Hugo’s hands gently, the blond’s smirk dropping at the soft touch. Varian seemed to struggle for a second, his mouth moved as if he wanted to speak, but couldn’t find the words. Hugo waited, feeling the sudden seriousness that had overtaken his companion. Varian finally bit his lower lip, looking up and meeting Hugo’s eye.
“I-I never got to say thank you.” Varian mumbled, his cheeks painted a soft pink “For getting me this far.”
Hugo felt his face go bright red, his eyes darting away from Varian’s blushing face. “Don’t.” Hugo muttered, “Don’t thank me. You would have gotten here on your own, and without me you would have never… Donella wouldn’t have-”
“But someone else would have.” Varian said firmly, gripping Hugo’s hand a little tighter. “And no one would’ve been there to pull me back out. So thank you, Hugo.”
The blond stared into Varian’s eyes with shock, feeling his own scrunch up in disbelief. “I don’t deserve it,” Hugo breathed, trying to make Varian understand. Hugo was to blame for everything; why didn’t Varian see that? Why didn’t he hate Hugo and everything he stood for… Varian had saved him from the brink of death, had already done more than Hugo deserved, and now Varian was thanking him-
“You might not-” Varian finally admitted with a dip of his chin. Hugo could see the rejection coming, could feel it stabling deep like a needle through the heart- but Varian kept talking. “-but that doesn’t matter to me. I forgive you, because I choose to forgive you, Hugo. You don’t have to earn my forgiveness because I decided to give it to you.”
Hugo couldn’t tear his eyes away from Varian’s, the confusion making him stupid. “I…” Hugo couldn’t find the words, his tongue was heavy in his mouth, it had turned to lead from the absolute shock of the acceptance presented to him.
Varian forgave him.
Hugo had been… just awful. An absolute ass. He’d lied for so long, dug them a hole so deep they were nearly buried alive, had nearly gotten Varian killed and then possessed by an eldritch horror-terror in the span of two days; but here was this beautiful boy looking him dead in the eye with nothing but affection and acceptance. Varian looked at Hugo, with his rough edges and rougher past, and had given him forgiveness in return. Not in obligation for something that Hugo had done, not because Hugo had turned around and nearly died to fix his mistakes- but because Varian wanted to.
The burnt flesh above Hugo’s hip, still healing under a layer of salves and bandages, twanged with the reminder of what might have happened if Varian hadn’t forgiven him. A burning pain that told Hugo exactly where he’d be if Varian hadn’t been so kind, so… so perfect. Hugo knew he was staring, knew he was probably tense as a bowstring ready to snap, but Varian only fixed him with a knowing look.
“Thank you.” Varian said again, leaning forwards to kiss at the corner of Hugo’s mouth sweetly, letting it linger for a second before pulling back and flopping against the wooden bench with a self-satisfied smile. Hugo looked down to where their hands were still together, their intertwined fingers gently squeezing. He brought them up to his mouth, kissing Varian’s knuckles with a reverence he’d never felt before. Hugo didn’t say anything else, but the gentle squeezing of Varian’s hand in his own told enough of a story that he didn’t have to. Varian grinned, looking back out to the Corona skyline with an open smile.
It was only another hour until they were in the woods bordering the bridge to the city, the forest lush and green. Varian had been surprised at the sight of such a healthy forest; the woods of the Dark Kingdom were nothing if not a little scraggly. They’d parked the caravan in a clearing far off the main path, Varian quickly using a small spire of the rocks to pin the wheels in place. Hugo quickly tied Dolos’ reins to a tree, and went into the caravan for his cloak. He came back out to see Varian sneaking the horse an apple; when Varian saw he’d been caught he simply looked Hugo dead in the eye as Dolos munched on his ill-gotten treat. Hugo laughed, the cloak in his hands heavy.
“Here we go,” He said, tossing it to Varian. The green cloak was more Varian’s than Hugo’s by this point, seeing as the shorter teen had all but claimed it after their visit to Dornwich. Varian looked down to the fabric in his hands, pursing his lips in thought. He wrung the cloak between his fingers, gripping tight as the gears in his head turned.
“What’s up, Sweetcheeks?” Hugo asked, looking over from where he’d went to make sure Dolos was securely tied one last time before they left. “Green not your colour anymore?”
Varian huffed out a laugh, looking up to Hugo with scrunched brows. “I love green.” He said, the meaning not lost on Hugo, “But I think… I think I don’t need to wear this today. It’s too nice a day to spend it hiding.”
Hugo’s smile was crooked with a sense of pride as they put the cloak back into the caravan, leaving it behind as they walked the path to the city together.
Corona was beautiful, shining bright and clean, the spires of the city raising high into the clouds. Varian tipped his face up to greet the sun with open arms. Hugo smiled, reverent at the sight of the shorter teen finally having a moment of peace. Varian’s eyes cracked open, his smile wide and pure. Varian offered Hugo a hand as they stood at the gates to the city. Hugo took it gently, eyes wide at the blissful look on Varian’s face.
They took the first step together.
Corona was busy, but happily so. People milled about, enjoying the sun of a weekday afternoon. Ruddiger vanished into the crowd immediately, off to cause mischief, but Hugo wasn’t worried. Varian’s hand was soft and warm in his, and Hugo found himself squeezing it every once and a while to confirm that Varian was still there. Varian squeezed back every time as the two of them weaved through the main market together.
The city was bright, like stepping into a new world of light. It gleamed in every crevice, every stone perfectly polished, every corner scrubbed until it shined. Varian felt almost out of place in a place filled with so much light, but Hugo still took him by the hand and let him through the crowds. Varian couldn’t help but stare, the city falling by the wayside in the light of seeing Hugo smile. Not his usual sharp grin, not a smirk, but an honest, open smile.
It was something Varian would devote himself to seeing more of.
It was a busy time, the middle of summer. The large, circular plaza was abuzz with people, surrounded by shops on all sides and a smattering of smaller market stalls around as well. The center of the square was emblazed with a mural of the Corona sun, and banners with the same emblem fluttered in the summer’s breeze. A group of musicians were playing in the corner of one of the main plazas, and Varian could see people beginning to dance in the center of the square. He looked at them, probably a little longingly if he were honest with himself, but bit the inside of his cheek. He and Hugo had only really gotten together less than a few days ago, the blond probably didn’t want to dance with Varian quite yet. Besides, Varian didn’t really know how, and Hugo didn’t really seem the type to like-
He was startled by a gloved hand entering his vision, palm up in invitation. He looked to his left to see Hugo, who was steadily ignoring Varian’s eye. Varian raised a brow, and Hugo scoffed, but the shorter boy could see the blond’s face steadily growing more and more red.
“You look like you want to dance.” Hugo muttered, “So either take my stupid hand or stop looking like someone kicked the raccoon in front of you.”
Varian felt his face split into a wide grin, taking Hugo’s hand and letting himself be led out into the crowd of dancers. There was no real organization to the whole thing, people mostly just moving to the rhythm, but Hugo still pulled Varian close and began to guide him along.
“Yeah, so you just make a box- see, there you go, just follow me.” Hugo said as Varian slowly got the hang of it. Hugo’s hand was a comforting weight on Varian’s waist, his other palm was warm in Varian’s as Hugo led them in a slow, careful circle. They slowly moved, more swaying to the beat of the music together than actually dancing, but no one called them out on it. The music switched to a new song, something slower, and Varian found their motion settling into something softer.
Without thinking he leaned forwards, tucking his head under Hugo’s chin. They swayed together, lost in their little bubble, for some time. Hugo was a solid weight against him, even as their intertwined hands fell. Varian ended up wrapping both his arms around Hugo’s neck, and Hugo’s other hand went to join its twin on Varian’s waist. The fledgling thought of something more came to Varian’s mind once again, and the idea of it made Varian wonder about what would come.
For the first time in his life, Varian was excited to see what the future held for him.
They swayed for just a while longer, the song long over before Varian broke away. He grinned up at Hugo’s beet red face, laughing as the blond flushed all the more. “We should probably go,” Varian said reluctantly, already missing the moment they’d had. Hugo pursed his lips, fully wrapping his arms around Varian just that little bit tighter.
“One more dance?” Hugo wheedled, bending slightly to hook his chin on Varian’s head. The shorter teen couldn’t help but laugh, his own grip on Hugo tightening as well. Varian let out a shocked little laugh as Hugo used the grip to spin them, quickly twisting on his heel as Varian laughed, tightening his arms around Hugo’s neck. Varian was still giggling when Hugo set him down, his feet hitting the cobblestones with a slight stumble that only made Varian sink closer into Hugo’s chest. Varian buried his red face into Hugo’s chest, his chest hitching with each snort. Finally Varian seemed to get control of himself, leaning up to press a kiss to Hugo’s chin.
“One more dance.” Varian conceded, his smile wide.
One dance quickly turned into two more, than three.
After they reluctantly parted, Hugo eventually lead Varian to a small shop, tucked away at the back of the market courtyard. Their fingers were still intertwined; every time they separated, they always seemed to gravitate towards each other once more. Varian let out a chuckle when he caught sight of the sign, even as Hugo gently bullied him into the alchemy shop.
“This seems familiar,” Varian laughed as they approached a wall of assorted chemicals and ingredients. Their hands reluctantly split as they began to pick through the stock, gently sorting through the beakers until they found what they needed. Varian found his hands stilling as his eyes drifted to Hugo. The blond was chewing on his bottom lip as he sorted through the items, and Varian felt his heart do a little flutter.
It was still very new, this thing between them, but it was easy, in a way. Simple. It made Varian’s stomach full of butterflies to look at Hugo and think he chose me. To know that Hugo saw Varian, all his cracks and dents and missing pieces, and still decided that Varian was the one for him… well it made Varian’s heart feel light. Hugo seemed to feel the eyes on him, perking up and looking back to Varian. This time the alchemist didn’t bother to hide his stare, his face morphing into a dumb smile as Hugo grinned at him.
“C’mon Goggles,” Hugo said, “We still need to find acetone, quit wasting time.”
Gods Varian was so gone.
When they left the alchemy shop it was nearly the late afternoon. The musicians were still playing, but the dancing was mostly over. The square was still packed with people, however, and Varian’s hand was solid in Hugo’s to keep them together. The breeze was still there, carrying the smell of flowers and baked goods from the surrounding stalls; the sun was still high in the sky, casting short shadows of the strings of banners overhead. Varian looked out to the people around them, seeing normalcy, the simplicity, and feeling something in him feel… dubious. Maybe it wasn’t being normal he’d wanted, maybe it was simply to be.
Varian caught a flash of brunette hair through the crowd, looking over to where a young woman was surrounded by a large group of people. Her green eyes sparkled, her freckled face bright with a happy smile. The sun caught her purple dress, making it nearly glow with colour. Varian felt something in him reach out to her, a gently pull urging him to move forwards. If that weren’t enough of a clue, the pretty tiara on her head would have been more of a dead giveaway.
Princess Rapunzel, the Sundrop, laughed at something one of her subjects said, her face alight with the glow of the sun itself.
“Oh.” Hugo said, following Varian’s eye. “Is… is that her?”
“That’s her.” Varian said softly, tilting his head in thought. “I thought she’d be… scarier. She’s supposed to be my perfect opposite, right?”
“Maybe you’re the scary one.” Hugo said with a smile, squeezing Varian’s hand as the boy snorted at the thought. “No, really, I know a group of bandits who probably still have nightmares about you.”
“They’d better.” Varian muttered back, watching as the princess began to leave the square, her adoring subjects following her every step.
“Don’t you want to talk to her, Sweetcheeks?” Hugo asked, “I can stay here, hold the stuff. Go on, if you want to.”
Varian’s face scrunched in thought, watching her retreating back. Deep within him the Moonstone howled in misery as its prey got further away. There was a beat of silence, Varian’s hand tightly gripping Hugo’s. He looked back to Hugo for a brief second, eyes scrunched with thought as the gears in his mind began to turn. He looked again to the princess, the woman quickly disappearing into the crowd; his window was quickly closing but Varian found that something in him was… content. He looked back to Hugo, biting the inside of his cheek.
“Nah,” Varian finally shrugged, “I- I think I’m good.”
His hand shook slightly, but Hugo’s squeezed it in consolation. “If you’re sure.” The blond said. Varian looked to him with a weak grin, turning away as the princess disappeared into the crowd.
“I’m sure.” He said firmly.
Eventually they got everything they needed and found themselves standing back at the threshold of the city once again. Ruddiger had found his way back to them, perching in his favorite spot around Varian’s neck. Hand in hand, Varian and Hugo walked across the bridge and back to the caravan, greeting Dolos before hiding away inside.
The inside of the caravan was exactly as they’d left it, still a horrible chaotic mess of beakers and tools that Varian had very quickly learned to love. Hugo and Varian were on a small bench, sitting side by side in the little lab inside their home, their hands slowly moving around each other as they worked. It was quiet in the best kind of way; the gentle noise of bubbling chemicals intermixed with the occasional scuffle or laugh when one of them got a little too handsy. It was easy, like breathing, to just sit and enjoy the other’s presence. It wasn’t love, not yet Varian would think, but it could be, if they nurtured this thing between them. The thought was exciting, to Varian.
He couldn’t wait to watch it grow.
Hugo’s arms wrapped around Varian as they worked together, the blond nearly leaning on Varian as they passed things back and forth. The little pendant was coated in a viscous, clear goo, which they left to harden for a few minutes as Hugo kissed his way up Varian’s neck. The boy laughed, playfully shoving at him as they waited. Once the substance covering the pendent was tacky, they wiped at the extra with acetone. It left a smooth, stronger surface behind as it filled in the cracks. The glass was stronger than ever, heartier, with the new components added to it.
Varian looked at it with a smile, running his thumb along the newly smoothed surface. He could still easily see the cracks, but they were healed over. Scarred, in a way.
“Sorry it’ll never be perfect.” Hugo said with a touch of sadness, his own hand coming up to touch as well. Varian looked up at him with a smile, kissing away Hugo’s frown.
“It looks better this way.” He murmured, turning away and filling the pendant with more of the compound that made it glow. It wasn’t the same colour blue it had been, they hadn’t been able to find quite the right ingredients. Instead of being aqua it was more of a teal colour, just on the cusp between blue and green. Varian looked down at it with a small smile, giving it a testing shake and delighting as it began to glow.
Varian passed it to Hugo, shifting around so the blond could clasp a new, silver chain around his neck. Hugo did so, and once it was in place Varian brought up a gentle hand to hold it. It glittered in the gas lights within the caravan, the flickering flames bouncing light off the repaired glass. Hugo’s hand joined his, and Varian turned slightly to kiss under his jaw.
There was another easy silence for a beat, as Varian turned off their Bunsen burner, slowly placing things back in a semblance of order. Hugo’s eyes never left the pendent, watching it swing gently around Varian’s neck. Varian tipped his chin down with a gentle hand, their eyes locking as Varian grinned.
“Make me dinner?” Varian asked. He stood as Hugo began to laugh, dodging a swipe to his shoulder and pulling Hugo to his feet. The blond went willingly, the two of them dancing around each other with ease.
It was a mere hour later that they sat atop the caravan, wrapped in blankets and watching the city of Corona over the trees under the light of the moon. Hugo was sitting with his back against a box that Varian had brought up, and Varian was seated in his lap. Hugo was wrapped around him like a limpet, the two of them looking at the silhouette of the city in the distance. The glow of lights were pinpricks in the darkness, flicking in the evening quiet.
Varian felt Hugo put his chin on Varian’s head, the blond burning his face into the boy’s dark hair. Varian giggled at the sensation, leaning back into the embrace. Fireflies danced around them, gently blinking in the summer air. Ruddiger was asleep near Hugo’s hip, content with a full belly and both his humans safe and sound. Something in Varian felt warm, a small heat settling in his heart that he’d never felt before. Sitting here with Hugo, the world laid out before them with infinite possibilities and all the time in the world to realize them-
Varian realized, with a small grin, that for the first time in his life he was content.
“So.” Hugo’s words were muffled by Varian’s hair, but the younger teen could still hear him. “Was it everything you dreamed it would be?”
Varian looked out to the city, pondering his answer for a second before turning around in Hugo’s grip. The shift was slow, unhurried, but Varian was firm as he moved. He turned his back to Corona, facing his boyfriend with a smile. The blond looked at him curiously, even as Varian wrapped his arms around broad shoulders and looked him right in the eye. Hugo’s hands settled innocently on Varian’s hips, the taller teen grinning as Varian leaned closer, their noses brushing. There was a beat between them, before Varian’s thoughtful expression split into a happy grin.
“It really was.” Varian said, leaning in for a kiss.
They didn’t go back to the farm for three months.
It’s not that Varian didn’t want to go back, he missed his father terribly of course, but there was something in him that just… wasn’t ready. He was scared, to be honest. Scared his father would send him away, scared even more so that Quirin might force him to stay. They took the scenic route, as Hugo called it, around some of Corona’s different sites. They visited villages, the occasional large stream, a mountain or two, all the fun places Corona had to offer. Varian could continue on forever, but eventually he knew it was time to head back to the farm.
The time for running was over.
Retracing their steps was something that was almost fun, the two of them taking what Hugo liked to say was the long way. They’d passed through Dornwich, stopping to at least try the pies Hugo had recommended last time. The small town had been almost better the second time around, with the way that they kept feeding pieces of pie to one another as they sat together in the quiet of a non-Monday market day. Varian was sad to see Dornwich go again, even if the knife he’d stolen from Lukas burned in its place hidden in his boot.
After that it was around the mountains, the path through still blocked.
When they finally got around the cliffs Varian couldn’t help but laugh, seeing the sign they’d argued about so long ago, merely a week into their travels. The arrows were damning for sure, it seemed Varian had been arguing for a simpler, flatter, safer path the whole time. Hugo went red, shoving at him with embarrassment as Varian howled with laughter.
The two of them stared at the sign. It seemed to be years ago now, when they’d spent more time ribbing each other like children pulling each other’s pigtails to try and show affection. When the only thing between them had been the chance of something more, not all the history they now shared. One of Varian’s hands went to the necklace around his neck, holding it close, and the other went to hold Hugo’s hand. He leaned over, getting close. Hugo closed the gap, softly kissing Varian silly. When they broke apart, Varian was dazed, kiss drunk and dopey.
The blond grinned, shifting Dolos’ reigns to one hand and snapping them, getting the horse moving once again towards Varian’s family farm. Varian wasn’t sure when the farm had stopped being called home in his mind. It would always be important to him, it was where his family lived, it was where he had been raised, it would always have a place in his heart…
But now? Now home was a rickety caravan and a pair of green eyes.
Varian wouldn’t trade it for a second.
When they’d gotten to the farm properly Varian had been a bundle of nerves. Hugo could see it in the tenseness of his shoulders and the bouncing of his leg as they approached the house. As they ascended the stone steps towards the farmhouse, he hesitated again. Adira had told him that Quirin had been devastated by Varian’s disappearance. Would his father be angry? Or just disappointed?
Varian startled at the feeling of a hand slipping into his, and he looked up to see Hugo softly smiling at him in support. Varian too a deep breath, raising his other hand to knock at the door. It didn’t feel right to just barge in, he needed to be either invited in or sent away. Varian could hear the heavy footsteps approaching the door from inside, and he tensed in preparation. Hugo’s hand squeezed his own, and Varian forced himself to drop his shoulders. One way or another, it would be okay.
Quirin opened the door to the house, looking absolutely wrecked. The man had lost weight, his clothes hanging off his body. He was pale, which only accented the deep bruises under his eyes. Quirin’s hair was in disarray, grown out and wild in a way that looked unkept. The man was a shadow of his former self, striking a sense of guilt so deep into Varian’s heart that he wasn’t sure it would ever leave.
Varian stared up at his father, the waterworks already starting. Hugo watched sadly as Varian tried to begin, tried to tell his father how sorry he was, but nearly choked on the tears as they began to flow. Quirin looked like he’d seen a ghost, staring down at his son in shock. There was a beat of silence between the two of them, the odd standstill seemingly unbreakable.
Then, in a motion that seemed desperate, Quirin bent down and enveloped his son in his arms.
Hugo let go of Varian’s hand with a small smile, stepping back as Varian started sobbing, clinging to his father like a drowning man to a raft.
“I’m sorry!” The boy wailed, his fingers digging into the fur of Quirin’s vest. “Dad I’m sorry, I’m so sorry-”
Varian’s father shushed him, bodily lifting his son up and off the stoop. Varian was so small compared to his father, even in adulthood. The man was huge, Varian nearly getting lost in his embrace. Quirin nearly crushed him, clinging so tight like he was worried Varian would disappear if he ever let go. Varian could feel his father shaking, the large hands holding him up clutching tight to Varian’s shirt.
When Varian’s feet finally hit the ground once again, he rubbed frantically at his eyes, trying to stay his tears. Quirin kept a hand on his shoulder, looking frantically into his son’s face, checking for injuries.
“Are you okay?” Quirin asked, holding Varian’s face and tilting it in every direction to try and find injury. “Adira and Hector said you were off with a boyfriend, but-” He seemed to notice Hugo then, his face darkening. “Get off my property.” Quirin spat, an arm like a tree trunk wrapping around Varian again, as if to hide him from Hugo. “Get away from my son-”
Varian twisted away, getting between the two of them as Hugo backed off. “Dad, stop!” He yelled, “I dragged Hugo into this, not the other way around!”
Quirin didn’t seem to care, but stopped when Varian put a hand on the center of his chest. Quirin paused, shocked at his son’s sudden intervention. There was a beat of tense silence, Varian meeting his father’s glare head on with one of his own. The hostility was beginning to build again, the teenager could feel it, but he took a deep breath and forced it down.
“Hugo.” Varian said calmly, eyes not leaving Quirin’s, “Why don’t you go check on Dolos? Make sure he’s settled in.”
“Sure, Sweetcheeks.” Hugo said quickly, glad to be out of the situation. He left with one last supportive pat to Varian’s hands, before turning and leaving, hopping down the steps and walking back towards the caravan. Varian waited for him to be gone before he finally dropped his hand, looking his father dead in the eye.
“I’m not moving back in.” Was the first thing out of Varian’s mouth. Quirin’s face was almost offended, the man’s eyes tracking Hugo’s steps like a dog on a trail.
“It’s not safe out there.” Quirin responded, his tone rough. “You’re coming home.”
“I’m not moving back in.” Varian repeated, firmer this time.
“You are, it’s not a discussion.” Quirin said, matching his son’s tone with a growl. “You’ve had your fun, but it’s over.”
“I’m an adult now-”
“And what? You’re going to run off with some thief? Adira told me all about your little boyfriend, Varian, I don’t approve-”
“Well, in that case it’s a good thing I never asked for your approval!”
Quirin fixed him with an angry look, his brown eyes finally leaving Hugo. “What’s he done to you?” The man spat, eyes snapping back to Hugo’s retreating back. “You’ve never been so, so-”
“Independent?”
“Stubborn.”
There was a beat of silence between them, until Quirin reached down and gently grabbed one of Varian’s wrists, tugging it as if to pull Varian into the house. Ah, Varian thought grimly, it was time to pull out the big guns. He looked up to his father’s gaunt face, the determination in his eyes clear as day.
“I don’t want to leave forever.” Varian said harshly, “But if you keep insisting that I can’t take charge of my own life- I will leave, right here, right now, and you will never see me again.”
Quirin reeled back like he’d been slapped. His hand left Varian’s wrist, Varian’s voice was strong, despite the way his hands shook. The man looked shocked, staring down at his son as if Varian was a stranger. Varian was far from done, however.
“The more you try to keep me here, the more I’ll try to escape.” He said, not unkindly, but firmly. “There’s a whole world out there waiting for me, dad, and I’m going to see it. Whether you like it or not.”
Quirin raised a shaking hand to Varian’s face. The boy leaned into the touch, hugging his dad’s large arm for comfort. Their hands met, Varian pushing his face into the contact with a distressed sniffle. This was exactly what he’d been scared of-
“Varian,” Quirin began, and the boy tensed. Quirin struggled with the words for a second, but finally deflated, seeming to shrink. “If that is what it takes, so be it.”
Varian looked up in shock but listened as his father went on.
“When I lost your mother- when I almost lost you, it nearly killed me.” Quirin whispered. “I was so scared… for you- for what the world would do, if it found out what you are. But… here you are.” The hand on Varian’s cheek began to gently rub away his tears, Quirin beamed with something quietly content. “You took the world head on and lived, thrived even.” There was a look in Quirin’s eye, something light as he finally saw the man his son had grown into. “I couldn’t be prouder.”
Varian’s body shook with the tears, hugging his father’s hand tighter. Quirin seemed to finally settle, bending again to pull Varian into another hug. Varian tossed his arms around his father’s broad shoulders, digging his hands into the man’s vest with a sense of desperation. Quirin let him go once again, this time settling a massive hand onto Varian’s shoulder.
Quirin looked up to where Hugo was tending to Dolos, eyes calculating as he looked back to his son. “He makes you happy?” Is all he asked, smiling gently when Varian nodded.
“Very happy.” Varian choked out. “I’ll come back and visit, I promise.”
“Stay for a bit first?” Quirin asked, the question seeming weird on his tongue. “I miss your stories.”
Varian grinned, nodding.
“Of course.” He said with a relieved smile.
“I think I’m getting restless.” Varian murmured, staring up into the night sky.
Hugo shifted from where he’d been flat on his back, looking over to Varian. The smaller teen didn’t move, looking up into the stars without really seeing anything. Hugo arched a brow, trying to figure out what was going on in Varian’s head, before shrugging and pulling the shorter boy closer.
They were on the roof of the house, lying back against the gentle slope of the shingles. A thick, fluffy blanket was tucked beneath them both, another wrapped around their intertwined lower legs. Hugo was flat on his back, head supported by one of the pillows they’d snuck out, Varian curled up against Hugo’s chest. His small hand was bunched up in Hugo’s loose sleeping shirt, Varian’s head supported by his boyfriend’s arm. Varian stared unflinchingly at the sky, and Hugo could see the stars reflected in those baby blues.
“Well,” Hugo said, his hand idly rubbing at Varian’s hip. “We could always go visit Carleone tomorrow, or take a walk in the morning-”
Varian rolled over and groaned into his boyfriend’s shoulder. Hugo felt Varian’s face scrunch up from where the shorter teen had shoved it into Hugo’s chest. Hugo laughed, pulling Varian in that little bit tighter. Ruddiger chittered in complaint at the movement, the raccoon trying to snuggle next to Varian’s hip.
“…Or we could get out of here, go on the road. I hear Pincosta’s lovely this time of year.” Hugo derailed himself, but it was worth it when Varian lifted his head to smile at him.
“Pincosta, huh?” Varian asked in a teasing voice, “Never been. I guess I’d need someone to be my guide- since I don’t know the way, and all.”
Hugo laughed, turning his head so that their foreheads were pressed together. “You know, I think I know a guy.” Hugo said, accepting the casual kiss Varian bestowed upon him for it. They lay there for a while longer, content in the quiet silence. Varian’s pendant was a subtle glow around his neck, just the smallest hint of teal light between the two of them; tiny but constant.
Hugo pressed a kiss to the top of Varian’s forehead, looking deep into those baby blues. The blond smiled in contentment, shifting as Varian snuggled into his chest. Hugo hooked his chin over Varian’s head, the two of them fitting together like two misshapen puzzle pieces. Now this, this was something Hugo could see himself getting used to- the idea of forever was such a tantalizing idea that the blond was already thinking of getting old and grey-
Hugo was struck by a sudden, indescribable bolt of lightning from the very depths of his soul, a sudden flash of clarity that hit him like a train-
He was in love.
They hadn’t mentioned the… well the L Word, so to speak. It was a small thing they’d been dancing around, they’d only been dating for a few months. Hugo wasn’t sure if he was even ready to drop that bomb… or if he ever would be. Hugo did his best not to tense when he felt Varian shift against his chest, the smaller boy drowsily moving.
“What’re you thinking about?” Varian mumbled next to him, half asleep.
“Just the route to Pincosta, Glowstick, no worries.” Hugo smiled back, content to shove his feelings deep in a locked box and never open it again-
“Oh, okay…” Varian slurred, dipping in and out of sleep. “…Love you.”
Hugo felt his heart thump, scrambling to get words past his constricting throat. Hugo felt a wave of relief that Varian had fallen asleep - that way he wouldn’t see Hugo’s tears. He didn’t deserve this, didn’t deserve Varian’s affection, didn’t deserve what the world had given him-
But.
Hugo might not deserve it, but he was a thief by trade, and he was nothing if not greedy. Even if he wasn’t worthy, wasn’t good enough, wasn’t everything Varian deserved- well Hugo was willing to at least try to be someone worth Varian’s time. Something in him bridled with excitement, delighting at the fact that he’d stolen Varian’s heart and had gotten away with it scot-free; it was truly the heist of the century… even if Varian had stolen Hugo’s heart clean from his chest in return. Hugo may not deserve it, but he’d be damned before he denied Varian anything. If Varian wanted Hugo… there he’d be.
Varian snorted loudly in his sleep, nose scrunching up like a kitten’s. Hugo pulled Varian’s sleeping self closer to him with a quiet laugh, nearly wrapping around the smaller boy as he gently squeezed Varian close.
“I… I love you too.” Hugo whispered into the quiet of the evening.
And, for the first time in his life, he meant it.
They spent another week at the farm before Varian got too antsy, the complacent farm lifestyle chafing. Hugo had agreed to leaving, still smarting from where Adira had insisted that the blond spar with her one morning- he’d soundly lost, and was still hurting from it. They’d packed the caravan with all the food Quirin could fit in it, the man throwing as many supplies at the two of them until the caravan was stuffed to bursting.
They’d said their goodbyes at the stoop of the front door; Hector and Adira swept Varian up in a hug each, Hector going so far as to swing his laughing nephew a few times as Varian begged for freedom. The group laughed at his plight, but when Varian was set down Adira put a strong hand on his shoulder and shoved a package into his hands. Varian nearly dropped it from the weight, looking up to his aunt with an arched brow.
“I promised, didn’t I?” Was all she said, standing straight and giving him a wink before leaving to follow Hector into the house.
All that was left was Quirin, who Varian nearly jumped at. The boy threw his arms around his father’s neck, sniffling as the man hugged him close. Varian refused to cry, basking in the warmth and safety of his father’s arms, burrowing himself into Quirin’s embrace. The man seemed just as intense, holding Varian firmly but gently, as if he son were made of glass.
“You’ll write, right?” Quirin asked, “I want to hear from you.”
“I promise.” Varian nodded, stumbling when Quirin set him down onto the stone stoop.
“Just promise me you’ll be safe.” Quirin mumbled into Varian’s hair before looking up towards the caravan. “And you!” Quirin barked at Hugo, “Keep an eye on my boy! He’s got a habit for trouble.”
Hugo laughed from his place on the caravan, offering the man a thumbs up. Varian got one last hug in before finally turning around and climbing up the caravan. He took his place next to Hugo, settling into his spot on the bench with a grin. Hugo smiled back, tilting Varian’s face for a kiss. They broke it when Quirin made a noise at them, giggling at the look on the man’s face. Hugo gave a click of his tongue, urging Dolos into moving.
The caravan ambled forwards with a gentle lurch, rocking gently as Dolos tugged it along. Varian couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement when he heard the creaking of wooden wheels and the gentle shift of tied down glassware deep inside the caravan. It was like coming home, feeling the lazy movement as he finally began to move forwards once again.
Varian turned and waved one last time, watching his dad wave back before re-entering the house. He sat for a second, grounding himself, before finally unwrapping Adira’s present. He paused, looking down at it with a small amount of shock. In his lap, wrapped in a simple brown paper, lay a sword and scabbard not unlike the ones belonging to his family. Varian looked at it in a daze, slowly taking it in his hand and wrapping a hand around the intricate, black, leather handle.
It popped with a shing, its wielder only drawing it out for a few inches. A blade of black obsidian looked back at him. Varian could see his own reflection in the polished stone, could see the wide grin taking over his face. It was smaller than Adira’s by a long shot, but perfect in its own way; Varian was sure it had been made for him.
“Oh, sure he gets a sword.” Hugo griped with put upon expression. Varian giggled, buckling the scabbard to his belt. The weight was solid on his hip, something in the blade calling to him like a siren’s song. It felt like the sword was already a part of him, a connection to his family he could carry with him as he went about the world.
Something about it felt right.
They paused at the threshold to the farm. The wind was soft in the morning air, almost sweet from the pre-fall season. The leaves had only just started to change, bathing the forest in warm reds and oranges, the trees alight in a fire of colour. Varian took a deep breath of fresh air, savoring it as they paused, waiting. Dolos nickered softly, already antsy to get going, but Hugo merely reached down to gently take hold of Varian’s hand with a gentle touch.
“Well, Goggles,” He said, looking at Varian with a grin. “This is your adventure. Where to first?”
Varian thought about it for a second, biting the inside of his cheek. There were so many places he wanted to go, so many sights to see. He wanted to swim in an ocean, climb a cliff so high you’d think there was no peak, cross country to country and back again. He wanted to try new foods, meet new people, experience cultures he’d never thought possible. He wanted to kiss Hugo senseless under a blanket of stars, and draw him closer under the light of the moon.
There were so many places to see, and so much time left to see them. Varian was in no rush, but he wanted to experience it all. He turned slightly, taking one last look back to his childhood farm with a grin, before turning back and looking at Hugo like he’d hung the moon. Varian smiled, something in him excited for the roads to come. Hugo was patiently waiting for his answer; Varian only had one direction he wanted to go.
“Forwards.” Varian finally said, grinning at the thought.
Forwards it was, then.