Chapter Text
Fitz blinked as their eyes readjusted to the light. They knew they weren’t Elsewhere anymore, which they counted as a resounding success. Their mind was clearer, and they could remember most things. (They knew they’d experience some memory issues for a while yet. It had happened the first time they’d been swept away, so there was no reason it wouldn’t happen again). Despite this, something felt… wrong about where they were. First of all, the floor that they were laying on wasn’t as… cold as it should’ve been. Due to a few unfortunate accidents with Comfort at [REDACTED]’s meeting room, they had ended up on the floor more times than they’d like to admit. This was not that place. The second thing that tipped them off was the lights themselves. Everything seemed old in this place. Where on earth were they?
Fitz sat up slowly, head pounding. They obviously weren’t in any Spy-affiliated building. Why had the flood waters brought them here? It didn’t make sense. But at least they were out of Elsewhere. They’d take this flavor of confusion over that specific hell any day.
“Fitzgerald?” a familiar voice asked.
Fitz looked in the direction of the voice, and sure enough, Knight was just down the hallway. This struck Fitz as strange. The Lovers had arranged to take them back, so there was no reason for the two of them to be in the same place right now. Fitz didn’t like this at all. They didn’t have time to despair about it for long, though, as Knight was making quick work of coming to them.
They helped Fitz up, and— could suits of armor smile? Fitz had a feeling that Knight was smiling. Seemingly deciding that they were steady enough, Knight lifted them up off of the ground and into a hug. Fitz made an undignified noise in surprise— somewhere between a yelp and a squeak. White smoke curled off of Fitz’s body. Eventually, they eased into the embrace. It felt rather nice being held like this, especially after what they had endured in Elsewhere.
“You’ve returned safely!” Knight exclaimed. “I had begun to worry that you would not return from your journey in time to play.”
In a showcase of eloquence, Fitz replied with a singular “Wuh?”
Knight laughed and set them down. They still had a firm hold on one of Fitz’s hands, and, oh, they pressed it against the visor of their helmet. How very sweet of them. It didn’t quell any of the weird, negative feelings they were having, but it was still sweet.
“I am sure you have a lot of questions, my dear.” Oh, now that was hardly fair. More white smoke poured off of Fitz. Talk about wanting to be subtle, Blackburn. “They will be answered in time. I believe that you should have some time to rest. Your journey in Elsewhere was very long.”
Fitz’s vision started to blur. Were they always this tired? It was probably nothing, they told themself, despite the fact that they had not slept at all in Elsewhere.
“No, no, I’ll be okay. I want to… to… know what’s going on.”
Immediately after saying that, their legs gave out as the exhaustion caught up with them. Evidently, they were not okay in the slightest.
Whenever they woke up again, Fitz found themself laying in a bed. It was so comfortable and the blankets so warm that they almost didn’t want to open their eyes.
“Are you awake?”
Knight. They were still here. Of course they were. Fitz nodded slowly. “Yes… yes, I am.”
They opened their eyes, and they were greeted with the sight of one very… attractive individual standing beside the bed. Knight must have been using their illusion magic. (Which, truthfully, Fitz found unnecessary. They weren’t complaining though).
Knight sat beside them. “I trust you feel better now?”
(there was exposition here i promise)
“This is our newest pitcher, and partner, Fitzgerald Blackburn. Fitzgerald, this is King Roland.”
Fitz covered their face, unable to stop the smoke coming off of them. What a great first impression. “It’s nice to meet you. Now, Knight, if you can put me down maybe..?”
Knight obliged, thankfully. Despite their slight embarrassment, Fitz held onto Knight’s arm. They needed someone to ground them. Knight was doing a good job of it so far, so they thought it best to just keep close to them.
Roland scoffed. “Only ‘nice’ to meet me? Dost thou even know who thou art speaking to?”
Fitz only barely managed not to cringe. That was painful to listen to. More painful than Reese’s “gamer speak”, or whatever they called it.
“Not really,” Fitz sighed. “You have to understand how… insane my life has been recently.”
Roland scowled. Xe puffed out xyr chest. “Like Sir Knight hast said, I am King Roland. I am the most wealthy and powerful and important king there hast been. And thou should feel lucky I am ever speaking to you, for I do not have to speak to those under me. But I choose to do so, because I am also a kind ruler.”
Ah, so that’s how it was going to be. Fitz was not impressed at all. “I see…” They lowered their voice so only Knight could hear. “Is this how he always acts?”
“Yes, indeed.”
“Unfortunate…”
Roland’s frown deepened. “Are thou talking about me? Without addressing me first?”
Fitz waved their hand through the air. “I was just mentioning what an honor it was to be in your presence. Since you are… kind and gracious, or something along those lines? But, Knight and I have to be going. I need to… eat something.”
(there’s more back and forth, roland half argues with the two of them for awhile until they let them go. more romantic stuff; fic end)