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The Red String That Binds Us

Chapter 3

Notes:

F in the chat for my friend who still has to wait another week until they get an invitation from ao3

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

The setting sun gilded over the horizon that started closing up with heavy gray sets of clouds, the two had been walking for what had to seem to be hours. The woods looked like they’d never end, almost like they were going in loops over and over again. What seemed to be the same old maple tree group from at least 5 minutes ago passed by the two once more. A couple birds could be heard chirping to one another, other small animals shook and creaked the small branches and bushes. The smell of pine washed through the forest walls, as well of the wildflowers that grew around the area. The only thing convincing them they were getting anywhere new was the slight ache of their legs as they moved deeper into the mountains.

Blitz sped up his pace in walking, hoofs creating a small crunching sound over the dead leafs in the background as he caught up to Silver. He noticed the way they had tucked their wings tightly against their back, though they still bumped against tree trunks and branches, as if the owlin didn’t have much control over them.

 

Finally, the two of them broke through the forest, notably at a higher altitude than they had been before. Silver looked out at the horizon. The sun was beginning to dip below the surface.

“We should probably stop for the night.” Silver commented off-handedly. They released the tension in their wings, allowing them to take up noticeably more space than they had when the two were surrounded by trees.

“I uh, your wings are pretty big, and pretty.” Blitz said, looking the wings over again better than when they were moving. The sun was at a different position now, as were the two, so she could see the colors of the feathers better than when all he could see was the other’s silhouette against the cliffside.

“Huh?” They turned their head to the side, simultaneously moving their wing so they could see it easier. “Thanks?”

“Had no one ever complimented your wings?”

“Not a lot of people around to do so.” They moved their wing back behind themself.

Blitz was skeptical about that, how had no one at all noticed how beautiful they were, especially in the warmth of the dimming sunlight?

“Really?”

“We should set up a fire. It’s probably going to get cold once the sun is gone.” Silver said, not-so-subtly changing the subject.

“Oh, alright. Uhm, make sure to grab dry sticks, the wet ones won’t work as much.” Blitz said; he could go for hours ranting about survival facts.

“Mhm.” They remembered Nebula once sneaking Jade and themself a survival manual should they ever escape. At the thought of their absent family, they felt tears stinging their eyes, threatening to spill over. They quickly careened into the forest to gather sticks.

Blitz followed behind, though staying at a distance to get other pieces of wood. Due to the absence of his ability to see through their right eye, he nearly missed picking up the sticks once or twice. She hoped the burn wouldn’t get infected anytime soon.

By the time he got back to camp, Silver was already there, having gotten a small fire going with the sticks they gathered. They gently fanned the flames with their wings, helping fuel it with oxygen. They seemed to have gained slightly more control over their wings in their short time together.

Blitz’s gaze met the fire that warmed the area around it, an amount of anxiety rising as he stared down the shifting flames. He placed the sticks next to the fire, though kept his own distance, his eyes drooping wearily.

Silver, noticing the other’s exhaustion, patted the spot next to them. “Get some sleep. I’ll keep watch.” They were no stranger to sleepless nights back in the lab, brought on by pure terror of the day to come.

“What about you?” He asked, though accepted the invitation to sit next to Silver.

“I’ll be fine. If you’re that worried I’ll wake you up in a couple hours to switch.” They had no such plans, but Blitz didn’t need to know that. She clearly needed to sleep more than they did.

“Yeah, that sounds good.” He responded, laying to the side and was out like a light in a matter of seconds.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

((TW: Gore?))

Black smoke filled his lungs, the fire burns like the village temper that will never go out towards creatures like himself. The roaring flames reflected into his vibrant magenta eyes she received from their mother as he walked through the destroyed halls of the house. Coughing dryly, he covered his mouth under her dark long sleeve shirt as they tried to navigate through the thick dark smoke that filled the room.

They need to find mom, or Ander. Anyone. They have to be here somewhere. He hoped they would be outside, safe from whatever or whoever started this.

“Ander!!” He called out, his voice hoarse and weak. The flames only continued spreading, yells could be heard from outside. Though none of them sounded like Mom, Ander, Dad, not even Charlotte.

Wetness welled up in her eyes, tears staining his cheeks. He picked up his pace as he stumbled over a fallen picture that broke glass scattered on the ground. She could hear the roof starting to crack behind her as she entered what had been the living room, hoping that it wouldn’t suddenly cave down on everything including herself suddenly.

They looked around for some kind of possible exit, or their adoptive family. The sight she was met with was gruesome, sheets of skin sloughed off the body, the blackened chunks of flesh collected on the sparking ground and continuing to smolder, and blood boiling and steaming as it spilled from the multiple wounds that were no doubt to be fatal.

“Ander?!” His eyes widened in horror at the view, the smell of burnt fabric filling his nose.

No. No! This couldn’t be happening, not yet at least! Ander out of everyone should be able to live, he didn’t deserve this. Mom didn’t deserve this, neither did dad.

He looked down at a red fabric that had burnt parts, picking it up he looked at it, Ander’s scarf. Blitz hugged it close, looking away from his brother's corpse with a pained expression.

This was most certainly the village’s doing, they always hated him. No matter how much he was nice, polite, respectful or any of that.

Multiple flames surrounded the body, Blitz stepped back and swiftly took a turn.

With a bright flash a searing pain spread through his right eye, the smell of burning flesh intensified throughout the walls, the crackling sound of his tan skin being burnt and blood spitting out in sizzling bubbles. He screamed in obliterating pain, his scream was raw and guttural like an animal.

He sobbed as he stepped back and down a separate path into what seemed to be the living room, by now it was unrecognizable to which room he was standing in. He had to get out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Blitz awoke in a cold sweat, sitting up so quickly they got lightheaded. It was just a dream. He thought dazedly. It had felt so real.

He hadn’t noticed tears had welled up in his only eye.

“You good?” Blitz noticed Silver staring at her when they spoke. God, they had no right to be as gorgeous as they were in the low firelight. The warm lighting softened their sharp features, and surrounded by the starry sky they looked absolutely divine. They raised an eyebrow and Blitz remembered to answer the question she had just been asked.

“Oh- yeah. Just a nightmare.” They wiped the tear that ran down her cheek with his sleeve, recollecting themself. Silver clearly didn’t believe that, their expression still concerned, but they didn’t pry.

“Why don’t you get some sleep too? You said you would.” He changed the subject, looking at Silver with a smile.

“Uhh, yeah.” Silver said, averting their gaze. The other’s adorable grin definitely did NOT make them blush, because why would it? They had only met a couple hours ago. They were basically still strangers.

They laid down on the grass, with one wing under them like a pillow and the other covering them like a blanket.

His eyes almost seemed to be shining from such a fluffy texture, he looked over at Silver with a joyful expression and sat up to look at the glimmering stars in the darkened sky.

Notes:

You can probably tell that we both got writers block at the end TwT nevertheless, hope you enjoyed!

Notes:

Thank you so much to whoever read to this point! We are super happy!

 

As with any author, we appreciate kudos and comments immensely!

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