Chapter Text
Harry smoothed down the soft material of his new robes with a pleased smile. It was a soft sage green, and had subtle golden stitching along the collar. The sleeves were too long and fell over his fingers, but Harry didn’t mind, and he simply cut a few inches off the bottom so that it wouldn’t trip him while he was walking.
“Thank you,” he beamed at the man. He had scavenged robes before, but they were not half as soft or comfortable as these ones. He felt a bit like a bird with the long flowing sleeves, as if he had grown wings. He wondered if he could fly like this.
“They’re old robes,” the cultivator replied dismissively. “I had no use for them.”
“Still,” Harry insisted. “You already saved me. You didn’t need to give me clothes as well.” He fidgeted for a moment, then, “I’m Harry, by the way.”
The cultivator paused, as if preoccupied by a thought. “Tom,” he finally replied. He seemed a little pleased.
Tom, Harry mouthed the name curiously, tapping his finger to his lips. It felt nice to say. He wasn’t quite sure why it felt so familiar, but he decided that he liked it. He wanted to repeat the name over and over again. Taking a quick look at Tom’s cold face, though, Harry decided not to push his luck. Especially if he wanted the man to like him.
Noticing that Tom was still watching him, Harry quickly put his hand down and smiled innocently. “You saved my life, so I owe you.” He nibbled on his lip a little nervously. “How… how do you wish for me to repay my debt?”
A strange expression flitted across Tom’s face.
Not wanting to give Tom the chance to reject his offer, Harry continued. “I don’t have any money or treasures, but I’m actually pretty strong! Well, not as strong as you are, of course, but I’ve cultivated quite a bit. And I’m good at healing. Oh, and I can craft some pretty strong items. It’s alright if you can’t think of anything right now,” Harry reassured the cultivator. “If I stay with you, I’m sure you’ll think of something you’ll need. Or maybe I’ll save your life in return! Er — not that I’m trying to curse you or anything!” He gave his most innocent smile to sweep away his words.
Tom arched a brow as he stared down at Harry. Then he turned with a flap of his long sleeve. “Very well,” he said.
And that was that.
Harry smiled so hard his face began to hurt, but he just couldn’t stop. He had never had a traveling companion before! He had met many creatures on his wanders. Some had duelled him, some had become friends. Others still had taught him. But none had stayed with him.
He watched in awe as Tom drew his sword, the clear blade touched with frost and sparks of light. The air around them cooled and Harry shivered a little, but Tom’s hand was warm around his as Harry was pulled up behind him to stand upon the floating sword. Harry wrapped his arms around Tom’s waist without even thinking and leaned close, the warmth of Tom’s body drawing him in. Like this, he decided, he didn’t care if the journey took them months.
The sword rose with the two of them balanced upon the blade, and once they were past the reach of the trees, quickly began heading south.
Since neither of them needed to eat or sleep, they were able to travel quite a ways without getting tired. Harry decided quite quickly that he loved flying. This high up in the air, he felt as if there was nothing to limit him. Nothing that could cage him. And in the end he was rather disappointed when they descended on the outskirts of a large city.
Harry did his best not to look too disappointed as he stepped off the sword, though Tom must have seen something, for a gentle touch whispered across Harry’s shoulder.
“We will not stay here for too long,” Tom said.
Harry nodded. “It’s fine,” he said, not wanting Tom to change his plans just for his sake. For a moment it looked as if Tom might smile, but then the man’s gaze traveled up to Harry’s hair.
“Put away your antlers,” Tom said with a slight frown.
Blinking, Harry reached up and felt them sticking up from his hair. He blushed. He didn’t use his human form too often, so he didn’t have the best control of it yet. When he was excited, sometimes a few of his animal characteristics popped out. In fact, that was what had given him away the last time he had wandered through a human town.
He patted his head, making sure that the antlers were gone, then followed Tom down the road towards the city.
“Stay close,” Tom said, wrapping his arm around Harry’s shoulder. “It’s easy to get lost.”
Tom was warm, so Harry had no problem shuffling a little closer. “Alright,” he said as he glanced around curiously. He craned his neck around as they passed through the gates, his eyes tracing the impressive architecture and heavy doors guarded by armoured soldiers.
A shout drew his attention and he looked up the street to see a row of vendors, each one advertising their wares. Perking up, Harry walked forward excitedly. Feeling resistance from Tom, Harry pulled at his arm, tugging him towards the lively stalls.
The towns that Harry had visited sometimes had markets in place, but the wares were of lower quality. Here in such a big city, these vendors did their utmost to attract rich patrons, showing off gleaming jewels and silk cloth and fierce-looking weapons.
“I’d love to have a sword like yours,” Harry says, eyeing the blades longingly.
“Is the young master looking for a weapon?” The merchant rubbed his hands and eyed the rich embroidery of Harry’s clothes.
Harry shook his head. “I don’t have any money,” he replied honestly.
The merchant faltered, then turned his expectant gaze onto Tom.
“These weapons would not survive your level of cultivation,” Tom pulled Harry away from the stall without even looking at the merchant. “It is better to have one specially crafted.”
Harry blinked. “I can’t craft swords,” he said with a small frown.
“Don’t worry about it,” Tom said, pulling Harry close as they wove through the crowd.
Harry ducked his head, not quite sure why he was feeling a little flustered. He desperately searched for a way to change the subject. “Hey Tom,” he said after a few moments.
“Hm?”
“Why are we heading South?”
Tom was silent for a while. Then, “I’m searching for something.”
“Oh,” Harry tilted his head upwards to glance at his companion. “What are you looking for?”
“I…” Tom’s brow furrowed. His lips thinned. “I don’t know.”