Archive of Our Own

Work Text

This is an introductory chapter for the setting and the characters that belong to me! You will also be meeting characters by friends along the way. Some characters were created earlier or later than others so character appearances may vary. If you already know who these characters are, feel free to skip this chapter. I'll try to arrange the following chapters in chronological order as I write them, big emphasis on try but I'll make sure to when the oneshot occurs + which characters are featured at the beginning of each chapter. The timeline is honestly just a vibe.
 Yakshorn Island (via kirkwords)On a small, previously uninhabited island somewhere beyond the Barbaric Archipelago, a group of young warriors founded a village base to call their own. Run by the triplets Ingerman (of distant relation to Ingar - founder of the Order of the Ingerman), it became a place of recuperation and safety for those hurt by the Dragon Hunter’s Empire. Tai-Sun Kang, 20 years old (Year 1), he/himTai-Sun is the second son of a traveling silk road merchant family. He got separated from his family at 15 years old when the village they stopped at got raided. He did not witness his family flee. He got taken in by another Chinese traveling merchant a month later when he was at the brink of starvation. They offered to bring them back home but he chose to go West to see the world. He wandered Europe, picking up languages and doing odd jobs to survive until he got a job on a boat heading even More West but it got caught in a storm. The storm threw him off board and almost drowned but a Sliquifier dragon saved him by bringing him to the shore of Yakshorn Island (at the cost of an arm). Hilda Samdottir, 17 years old (Year 1), she/herHilda Samdottir has lived on Berk with her uncle, Silent Sven, and his wife ever since she was 7. She was born deaf. Her father had died by the hands of Dragon Hunters and her mother had entered Valhalla on the day Hilda was born. Her grandfather, Soft-Spoken Sam, decided it was best for her to stay with Silent Sven. Hilda didn’t mind. Or at least, nobody really asked her what she thought but she’s used to that. Most people didn’t really know how to talk with her. From Sven, she learned how to be a good shepherd. From his wife, she learned how to be a good butcher. Hilda would often look after the farm on her own when his uncle went out for errands or when he was needed for the Dragon Riders’ Auxiliary Team. When Sven joined the Auxiliary Team, she begged to join but time and time again, he rejected her, claiming that it was too dangerous for her. Now, she is on a quest to prove herself as strong and worthy as any Viking was.  Oliver “Kid” Sow, 13 years old (Year 1), he/himKid is the youngest son (seventh out of nine children) of farmers on an island south of the Barbaric Archipelago. He’s a lively boy with a knack for music and storytelling. He would sometimes look after his little sisters and the other kids in his village, often entertaining them. He looked up to his older siblings and made sure to do his job well (as to not get punished and looked down upon). He was working out in the fields with his older siblings when pillagers invaded their village. They ran back to their village to help defend only to find their parents and younger sisters dead. Most of Kid’s siblings stayed to fight while one carried Kid away to the port where he was handed over to a kind merchant who handed him over to a young woman named Cordelia who was also on the run. The merchant, Rune, gave them the coordinates to a safe haven, Yakshorn Island, where they both chose to stay. Mochou "Momo" Kang, 14 years old (Year 2), she/herMochou, better known as Momo, is Tai-Sun's little sister and the youngest child of the traveling merchant Kang family. She is a vibrant girl who developed an interest in archery and combat after their family narrowly escaped the raid when she was 8. She is knowledgeable in her family's business and her duties as a young woman (but she wants something more than this provincial life /ref). She was the first to recognize Tai when he found them. She cried. When it was time for Tai-Sun to leave, she convinced Shoi-Ming (oldest brother) and her mother to let her leave with him—so she could see the world too and choose her own destiny. She is nervous, sad, and excited for what her new adventure will offer.Honestly, it was an impulsive decision to join Tai in his journey back to the island as she just wanted to avoid being married off. But now, she wants to explore the world like Tai did. She's discovering who she is beyond who she was raised to be.
*Momo is a very "late season character." She doesn't arrive on the island til after a year and a half later. She's seven years younger than Tai.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Heavy footsteps approaching stirred Hilda from her nap. A big warm hand shook her awake. She squinted at the sunlight and frowned at the man who woke her. "We’re almost there," Uncle Sven signed and she groaned, turning her back towards him. He shook her again with a force so strong she could feel her bones shake. She finally looked at him. "We’re almost there," he signed again. "Your new home! Are you ready?" "Yes," she signed repeatedly as she sat up and rubbed her eyes. She stretched her arms and folded up her sleeping bag then followed him to look over the bow. The cold ocean air kissed her cheeks, blowing through her short brown hair. She giggled, running to catch up to Uncle Sven. She looked up to see Gustav flying with Fanghook just above the ship while Hiccup and Toothless were nowhere to be found, likely gliding above the bright white clouds. On the horizon, where the sky met the sea, was Yakshorn Island. It looked a lot smaller than the Berk Isles, especially with the lack of structures. She didn’t really know what to expect from it, considering that it was previously uninhabited, but if someone could set up base there and Hiccup had let her move there, then that meant it was safe. It looked like it had greenery, too, which meant food for the flock they brought. She looked back at the small flock her uncle insisted she take. They huddled closely together at the back of the small ship, chewing on hay. Their eyes glazed over, not particularly impressed or fond of being on a ship. She only hoped that they wouldn’t blame her for the move they’re going through as it wasn’t her idea in the first place. It was a long back-and-forth about them between her and Uncle Sven. Hiccup was told that there was a wild flock on Yakshorn so there was no need to bring a flock but Sven insisted that she bring one anyway, so that she had a flock just in case she failed to herd the wild flock. Aunt Revna had to step in, before Hilda could even scream, for them to come to a compromise: bringing a dozen sheep. (Uncle Sven had wanted her to take half of their flock which was much much more than a dozen.) She knew he was just looking out for her but the implication of failure still hurt. She looked at the man standing next to her, his eyes looking at the distance. Gray hair was starting to grow on his silly mustache. His freckles were darker under the sun. She always felt a strange ache when she looked at him. He looked a lot like her father, if her father had a mustache instead of a beard. He raised an eyebrow and smiled when he caught her looking at him. He looked like he was about to say something when something caught his attention behind her. A gust of wind almost blew her towards him. She looked over her shoulder and saw that Hiccup and Toothless had dropped in and flew next to the boat. Hiccup was yelling something, pointing to the island, then took off. She turned to Uncle Sven. "What did Hiccup say?" She asked."He’ll fly ahead," he answered. "He’ll meet us there." — Hiccup was talking with Annika, the young woman living on the island, on the beach when they arrived. She was blonde and tall like Astrid. Hiccup introduced them as Annika stepped forward to shake their hands. Up close, Hilda noticed dark circles around Annika’s green eyes and her convivial smile did not exactly reach her eyes. She spoke slowly, making it easier to read her lips, “My name…Anni..ka.” She then waved an arm towards the expanse of the island, welcoming them, then pointed out a small hut in the distance. She was now turned away as they walked, mostly facing Hiccup, so Hilda took in the view. The island didn’t feel so small now that they were here. The air was cold yet inviting. There were grassy fields, hills, and forests beyond the rocky beach. Toothless, Fanghook, and her flock of Terrible Terrors chased each other in the fields. She could imagine a small village around the land where Annika built her hut. A sliver of hope fluttered in her chest. Maybe, if a village were to be built, she’d be a respected part of it because she was here first, like Gothi was in Berk. Maybe they could see her as an equal. Though, she didn’t offer any wisdom nor did she really want to be a Village Elder (and it took a really long time to be an elder ). Maybe that was a silly thought. She almost dropped the pack she was carrying on her back when Gustav bumped against her. She scowled and pushed him away, but he simply stuck out his tongue. "Beautiful," he signed, gesturing around them. "Maybe I should move here, too," he added and laughed when she rolled her eyes. "What? You can’t see me living here?" "No," Hilda shook her head. "Would be nice if you moved but you have a family."Gustav furrowed his brows, glancing at Uncle Sven who was walking ahead. "Same as you," he signed."It’s different," she shrugged. Gustav scratched his helmet, a thought turning in his head, and she hoped that he would drop the subject but instead, he signed, "Not different."She sighed, shrugging again, " Fine, not different. But the village is different, you know that," to which Gustav nodded.They finally reached the space where Annika had built her hut and it looked like she had been gathering wood and building frames, in preparation for Hilda’s arrival. Hiccup was already inspecting the frames built while Annika was nudging her craftsmanship with her foot. Uncle Sven came up to Hilda and Gustav after dropping the bags he was carrying. He pointed to a field beyond the hills in the far east where a small hut, like Annika’s, was under construction. "Annika built a house over there ," he signed. It was a good hike away from Annika’s hut—a distance she personally didn’t like considering the new environment, but it seemed to be the most sensible place for the sheep. Uncle Sven continued, "She thought you’d like it. Big space for sheep. Is it okay?'"Okay," Hilda nodded. Hiccup must have yelled something which made Gustav quirk up and run towards him, already removing his pack from his back."We’ll eat first, then build the house," Uncle Sven signed, grabbing her pack from her.  — It looked like the only conversation she was missing was Gustav getting scolded one too many times, judging from Gustav’s sulking and Hiccup pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. Annika didn’t seem to say or pay much attention to the young men as they built nor did she try to make conversation with Uncle Sven. Maybe she thought Uncle Sven was deaf, too. It wouldn’t be the first time someone thought her family was deaf—they had an affinity for not speaking, after all. Hilda always thought that maybe the gods found it funny and made it come true for one of them. Though, of all the families the gods could play a trick on, she was thankful it was hers. She couldn’t imagine being deaf in a family full of people who relied  solely on spoken speech for communication. When she was done with her side of the wall, Uncle Sven caught her attention as he was hauling chopped wood. He signed with his free hand, "Help me build a fence?" She nodded, walking in the direction he was heading. He had already placed four markers around the back and side of the small hut so she counted the paces it took to get from the hut to the furthest marker, making an estimate as to how much wood they would need. She stopped by the furthest marker which stood several paces away from a stream she hadn't noticed before. It was a small one, as clear as day with gentle movement. Uncle Sven handed her the rope and a knife before he knelt and started hammering a stake down. She wrung the rope as she waited for him to hammer a few stakes in place. Once he did, she started placing the horizontal parts of the fence, tying one end at a time, falling into a steady rhythm. The sun was getting ready to sink when Gustav stood next to her and held the other side of the wood she was tying up. She nodded as thanks while she tied the other side. She slung the rope over her shoulder, "You’re not helping Hiccup anymore?""I can’t help build a roof," he answered, hands lazy. "Don’t know how." "Or did you annoy him again?" She raised an eyebrow and he groaned, shaking his head as he picked up another piece of wood to hold against the fence. "Not my fault!" he signed sharply with one hand. "Sure," she laughed. — By the end of the day, most of the hut was finished with only half a roof and furniture missing. They managed to herd the flock into the sheep pen, too. She sunk to the ground and leaned her back against their make-shift dinner chair-log around the fire. Gustav was animatedly telling a story as their food was grilling and both Hiccup and Uncle Sven had an amused look on their faces while Annika looked… sad? With downcast eyes and creased brows, tending the fire. She would glance at Gustav and smile when Hiccup checked in with her but her mind was elsewhere. Hilda quickly averted her eyes when Annika’s eyes met hers, heat rising up to her ears and heart pounding against her chest. Uncle Sven tapped the wood by her shoulder before handing her a stick of grilled meat. "You okay?" "Yes, good. Thank you," she smiled, accepting the food. Hilda glanced at Annika before eating her meal. She never really questioned why anyone would set up base alone on an uninhabited island and as far as she knew, Annika never really questioned why Hilda wanted to move to said island either. But Hilda would be lying if she said that she wasn’t a little curious. Berk would have welcomed Annika if she needed a place to stay, especially with her friendship with Hiccup, so why didn’t she—Uncle Sven tapped her again before she could dwell on the thought any further. "Sleep? It’s been a long day,"  he signed. She stretched her legs before standing up and signing, "Okay."  — Before she knew it, three days had passed and Hiccup had to go back to Berk. Uncle Sven somehow managed to build a bed and table for her in between tasks. The roof’s thatching was almost done, too, which is a miracle in and of itself considering how none of them were thatchers. Her body ached from the hard labor and she longed for a warm bath. She groaned, running her hands through her hair, at the realization that she wouldn’t have warm baths for a while. She doesn’t even have bowls for soup either! Maybe this was all a big mistake. Hilda looked down when she felt someone tapping her foot as she was sitting on the frame of the roof. Gustav looked annoyed with his cheeks all red and puffed up. "What?" Hilda signed. "I’m busy," shaking a handful of heather at him. Uncle Sven was on the other side of the roof, paying them no mind. "Annika yelled at me," he answered, speaking as he signed. His gestures slurred into one another. "I should have left with Hiccup!" Hilda smirked and raised an eyebrow, prompting him to elaborate. He had promised that he wouldn’t leave until the house was built and she was settled in, and he was far too proud and stubborn to break a promise. He pouted and dropped his shoulders. He looked like he was muttering as he signed shyly, "I dropped a piece of wood on her foot." She felt a sound escape her lips and he immediately shook his head and waved his hands, "I said I was sorry but she’s still angry at me!""I’d be angry, too," she signed. " Wood’s heavy.""She’s scary when she’s angry," Gustav signed and attempted to copy Annika’s expression, as if it was going to gain him sympathy. She laughed then repeated for emphasis, "Wood’s heavy." She kicked his helmet, tipping it over. Gustav quickly fixed it and slapped her foot, giving her the middle finger. She stuck her tongue while he glared at her then he turned to face Uncle Sven, who must have cleared his throat or something and signed, "Just say sorry again later," to which Gustav sighed deeply.  — Hilda laid on the ground as Uncle Sven and Annika set up the campfire. The grass was soft beneath her, tickling her skin. Gustav sat next to her and signed, "Let’s go for a swim tomorrow? Annika said there’s a lake over there," he pointed overhead, towards the west of her hut. It was too dark to see anything beyond the trees and it must have been several meters away if they couldn’t see it during the day. Maybe that’s where the stream led. She took a deep breath and nodded. "I want a warm bath,"  she signed."Go back to Berk," he laughed. She huffed and waved him away, closing her eyes. Hilda knew it was a joke, of course, and she was thinking the same thing just a few hours ago, but it felt different when someone else was saying it. And even more annoying coming from Gustav of all people.  She let out another huff. A swim would be nice though. She could already imagine dipping in refreshing cool water after a hard day's work. She opened her eyes and sat up, only to find Gustav gone and Uncle Sven walking towards her. He knelt in front of her, "Let’s build a tub tomorrow so you can have a warm bath soon."Her heart welled up and tears crept up her face. Had he been watching them talk? Or did Gustav tell him? Or did he just remember? Either way, she nodded, grinning, "How?" "I’ve got spare boat parts, can be used for a tub," he shrugged. "I can build a basin, too. For the other things, I’ll need to come back."She tackled him into a hug, almost toppling the big man over. She grinned so wide her cheeks hurt, "Thank you! Thank you!" She squealed, making Uncle Sven wince. For once in her life, she drew back and apologized which made her uncle raise his eyebrows in surprise."It’s okay," he signed. "Your voice is a good thing." Hilda rolled her eyes. She pointed at him then plugged her ears, scrunching her nose and closing her eyes. He took her hands away from her head and shook his head with a smile. His shoulders were shaking a bit, maybe he was chuckling. She pursed her lips."Was this,"  she started, nodding to her hut, "Am I making the right choice? Moving?" "Now you doubt?" Uncle Sven patted her back, almost making her cough. "We already built a house." "A little scared," she admitted. "On my own."Uncle Sven’s features softened. He nodded and looked into the distance, beyond the hut, beyond the sheep, beyond the stream. "You were very small when you came to live with me," he finally looked at her. "Now, you’re bigger. Stronger."Hilda smirked, "But not strong enough to ride a dragon?""That’s different," he pursed his lips. " Can’t say if this…" he gestured around them and shrugged. "...is good or bad but I will support you. If good then good. If bad, you will always have a home in Berk.""I thought you didn't want me to leave," Hilda signed and rubbed her nose, sniffing away any sobs that might escape her."Can’t keep you forever," Uncle Sven ruffled her hair. He smiled and cupped her cheek. "Your father would be proud. You're all grown up.""Are you and Aunt Revna proud?""As proud as we can be."And that's when her tears poured. — Her stomach dropped the moment she let go of the vine, limbs ungracefully flailing in the air. A scream flitted out her lungs before she hit the cold water. She emerged with a sharp inhale, only to be met with a big splash to the face. She snorted, barely even looking when she splashed back and dove back down to grab his foot, pulling him under. Gustav yelled under water when he saw her, air bubbling out his mouth. She grinned, quickly swimming away to shore. She laughed as she crawled upon the sand, Gustav thrashing behind her to splash her the best he could. It was horribly inefficient, of course, but highly entertaining. "Loser," she jabbed a finger to his forehead when he dragged himself next to her. "Siren," he flicked her hand away. His hands shot to his ears when she started singing from the top of her lungs. He lunged at her, covering her mouth with his wet wrinkly sandy hand. With the other he desperately signed, "Shut up! Shut up! Annika might think you're dying!" which only made her sing with a stronger force and made him tighten his grip on her face.Hilda licked his hand, against her better judgment, causing Gustav to jump away from her at the cost of getting sand in her mouth. "You’re so gross and immature!" Gustav signed after wiping his hands against his pants. He also flipped her off. And under normal circumstances, Hilda would have made a retort but all she could focus on was spitting and rinsing the sand off her mouth. She wished she had made a retort though because now, Gustav had an annoying look of victory on his ugly face and he was no doubt laughing at her. She kicked water towards him, immediately cutting his laughter off, and flipped him off. — It was a strange feeling: missing Uncle Sven and Aunt Revna. She thought it would feel the same as missing Grandpa Sam but it was worse. Way worse. And the fact that Gustav was still here, for who knows what, was not helping at all. Since Uncle Sven left two days ago, she had hugged all her sheep at least once a day but they weren't fans of the affection so she needed to chase them around the pen to give them a hug. It was ridiculous and Gustav would laugh at her. She could give Gustav a hug instead, but he refused to wash the few clothes he brought and she’d rather hug her sheep than a stinky Gustav. It's not like he was a fan of her hugs either. He always said that she hugged people like she was trying to crush their bones.Gustav sat across her, rambling to himself as they watched their food cook over the fire. Annika had excused herself from meals ever since Uncle Sven left. Hilda poked the fire and turned her stick of fish around. Did Annika think she and Gustav were too young to be good company? Or maybe she found their antics annoying? Or maybe…Gustav nudged her foot. "What are you thinking about?""We should invite Annika to eat," Hilda signed. Gustav groaned and she raised an eyebrow. He took a stick from the fire and wrote on the ground: SCARY.She rolled her eyes and took the stick from him, writing NOT in front of what he wrote so that it read: NOT SCARY. Then she added, SAD.It was now Gustav’s turn to roll his eyes. "How do you know?"She didn't. "I just know." But grief is a familiar friend she can recognize anywhere.Gustav looked to the direction of Annika’s hut though it was too dark to actually see it. "Tomorrow. Let's set up camp near her hut. You invite her." — If a dragon could eat a mountain, it would look like the dragon that was guarding the wild flock. Its limbs were as thick as ancient trees, its head bigger than boulders, its antlers as wide as ships. At the end of its tail was a leathery ax. Its skin was painted like the sunset. She could feel its movements all the way from the hill where she and Gustav observed it."What is that?" Hilda asked but Gustav wasn't paying attention to her. He watched the beast slack jawed and wide eyed. She tapped his shoulder and asked again."No idea,"  he answered, scratching his helmet. She had long given up on wondering if he knew that his helmet was not a part of his head. He added, "I’m not Fishlegs."  ‘You haven't seen it before?’ Hilda signed. ‘No,’ he signed. ‘Did Annika not mention it? How will you catch them?’
‘Annika must haven't seen it with them.’

‘It’s a big thing to miss.’
The flock around it was quite big for a wild flock. It must have been more or less the size of Uncle Sven’s flock. They looked tiny next to the mountain of a dragon but they otherwise looked calm, grazing around it. Some of the sheep were even huddled by the crook of the dragon’s forefeet. Gustav tapped her shoulder then pointed at the dragon then the sheep and made a show of ravaging an imaginary sandwich. She shook her head, pointing to the huddled sheep.He furrowed his brows. ‘How will you get the sheep?’ he asked. ‘Pinky, Point, and Thumb can't take that down,’ he added, nodding to her trio of Terrible Terrors who were preoccupied with chasing each other's tails.She shook her head again then pointed to the dragon then to herself. ‘We’re the same. I'll need to befriend it.’ ‘You’re crazy,’ he signed as he got up. ‘I’m gonna go set up the campfire. Come with?’ ‘No, I'll meet you later,’ she signed and watched him leave, disappearing into the woods. When she turned back to watch the dragon, she found it staring right at her. Hilda held her breath as it tilted its head to the side and watched her with intelligent eyes. Pinky, Point, and Thumb must have felt her freeze because they crawled right next to her, engaging in the staring contest with the giant. It stepped forward, dropped its jaw, and spread its colossal wings. A gust of wind fell upon the island like a wave. Birds and dragons alike took to the sky in panic, the earth rumbled beneath her, her Terrible Terrors trembled as they covered their heads. Even the dragon’s flock ran circles around it. Hilda’s heart pounded against her chest, a chill running down her spine, yet she stayed still, eyes locked with the giant. It blinked. Then it turned away. — Gustav looked horrified and relieved  when she got to the camp. She had to reassure him multiple times that she was okay and that no, she did not hear the loud roar; no, the dragon did not eat her or any of its sheep; yes, she was still deaf; and no, she did not become more deaf because of the roar. And to her surprise, he declared that he was going home tomorrow.  ‘We need Fishlegs’ brain,’ he had signed. ‘We need to know what dragon that was.’ She thought he would have demanded to stay two weeks more to act as a “guard" but maybe the giant spooked him too much for that to even cross his mind. It did sound like a good idea—him going home to gather information about the giant—but she couldn't help but feel sad that he was leaving her. He waved his hand in front of her face and looked like he was expecting something from her. “What?" she asked, raising her brows.He nodded towards Annika’s hut then pointed at the extra fish they were grilling.  ‘Can you knock for me?’ she signed as she stood up. ‘Don’t want to scare her.’ Gustav made a show of groaning and sluggishly stood up. Annika’s hut was a few paces away from the campfire and he made every single step count. Hilda rolled her eyes and planted her hands to her hips as she waited for him to catch up. ‘What’s wrong with you?’ she signed when he finally made it but he simply ignored her, knocked, then sprinted back to the campsite. When the door opened, the situation finally sunk in. Annika didn't know her home signs! And her friend who did know her home signs, for whatever reason, bailed on her. She hoped the signs were straight forward enough for Annika to understand.She stepped back when Annika came into view. She didn't realize that they were the same height. The older girl somehow always felt and looked taller than her. The dark circles were prominent beneath her green eyes. She had a feeling Annika’s flushed cheeks and red nose wasn't just from the cold but she chose not to say anything about them. Instead, she made a sweeping gesture between them and pointed to the campsite, then she made the shape of an “o" with her hand, fingertips facing her face and tapped her lips twice. Annika watched her hands closely, brows furrowing then for a split-second, her face lit up. “Okay," she said, nodding.Dinner was quiet with Gustav only glancing at Hilda every now and then with a barely concealed smile. Annika mostly kept to herself, focusing on her meal while looking out into the sea. Strangely, when she caught herself staring at the sea, she would straighten up and stare at the fire instead but the sea somehow always pulled her away. Perhaps now would be a good time to ask her about the shepherd dragon but Hilda wouldn't even know where to start. Annika didn't even mention the dragon in the first place so what if she didn't know anything about it? That it was even there? On top of that, a giant dragon seemingly protecting a flock of sheep sounded like something out of a fairytale. Instead she nudged Gustav with her foot and broke the silence, ‘When will you leave tomorrow?’ ‘Dawn, maybe,’ he shrugged. ‘Will you miss me?’ ‘No,’ she signed with a smile to which he rolled his eyes.She was in the middle of asking him to write her letters when Annika caught his attention. He turned his back to Hilda and it was too dark to properly read Annika’s lips. When Gustav finally turned back around, he pointed at Annika.Annika glanced at Gustav before signing. Palm facing her, she touched her fingertips to her chin then brought her hand forward and out like she was blowing a kiss. ‘Thank you.’ Hilda smiled, heart fluttering. After Annika left, Gustav turned to Hilda with a look that only meant trouble and wrapped his arms around himself. He rubbed his shoulders and arms sensually while making a kissy face. Hilda groaned, raising her hand and closing her eyes, which earned her a punch on the shoulder. She yelped and pushed him away. She grabbed a stick and wrote on the ground: MORE YOUR TYPE. He squinted as he read then scowled at it, pointing his thumb down. ‘Same look as Astrid,’ she signed, shaking her head in disbelief. She mimicked Astrid’s posture and pretended to have a braid to hammer down her point.  ‘I don't see it,’ he waved her away. She grabbed the stick again, poking him before spelling slowly on the ground so that he had a stupid look on his face while reading the word: STUPID.  — Dawn came too quickly. Gustav woke her up before leaving. She knew he wasn't fond of her hugs but she hugged him tight anyway. He had to take a moment to catch his breath after she let him go. She also bid Fanghook goodbye, planting a sleepy kiss on the dragon’s head. They were gone before the sun rose and Hilda couldn't return to sleep alone.  — Her sheep were too aware of the giant dragon watching them to graze peacefully. Hilda couldn't blame them as she felt the same way. She almost felt bad for herding them so close to the wild flock but if she led them anywhere else, she’d feel a tug in her heart to bring them where they were right now. The earth trembled beneath her. She faced the giant and found it stepping forward, taking a deep breath. It was going to roar for sure. She yelled to catch her dragons’ attention and signed when their eyes were on her. ‘Gather sheep, lead them back to the pen.’ Point snapped at the sheep while Pinky and Thumb corralled them to the right direction. They moved just as the wind blew and the wild flock started running in circles. Hilda stood her ground, leaning against her crook, while her bones shook like the earth beneath her. The giant’s eyes were on her and hers on the dragon. Her heart threatened to escape her ribs, beating hard against her chest. The giant was trying to push her for sure, but it would take a lot more than a roar to spook her away. She raised her arms wide open with a grin. It was her turn to roar.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

He's never been somewhere this cold before.

And he has yet to get used to this whole only-one-arm thing. He tried his best to pull the thick sheets up and over his shoulders but it kept sliding down his chest instead, much to his cold disappointment. The man called Leif, whom he assumed was the lead physician, was quietly flipping through a book at the far end of the room. He occasionally took notes and compared the herbs in his collection. The other man, shorter and rowdier, who offered him no name to call, was nowhere to be found.

Tai recounted the things the men told him (or at least, drew pictures and acted out to tell him) yesterday. They found him washed ashore on their beach nine days ago. He was unconscious for a week with bouts of responsiveness. His right arm was severely mangled so they had to chop it off to save him. He had nothing but his clothes with him. He was alive.

He took a sip of water from the cup on his bedside table. He winced as his body groaned from the movement. This might be one of the worst days of his life. It might be best to go to sleep again.

Voices. He glanced at the door before it swung open to reveal two women. One he's met before—Annika, the leader of the island—and the other, a new face. Beautiful with hair like cinnamon and saffron, dressed in teal armor. A warrior.

She regarded him for a moment and almost looked… relieved?

She turned away before he could even muster up the strength to smile. The two women walked over to the counter where Leif was, talking in hushed voices (as if he could understand them).

He couldn't help but stare at her. She looked like someone of high rank with her voice and demeanor. Has he ever met such a woman?

She gestured to him, asking a question. Leif answered, “...

name…Tai-Sun…

”

He wished he could tell her his name himself.

The leader rose and headed to the door, and soon after the other followed, calling after the one who's left and waving Leif goodbye.

Maybe this wasn't one of the worst days of his life after all.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Tai-Sun sat up straight when the doors slammed open and a young woman with short hair barged into the medical hub. She was holding a wooden bowl with a lid on one hand and a sack on the other. Her cheeks were rosy from the cold yet she looked really cozy with a fluffy cowl covering half of her body. She smiled at Tai-Sun before scanning the room. “Leif?!" she yelled.

Tai-Sun titled his head. She didn't sound like anyone else on the island. Her voice was soft and round, as if she was singing. Or howling. It must be a different accent or dialect. She grinned when Leif finally came out from his office.

“I told you to stop banging the door every time you come to visit!" Leif reprimanded her, his words slower and his face more expressive than usual.

The young woman only laughed. "Sorry,” she said as she rubbed circles on her chest with a closed fist. She was a bit shorter than Leif, maybe around the same height as Annika. She dropped the sack on one of the beds and placed the bowl on the counter. She took a notebook from the pouch on her belt, wrote something down, and showed it to Leif.

“Ah, that's sweet of you. Sure,” Leif smiled. He wrote something on a piece of paper and passed the note to the young woman who nodded as she read.

She shrugged, writing a reply.

“Just making sure," Leif laughed. He then headed over to Tai-Sun’s bed while the young woman followed closely, bringing the bowl and sack with her. “Tai, this is Hilda. She's our shepherd and butcher. She lives on the farm just beyond the hills. She, erm, can't hear, so don't worry about speaking or understanding Norse. She just wanted to welcome you.”

Tai-Sun nodded despite not understanding half of the words Leif had said.

Hilda smiled and waved before removing the lid from the bowl and carefully handing it to him. It was a warm stew with cubes of meat and vegetables. The steam was comforting against his cheeks. She mimed eating and patting her stomach then pointed at him and flexed her arms.

‘Eat to regain your strength,’

Tai-Sun understood. He placed a hand over his chest and nodded.

Hilda beamed at this gesture. She then opened the sack and revealed a plush blanket. She spread it open to show him. She bundled it under her arm and pointed at the blanket he currently had, pinching it between her fingers. She shook her head in disapproval, wrinkling her nose, and made a show of shivering.

‘This blanket is too thin,’

Tai-Sun understood. The blanket being too thin hadn't even crossed his mind. It felt pretty on par to the blankets he's had before, though it comparatively didn't offer much warmth due to the harsh cold of the island.

She spread the plush blanket again and put it over the blanket he had. It was soft, heavy and warm.

Definitely

better than before. She patted and  smoothed it out. She smiled and raised her eyebrows at him, expectantly. She put a thumb up.

He smiled and nodded, reciprocating the thumb up.

Hilda hummed. She then turned to Leif and wrote something in her notebook. Leif pursed his lips as he read and walked to the counter without a word. He returned with a piece of parchment and handed it to her. Hilda unfolded it and showed it to Tai-Sun. It looked like a crudely drawn map of the island. She pointed at a little house with sheep on the east side of the map then pointed to herself.

‘That must be where she lives,

’ he thought.

She pointed at him then flexed her arms and put two thumbs up, then made her fingers walk on the map: from the medical hub to her house. Another thumbs up.

‘Come visit when you feel better

,’ he understood. He nodded again.

She grinned. She folded the map and handed it to Leif. She sharply pointed at the bowl and wrote something down in her notebook.

Leif chuckled as he read. “Yes, I will return the bowl to you," he said, nodding.

Hilda waved them goodbye and left the same way she came in: banging the doors.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

It has been around six weeks since he washed ashore. He looked out the window, overlooking the sea. It was a beautiful dark blue against cloudy gray skies. The waves ebbed and flowed steadily. Nothing like the stormy waves that threw him overboard, cold and piercing. He could still feel it in his sleep. The waves pounding against his body, the water filling his lungs, the depths pulling him under.

“Is the ointment ready yet?"

Tai-Sun snapped out of his thoughts. He gave the pestle a final tap before handing Leif the mortar. “Sorry, yeah, it's ready."

Leif spread the ointment generously against the skin of one of the several patients Gabriel and Dahlia brought in—a few of the rescued from a village attacked by hunters. Leif glanced at him as he put the mortar back on the work table.

“You don't have to help out, you know? You're still recovering," he said as he wiped his hands with a rag.

“I can help and I want to help," Tai shook his head. He sealed the herbs and put the jars back on the shelf behind them. "There's a lot of people.”

"I've seen worse,” Leif simply shrugged and wrote down reports in his notebook. “These folks will recover in three days tops with minimal supervision needed so get out of here. Take a walk. You aren't fit to work yet anyway."

“But—"

“No buts! Doctor’s orders!" Leif pushed him towards the door and slammed it before he could even get another word in.

He kicked the gravel as he walked. Where was he going to go? And what was he supposed to do? Be alone and what?

Think?

The medical hub was the only place he felt useful in. He couldn't really explore the island that much with his body still a little frail. And he couldn't possibly bother Annika or go to the training arena where Gabriel and Dahlia were. His language lessons with Dahlia weren't until the afternoon. Gitta was elusive, Scarlet mostly kept to herself, and Hilda lived too far up to visit. He found himself by the sea. He sat down on a grassy patch, just a few paces away from where the grass and the sand meets. Beyond the sand, there was only the ocean. Waves and waves and waves of sea. He took a deep breath.

Where was he going to go?

He looked back at the medical hub. He owed them his life. They were also kind enough to offer him a job and a place to stay. Annika had also already arranged a deal with another village's blacksmith to make him an arm once he had fully recovered. How could he repay that? There was absolutely no way he could leave in a few months. Not with that debt.

Not to mention, the only transportation out of the island is either by boat or by dragon—neither of which he could ride without losing his mind. He buried his face into his palm, groaning.

He was stuck on this cold island, wasn’t he?

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

The wounds were not as deep as he expected. However, what the wounds lacked in depth, they made up for quantity. The abrasions were all over her upper right back, shoulder, and arm. She said it was from a fall, a miscalculation on her end. He didn't push for more details. She must've thought it was bad if she directly went to him instead of waiting til the morning for the medical hub. The blood looked bright against her pale skin. He blotted up the blood with a warm damp cloth, careful not to press too hard. He rinsed the blood off the cloth then looked through his supplies for a salve and bandages.

“The good news is you won't need stitches." He didn't know how to do that anyway.

“Bummer," she said. “What's the bad news?"

“The ointment is going to sting a little," he dipped his fingers into the jar. “Though, it's probably nothing compared to the wound itself."

“Ah," she winced when he applied the cool gel against her skin. It took everything in him to keep going. She took a slow steady breath as he spread the gel over her shoulder and down her arm, and he tried to ignore the way goosebumps crawled along her skin as he touched her. He wanted to ask her about her other scars. Wanted to learn everything about her. She pulled her hair out of his way. “I'm sorry for disturbing you this late. I would've gone to Leif but it's a special day for him and Gabs, didn't want to intrude."

"Hey, it's no problem,” his voice almost got stuck in his throat. "My door is always open for you.”

She chuckled, glancing over her shoulder. "For me specifically?”

"Yeah. For you specifically,” he said. "Oh, your cheek is grazed, too.” He took the damp cloth, stepping around her. He tucked her hair behind her ear, ignoring the butterflies in his stomach. He lifted her face to see the wound better. Did she blush or was the candlelight playing tricks on his eyes? His heart fluttered at the possibility.

"Do you always have warm water ready?” she asked and he wished she didn't watch him so closely.

"Huh?”

"The cloth. It's warm. I didn't see you boil water when I came.”

"Oh,” he said, lamely. He wiped the blood off her cheek then spread salve over the wound. "No, not always. It's actually for um…"

“Hm?"

“I was building the strength to properly wash my hair.” He sealed the jar and rinsed his hand, avoiding her gaze. "I've only rinsed it since coming here, it's a little hard to wash this much hair with just one hand. I might have to trim it.” He then wrapped her wounds with bandages. He sighed upon finishing his job. It was time for her to leave.

"Do you want help?”

His breath hitched. Was she going to stay longer? "I couldn't possibly—”

"Come on,” Dahlia put her shirt back on. "You helped me so let me help you. Call it even. How do you wash your hair?”
 
—
 
He intended to take a full bath that night but decided against it when she offered to help. Instead, it was only his hair in the washtub with warm fragrant water while he sat on a chair. He leaned his head against the tub as she poured water, soaking his hair. She poured fragrant oil onto her palms and massaged his scalp. He felt embarrassed for the state of his head but she reminded him that it was okay. That it wasn't a moral failure. He closed his eyes as she brushed and untangled his hair.

“Your hair is like ink," she quietly said.

"Thank you?” He opened his eyes then quickly looked away when their eyes met. She was too close (as if they hadn't already been so close when he dressed her wounds, as if she wasn't shirtless in his living room earlier). He shuddered when she combed through his scalp one last time before rinsing his hair. They lifted it from the water and wrung out the excess. He squeezed his hair with a towel.

“Do you have another towel?"

“Yeah, right most cabinet."

She rose from where she sat and grabbed a towel from the cabinet. She pulled her chair closer to him and sat down, taking his locks onto her towel. “You don't have to cut your hair.”

"Why not? It makes sense to cut it,” He sighed, already regretting the future act. His hair was a connection to his family, severing it felt like forgetting them. “It's too long for me to take care of anyway.”

"I can help you wash it. It's pretty this long.”

"You think I'm pretty?”
"I said your hair is pretty," she shoved him and he almost fell to the floor, laughing.
He grinned, already feeling lighter than before. "Hey, it's okay to think I'm pretty. You can admit it, I won't judge.”

"I shouldn't have taught you Norse,” she rolled her eyes.

"Ouch,” he clutched his chest and she shook her head, a small smile forming on her lips. He really liked making her smile, he decided.

"I mean it though,” Dahlia ran her fingers through his damp hair, untangling as she went. “I'll help you, just let me know."

Tai Sun took her hand in his and squeezed. “Thank you. It means a lot to me, you have no idea."

She squeezed back. "Don't mention it.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

He watched the candlelight flicker against her fair skin. It illuminated her cinnamon-saffron hair. She was teaching him about the island and its surroundings but all he could pay attention to were her lips. It really didn't help that they were sitting so closely next to each other. He leaned against the table. He absent mindedly nodded and fiddled with his pencil.

“Hey," she snapped. “Focus, will you?"

“I don't think I've learned that word yet."

Dahlia elbowed him (ow), shaking her head. She stared at him for a moment with furrowed brows then brought her attention back to their paperwork. “You're usually a good student."

“I’m still a good student," Tai rested his chin on his palm and smiled.

“Oh really?" She leaned against the table. "Then why aren't you listening?"

“I had a long day at work."

“It's always a long day at work. What's new today?"

" I'm also…a little distracted," he glanced at her lips again. "By the fact that…" he tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and cupped her cheek lightly. He paused to give her the opportunity to push him away. Instead, he found her staring right at him. Warmth rose up his chest. He stroked her cheek with a thumb.

“That?" she smirked, gaze playful. She leaned into his hand then reached out and traced his jaw. Eyes glancing ever so quickly to his lips.

His heart dropped from her touch yet he inched closer, almost whispering, "That you haven't taught me the word for this yet."

She closed the distance between them. Softly, gently, firmly, their lips met. He brushed his fingers into her hair and she parted her lips to deepen their touch. She leaned and he wrapped his arm around her. As they parted, he found himself grinning like a fool, landing a quick peck against her cheek. Out of breath, Dahlia rested a hand on his chest, petting the fur that lined his collar. She touched her nose against his. “What was the word you wanted to learn again?"

Their lips met again before he could even answer. He sighed. She was like the early sun on a cold winter morning. She snaked her strong arms around his neck and pulled him closer. He hoped she couldn't feel his heart pounding loudly against his chest (though a part of him wished that she could). He let his hand roam down the small of her back and he felt her smile against his lips. One of her hands buried itself into his hair, twirling locks with her fingers.

He pressed his forehead against hers when they finally pulled away. She smelled like pine trees and the ocean breeze. He watched her eyelashes flutter. With a low voice, he asked, “So are you going to teach me the word or what?"

"Hm,” she bit her lip, mulling it over. She brushed his hair away from his face and traced his jaw with a finger, making him shudder. She smirked, “Maybe I'll withhold that information from you a little longer."

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Dahlia prided herself for being sharp. It was a valuable trait to have as a Viking, a soldier, a hunter; a skill honed for years like a weapon, one that had saved her countless of times before. And yet, she could not remember when Tai-Sun first started hanging around her, specifically her. Though she couldn't really blame herself for missing it, the villagers usually gathered together in communal spaces anyway. If someone asked her when she first started hanging out with the others, she wouldn't be able to give a straight answer either. These things just happen when you live together. She hadn't really felt the need to take note of anyone’s lingering presence or ulterior motives on the island. Not until Tai-Sun started bumping into her during her solo training sessions. Suddenly, it was a guessing game of when-will-he-appear and what-will-he-say.

Tai-Sun carried himself with such ease and confidence that one could think he did not wash ashore unconscious months before, that one could assume he lived around this region for a long time before ending up on Yakshorn. However, apart from his appearance, his lack of knowledge in the local language and his wide-eyed observation of everything around him crushed any impression of him being a local. It was amusing, to say the least, to watch him find words to say to her after he “coincidentally" happened to be at the same place as her for the fifth time in a week. And how he would go through lengths to keep a conversation going even if he had a limited vocabulary at his disposal. It was…cute. It almost tempted her to be an awful language teacher just so she could watch him stumble over words and mutter foreign languages under his breath but she wasn’t that cruel and he had proved himself to be a very good student.

Dahlia sat on the steps of her home, polishing her ax. Her home was the heart of the village as the rest of the buildings were built around it. She personally liked where her home was but sometimes she felt as if Annika didn't share the sentiment and would rather not be at the center of it all. Almost everything was within their line of sight, not much different to the homes she's had before. To her right, the door to the medical hub slammed open and out came Leif pushing Tai-Sun through the door. The men argued for a bit before Leif decided he's had enough and shut the door. It wasn't even three hours past noon—Tai-Sun’s designated break, she had learned. Now,

this

was a coincidence. She watched the man kick the ground for a bit before turning and meeting her eyes. The way his face lit up at the sight of her was precious. She wished she could bottle the moment up and keep it with her forev—wait.

What?

Tai-Sun ran towards her with a barely contained grin. He almost looked like an entirely different person than he was when she first saw him all those months ago. His cheeks no longer hollow, eyes no longer sunken, skin no longer graying. He looked stronger, brighter. “Hello, Dahlia," he said, bending down to place a peck on her cheek. Her heart fluttered. Her stomach somersaulted as he sat next to her. Was she falling ill?

“Leif kicked you out," she said, ignoring her symptoms.

"Ah,” he said. "I cut myself one too many times on broken glass, he's had enough of fixing me up," he showed his bandaged fingers.

She fought the strange urge to hold his hand. "Well, he

did

say you didn't need to work until you're fully healed,” she smirked.

"Not working for my meal and shelter doesn't sit right with me," Tai-Sun shrugged. "So, what are you doing out here? You're usually training with Scarlet around this time."

She raised an eyebrow, putting her ax aside. “You watch me?"

He hummed, “I see you."

“You see me?"

“Yeah, through that window," he pointed at one of the medical hub’s windows. “It's in front of my table."

“So you watch me."

“No," he said, brushing a lock of hair away from her face. With a low voice, he continued, “If I watched you all the time then I wouldn't be able to do my work well, would I? I like doing my work well.”

Her ears burned at his touch but she couldn't help but lean against him all the more, bumping their shoulders together. “

‘All the time?’

So you watch me…sometimes?”

He laughed. Guilty. The prospect of someone watching her every move should threaten her but why…

“Why do you think Leif kicked me out?" Tai-Sun rested his cheek upon his palm. Deep brown eyes, warm like the sun, staring at her like she was the night sky. “I don't usually go around breaking glass, you know?"

Her head spun, fingers running cold, heart thumping fast against her chest, as if she was on a dragon, free falling. Being observed, it really should raise her defenses but why was this
…thrilling? And how could he just freely admit such a thing? She coughed, hoping the warmth spreading across her face didn't show, “Then I'm distracting?"

"Yes,” he traced her jaw with his thumb, leaning towards her. "But I don't mind,” their noses brushed against each other and he let her close the gap. He filled her senses, scent like herbs and bitter medicine, taste like tea and berries. She grabbed his collar to pull him closer. Her stomach floated. Lightning ran down her spine and her heart drummed like thunder, leaving her breathless. Thor, she really was falling ill. Should she even be kissing him right now? She'd hate it if he caught whatever she had but the way he made her feel was too good, sickeningly sweet.

Hold on.

She didn't feel this way until they first kissed a few days ago. (Not even counting the amount of times they’ve kissed since then.) Did

he

give her the illness? Did she catch a foreign disease from this foreign man who had his hand resting on her waist, making her unnervingly aware of how warm she felt all over? Was she coming down with a fever? She pulled away, grabbing his face with both her hands. He didn't

look

sick. His eyes were clear, his skin was bright, his mouth didn't have sores. If anything, he looked really pretty.

Gods, what was wrong with her?

“Is everything alright?" Tai-Sun asked, snapping her out of her thoughts. “You're kind of squishing my face."

Dahlia pulled back, clearing her throat. "Sorry, yeah, it's nothing, I just.”

His hand left her waist and now all she could think of was its absence. (

Get it together, Ingerman!

) "Are you sure? Did I…do something wrong?"

“Oh, no. Not at all! You're good! I just, um," she laughed. Great, now she was the one stumbling over her words. Was she

sweating?

She stood up, glancing at the medical hub. Leif would know what to do with this illness. “I just remembered I had to talk to Gabriel about something. Island watch related,” she picked her ax up.

Tai-Sun took her free hand. "You're really okay?”

She wanted to chuck him off a cliff. "Yes, I promise. I'll see you later, okay?”

He planted a slow gentle kiss on her knuckle, looking up at her. "Okay.”

"I'm,” going to throw up, "I'll see you later.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Out his window was a view of Dahlia and Scarlet sparring in the village square. Dahlia had stripped her pauldron and arm guards, leaving her toned freckled arms bare. Despite her height disadvantage, she held her ground. Pound for pound, blow for blow, both women were precise in their movements with admirable strength. Neither of them held back. However, it was clear that Dahlia had spent more time fighting foes bigger and stronger than her. In a swift motion, she had pulled Scarlet in, using her height and weight against her, and secured her in a choke-hold, pinning her down with her arms and legs. Scarlet struggled underneath Dahlia before finally tapping out.

“Living my dream," Tai-Sun muttered as he absentmindedly shredded dried leaves. He watched as Dahlia slicked her hair back and wiped her sweat away, cheeks flushed red from exertion. He took a deep breath, saving that image in his mind for later.

"By Odin’s beard, can you stop ogling at my sister during work hours?” Leif sighed. "Do that in your own time and away from me.”

Tai-Sun's ears burned. He laughed, taking his eyes off Dahlia. “Yes, sir," he said, which got him a hit to the head. 
 
⁠｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+⁠｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+
 
“You are so," he murmured as he left a trail of kisses and nibbles down her neck. "So beautiful.”

She sighed. Bodies so close their breaths synced up, warmth felt even through clothing. Her fingers raked through his scalp, making him shudder. When was the last time he had someone on his lap like this? The last time someone’s breath tickled his ear? Six, seven months ago? Has it really been that long? He can't even remember their name. But Dahlia, stellar Dahlia, he'll remember her for days to come. He could get used to the cold climate if she was with him. Who knew their playful banter would end up here? Not him, she was way out of his league (but that didn't stop him from trying). Tai-Sun traced the shape of her body with his palm, etching it into his memory. The angle of her shoulders, the slope of her back, the small of her waist, down the plump of her hips and thighs. His fingers flirted with the hem of her skirt, a silent request to enter new territories. She grabbed his wrist and guided him back to her waist.

‘Not today,’

he thought.

‘But I have all the time in the world.’

He captured her lips, parting to deepen their kiss. She snaked her arms around his neck, shifting her weight. A moan escaped his lips and she smiled. His hand danced around her waist and to her abdomen, rubbing circles and slowly creeping up until her hand caught him again. Her grasp on his wrist hurt, nails digging on his skin. He hoped it would leave a scar. She bit his lower lip before pulling away. Green eyes meet brown. “Ambitious today, are we?”

“Can you blame a man for trying?" he asked, leaning forward only for Dahlia to pull back with a smirk.

She put his hand back on her waist and brushed his hair away from his face. He kissed the edge of her lips then her cheek then her jaw.

“I’m not interested in that sort of thing,” she said as she gave him access to her neck, eyes half lidded.

“Not right now?" A kiss on her pulse. “Or not ever?" A swipe of the tongue. She gasped. She hummed as he kept working on the sensitive parts of her neck, music to his ears. How heavenly would she sound gasping, screaming, his name?

“Not right now,” she sighed, leaning into his touch. "Maybe not ever, I don't know.”

"Hm?”

"It's complicated,” she said. Her hands explored his chest, leaving tingles all over. She wrapped her arms around him, hands buried in his hair, “Mm, hard to explain."

He returned to her face, kissing the blush and freckles that dusted her cheeks. He followed a constellation back to her lips, falling into a steady rhythm. His tongue wet the edge of her lips and she granted him entrance. She tasted like the cold skies.

‘If she’s not ready,’

he thought.

‘Then this was more than enough. I'll take what I can get and I'm happy with it.’

His hand massaged circles on her back, making her arch, soft breasts flush against his chest. A sensation that made his body burn. “You don't have to explain," he whispered in between kisses.

“This feels good,” she sighed against his lips. “We can keep doing this.” She pulled away for a breath. She pressed their foreheads together.

He guided her hand to cup his face. Kissing her palm, he said, “I'll do anything you want me to."

Dahlia caressed his cheek.

He had all the time in the world.
 
⁠｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+⁠｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+
 
Tai-Sun watched her glance at him for the nth time since they sat down together. Every time he inched closer, she would shy away, focusing her attention on whatever set of words she was trying to teach him. He leaned his back against his chair. She had frantically excused herself earlier today, too, with an anxious look in her eyes. He rubbed his neck. Did he do something wrong?

“Did you manage to talk to Gabs earlier?” he asked, breaking the tension in the air.

“Huh?” she glanced at him again. “Oh, right. Yeah, I did.”

He turned to face her. “Is…everything alright?” He reached out to hold her hand, only for her to pull away.

“I might be coming down with something, actually,” Dahlia said. She shifted in her seat, tucking a leg underneath her. He was sure she was just doodling on paper now. The Norse alphabet didn't have swirls like that. “Leif just laughed at me when I told him—unbelievable—but I don’t want you to catch it.”

Tai-Sun chuckled, scratching his head. “A bit too late for precaution, don’t you think? What are you feeling?”

“Lightheaded, mostly,” she said. “My heartbeat’s fast, and my stomach turns. Been feeling warm, too.”

He raised an eyebrow, lips parting slightly.

She frowned, avoiding his gaze. “Can you stop looking at me like that? You’re making it worse!” Dahlia groaned, putting her pen down.

He laughed, poking her side. “

I’m

making it worse?”

She swatted his hand away and rolled her eyes.

Tai-Sun smirked, moving closer to her. He wrapped his arms around her before she could push him away. “Do you

only

feel it when I’m close?”

Dahlia stared at him. Thoughts speeding through her sharp mind, brow creasing. Then, something clicked. She pursed her lips and looked away. That was all the answer he needed.

“Oh, baby,” he laughed, pulling her closer as she tried to wriggle her way out of his grasp. He rolled his eyes, knowing full well how easily she could escape him without even fully exerting herself. She’s so cute. Was she inexperienced? Was he her first? He could barely believe that if he was. She was too beautiful not to have a slew of suitors behind her. (But then again, he saw how some of the villagers kept her at arm’s-length). He kissed her cheek, making her pause. He nudged her jaw with his thumb so she would look at him. “It’s nice to know I have that effect on you,” he said, kissing her cheek again.

She groaned, pushing him away. “I swear to god, I’m throwing you off a cliff.”

He laughed heartily and had to catch his breath. He held her hand, fingers intertwined, kissing her knuckles. The metal of her jewelry, cold against his lips. “I feel that way around you, too. Impossible not to,” he said and she rolled her eyes. “It’s a pleasant thing, isn’t it?”

She turned to fully face him. She thought for a moment before she spoke, “It is.”

“Yeah?”

There was a mix of emotions on her face, ones he couldn’t quite decipher. She spread his hand and traced the lines of his palm with her thumb. He tilted his face to meet her eyes. Hesitation. Denial?

“Hey, it’s…I can stop, we can stop,” he said, more of a question than a statement. He wished they didn’t have to stop, especially after he’s already had a taste. His imagination can only go so far and nobody else on the island caught his fancy quite like she did. But if she was uncomfortable, “If this doesn’t feel good, we can-”

She shook her head, “It’s good. It feels good. I like what we have. I’m just not…” She looked away again, face unreadable.

Tai-Sun gently grabbed her chin, thumb grazing her lower lip. He lifted her face to see her properly and smiled. “Let’s not…overthink this. I really enjoy your company,” he said, words careful. What could she possibly be worried about? She could easily kill him if he crossed her. He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “I’m not,” he continued, shrugging, “expecting marriage or anything, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

Her eyes widened.

“Unless you

do

want marriage?” he quickly said, raising his hand.

Shit. Crap.

“Then, um.”

Fu-

“Not at all,” she laughed, light and airy.

He hoped he didn’t look

too

relieved. He grinned and leaned forward for a kiss. “We’re all good then?”

“Yeah.”
 
⁠｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+⁠｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+
 
Gitta planted her hands on her hips as she walked inside the hut. She whistled and nodded, “It’s lookin’ real nice in here! I like the uh, plants on the strings. Cozy. Right, Candles?”

“Yes," Scarlet stood by the entrance’s threshold. Her hand glided across the smooth wood of the door, admiring the craftsmanship. “Andi is a skilled carpenter.”

"Who's Andi?” Gitta asked. She hoisted herself up on the dining table and fetched an apple from the center basket.

“The carpenter," Tai-Sun said. "Leif’s friend? Tall guy, red beard?”

“Doesn't ring a bell."

“There's only eleven people on the island, Gitta," Scarlet said. "You stole his hammer once."

“Eh, must not be important," Gitta shrugged. "Anyway, look at you, Fishfood! Fully settled in! You even got a sheepskin blanket from Cotton.”

"Thanks,” Tai-Sun smiled. He looked up at the ceiling. Quite literally, how far he has come and how kind fate has been to him. "This is actually the first time I'm living alone. I've never had a place to myself, it feels kind of strange.”

“I can't imagine living alone," Gitta said.

“I can," Scarlet quipped and Gitta stuck her tongue out. “Well, it's almost lunch time. We better go help out at the square.”

"But it's so cold out!” Gitta groaned. "You know what would be nice? One of those great hall things like in other villages so we don't have to hang around and eat in the cold anymore.”

Tai-Sun followed after them, "You better ask Andi to plan one then.”

"Are you really sure there's an Andi here?”
 
⁠｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+⁠｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+
 
Tai-Sun pocketed his hand as he walked home from the medical hub, grinning ear to ear. His heart skipped a beat when Annika had asked his help to communicate with a foreign merchant ship. It was such luck that not only did he know the captain’s native tongue, they also knew two other languages in common! The crew also spoke in different languages, some he knew and some he didn’t—an experience he usually only had in big city taverns or trading posts. Apparently, their ship was supposed to head West but got lost amidst fog and ended up on Yakshorn. Annika offered them a place to stay (at the medical hub) and recuperate in exchange for some goods they carried: paper, herbs, and metal. She also designated Tai-Sun as the host since she wouldn't be an effective one due to the language barrier. He could barely contain his joy while showing them around.

“Someone's happy," Dahlia said as she walked up to him and he tackled her into a hug.

“I got to secure future trades with the merchants from this morning," he exclaimed after releasing her. "They're putting us on the map! Said they're going to send word to other merchants, too."

"Really?” She smiled as they walked towards his hut. “Put us on the map, huh?" There was a hint of worry and wistfulness in her voice, cleverly concealed by interest. He raised an eyebrow at it but she shook her head, feigning innocence.

"Yeah,” he said. "It was also nice to brush up on my Sogdian and Arabic. So uncommon this far west.”

Dahlia crossed her arms. "Did you secure those foreign trades just so you can speak in other languages with people?”

“Of course not.” He held the door for her, “It's just an added bonus." 
 
⁠｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+⁠｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+
 
Tai-Sun just about died when he saw Dahlia in his clothes. It didn't look adorably loose like how his clothes fit on his past female lovers. Instead, it hugged her figure nicely in all the right places. It wasn't like her usual clothes hid her body, but the fact that she was in

his

clothes drove him insane. How was he supposed to sleep peacefully next to her when all he could think of was taking his clothes off of her? He might have to take care of himself before getting in bed.

“My eyes are up here, Fishfood," Dahlia sat on his bed. Any heat pooling in his body dissipated at the mention of the ridiculous nickname.

“Really? You too?" he rolled his eyes. He stood in front of her, lifting a knee up to the bed. “Can't I catch a break?"

“Afraid not," she said, leaning back to her elbows as he bent over her. She looked so good, even by the flickering lamplight. “I'm leaving early in the morning. Scout mission, won't be back for a week or two."

“Is that why you’re spending the night?"

“No," A peck on the lips. And another. "Don't miss me.”

"Sounds more like you're the one who's going to miss me,” he said as he crawled on top of her.

"What makes you say that?” she cooed, draping her arms over his shoulders.

His head spun.

‘Well, you're spending the night with me, aren't you?’

His answer didn't reach his voice. She was so close. And looked so good underneath him. He dipped in for a kiss, inhaling her scent. Then he drew back, reeling himself in, muttering mostly to himself, “It’s just sleep. We’re just sleeping.”

Dahlia watched as he rose up to dim the lamp and settled into bed. She crawled up next to him. "Good night, Tai,” she whispered into the dark.

Butterflies made a home in his stomach when she wrapped her arms around his waist and put a leg over his, pulling him close. He had to steady his breathing to ease into her touch. He could almost feel her heartbeat against his back. Nevermind his unbecoming thoughts, he could get used to

this

. His hand found hers, “Good night, Dahlia." 
 
⁠｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+⁠｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+
 
Gitta punched him square on the jaw. She guffawed, following up with a hit to the chest. "Dude, what the hell?”

"What the hell yourself, what was that?” Tai-Sun massaged his jaw, steadying himself.

"You're usually good at blocking,” she scratched her head. "That's like your only redeeming quality.”

“Ouch?" he clutched his chest, feigning offense. “I’ll have you know, I'm pretty good at kicking. And I also know how to brew poison."

“Well, you can't really poison people on the battlefield." She dodged a kick from him. "What are you gonna do? Feed them pie in the middle of a riot?”

"I'd have to learn how to bake a pie first,” Tai-Sun blocked a punch from her, only to be swept under by a kick. He landed on his back with a loud thud and a groan.

“You're no fun today," Gitta crossed her arms. "Is this because Carrothead’s been gone for a week?”

Tai-Sun glared at her, picking himself up. “No," he scoffed.

She looked down at him, raising an eyebrow. "Good, because if it was, I would've said you were acting like a lovesick fool.” She watched him closely with unimpressed eyes yet her voice bared a hint of mild annoyance, as if she knew something he didn't and she was frustrated that he still didn't know. Except he did know, he just didn't want it. He

shouldn't

want it. If he buried something deep enough, it would end up dead, right? Or maybe, Gitta didn't actually know and now his silence answered the hidden question in her retort.

“You

are

a lovesick fool," Gitta pushed him. “Just months ago you said it was just for fun!"

“I’m not! And it

is

for fun!" Tai-Sun pushed her back. "Can we not talk about it?”

Gitta grinned, waggling her eyebrows. “So what are you going to do about it?"

"Nothing,” he said.

“Lovesick loser," she coughed.

He frowned, "I'm not lovesick.”

"If you say so.”
 
⁠｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+⁠｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+
 
The moon was high in the sky and Tai-Sun laid wide awake in bed, staring at the ceiling. Every time he closed his eyes, all he saw was red. Red hair flying in the wind. Red hair tangled in his hand. Red like saffron, soft to the touch. Eyes like rolling hills, freckles like the stars above, heart like a hidden moon. Her, her,

her

.

He turned in his bed, pinching the bridge of his nose. This was Gitta’s fault. Stupid Gitta and her stupid questions got him thinking about

her

. Got him thinking about how cold and empty his bed felt without her. How he kept

looking

for her. How she was always in the back of his mind. He cursed under his breath. In the past, he would allow himself to fantasize about his lovers when he was away from them but only ever for entertainment when the day was slow or for his own pleasure in his lonesome evenings. He sat up and groaned. With Dahlia, it was hardly ever fantasies. Things would simply remind him of her, questions of how she was or what she'd think would run in his mind, if she was lonely or scared out there. What would she think if she knew that he was thinking about her? About a future with her? He already felt like she was holding him at arm's length sometimes, what more if she knew? What more if he told her he wanted more? How does he even go about asking that? How high do her walls go?

“And to think I used to make fun of love-drunk men in taverns," he sighed. Gitta was right, but he didn't know how to answer her question. He never really had to. He used to just leave for a different city once he felt that the other person was sinking deeper than he intended to. But now that

he

was the one sinking deeper than he intended to…

What was he going to do about it?
 
⁠｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+⁠｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+
 
“How was your trip?" he asked as he sat down next to her.

She shook her head, leaning against his shoulder. “Same old," she muttered.

He glanced at her. It didn't sound like ‘same old’ behind closed doors with Gabriel and her siblings but who was he to pry when he didn't even know or understand most of the lingo they used? Nor did he understand warfare. Her eyes glazed over, looking at the sea, mouth curved into a frown. She absentmindedly fiddled with the jin bu on his belt. It made quiet twinkling sounds against her rings. She sighed deeply. With every mission, she seemed to return even further away than the last. He wished he could take away her pain, ease her worries. He wished she would let him.

“You know you can tell me anything, right?" He wrapped an arm around her. "What's going on in that pretty head of yours?”

She looked at him and smiled, though it didn’t reach her eyes. Her fingers ghosted over his cheek and she planted a kiss on his lips. "You'd hate me,” she said, barely above a whisper.

“Saffron, you can never make me hate you,” he said.

‘Tell me everything about you and still watch me stay,’

he thought.

She shook her head and kissed him again, and he thought she was going to tell him whatever it was that was bothering her. Instead, she stood up and walked away.

“Hey.” He caught her hand right on time and she whipped around, brows raised. He didn’t even know what to say.

Dahlia shook him off but he sprung to his feet and caught her hand again. She glared at him, “Tai, I’m tired. Let me go.” He tried to form words in his head but nothing came up quite right. She forcefully pulled her hand from his grasp.

He watched her walk away.
 
⁠｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+⁠｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+
 
“Tai, you're shaking from the sound of rain and thunder. That should be the last thing you're thinking about.”

He could take the thunder. He could take the storm. What he couldn't take was her seeing him like this. And he wasn't supposed to see her

worrying

about him, caring about him like this. Her voice soothing him, her brows knitted in concern, her weight on his chest comforting him. All of that was better off in his imagination—it stung less in his imagination.

I love you, I love you, I love you. I want you to stay by my side. Anchor in the storm.

But he knew better than that. He knew she didn't want that. He rested his arm across his eyes. He was so happy, too, when she finally let him pull her to bed and let him please the living daylights out of her, thinking the high would replace the yearning for more. Thinking all these thoughts of the future were merely a by-product of his dry spell. Wishful thinking. (Yet one he doesn't fully regret). “The lines are getting blurry," he mumbled. Lightning struck again and he curled up. Why, of all nights, did the storm choose to land tonight? Why couldn't the skies let him sleep in the afterglow? Why did the cold drown his lungs whenever the heavens roared, pushing him off board again and again?

Dahlia wrapped her arms around him, warm hands rubbing circles on his back. He focused on her touch, slowing his breathing.

Please stay by my side.

He'll just have to take what he can get.
 
⁠｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+⁠｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+
 
“A little birdy told me you’re finally getting serious about a certain someone.”

Tai-Sun rubbed his neck before facing Rune who had an annoying smug look on his face. It was the same smirk he wore the last time he talked to him about Dahlia while Gitta was blackout drunk outside of the Great Hall. Tai-Sun turned back to his notebook, “Tell the little birdy to stop chirping about my business."

Rune laughed, clapping his back. "Sounds like you need a drink.”
 
Rune's ship was not at all the best place to drink but considering their intended topic of discussion, it was best to stay away from the eyes and ears of the Great Hall. With Rune's crew choosing to camp out in the main village, they had the place all to themselves under a moonless night.

“Well, shit, man," Rune said as Tai-Sun downed a mug.

"You can say that again,” Tai-Sun huffed.

"Mm,” Rune rested his head on his palm, looking up at the night sky. “You did dig your own grave," he said which earned him a glare. "Have you talked to her about it?”

"No,” Tai-Sun poured himself another mug. “We once agreed that this wasn't going to be anything more than what it is."

"And when did you agree on that?”

“I don't know," he shrugged. “Almost a year ago? Maybe even longer."

“

Almost a year ago?!"

Rune slammed his mug on the table, making Tai-Sun flinch. “And you haven't talked about your relationship since then?! Kang, you said you were trying your best!"

“What's there to talk about if we're both satisfied?"

“But you're

not

satisfied."

“My body’s satisfied."

“Your heart is a part of your body, dumbass."

Tai-Sun ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. Rune was just like Gitta if not more annoying when he’s right. He sighed, “If I say anything, I might push her away. I don't want to lose her. Her missions have been getting longer and longer as it is. What if she doesn't come back?”

Rune took a swig. “So you're a coward."

“

What?"

“You're a coward," Rune repeated, matter-of-factly. “You'd rather mope around like a kicked Terrible Terror than find out if she feels the same way about you."

“But she doesn't," Tai-Sun frowned.

“You haven't asked."

“Well, I-"

“What if she's also scared?" Rune cut him off. "From what I know of Dahlia, it seems like she's dealt with a lot of things from her past. Dragon hunters are no joke. I can't imagine what it must have been like. And what if she's just, I don't know, what if she has a Kafur in her past?”

Tai-Sun blinked.

“Look," Rune sighed. “It sounds like you're both deep in this. A lot of things can change in a year. Stop thinking it over and do something about it."

Tai-Sun smirked, leaning against his drink. "Didn't I first say that to you?"

“Yeah, and I took your advice. It's your turn to take mine." 
 
⁠｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+⁠｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+
 
The look of mischief in Randi’s eyes has not changed at all since he last saw her. It made her golden eyes glimmer like fire, her cat-like smile up to no good. He took her husband's apology as an omen for what was to come out of her mouth.

"I spent time with your darling Dahlia,” Randi tucked her intertwined hands under her chin. “You really have changed.”

First, Gitta then Rune and now, Randi. Was he really brooding about it? (Or did he simply underestimate how much they know him? Did anybody else know?) Tai-Sun pursed his lips. “What did you say to her?"

Randi grinned, “What did

I

say? Are you not curious about what

she

said about you?”

His ears perked up and his heart dropped—out of fear or excitement, he wasn't sure. He wanted to say yes. He wanted to know. But a part of him wanted to hear it from Dahlia herself. To talk about

them

by themselves.

Randi raised an eyebrow, her voice low, “Well?"

“I love her," the words escaped his lips before he could even think about it. “But I've been running away from everything for such a long time that I thought… I thought if I buried something deep enough, it would end up dead…right?"

“Sure," Randi said. “Unless you buried a seed, that is. And unfortunately, love is a seed that grows even in the deepest crevices of one's heart."

His head buzzed as butterflies rattled in his stomach. He always hated how poetic Randi could get, clever words always burrowing deep in his mind.

“Tell her how you feel.” Randi pinched his cheek, "What do you have to lose?”

He didn't know the answer to that. He answered, "Everything.”

"And is she not worth everything?”
 
⁠｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+⁠｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+
 
He ran as fast as he could to Annika’s house when she sent for him in the early morning. Dahlia finally returned last night—a week after she was supposed to—injured and exhausted. When he arrived, Annika was already tending to her wounds in preparation for fresh bandage. She handed the task over to him.

“I have to hold a meeting with the others," Annika said. "We might be expecting company sooner or later, and not the good kind.”

“Okay," he said.

Annika stopped at the door and looked back at him and Dahlia. Her brows knitted together, lips pressed into a tight line. She crossed the room and put a hand on his shoulder, giving it a squeeze. The green eyes the sisters shared bore the weight of the world. She left without another word.

Tai-Sun worked in silence. The only sound accompanying him was Dahlia’s steady breathing. He winced as he inspected her injuries. A puncture wound on her shoulder—possibly from an arrow, shallow cuts all over her arms and legs—possibly from running through sharp foliage, grazes and bruises on her face and knees. Her lip busted. Her ankle sprained. He spread antibiotic ointment over her wounds before covering them in fresh bandages.

“Tai?” Her voice was hoarse from sleep and exhaustion.

He rinsed his hands before turning to her. He brushed her hair away from her face. “Hi Saffron,” he whispered. “How are you feeling?”

Her tired eyes scanned the room. “Where’s Anni?”

“Holding a meeting with the-woah, hey, lie back down,” he shook his head and held her down.

“I have to,” she groaned but she didn’t fight him. “Report.”

Tai-Sun frowned. “You’re injured, you need to rest.”

“It’s important I tell her what I know.”

“She’ll be back later, you can tell her then.” He said, tidying up his supplies. “Catch some sleep, I’ll wake you up when she’s here.”

“I'm fine," Dahlia groaned as she struggled to sit up. She winced, pinching the bridge of her nose. His heart twisted in pain. He knelt in front of her.

“Saf.” He pursed his lips. “How about you just tell me what it is and I’ll let Anni know? I can write it down so I won’t miss any detail.”

She glared at him. “You don’t…” she clenched her jaw, her eyes glistening. Her lip quivered. She struggled to stand up. “This is why I told her to get Leif, not you.”

Tai-Sun stood up. “What is so important that you’re risking your life for it?” His heart pulsed in his ear yet sat heavy in his chest. “You…leave then you come back distant, and…you can’t trust me with it. Then you pull me back in and I’d think that…maybe things were going somewhere between us, but then you leave again and the cycle repeats. It’s like, it’s like you’re

using

me just to feel good. And now you come back injured and you won't even let me help you!”

He regretted his words when he saw her stricken face. He couldn't take it. A single tear ran down her bruised cheek. She took a deep breath and shook her head. Whatever pain, grief, that his words caused was gone from her stone cold face. “If you want to help me so badly then help me get to Annika."

"You need to rest,” he said. He reached out to guide her back to bed, "Whatever it is can wait.”

She shoved him aside. "If you're not going to help me then get out of my way," she hissed.

"I

am

helping you, Dahlia.” Tai-Sun steadied himself. "You just won't accept it.”

She stepped forward, looking down at him. "I didn't

ask

for your help. I don't

want

your help. It's not my fault you let yourself be used by someone who doesn't care," she jabbed a finger to his chest. She was so close it scared him.

He raised his chin. “That's not true and you know it."

She pushed him to a wall with a loud thud. "This isn't about us.”

His eyes burned and his lips pursed. His heart beat so fast it might escape his ribs.

"They have something of mine and I'm done waiting around to save her.”

Tai-Sun released the breath he was holding after she slammed the door. His legs gave out underneath him as her words fully dawned on him, piercing through his chest. He ran his fingers through his hair.

Shit.

Everything burned yet his body ran cold. Hot tears stung his eyes. It wasn't true. It wasn't true. It wasn't true.

Then why did she leave you?

He sobbed, lungs heaving. Did he wait too long to tell her? Or was this how it was always going to end? No escape in sight, he hit his head against the wall.

Stupid.

He knew better. He should've known better. He should've held himself back. Instead, he was back on the boat, overboard, splashing in the cold. Drowning. 
 
⁠｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+⁠｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+
 
His memory of the raid in his childhood was blurry at best and haunting at worst. Blood gushing out of a man’s neck. Horrifying screams of a woman being ruined. Footsteps banging on the ground, leaving dust in their path. Memories buried deep in his mind visit him in his sleep but once the morning comes, it disappears. Raids didn't happen in big cities. The capitals of fearsome kingdoms were far too dense and protected for such things to happen overnight. He avoided small towns and minor trading posts at all costs. Yet by some twisted turn of fate he still ended up on a small island, vulnerable to attacks.

The enemies came just before the sun rose. Men twice his size seized the port, preventing the visiting merchants and travelers from leaving. They ransacked the ships, taking everything.

Mao watched his back as he ran across the village. He helped the injured and led them to Arne, Baxter, Cordelia, and Hilda who escorted civilians to the hills. She slithered and screeched, spitting acid at anyone who came too close to him and their allies.

He patted the dragon’s neck, “What would I do without you?"

She purred in response before whipping her tail behind him, sweeping a trio of enemies under their feet. She raised her head as if looking for someone in the chaos. Her eyes focused into slits and she flapped her wings. She grabbed Tai-Sun by the scruff and tossed him to her back then took off for the hills.

"Mao! What are you doing?! We have to help!” he screamed, holding tightly on her reins. “Mao! Stop! People need help!"

She glanced at him and trilled as if telling him to trust her, running faster.

"Stop!” he yelled again but she kept going. He looked back at the village and the riot. It looked too much like the forsaken village in his childhood. His friends needed him. With a deep breath, he released the reins, launching himself backwards and rolling down the hills. He curled up to protect his head and neck then crawled to his feet. He tasted iron in his tongue as he ran. He evaded a huge man running towards him then kicked him in the groin. When the man fell to his knees, Tai-Sun kicked his face, knocking him out.

He ducked as flames roared above him. Hilda’s Terrible Terrors had arrived from their pasture which meant that it was only a matter of time until Tiny the Crimson Goregutter touched down. He ran as fast as his feet would take him to guide more people away from the violence.

“Fishfood!"

He whipped his head around to find Gitta running towards him.

“Duck!"

Her knife whizzed above his head, only missing him by a hair, and hit a tall Viking woman square on the chest. The woman looked mildly inconvenienced by the knife and simply pulled it off of her person.

"Uh, oh. Run!” Gitta grabbed him by the arm and sprinted. “This sucks so bad, man. That was my favorite knife!"

"I can name more things about this whole thing that sucks more than losing your favorite knife,” Tai-Sun shouted.

They dodged and took down a couple of goons as they ran. “Yeah, like how bad you look," Gitta stuck her tongue out. “Where the heck is Old Man and Candles?!"

A body dropped in front of them from high up a tree, making the two scream. Nore followed downwards, landing gracefully on his feet.

"Ribbons! You scared us!” Gitta pushed Nore who laughed.

Nore stopped laughing when he saw Tai-Sun. “Tai? What are you doing here? You're supposed to be with Arn…Odin’s bloody toenail, Tiny’s finally here!”

A gust of wind fell upon the island followed by a deafening, earthshaking roar. Everybody looked up at the sky to watch as a behemoth covered the sun, casting the island in temporary darkness.

“Tiny!" Tai-Sun exclaimed.

“That is

not

what I'd call tiny!" Magnus yelled as he blocked a woman running towards Gitta. The same woman Gitta had stabbed earlier.

“That's the dragon’s name: Tiny," Nore grinned, helping Magnus out. “He's Hilda’s."

“That thing’s been on the island this entire time?!" Magnus yelled, knocking the woman out.

“Yeah, and he's on our side,” Nore grinned. "Come on, they need our help in the main square. Let's go."

Gitta fell behind, “I'm looking for Candles and Old Man, I'll catch up later."

Tai-Sun’s eyes widened at Tiny laying waste on the port. It crashed its giant body on the beach and blasted molten lava on the enemy ships, effectively leaving them stranded on the island. There was only one way out for them: death.

He followed after Magnus and Nore to the main square where much of the main fighting happened. In his peripheral vision, a man caught his eye. Leif was down and crawling towards the medical hub. Tai-Sun sprinted towards him and knelt next to him.

“I'm fine!" Leif waved him away. His movement revealed a nasty wound, bleeding through his black shirt. “Get to safety! I'll be fine!"

“You and your sister are the same," he said. Tai-Sun shook his head, taking a piece of cloth from his pouch. He pushed Leif to lay on his back and inspected his body for any more injuries. He lifted Leif’s shirt to reveal the wound—a deep gash across the torso. He pressed the cloth against the wound, applying pressure. He won't be able to carry him to the hub so this would have to do.

“This is nothing," Leif winced when he tried to move again. “I swear to Odin, if you die out here, Dahlia’s gonna-"

“I'm not the one actively bleeding out, now am I?" Tai-Sun snapped. "We're far enough from the commotion, I don't think anyone will-”

"TAI, WATCH OUT!”

A large bearded man swung an ax and brought it down to where Tai-Sun knelt if he hadn't jumped away. Thank the heavens for his training with Dahlia. He sprung to his feet and looked back. The man towered over Leif, ax ready to strike down again. Tai-Sun grabbed a big stone from the ground and chucked it at the man, hitting his arm. It took his attention away from Leif and all on him. He backed away as the man stomped towards him. He patted his pouch for anything useful, only to be met with more spare cloth and vials.

Why didn't he have a weapon on him?

He smiled, “Hey, how about we just talk about this? Find a common ground, huh?”

The man swung and he jumped out of the way. “Our village cook makes a mean mutton stew. We can sort this out,” he said. There was no way he could outrun this man nor can he overpower him (he was thrice his size for Pete's sake!) Tai-Sun glanced at Leif who was slowly but surely crawling to safety. If he could just distract this guy long enough for Leif to survive, then all would be good.

“Let's dance, big guy."

The man growled and swung again, cleaving the ground where Tai-Sun was. He kept a steady pace backwards, away from Leif. The man brought the ax over his head and swung, grazing his arm.

“You-you don't happen to like men, do you?” He chuckled nervously when he failed to land on his feet after he dodged. His ankle stung and he winced every time he took a step. The man grabbed him by the neck and lifted him up. “That's a no, then?”

“That's enough of you," the man said. He clenched his fingers against Tai-Sun’s neck. His hand must have been the size of his head.

What was he supposed to do at a time like this? Tai-Sun struggled, clawing at the man’s arm, legs dangling below him. He couldn't remember. Self-defense against choking in the air wasn't really his area of expertise. Hell,

fighting

wasn't his area of expertise. He'd always been more of a talker and a lover, even if it got him into sticky situations like this one. Stars in his eyes. Black spots. World spinning. Did Dahlia like that he was more of a talker? Did Dahlia like him as a lover? Why was he thinking of Dahlia right now? If…if he'd been a fighter, would Dahlia have trusted him with stories of her missions? Would his family still be alive? Are they still alive? This man sure was taking his sweet time choking him. Was he prolonging his death out of enjoyment? What a freak. Stars. Black spots. Red.

Red?

That's not right.

Warm liquid splattered against his face and he fell to the ground, gasping for air. He clutched his chest then his neck, coughing. His body ached in places he didn't even know it was possible to ache. The world spun beneath him. He looked at the man who trapped him only to find his head slashed off of his body. Tai-Sun stumbled backwards, eyes wide. Behind the man stood Dahlia, hands on the offending weapon, covered in blood. Her eyes met his and she dropped her weapon. Tears ran down her eyes. She leapt towards him and dove into a hug. She held him so close, almost clawing at him. “You scared me! I thought I lost you!" she cried. "What are you doing out here!? I told Mao to get you to safety.”

“Dahlia?" He winced when he spoke. His throat burned.

"Shut up,” she shook her head and caressed her thumb against his face. Her features blurred together. “You're safe now, you're safe with me."

Was he dying? Was he dead? She was speaking to him but her voice warbled, far away like a distant dream. His breaths found its rhythm. The world collapsed into darkness. 
 
It was cold. He was at the medical hub, injured and hurting, back where he started. Were the past months just a dream? He raised his right arm to take a look. A fully healed stump. Mao slept peacefully at the foot of the bed. So it wasn't a dream. He wasn't sure if that brought him comfort or not.

“You're awake," Dahlia sighed. She crossed the room and took him into an embrace. She quickly pulled away, clearing her throat. She looked as beautiful as the first time he saw her and grief panged against his chest. She found a place to sit and crossed her arms. “How are you feeling? You were out for a day."

"Could be worse.” He sat up, groaning as he did. “Is everyone alright? Leif alright?"

"Yeah, they're alright. Mostly minor injuries,” she said. "Leif hasn't woken up yet but his heart is strong. Gabs is taking care of him at their hut.”

“Right," he said. “That's good to know."

“The battle was essentially over when Tiny entered the fray,” she fiddled with her rings. “Clean up was such a pain though."

“Why…" he took a deep breath. “Why did they attack us?"

Dahlia stared at him for a moment before she straightened up. “We're still gathering intel on that."

Tai-Sun pursed his lips. He had a feeling they already knew, just that it wasn't his to know. Where did he stand with her? "Okay,” he said. He pushed the blanket off of him and noticed he was wearing a new set of clothes. “Oh. Who-”

“Who else?" she snapped. "Only two other people have seen you naked and they're both occupied. I wasn't just going to let you stew in blood and filth.”

“Yeah, of course,” he said. He brushed his hair away from his face. On the side table, next to a cup of water, was his jin bu which he had hidden in his home for safekeeping before going out into battle. He took the pendant in his hand, fingers tracing the engraved jade. It was smooth and cold to the touch. How much more brushes with death was in his future that the jade still hasn’t broken? He planted his feet on the floor. “Thank you. And thanks for, you know, saving me.”

“You would have done the same.”

“Right. Come on, Mao,” he said, walking towards the door. “Let’s go home.”

He didn’t have to tell the beast twice. It stretched and yawned and bolted out the door, leaving him in its dust. He shook his head and followed.

“Tai-Sun.”

He stopped in his tracks and looked over his shoulder.

Dahlia pursed her lip. She rubbed her arm and shifted her weight from one foot to another before straightening up. She opened her mouth then closed it and looked away as if the right words were in the room. “I’m,” she started. “We,” she tried again. She fiddled with her rings.

He smiled, turning to face her. “Would you like to come home with us, Saffron?”

He didn’t have to ask her twice. A lifetime of trouble. And he had all the time in the world.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

His heart skipped a beat. He placed the comb next to the washbasin then turned to face her. “What did you say?”

“I said I’d like to stay the night.”

“Why?”

A playful smile bloomed on her face as she tilted her head. “Do I need a reason?”

Tai Sun leaned against the bathroom door’s threshold and stared at her. She was sitting in front of the hearth, the dying fire invited shadows to dance upon her face. He pushed down thoughts unbecoming of a gentleman. They’ve taken a nap together before, this shouldn’t faze him. He crossed the room and sat beside her. “You don’t need a reason. It’s just sleep, isn’t it?”

“That’s right,” she tucked a lock of hair behind his ear and rested her hand on his cheek.

“Did you bring a change of clothes?”

“No.”

He kissed her palm and smirked. “Then I hope you don’t mind sleeping on the couch. I don’t like outdoor clothes on my bed.”

She scowled, pinching his cheek to which he laughed. She rolled her eyes and stood up. “I’m going home then.”

He grabbed her wrist and looked up at her. “No, don’t go. I’ll lend you clothes.” He stood and made his way to his room. He glanced over his shoulder only to find her following him closely. “Shoes off please,” he said as they entered the room.

“Hm? Oh!” She bent over to remove her boots, putting them next to the trunk. “First, no outdoor clothes on the bed. Now, no shoes in the bedroom. Didn’t know you were so uptight.”

He chuckled. “I would’ve preferred no shoes in the house but it’s so cold, I made an exception.”

She walked around the small room as he rummaged through his trunk. He glanced at her. The room was sparse with only a small bed and nightstand on the corner, the trunk, the chair next to the door, and a plush fur carpet. There was a lamp, a notebook, and a cup on the nightstand. He wished he’d hung up a rope of herbs, or had money for a nice tapestry. “Your room smells just like you,” she said.

He handed her a shirt and pants, “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”

She pressed the clothes against her nose. “Good.”

He nodded, quickly turning away, hoping that the heat spreading across his face didn’t show. “I’ll leave you to it then.”
 
—
 
She slipped her arm under his arm and over his waist, legs intertwined together.  His hand rested on her hip. His other pillow was relegated to the floor. She was so close, he could hear her breathing. After a few beats of silence, she shifted.

“This is awful,” she murmured.

“Hm? I think it’s quite nice and warm.”

He could almost hear her roll her eyes. She pulled him closer. “I meant the bed. It’s too small.” She brushed hair away from his face and he reluctantly opened his eyes.

“The carpenter got too excited about saving lumber,” he said. “This bed’s even smaller than the ones at the hub.”

“Not much of a save if you’ll be asking for more bedspace later on anyway.” She scooted higher up the bed, her head almost touching the headboard. “My feet’s still dangling off.”

He smiled, fingers tracing her spine. “I take it you’ll spend more nights with me then?” His smile grew wider when she turned her head away from him. He reached down, grabbed her legs by the crook of her knees, and draped her legs over his. “Just curl up next to me til I ask for an upgrade.”

“Why do I have a feeling that you won’t ask for an upgrade?” she sighed as he crawled up next to her by the headboard. “You like being this close.”

‘But you don’t,’

he almost said but he simply smiled and kissed the edge of her lips. “I will,” he said. “I don’t want to end up on the floor in the morning every time you sleep over.”

“Hey!” she pinched his side and he laughed. “I’m not an active sleeper!”

“Alright," he said. “Then bring a change of clothes next time."

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Now this was new.

Gitta caught a glimpse of a certain redhead through Tai’s windows. She smirked and stepped outside to sit on her porch. She still had to squint to see any detail but it was better than snooping from inside. Tai’s door opened and Dahlia walked out with a bright smile on her pretty face if Gitta wasn't mistaken.

“What are you doing there?" Scarlet called out from inside, peering through their window. “You're not wearing your vest, it's still cold out."

"I'm spying on Fishfood,” Gitta looked over her shoulder to see her tall sleepy friend. She took a bite out of her apple. “Dahls just walked out of his house!"

“Dahlia? I think I've seen her visit him in the evening, too." Scarlet rubbed her eyes and Gitta raised an eyebrow at this information. Everyone knew that Tai had a crush on Dahlia (he was never really subtle about it), and that Dahlia was teaching Tai Norse, and that they started hanging out outside of those lessons but they're going to each other's houses now? Are they official? Scarlet interrupted Gitta’s thoughts, “They're good friends, aren't they?"

"Yeah,

‘good friends

,’” Gitta chortled and sprung to her feet, tossing her apple core to the ground. With a determined bounce to her step, she walked towards Tai’s house, out to sniff out some juicy gossip.

“Don't do anything stupid!”

“I can't promise anything!" 
 
—
 
Tai grinned the moment he saw Gitta when he opened his door. “Good morning, Gitta. You're up early today!”

"Didn't sleep,” Gitta took a deep breath as she entered his home. It was always somehow warm and fragrant in Tai’s home. Must be all the plants he brews and the dried plants hanging across his walls. Though sometimes, it was the food he cooked. Dahlia was so lucky. Gitta wasn’t personally interested in having a partner that cooks well (or in having a partner at all) but she couldn’t deny the benefits.

“You haven't been drinking the tea I gave you? It'll help you sleep," he said. He moved about in his kitchen and set a bowl on his dining table as she sat down.

“I'm not drinking your hot leaf juice, Fishfood," she stuck her tongue out, already poking at the porridge he set down. She sniffed the porridge before eating a spoonful. It was savory but tasty. Tai-Sun cooked food differently anyway, it shouldn’t have surprised her. Not at all what she was used to but it was free so she ate it all the same.

“But you'll eat my food.”

“Absolutely! Your food is tasty."

“It's just seasoning," he sat across her with his own bowl.

"So, you and Dahlia, huh? I saw her leave your house earlier," Gitta grinned, wiggling her eyebrows.

A light dusting of pink bloomed across the man’s face and he was clearly holding back a smile. He swallowed a spoonful of porridge before answering. “Yeah, she wanted to see me before she left."

Gitta leaned forward and laced her voice with mischief, "When's the wedding?”

"What wedding?”

"Well, you two are together, are you not?” she pointed her spoon at him and he furrowed his eyebrows, gears turning and working hard behind his dark brown eyes. Gitta did not expect him to burst out laughing when realization hit. She chuckled awkwardly as his laughter died out.

“Oh! No? Well, yes but not really?” Tai said. "We didn't really talk about it.”

"What?”

He ate another spoonful and shrugged. “We just enjoy hanging out with each other. Then one day, I kissed her and now we do that too.”

Gitta furrowed her eyebrows, mixing her porridge. When she looked up, he was already finished eating. Did he eat less than her or was he just that fast of an eater? Or was he already eating when she got here? She didn't really notice. She shoved a spoonful into her mouth. “So, wait—"

“Gitta, it's really not that serious—"

"So you're not together.”

Tai rubbed his neck and shrugged again, "She spends the night sometimes if that's what you're—”

“Ew, no no no, stop talking! I don't wanna hear about that!" Before she knew what she was doing, a spoonful of porridge flew across the table and landed on his chest. She winced as he scraped it from his clothes. Perfectly good porridge, wasted.

“I just washed this," he sighed, removing his coat to properly inspect the damage.

Gitta looked away and almost whispered, "Sorry.”

"Dahlia spending the night isn't even what you're—”

"I don't want to hear about it," Gitta groaned, covering her ears with her hands and squeezing her eyes closed. Her nosiness was backfiring on her and there was no one to blame but her. No one but her own hubris! "That's between you two! I don't need to know that!”

Tai shot her an unamused look then rolled his eyes, muttering something in his native tongue. “I wasn’t going to tell you anything like

that

. Get your head out of the gutters.”

“Oh,” Gitta said, suddenly feeling annoyingly warm. She dug into her porridge to distract herself and he paid her no mind as he spot-cleaned his robe on a washbasin. She cleared her throat, “So you’re together, but not in the way Gabs and Leif are together.”

“Yes, not in that way,” Tai glanced at her before hanging the coat up. “It’s casual, just for fun.”

She rolled her eyes and smirked, “Good for you?”

“Thank you,” Tai chuckled. “And thanks for dropping by,” he disappeared into a room next to the washroom and reappeared with a different coat. “I’m heading to work now though. You could stay here and lock up after or bring your porridge with you?”
 
—
 
Gitta shoved spoonfuls of porridge into her mouth as she walked home. She looked up at the sky to see Dahlia flying overhead. She smirked. So she and Fishfood are just playing around, huh?

“It works for them, I guess,” she yawned before eating another bite. “Wait.” She stopped walking, mid-chew. She didn’t even know that type of relationship was something that could happen. Could she even call what they have a relationship if they’re not together-together? What did Fishfood call it? Casual? Maybe that’s what they call it, if they even labeled it at all.

“Man!” she groaned as she entered her house. “Why am I still thinking about it? It was supposed to be a fun gossip session! Not whatever this is!” She ate the final spoonful of porridge. She then placed the bowl on the table with a loud thud, making Scarlet, who was writing a letter, flinch.

“How was it?” Scarlet dipped her quill into the inkwell.

“We’re gonna die one day,” Gitta said. She grabbed her fur vest from the hook and walked towards the door. “Better have some fun while you’re at it,” she shrugged as she left.

Scarlet furrowed her eyebrows, staring at the door. She shook her head and returned to her letter. “She’s being weird again.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

“Is this really necessary!?"

Tai-Sun ducked and stumbled backwards as Dahlia swung her ax at him. The sword she lent escaped his hand. He rolled over as she brought the ax down, narrowly avoiding being cleaved. Her attack was strong enough to split the ground. He gulped. His heart was going to explode. She swung again the moment he was on his feet. He jumped out of the way and grabbed the sword. He parried a strike just in time.

“Good boy! You’re finally learning!”

“Don’t

‘good boy’

me, you almost killed me!” Tai huffed, swinging his sword.

Dahlia smiled, blocking his swing, “If I wanted to kill you, you’d be dead already.” She pushed him and he was back on the ground. She rested her ax over her shoulder and walked towards him. “Get up, let’s go again.”

“Just end my misery,” he groaned, still catching his breath. He folded his arm over his eyes. “I’m so sweaty. It’s so cold but I’m so sweaty.”

Dahlia nudged his side with her foot, prompting him to roll over with a grunt. “Ugh, you’re so dramatic. Come on, get up. Fifth round’s the charm.”

“That’s not a real saying,” Tai sluggishly sat up, looking up at her with a pout. “I still don’t understand why you’re trying to kill me. I really thought we had something good going on,” he said, tilting his head and holding back a grin. (He was still pretending to be upset after all).

“I’m not—” Dahlia grabbed his arm and pulled him up. She helped him dust his clothes off. “I’m trying to

not

get you killed if hunters or outcasts or raiders attack. Everybody else is capable of handling themselves but I’m not so sure about you. You have to be stronger than you are now.”

“So you care about me and my safety.”

“That’s not what I said.”

“That’s definitely what you said,” Tai smirked and Dahlia rolled her eyes. “But okay, fine. Can we lose the weapons for now though? I don't think I'm strong enough to wield one yet, I can barely wield my fake arm as it is.” He shrugged his robe off and leaned the sword against a tree, next to his prosthetic arm.

“Alright,” Dahlia followed suit, leaning her ax next to the sword. “I still won’t go easy on you though.”

Tai formed a fighting stance. Fist up, feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent. “That’s okay. I like it rough anyway,” he smiled which earned him a punch to the gut. “Gods, it was a joke! I wasn’t ready!” he choked out.

“You seemed ready. Maybe you should do less talking and more fighting.”

Tai deflected another strike and threw a punch. “Hey, I thought you like it when I talk.”

“Shut up.”

“Make me.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

It was late in the morning when Gitta barged into the hub. It had been a slow day of restocking and repairing things broken thanks to the storm last night, Tai perked up at the sight of a friend.

“Get out of here, Gitta. We're busy," Leif groaned as he scribbled on his notebook.

“I don't wanna be here either," Gitta slumped across Tai’s table, causing him to move the jars of herbs out of her way. “I was relaxing on the beach but there's a body again."

“Why didn't you carry them here?" Tai asked, putting away the jars.

“I can't carry a dragon!"

There was a pause in the men’s movements. Leif and Tai shared a look. A dragon washed ashore. They haven't had a lot of injured dragons in the past several months so Tai hasn't had the chance to learn how to heal them. And if he were to assist Leif full-time, he had to know how. This would be a great learning opportunity.

“A dragon?" Leif asked, already packing a medical kit. “What type of dragon is it? Is it dead? Injured?”

“I don't know!” Gitta sat up. "I went here straight after seeing it!"

“Can you lead us there?"

“I don't wanna be involved! I just wanted to relax! Can't a girl spend a day at the beach without seeing a dead body?"

“The odds seem to be against you on that,” Tai grinned and Gitta punched him. "And besides, we don't know if it's dead yet. You can still relax on the other side of the beach after you get us to the dragon.”

“Ugh, fine. Let's go."
 
—
 
Gitta immediately left them the moment they caught sight of the dragon from afar. It was a blue-green thing that seemed to have curled itself up against the shore, letting the waves crash onto it.

“Gitta’s gonna break into the hub and steal things while we're not there, I can feel it," Leif said as they walked towards the dragon.

“We brought or locked all the important stuff. The hub will be fine. I hope she doesn't know how to pick locks though,” Tai followed closely. "What is that?"

He'll never get used to seeing dragons up close but this one looked a little different than anything he's seen so far. Its scales are iridescent, shifting beautifully from blue to green to purple against the sunlight. Its wings and tail looked like fins. It looked a lot smaller than Leif’s Zippleback but if it uncurled its body, it might be longer than Dahlia’s Groncicle. It breathed slowly and deeply, groaning in between breaths.

“It's a Sliquifier," Leif said as they walked around it to find its head. He passed the medical kit to Tai. “Stay here."

Tai watched Leif as he approached the injured animal, letting his presence known by talking in a low voice. The dragon flicked its tail and turned its head to look at Leif but it growled and moved away when he tried to get closer. Leif persisted nonetheless, producing a fish from his belt bag. The dragon uncurled itself and accepted the fish, giving Leif enough time to survey its injuries before it returned to its defensive position. Leif’s lips tugged into a frown as he walked back to Tai.

“She has gashes all over her abdomen,” he said. “Might've had a run in with a Scauldron or crashed into sharp beach rocks during the storm but that's unlikely unless she was flying.”

"What do we do?”

Leif scratched his head and sighed. He looked back at the Sliquifier who was tending her wounds. "Well, she won't be moving any time soon but we can't help her unless she lets us.”

Tai glanced at the dragon. “Can I try?"

"I don't think it'll be any different but sure,” Leif took the kit from him and handed him a fish. "You remember how to approach?”

"Yeah,” Tai nodded and Leif patted his back. He took a deep breath before slowly walking towards the dragon. He kept a good distance between him and the injured animal. “Hello," he quietly said.

The dragon tilted her head. Tai took another step forward and offered the fish. The dragon took the fish, swallowing it whole, but instead of retreating like she did with Leif, she stared at Tai. Her head cocked side to side, blinking. Tai looked back at Leif who mimed offering his hand to sniff and Tai followed, careful not to make sudden movements. He held his breath as the dragon moved closer. He really didn't want to lose another arm. He could feel his heart pounding in his ears. The dragon sniffed his hand and tilted its head again. Bright green eyes watching him. It stretched its neck to fully reach him and he froze when the dragon sniffed his torso then his prosthetic arm. Her breath was like a furnace against him. She let out a guttural noise that shook his spine and sounded a lot like a whine before curling back under her wing. Tai slowly walked backwards and let out the breath he was holding when he reached Leif. The taller man caught and steadied him when he stumbled.

Leif chuckled, giving his arms a squeeze. "Are you okay?”

"I’m alive,” he laughed, jumping and dancing. “I thought wild dragons only ever sniffed hands in the beginning.”

“They usually do, especially injured ones,” Leif said. “But I guess this one likes you.”

"So what now?”

Leif turned to walk back to the medical hub and Tai followed. "Well, she seems to prefer you so you have to visit her and feed her at the exact time every day until she trusts us enough to let us help.”

Tai stopped in his tracks. "On my own?”

"Yeah,” Leif said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world and kept walking. "She doesn't seem to show aggression towards you so you'll probably be safe.”

"

Probably?

Are-are you sure? I haven't tended to a dragon before. Let alone a wild one,” he jogged to keep pace with Leif.

"There's a first time for everything.”

Tai looked back at the dragon. It almost blended into the ocean behind it. A familiar feeling nested itself in his chest, warm and soft.
 
—
 
He never thought he'd have to lug around a heavy basket of fish ever again but here he was, lugging around a heavy basket of fish. Thank the heavens Dahlia braided his hair this morning, he didn't want to have to wash fishy hair everyday. He stopped a few meters from the dragon.

“Good morning,” he greeted when he noticed the dragon eyeing him. He dragged the basket towards the dragon and opened the lid. It cautiously unfurled and sniffed the basket before burying its head into the basket.

“Big, big appetite," Tai hummed. He stepped back and took a peek at her injury. “You're not actively bleeding so that's good. Might need stitches though.”

The dragon flicked her wings down to cover her abdomen when he stepped closer.

“Woah-kay, my bad," he raised his hands up. He stepped back and the dragon tossed the empty basket away. “You didn't have to do that,” he huffed. He didn't know if dragons could roll their eyes but the way the dragon huffed back, it felt like they could. Tai sighed and collected the basket.

He turned to the dragon and bowed, "I hope you enjoyed your meal. We'll see each other again tomorrow.”
 
—
 
"Maybe it's the dragon that saved you when you washed ashore,” Gitta said as she poked around the hub.

"You never mentioned anything about a dragon when you found him,” Leif swatted her hands away from the ointment he was preparing.

"Why do you think I call him Fishfood?” Gitta shrugged. "It didn't seem like an important detail. I don't know for sure if it saved him or not, anyway. The dragon swam away the moment I noticed.”

"I would argue that it's a pretty important detail,” Tai said. “I lost my arm that day, I could've lost my life, too, if it wasn't for you and the dragon."

“You didn't lose your arm, it's buried in the hub’s yard—ow!" Gitta scowled at Leif who hit her with a branch.

Leif returned the branch to the drying rack. “I guess that answers the mystery as to why the dragon prefers you. It wouldn't be the first time a dragon didn't go for the kill."
 
—
 
"Good morning,” Tai bowed before dragging the basket to the dragon. "How are you feeling today?”

The dragon stretched forward and sniffed his torso then licked his metal arm. He smiled, patting the side of her scaly face. Perhaps this will be the day she lets him put a salve on her wounds. The dragon purred before diving into her meal.

“

Big, big appetite

," he said, letting himself slip into Middle Chinese. The dragon perked up and tilted its head. “

Oh? Do you prefer it when I speak in my native tongue?

”

The dragon shifted its body, facing towards him, with a curious look on its face. Its fin-tail flicked about, splashing against the waves.

Tai laughed, “

Dahlia likes it, too, even if she can't understand me. I think she just likes my voice. I also sometimes speak to Gitta this way to mess with her but she just babbles back nonsense and I don't think I like that.

” He planted his hands on his waist. “

How about you? Do you understand me

?
“

The dragon only blinked before returning to its meal. It was taking its time to eat now, unlike the past several days wherein it would just swallow everything whole. It must be a good sign, Tai thought.

"Will you let me heal your wounds?” Tai spoke in Norse and gently tapped on the wing covering her abdomen. The dragon turned her head to look at him. He took a jar of salve from his satchel and presented the substance for her to sniff. “So?"

The dragon licked her nose and turned back to the remaining fish in the basket.

Tai sighed. "Come on,” he kicked the sand. "It will make the healing process faster.

Please let me tend to your wounds

.
”

The dragon perked up again at the last sentence and he rolled his eyes. He tapped her wing again and said, “

Let me help you

.
"

After what seemed to be an eternity of staring at each other, her wing flicked up and she shifted her body to give him more access to the wounds.
"Thank you!” he grinned, almost yelling.  
—
 
Tai Sun and Dahlia sat together under a tree near the beach with the injured dragon within their view. They watched as the setting sun reflected upon its scales, turning it purple.

“Should I be jealous?”

“It's a dragon," Tai murmured. He tried to turn to face her but she held him tighter, pressing his back against her. She rested her chin on his shoulder. He drew circles on her knee. “Is this because it only responds to my native tongue? Because that's hardly my fault."

Dahlia laughed, loosening her grip around his waist. “Of course not, I'm just kidding.” She fiddled with the pendant tied to his belt. "How long do you think it'll take for it to let Leif stitch its wounds up?”

He clicked his tongue and bumped his head against hers. “I don't know. It took me more than a week to apply the salve. Who knows how long it will take to warm her up to needles?"

Dahlia hummed. After a beat, she said, "Maybe you should name her.”

"What for?” He looked over his shoulder.

She leaned back against the tree and crossed her arms. “It’ll give her a sense of belonging. Dragons like having names if they're bonded with a human and if it's true that she saved you, then there must be a bond there. She already prefers you to begin with. I doubt she'll want to leave your side even after she's healed.”

Tai laid down and smiled up at her, his head resting on her stomach. “I guess I just have that effect, huh?"

Dahlia rolled her eyes even if her ears flushed red. "You're being selective with your hearing again.”

“No, I wasn't!"

She poked his sides and his laughter filled the air. Tears formed in his eyes as he made unsuccessful attempts at swatting Dahlia’s hands away.

“Okay, okay! I was!" he yelped and the tickling stopped. He sat up, gasping for air and wiping his tears away. He crawled and sat next to Dahlia. “May I receive a kiss for telling the truth?"

“It doesn't count if I had to torture you for it,” she smirked.

He pouted and furrowed his eyebrows, leaning against her shoulder.

"Oh, don't give me that look! So annoying!” She shook him off and he laughed again, taking her hand in his and kissing her knuckle. She turned her hand over and caressed his face.

He kissed her palm and she inched closer. “Help me pick a name for the dragon?"

“Just as I was about to kiss you," Dahlia squeezed his face and pulled away. "Maybe I

should

be jealous.”

"Nooooo,” Tai pulled her arm, resting it over his shoulders. He kissed her jaw and whispered, "Saffron, you're the only one."

She held back a smile and pinched his cheek. She was so close, he could see the light splattering of freckles on her skin, the different shades of green in her eyes.

“

I love you

," he said in Middle Chinese so she wouldn't understand, but with the way she smiled and tenderly kissed him, he had a feeling she knew what it meant. 
 
—
 
“Good morning, Reddefyr!" Tai bowed and opened the basket’s lid. The dragon took its time sorting through the fish, prioritizing the ones it preferred best. “What do you think of the name? I spent days thinking about it. My friends helped me pick. It means ‘rescuer’ and ‘lighthouse’.” He walked over to the dragon’s side and tapped the wing. It flicked up and he applied a new layer of the salve. He glanced at the dragon who paid him no mind and he smirked.

“

Your wounds are healing pretty well but you still need stitches for the deeper ones to heal properly. You have to let

Leif

help you

,” he said and the dragon tilted its head at him. He finished up with the salve and wiped the excess on her scales. “

Don’t pretend that you don't know

Leif

. He comes with me every other day or so

."

The dragon flapped its wings and tail.

"

Really

, Reddefyr?”

The dragon huffed and turned back to its meal. He walked over and sat a few paces away from the feast.

“

Don't you like the name,

Reddefyr?

It's a cool name. The others kept suggesting ugly names like

Spitshore

or

Scalefall.

Improper names for a beautiful beast like you

,” he said, mostly talking to himself. The dragon purred as it finished its meal and he chuckled. “I don't think I've known any dragon…erm… what's the word? Whatever. I don't think any dragon does that as much as you do.”

He collected the basket and bowed. “

I'll get going now,

Reddefyr.

Please accept the name.

”
 
—
 
The dragon did not accept the name. Tai slumped on the sand after applying the salve. For the past three days, he kept calling her Reddefyr and every time, she ignored him.

“

I'm not going to give in and call you an ugly name

," he said and muttered curses under his breath. "Reddefyr

is a meaningful name.

”

The dragon flicked its tail about, splashing him. He whined and stood up, stomping away from the shore.
 
—
 
Gabriel, Leif, and Gitta laughed when he told them about the dragon rejecting the name he picked. Dahlia laughed, too, but at least she was a little nicer about it. 
 
—
 
Tai-Sun drew circles on the sand and the dragon watched with its hind legs tucked underneath its body and its forelegs tucked underneath its head.

“That can't be comfortable," he said, noting the dragon's position to which the dragon just yawned. He pouted but at least it has been responding to Norse now. A win is a win. “You kind of look like a…what's the word? Is there even a word for it? I don't think I've seen one on the island…” he scratched his head. “The way you sit, it's like a…

mao (cat)

.”

The dragon perked up, stretching its neck to sniff his hand.

“What?" He raised an eyebrow. “Mao?"

The dragon let out a sound and flapped its wings.

“Seriously?" he laughed. “Of all the names I presented to you this week, you're responding to Mao?"

He rubbed its nose and it flicked its tail about. "Alright, Mao it is then.”
 
—
 
A few days later, Mao finally let Leif close to her wounds. Tai applied a numbing gel with a spoon then Leif came in to stitch up the remaining open wounds.

“Judging by her healed wounds, she should be good to go in another two weeks,” Leif said as he finished up the stitches. "Do you know if she can manage to walk already? It might be better to move her to the stables or closer to the village.”

Tai nudged Mao with his foot. “She's been following me around since yesterday so yes.”

Leif smiled, "You should get her fitted for a saddle after she heals.”

“A saddle?"

“You know, so you can fly with her."

“Oh."

“Oh?"

Tai shifted his weight to one leg. “I don't know if I want to ride my own dragon. ‘Having’ one already feels weird. Dragons are…um…

sacred

.”

Leif nodded. “That makes the two of us in the No Flight Club then." He patted Tai on the back, "Good job on your first dragon.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Tai-Sun hiked up the basket against his hip as he followed closely behind Gitta, weaving their way through the crowded port. Rune had sent a letter saying he was docking at their port for a few days and she decided to tag along with unbridled enthusiasm (even if upon learning about his arrival, all that came out of her mouth were complaints about the man). Though, regardless of Rune’s arrival, Gitta seems to really be in her element among bustling crowds.

“Did you get any sweets?” she glanced over her shoulder.

“No, I don’t have enough to spare for sweets. Those things are expensive.” He readjusted the basket, “We can make them from scratch if you really want some. Much cheaper."

“You and Annika and your budgets,” she spun, walking backwards to face him and sticking out her tongue. “No fun at all.”

“Could you help me with this? It keeps slipping,” Tai asked, narrowly avoiding a cart.

“Nah, I’m good!” Gitta shrugged. “Maybe you should install a strap or something.”

“Gee, thanks," he mumbled. At least she wasn't stealing anything in plain sight.

“OLD MAN!" Gitta yelled. A beacon of their arrival. “Come on!" She ran and jumped onboard, rocking the boat and eliciting yells from the crew. The gangplank hasn't been set up yet. However, this doesn't seem to be a problem for the crew who were boarding on and off the ship.

Tai stayed on the dock and watched her roughhouse with the crew. The moment Rune emerged from the cabin, Gitta greeted him with a punch which earned her a headlock. She then wrapped her arms around him, stepped forward, and flipped him over to the floor. The sudden movement caused a ripple. The crew, unphased by the swelling of the waves, cheered as Rune pushed Gitta away.

“You're such a pest," Rune groaned, rubbing his abdomen as he stood up.

“What's that? I'm the best?" Gitta almost fell over before finding her balance. “Wait, where's Fishfood?" She spun around and raised an eyebrow. “What are you still doing there? How are you going to check the goods out?"

“Uh, well, I think I have everything we need," Tai started even if Gitta clearly wasn't buying it. “And the basket's pretty heavy, I might drop it if I try to—"

Gitta grabbed the basket from his arms, "This isn’t heavy.”

"I've been carrying it all morning.”

"Excuses! Come on, just jump over, do a little hop.”

Tai watched the boat rock against gentle waves. His head started to spin. He glanced at Gitta who was already preoccupied with shiny things and messing with Rune. He took a deep breath. It was just a small ship, not a big one. And he was just there for business, not for sailing. Gitta and the others felt safe enough to be rowdy onboard and he won't be doing any of that so he should feel a lot safer, right? Just jump over. Do a little hop. With another deep breath, he hoisted himself onboard.

A laugh escaped his lips, looking back at where he stood on the dock. His heart pounded against his chest. He’s on a boat!

He’s on a boat!

The floorboards creaked under his feet and the mast groaned against the wind. Was the sky clearer? Was the sea air saltier? He had to tell the others later. Dahlia would be so happy for him.

“What can I get you today?" Rune wrapped an arm over his shoulders, startling him. “Oh, are you alright?"

Tai looked at the sea and grinned. "Never been better.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

I, Mao, also known as Kuktik-tikkik, fifth hatch of the Northern Inner Ocean Pearly Pod, Conqueror of Storms, am alive and well. Now before any of you make a mockery of my title, I will have you know that if you dimwits were in my place in that Southern Full Moon Storm with a Scauldron chasing your tail, you would not have survived long enough to wash ashore alive. With that said, I am singing to inform you that I have acquired a human companion. It is the same human I rescued many moons ago. By Njörd’s benevolence, I washed ashore on the same beach I brought him to: an old island in the east, on the edge of the Barbaric Archipelago. It seems to be a newly inhabited refuge for humans and dragons alike. I will be staying here indefinitely for they need more protection as the population continues to grow. Please do not hesitate to admit that you will miss me. If the ache of my absence is far too much to bear, I shall visit you or you may visit me.

The human companion I acquired goes by the name Tai-Sun. However, I have chosen to call him My Boy, the same way he has chosen to call me Mao. He is a peculiar male human. He is different in the way he smells, speaks, and behaves, and he is much smaller than the other humans on the island despite being fully grown. I presume it is because he is from a different Pod, from a climate wherein being small is an advantage. It is one of the reasons why I have chosen to stay by his side. I am afraid he might get trampled by other bigger humans. His stature, however, does not mean he is weak and powerless. My Boy is a healer, skilled in words, touch, and magic. He was the one who patiently nursed my wounds after the storm. He hunted for me when I could not and he kept me company under the afternoon sun. While I believe he was paying his debt to me, I also believe that he helped me simply because he could. It is his skill, after all. Just as I can conquer great waves and storms, he can heal the living, and because of this, I feel a kinship.

One of the strange things about My Boy is that he does not fly nor does he fight, unlike the other humans who either do one or the other or both. Thus, I am often left to my own devices. Most days, I spend my time roaming the island, observing the humans, bonding with the other resident dragons, hunting (though I do not need to as the humans hunt for dragons, too) and following My Boy around. Some days, My Boy’s mate will come with me to the lake and soar with me. She, unlike My Boy, regularly flies and fights. In fact, she heavily enjoys the former and praises me for my speed. I hope that one day, she might convince My Boy to fly as well.

You would be mistaken if you think that my life here is boring. I have never been more beautiful and well-fed in my entire life. My Boy tends to me every morning. His work make my scales gleam! He surprises me with gifts he created by hand that he calls “

puzzles

” and he also teaches me dances such as "

spin

”, "

jump

”, and “

shake

." In exchange, I tend to him when it is stormy as he seems to be frightened by the song of the skies. I have learned that human minds are complicated and have the tendency to play tricks on itself. This is why My Boy is afraid of the skies and its power (though he might also be afraid of the skies purely because he is small and flightless). This is also why human friendship and mating rituals are so elaborate. I have yet to fully understand it and I do not think I ever will fully understand it.

The sun is setting now and My Boy is calling for me. I shall listen for your song in the morning and I will sing again in the new moon. I think of you daily and I hope you are thoroughly envious of my life.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Tai-Sun watched the whole scene play out: Rune dropped their conversation the moment Scarlet walked towards the boat. Scarlet gave Rune a small smile, almost ignoring the bustling people around her. Then a scene Tai knew very well: The teasing, the laughter, the subtle touches. Scarlet looked away, a dusting of pink spreading across her cheeks, while Rune laughed, running his fingers through his hair. Scarlet noticed a newly healed scar on Rune’s arm and reached out, fingers barely ghosting over his skin.

“You need to better protect yourself,” she said. “I shall train you.”

“How cute,” he answered. “But I know how to fight. Do you?”

Scarlet held his gaze. A mixture of amusement and confusion painted on her face. She opened her mouth to say something but closed it again.

Rune laughed. “Why don’t we spar some time? I’ll show you my moves.”

“Are you staying for a while?”

“Just a couple of days.”

“Alright,” Scarlet nodded, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. “Then I look forward to sparring with you, pretty boy.”

Tai couldn’t see Rune’s face from where he stood but he could tell he tensed. Scarlet awkwardly waved then quickly walked away—likely doing her best to refrain from sprinting. Rune watched her walk away before returning to the boat. A very familiar smile spread across his face with a very familiar bounce on his feet. He schooled his face when he caught sight of Tai. “Sorry, where were we?”

Tai poked Rune’s side. “So is that your type? Tall girls? I mean, I totally get it. My girl’s tall, too, but I didn’t strike you as someone who’s into mysterious tall girls.”

Now, an expression appeared on Rune’s face that Tai did not expect: confusion. A hint of denial. Or perhaps, just plain obliviousness to his circumstance. “Type?” Rune swatted his poking hand away. “I just think it’s fun to tease her.”

“
‘
Fun to tease her’
?” Tai echoed. “You weren’t trying to woo her?”

“No?”

“Why not?” The question caught the blond off guard that he began to sputter nonsense. Tai shifted his weight to one foot, cutting him off, “Are you sure? Because I can recognize the look on you two’s faces anywhere.”

“What are you talking about?” Rune raised an eyebrow.

Was he really clueless?

“Scarlet

smiles

at you. She’s

concerned

about you. She goes out of her way to go here,” Tai spoke slowly. “It took a month for me to get a whole conversation out of her but here you are, already catching up and making jokes. And you’ve only met her, what? Three times?”

Gears seemed to work double time in Rune’s head then he shook his head. Any trace of the thought gone. He chuckled, patting Tai’s shoulder, nudging him off-board with the goods he traded. “Think whatever you want, kid.”

Tai-Sun watched as Rune went back to work, shouting at crew mates and checking inventory. He smirked, walking back to the medical hub. He chuckled to himself, “He doesn’t even know, does he?”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

The cold air smells of something sweet and familiar. How long has it been since they had freshly baked bread? She followed the scent to Magnus’ house and walked around to peek through one of the windows. A lanky man was working on a big piece of dough on the kitchen table. Did a baker recently move to the island? And why was he in Magnus’ kitchen? Is he Magnus’ boyfriend? Why was she always the last one to meet new arrivals? Her home and occupation really was making her a recluse. She needed to visit the village more. The days becoming colder makes for less work for her but it does make the hike to the village harder. But perhaps freshly baked bread will make her visits more worthwhile. Hilda leaned against the windowsill, poking her head through, and yelled, “Hello!"

The man jolted, flour flying everywhere. “Hello," he said, confused.

Hilda smiled, quickly getting her notebook and pen from her pouch and flipping to the page where her name was. She showed it to him, tapping on the page. "I'm Hilda,” she said, spelling her name in sign as she did so.

The man squinted before getting his own notebook from his pocket. Was he also deaf? No, he couldn't be since he did jump when she yelled. He walked towards the window and wrote on his notebook:
“I’m Baxter. I’m new here. From Magnus and Scarlet’s village.”

Hilda nodded before flipping to a new page. She wrote down:
“Friends?”
He did look familiar, though she can't point her finger at it. Maybe he's visited them before? She remembers seeing a man sneaking around in the forest but she just chalked it up to her imagination. Besides, the island watchdogs wouldn't have let someone sneak around on the island like that, right?

Baxter almost immediately shook his head, then he shrugged, then he wrote:
“Complicated.”
It looked like he was going to leave it at that but then he continued writing:
“Do you know Kafur? He's my twin brother. Everyone is mad at him, and kind of also mad at me for looking like him.”

Kafur? Can't say that she really knows whoever that guy is. But a few months ago, there was a particular week when everyone seemed tense but nobody wanted to fill her in on whatever happened. Though, to be fair, she didn't ask questions once the incident had long passed either. She really should spend more time at the village. She shrugged, writing:
“Don't know who he is. Sorry they're mad at you, not your fault."

"Thanks,” Baxter tucked the notebook under his arm. “Do…want…” he started then turned his head to point at something in the kitchen but she couldn't really see what it was from where she stood. When he turned to face her again, he was finishing whatever it was he was saying and she didn't quite catch it. He smiled with an expectant look.

She blinked. Was it not clear that she couldn't hear him with their use of notebooks? Well, people do forget sometimes. He was nice enough to use his own paper, too. She pointed to her ear and shook her head.

“Oh!" Baxter said, his ears turning red. “Sorry," he said. He took his notebook and quickly scribbled:
“Bread?"

Hilda’s eyes lit up. She nodded and started rummaging through her pouch. She should have a scarf in there somewhere, one she intended to trade last week. Once Baxter had wrapped up the warm bread in spare cloth for her, she handed the scraggly little scarf to him. It was one of her earlier attempts at knitting. Her uncle usually did the knitting for them so she wasn't as impressive as him but she was working hard to get better—no one else on the island knew how to weave or knit wool after all. Baxter’s face was unreadable as he stared at the scarf. It was a pale yellow thing, woven with wool from her oldest sheep and the dye was blotchy. She scribbled on her notebook:
“It's ugly but I’ll get you a better one next time. I'm not very good yet."

Baxter still didn't take his eyes off of the scarf—as if it was the only thing in the entire world—and the sun was setting so she ripped the page off, reached out to awkwardly put it in the pocket of his apron, and waved goodbye.

She almost felt bad for taking the bread now but its warmth against her chest was making her feel better. Perhaps she can make a better scarf for the baker next time.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Thunder stirred her from sleep but a sob pulled her awake. Dahlia turned to see the shivering silhouette of her beloved. “Hey," she whispered into the darkness. When he didn't respond, she crawled towards him, propping herself up on her elbow. He was usually a light sleeper. She reached out to brush his hair away from his forehead, only to be met by cold sweat. “Tai," she tried again.

“Tai. Wake up," a little louder. Lightning struck, illuminating his face for a split-second, tears glistened against his contorted face. She sat up as he tossed and turned. Inaudible murmurs escaped his lips. His breaths were quick and shallow. Dahlia squeezed his shoulders and gave him a shake. “Hey, it's just a dream. Wake up," she wasn't whispering anymore. “Tai-Sun!"

He jolted awake with a gasp. Unfocused, panicked eyes looked around him—hand grasping the bed, his body, his face, his hair—before his vision settled on her face. His face softened. "Hi,” he said, voice hoarse and out of breath.

"Hi.”

"Is it, um," he rubbed his eyes and cleared his throat. “Are you, is it your time to leave? I don't think it's safe to leave in this weather.”

“No, I don't even know what time it is. The sun's hiding behind gray clouds," Dahlia said, placing a hand on his chest. His heart was racing. She wiped the tears off his cheeks and he froze as if he forgot the tears were there. “You were having a nightmare."

He looked away, taking a deep breath. He held her hand.

"Is it because of the storm?”

"Yeah,” he looked down. "It's…sometimes, it only takes heavy rain for them to come.”

“All this time—"

“You don't…have to worry about me," he turned to face her. The corner of his lips tugged into a small smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "I'm used to it. And Mao would come running whenever it rains, no matter how many times I tell her she's not allowed in my room.”

Dahlia laughed at that image. “How come she isn't here yet?"

"I don't know,” Tai glanced at the door.

"Maybe ‘cause I'm here.”

The pouring rain filled the silence between them. He kissed her. She leaned towards him, pushing him to his back. He landed on the bed with a soft thud. He wrapped his arms around her. Lightning struck and thunder followed, making Tai flinch. He pulled away. She felt his arms tense, his heart and breathing picked up pace. He kept his eyes shut, jaw clenched. She wondered how much he would have been shaking if it wasn't for her weight on his chest. She wondered what sped through his mind. She smoothed out the space between his eyebrows with her thumb and cupped his cheek, softening his face. She's never seen him this distraught before.

He finally looked at her, muscles relaxing. He moved her hand away from his face and held onto it. “I'm sorry you had to see me like this. It's not very fun."

She chuckled, "Nightmares aren't supposed to be fun."

"You don't have to—”

BOOM!

"—

spirits

. You don't have to stay with me through this. I reckon this isn't very fun for you either.”

A sliver of light was starting to peer through the window. Dahlia lifted herself up to get a better view of his face. Tired brown eyes, rosy nose and cheeks, skin glossed with a thin sheen of sweat. She tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear and raised an eyebrow. “You just said that it isn't safe for me to go home in this weather.”

Tai winced—from the thunder or her response, she doesn't know. Probably both."That's not, I mean. I just,” he wiped his face, running his fingers through his dark hair. “This just feels a bit too serious for us, not that I mind but—”

“Tai, you're shaking from the sound of rain and thunder. That should be the last thing you're thinking about.”

A hundred thoughts seemed to pass through his mind before he rested his arm across his eyes. He mumbled, “The lines are getting blurry," which Dahlia chose to ignore, no matter how much space it took in her mind. She laid back down. Lightning struck again and he curled up. She wrapped her arms around him and rubbed circles on his back. The rain started pouring heavier, almost deafening. She could feel him taking mindful deep breaths. “It's like I'm back on the ship again," he whispered into her hair.

The feeling of cold crashing waves crept up her back. It must have filled his lungs. Salt water stinging like fire. If she had the power to stop the storm, she would.

“Promise me you won't tell a soul about this. It'll ruin my tough guy reputation.”

"I promise I won't tell anyone," she laughed. She rested her cheek on his forehead. "Well, I might tell Annika.”

"Noooo, not Annika. She already pokes fun at me as it is.”

"No, she doesn't!”

"She's always holding back a laugh every time I pick you up!”

"It's me she's making fun of, Sunny."

“Sisters."

He had stopped shaking now but he still flinched at thunder. It felt unfair how the steadfast could come undone by the wrath of nature. How unfair it is that she couldn't do anything about it.

“Annika," she started. “She gets nightmares, too, from thunderstorms."

Tai moved to see her face to face.

"She doesn't talk about it that much but I sometimes catch her looking out the window, watching the rain. “

"I never would have expected that,” he said, quietly. Outside, the rain quieted down. Gusts of winds replaced the pour. “It always seemed like nothing could faze her."

"I could say the same about you,” she said. She smoothed out his shirt, hand resting on the crook of his neck and shoulder. “You don't have to be alone in this, you know?"

Tai sighed. He closed his eyes in thought. "Well, you do give better hugs than Mao. You smell nicer, too.”

She shoved him and he laughed as he saved himself from falling completely off the bed. When he finally managed to find his balance, he brushed his hair away from his face.

“Thank you," he said after catching his breath. "Everything just…feels new to me. I've had nightmares before…about the raid, but it never followed me beyond sleep." He cleared his throat, "Is she, is she going to be alright alone? Anni, I mean.”

Dahlia pursed her lips, taking a deep breath before nodding. "She'll manage."

Tai looked over his shoulder, glancing at the window. He sat up and she watched as he tied his hair up

(with only one hand!)

. “Let's bring her breakfast."

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

When she heard his voice, Randi thought all those months at sea had finally claimed her sanity. It was only a matter of time, really, but she didn't think it would be this early. His voice was getting louder, speaking in her husband’s native tongue with a slight accent. She pinched the bridge of her nose and massaged her ears. Why would Tai-Sun, a foreign boy from her youth, be speaking Norse on a humble port in the middle of nowhere? She shook her head. She took a deep breath and took in the sight of their home for the fortnight before climbing down from the crow’s nest to the main deck. It was a small village on an old island, most of the structures were new, and yet the port was as lively as any other port they've been in on this side of the world.

Her husband greeted her at the bottom of the main mast and she jumped into his arms from a questionable height. He caught her without much of a grunt or a complaint.

“

My soul

, I'm afraid I'm going insane," Randi wrapped her arms around the man’s broad shoulders. "I keep hearing voices from my past! My mother warned me about this, you know? I should have given you a child before the sea steals my mind for good!”

Torsten laughed, a soft rumble upon her chest, “You're just cold, my love. I told you to put on a coat before we got here." He kissed her before setting her down and unclasping his coat.

“Now you'll be cold," she said as the weight of the fur enveloped her in warmth. She reached up to smooth out Torsten’s furrowed brows. Her gentle giant of a husband, always worried. His hair like honey tossed in the wind.

He smiled and kissed her knuckles, his mustache tickling her. “I was born in these waters, I’ll be alright." He gave her a final kiss before returning to his work.

She watched and bit her lip as he barked orders to his men. He always looked wonderful when he was working. She wrapped the coat around her tighter and she heard Tai-Sun’s playful voice again. She whipped her head around to the direction of the sound and there he was. Confident as ever, speaking with other tradesmen on the port. So she wasn't going insane after all.

She gathered the hem of her husband’s coat into her arms. “
Tai-Sun
?" she called out, walking down the gangplank.

Tai-Sun looked up from his conversation and locked eyes with her. A number of emotions rushed through his face before he excused himself from the men and ran towards her.

“

Randi

!" he grinned. His inky hair, longer than she last saw it, danced in the wind. He looked the same and yet, entirely different. She wondered if she was the same.

“

How are you? What are you doing here?”

She held his shoulders to properly inspect him. He seemed stronger though he was missing an arm. Broader shoulders, sharper features. “

You've grown a bit taller!"

"

You're still taller, though

,” he said. He stepped back and whistled at her ship, taking it in with wide eyes.

“I never thought you'd work for a ship. Might be the biggest one we've had on port

."

Randi smiled, “

This is my husband’s ship. I travel with him.

"

His jaw dropped, "

You're married!

”

“

I am!

"

“

For how long?"

“

About two summers. Come, you should meet him

," she hopped. “

It’s such a marvel that you can still speak Greek

."

He seemed to preen at this but insisted on humility by shrugging as he followed her up the gangplank. "

I am a little rusty but languages never leave me

.”

Torsten immediately dropped what he was doing when she called him. It was almost hilarious how small Tai looked next to him. Was this how she looked like next to her husband? Surely, not.

“Torsten, this is Tai-Sun Kang, a friend from my youth. Tai-Sun, this is Torsten Thorston, my beloved husband,” she wrapped her arms around Torsten’s torso.

“Is he the voice you’ve been hearing from your past?” Torsten smiled and she stuck out her tongue. He turned to greet Tai, "It's good to meet you. A friend of my wife is a friend of mine. But how did you end up on this island, if I may ask? You look foreign.”

"It's a long story,” Tai grinned. "One best told over a drink.”
 
—
 
The great hall buzzed with electric energy, bubbling in laughter and spirits. Dragons and humans alike gathered around fire and stories. Tai-Sun had introduced them to Leif Ingerman, the head physician, and Annika Ingerman, the chieftess, both of whom Torsten recognized as cousins of the Ingermen from Berk. Annika shortly  withdrew after the introductions. Gabriel, Hilda, Gitta, Scarlet, Merry, Magnus, Cordelia, Arne, and Nore were also introduced to them.

“Did you hear anything about your crew?" Torsten asked, downing another glass of mead.

Tai shook his head, “I just hope they made it west safely."

Randi turned her attention to the door when it slammed open. The villagers cheered as a tall woman with hair like fire entered the hall. She accepted a pint of beer from Leif and tapped Tai’s shoulder.

Tai leapt to his feet when he saw her and wrapped her in an embrace, “You're back!" The pair whispered a conversation between each other, Tai seemed to have forgotten everyone around them, then the woman pecked Tai’s cheek and left.

Randi exchanged a look with her husband. Torsten shook his head. She leaned against the table and smiled, ignoring her husband’s grumbling. “Your wife?"

Tai-Sun blushed as he sat back down, shooting a look at Leif and Gabriel who almost choked on their own laughter. “No, Dahlia isn't my wife."

Randi raised an eyebrow. "All these years and you're

still

fooling around?” (The men laughed even louder.)

"No! I'm…" he looked down his pint. His voice was quiet, his eyes distant. He took a long sip. “I'm not fooling around. Not anymore, at least."

‘This is new

,’ Randi thought. Any trace of the boy she knew, of the boy she once loved, was gone. At least for a moment. He was entirely different and yet, all the same. She rested her head against Torsten’s arm. She figured that she, too, was entirely different and yet, all the same. Children of the sun, the both of them, now in the arms of children born of the cold. Oh, how the years have changed them. She wouldn't have it any other way.

“She'll be back after reporting to Annika. She would've sat down with us but it's urgent business," Tai-Sun said, upbeat again, yapping away. "You'll love her, she's the best warrior on the island.”

“

You want to marry her

," Randi said and Thorsten took her pint away from her.

Tai-Sun looked down again. When he met her eyes, he was almost unrecognizable. Hesitant and wistful. He didn't speak but the answer was written all over his face. It was the same look on Torsten’s face when her father had told him the same thing. But for reasons unknown to her, Tai-Sun Kang couldn't make a move. She had two weeks to find out. Who exactly was this Dahlia?

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

The vibrant fabric swayed in the wind, carrying a familiar scent. For a moment, heat drenched him in sweat, hair sticking to his neck. The sands of the road coarse against his eyes. His father’s voice echoed in the back of his mind, yelling at him and his brothers for being too rowdy. He shook his head. Back in the cold. What was silk doing this far out in the north? He tapped his pencil against his notebook, eyeing the small boat that carried the fabric. It was foreign for sure, quite unlike the intricately decorated longships the Vikings preferred. “New to the port, too," he muttered to himself as he craned his neck to catch a glimpse of the crew. They all seemed foreign, too. He took a deep breath before approaching the ship. “Hello," he said to one of the crew who was setting the gangplank down.

The crew member was young, maybe a bit younger than he was, and he shook his head. “Speak…Norse…no,” he said.

“What language do you speak?" Tai-Sun asked in Sogdian, hoping the crew member knew, only to be met with a smile and a head shake.

The young man answered in a language Tai-Sun didn't know then he pointed to a burly middle aged man on the deck of the ship.

Tai-Sun thanked the crew member before getting onboard. But before he could walk over to who he assumed was the captain, an old woman sitting on a crate tripped him.

She was bundled in fur, holding a smoking pipe on one hand and a mug of mead on the other. “

Careful, young man."

He groaned as he sat up and collected his notebook and pen. He glared at the old lady who only looked down at him.

“My, how skinny. Do these savages not feed you well? Why aren't you fat as a pig? You gotta be as fat as a pig to live in this fucking cold. Look at my son over there, barely wearing anything because he's got meat on his bones. Still an absolute oaf if you ask me. He isn't built for this weather, he'll catch a cold,"

the old woman muttered, taking a long drag from her pipe. She nudged his metal arm with her boot, “

Oh, did they take your arm? You must've been a thief, huh?”

“No, they didn't. They saved me from a shipwreck, nursed me back to health and gave me this arm,"

Tai-Sun stood up and dusted his clothes off. “

And I'm no thief. Neither am I their slave.”

The old woman raised an eyebrow, mouth curving slightly, as if she didn't expect him to understand her. She took a swig of her drink. She pulled her fur coat closer to her body and nodded at the crate next to her, motioning him to sit down.

Tai-Sun looked over his shoulder, glancing at the burly man he was supposed to talk to then looked back at the old woman. He scratched his nose and sat down. The burly man would understand.

“What's your name, boy?"

“My name is Kang Tai-Sun, ma’am."

The woman hummed, puffing a cloud. "

Merchant family Kang?”

"Yes

,” Tai-Sun straightened up, knuckles white against the hem of his robe. “

Second son of Kang Li Jie, grandson of Kang Hao."

The woman stared at him. Her cloudy brown eyes bore through his soul. She set down her mug to grab his face with her bony hand, squeezing his cheeks and moving him about in different angles. She almost poked his eye with her long painted nails.

“How old are you?"

She finally let him go.

“Twenty-one, ma’am."

“Your hair is uncovered."

“I,"

he tossed his hair over his shoulder, a pathetic attempt to hide it from her view. “

I haven't been home in six summers, ma’am. I got separated from my family so I haven't done my ceremonial rites."

"Hm,”

the old woman crossed her arms. "

Your family thinks you're dead, you know?”

Tai-Sun jumped from his seat. A grin spread across his face and warmth across his chest followed. "

They're alive?!”

The old woman pulled him back to his seat. "

Most of them. I heard your father died because of a raid, then your grandfather followed a year after.”

"Oh,”

Tai-Sun pursed his lips, leaning against the crates to keep the world from spinning.

"And my mother? Siblings?”

"They went home to bury your father. Last I heard, they’re still there but I heard rumors of Shoi-Ming planning to get back on the road.”

The old woman inhaled smoke and puffed out a cloud as Tai-Sun took the information in
. “I knew your grandfather, you know? Our mothers were friends. They always joked about arranging our marriage if I wasn't already promised to a family my father was indebted to. You look like him, your grandfather. And I guess that makes you look like your father, too. Spitting images.”

"So they're home,”

Tai-Sun muttered.

"I don't have to comb through the trade routes to find them.”

“If you leave soon, sure. It would take you two-three months to get there and you gotta get there before your brother decides to leave,”

the old woman coughed.

“This stupid cold air, making my lungs hurt."

"Thank you…”

"Shui Lian."

“Thank you, Grandma Shui Lian."

Tai-Sun bowed.

“Will your crew be staying for a while? I can set up lodging for you as a guest of honor."

Shui Lian cackled
. "As if you have the power to declare such a thing!”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

There was a big bird on her fence. It was almost the size of Pinky, her smallest Terror. It met her eyes, cocking its head to the side and blinked. She didn't even know birds got

that

big. Though to be fair, the only birds she ever saw were chickens and little tree birds. She unlatched the gate and swung it open. She tapped the fence with her crook and whistled, signaling the Terrors to guide the sheep in. Hilda kept her eye on the bird as it might set its eyes on her lambs. Once the flock was inside the pen, she followed after them and locked the gate behind her. She clicked her tongue twice, releasing the trio of Terror from their posts. She then procured three fishes from her bag and tossed them in their direction. She leaned her crook against the fence before signing, “Good job!" and the trio glowed at the praise.

A strong gust of wind toppled the crook over to the ground. Hilda brushed her hair away from her face and looked at the quickly graying skies. ‘Looks like rain,’ she thought. She knelt to grab the fallen crook and began tapping lightly on the lambs and ewes to guide them inside their shed. She patted their soft wooly butts as she took count of them. Once complete, she shut the door and when she turned to call on her dragons, she found that they were fighting, no, playing? With the bird. Their wings flapped about and they squawked, chasing each other around just as the first droplets of rain fell and lightning flashed across the sky. She jogged to her hut and yelled to get her dragons’ attention.

“Come!” she signed.

They flapped their wings at her and wiggled about before continuing to play with the bird.

She rolled her eyes, knowing they

hated

the rain but somehow, their new friend was more important than staying dry. (Or maybe they were doing an elaborate ritual to hunt the bird down for their dinner later? She couldn't really tell.) She yelled again and this time when they looked at her, she pointed at the sky and waved her hands downwards twice, palm-side down. The warning seemed to do the trick. They snapped their jaws at each other before gliding into the window and snapped at her, too. The bird remained outside, perching once again on her fence. Was it not going to seek shelter? It stared at her, wings flapping. It opened its mouth wide and puffed its chest then it took off, flying in circles above her hut. What a strange animal. She leaned against her windowsill. Shouldn't it conserve energy instead of flying about in the rain? Even larger dragons avoided flying in the rain as much as possible. At the corner of her eye, a cloaked figure emerged out of the woods and ran towards her hut, looking up at the sky and…yelling? Must be really mad at Freyr* that one. She shrugged and walked to the kitchen to prepare some well-deserved soup. Maybe she should make an offering to Freyr to cancel out whatever the strange person was yelling at the sky.
 
—
 
Clover kept flying in circles. Keir knew she could hear them and she was just ignoring them. But of all days to mess around with them, she chose a day with gray skies? And she refused to come home despite the heavy rain? They rubbed their face and groaned. If they don't go home now, they're gonna end up soaking wet and freezing.

“Clover! This isn't funny anymore!" Keir yelled. “Come on, let's go!"

The hawk squawked and dived and Keir sighed in relief until the bird lightly clawed their hood, flew past them and directly into the shepherd’s hut’s window. They heard a few thuds, dragon screeches and a human squeal.

Crap.

Keir ran their hands through their hair and groaned before running towards the hut. It took a few moments for the door to open after they knocked. (It took everything in them not to just run away in those few moments of silence after they knocked). The shepherd was…not at all they were expecting. Though, a lot of things about the island were not at all what they expected. She was a little taller than them with short brown hair and round features. She looked like she could be their age. The shepherd raised her brows at them, looking them up and down and Keir hoped they didn't look too disheveled.

“Hello," she said. She spoke with an accent that's a lot like Norse but not quite like Norse. She pursed her lips and stepped aside to let them in then pointed at the hawk perched on her table. “Yours?"

Keir nodded. "I'm so sorry to bother you! I don't know what's gotten into her, barging in like that,” they said very quickly as the shepherd closed the door, sealing the rain and wind out.

She only smiled at them and pointed at their cloak, motioning at the hooks by the door where another cloak hung. She wrung an imaginary cloak in her hands over a bucket by the door then hung the imaginary cloak on the hook.

“Oh, um, okay," Keir said, doffing their cloak and following what the shepherd did.

The shepherd then disappeared into a room, leaving Keir with Clover and three Terrible Terrors. One of the Terrors gawked at them, sniffing at their boot, and Keir awkwardly side stepped every time it got too close. Clover squawked as if she was making fun of them and they glared at her. “I've had enough of your antics, little miss," Keir whisper-shouted. Outside, the rain continued to pour and Keir frowned, not looking forward to trudging through the rain.

The shepherd came back stomping and Keir flinched. She carried a stack of papers, a notebook, and a pencil with her. She beckoned Keir to sit by the fireplace with her as she flipped her notebook open.

“I'm sorry again for Clover. I hope she didn't break anything," Keir rubbed his arm. “We really should go, we've bothered you long enough.”

The shepherd showed them a page in her notebook. It read:
Hello, I'm Hilda.
She was forming shapes with her hand, too.

Keir furrowed their brows. “I'm Keir," they said.

"Huh?” Hilda tilted her head and passed them the stack of papers and pencil. She pointed at herself then her ears then shook her head. She couldn't hear them? So she hasn't been ignoring their apologies…

"Oh!” Keir exclaimed and wrote:
My name is Keir. I'm new here. I live by the mountains.

Hilda nodded as she read, then she pointed at the hawk.

Clover.

She nodded again with a quiet hum. She tapped her fingers against her knees, looking around her home.

Keir scratched their head and wrote:
Sorry for Clover barging in.
They tapped Hilda’s shoulder and watched her read it.

“Pah!" Hilda shrugged with a grin, waving a hand. She wrote down:
It's okay. Used to the mess.
Then jabbed a finger towards the three dragons sleeping in her home.

Keir smiled, inwardly sighing in relief.

She continued writing:
Rain still strong, should stay dry. Want some soup?

Keir almost said no. They've already bothered Hilda enough. But as they shook their head, Hilda had already served them a bowl of warm soup and their stomach grumbled against their will. “Thank you," Keir said and Hilda smiled.

They sat and ate in a silence that Keir could only describe as cozy. It felt…strange yet pleasant. People usually liked to fill the silence with talking, even if their words meant nothing. But Keir guessed it might be a bit difficult to write and eat at the same time. They glanced at Hilda. She tapped her feet as she ate and she seemed to hum in delight whenever she ate a particularly good bite. Keir couldn't really tell the difference between bites but they couldn't deny that the soup was good, and they couldn't deny, strangely enough, that they wanted to start a conversation with Hilda.

They took a piece of paper and wrote a question:
Is it difficult to run a farm when you can't hear the animals?

Hilda considered the question for a moment, pursing her lips. She set her bowl aside and answered:
Well, I can't really do it any other way.

Keir’s face and ears burned and they wished the earth opened up and swallowed them. They grimaced and Hilda laughed as they clumsily scribbled an apology on paper.

“Sorry, sorry," Hilda said and she took the pencil from their hand, still laughing. She wrote down:
Didn't mean it that way. You're alright.

Keir still groaned, burying their face in their palms as Hilda continued to write.

Yes, I guess it can be difficult, but I have Pinky, Point, and Thumb as my ears. And I don't really need to hear in order to talk with animals.

Hilda drew a smiley face for good measure and it did make Keir feel a little better.

‘What kind of names are Pinky, Point, and Thumb?’

Keir thought, glancing at the little dragons. When they looked back at Hilda, they found her staring at them. They raised an eyebrow, tilting their head in question.

She wrote:
Why live in the mountains? Much nicer in the village.

Keir bit the inside of his cheek and stared at the fireplace. They fidgeted with their hands, massaging their palm with a thumb. Should they answer her honestly? Make an excuse? Lie? They didn't want to lie to the shepherd after she's shown them much kindness and hospitality. Outside, the rain was letting up. Maybe they should just—

Hilda tapped their arm and shook her head with a smile. She rubbed circles on her chest with a closed hand and on a paper was written:
No pressure to answer. Just happy to have another neighbor.

Warmth spread across Keir’s chest and he sighed deeply, nodding. They took the pen from her and wrote:
Thanks. Long story, maybe some other time.

“Next time," Hilda nodded. She stood up and collected their empty bowls and set them by a washbasin. Then she opened a trunk by the basin and she glanced at Keir. She quickly padded to her notebook and wrote down:
Gonna feed the dragons. Does Clover want to eat?

Keir shook their head.
She'll eat at home.

Clover squawked at this to which they shot her a look. ‘

We'll talk later.’

“Okay," Hilda shrugged and returned to the trunk while the dragons gathered around her. She asked them to sit before tossing them their shares of fish. As she rinsed her hands in the washbasin, the rain outside finally stopped and Keir wrote their thanks down. They tapped Hilda’s shoulder and awkwardly rubbed their neck as she read. She looked out the window and hummed.

Dark out. Need a lamp?

Before Keir could answer, Hilda already disappeared into what they assumed was her room and loudly rummaged around.

“You don't have to—" Keir called out and bit his lip, remembering that she can't hear them.

She came back with a lamp and lit it by the fireplace before handing it to Keir.

“Thank you," Keir said, holding it gently.

She waved her hand towards her and walked them to the door.

“Come on, Clover," Keir called out as they donned their cloak. It was still a little damp but it wouldn't kill them. Clover squawked and perched upon their shoulder. She flapped her wings and snapped her beak towards Hilda who squeaked. “Sorry," Keir mumbled.

Hilda shrugged and held the door open for them.

“Visit soon," she said and Keir nodded.

They had to return the lamp after all.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

I, Mao, also known as Kuktik-tikkik, fifth hatch of the Northern Inner Ocean Pearly Pod, Conqueror of Storms, am pleased to announce that My Boy has returned safe and sound after six full moons of voyage! If you do not remember, I accompanied him to the edge of the Barbaric Archipelago six full moons ago as he was on a quest to reunite with his Pod. I had gone a long time without his company and was starting to feel abandoned and angry! Fortunately, his mate and the other humans on the island are satisfactory company in his absence. When I heard news from the male human with the golden hair that he was going to fetch My Boy, I was delighted. I insisted on joining in his journey and served as a guide in the treacherous seas of the Eastern Archipelago. Upon arrival at an Eastern dock, I was greeted with much praise! Oh, how joyous it was! In the time he was away, My Boy has gained weight and muscle and his skin has darkened quite a bit. He also brought a young female human with him whom he introduced as his younger sister. A sister! How precious! She is much smaller yet looks so similar to My Boy. She smells strange like the summer and speaks funny like My Boy did when I first met him. She is very loud and ridiculous, too, but she sings my praises so I must tolerate her. It was a long journey from the Eastern Archipelago back to the Island of Yakshorn but Njörd favoured us with clear skies and fair winds. Many clicks to kind Njörd! We arrived in the dead of night but not without a proper welcome from his mate and his mate’s siblings. Many embraces and many promises of stories were exchanged before they parted ways in their own coves. My Boy and his sister have long settled in slumber as they must be extremely exhausted from their journey. Humans are simply not built to voyage that long without good rest after all. Well, I must go and make sure they are safe. I fear My Boy’s mind might play tricks on him out of exhaustion! I will listen for your song in the morning and I will sing again in the new moon. I think of you all daily. I hope you are well and staying away from Scauldrons! And as always, I hope you are thoroughly envious of my life.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Fwoosh!

The arrow missed the target again. Kid sighed and jogged to get the arrow from a bush.

“Maybe I'm not cut out for this archery thing," he said as he walked back to the field. “I should just stick to sword fighting."

"You're not even trying anymore,” Momo said, leaning back on the log where she sat.

"Well, you don't even wanna try sparring with me so I think I'm doing better than expected."

“It's scary!"

“We're using wooden swords!" Kid laughed. “You're not gonna lose a finger!"

“I might," Momo pouted. “I need my fingers for writing."

“Speaking of writing, look who's here," Kid said, moving his hand to his forehead to cover the sun. In the distance, coming from the main village, was a young man wearing a red vest over a white dress shirt walking towards the fields. He had his hand to his hair, as if trying to keep the wind from inevitably messing it up. Kid waved and yelled, "Charlie!”

"Hi Charlie!” Momo jumped up from the log she was sitting on and ran to tackle the young prince into a hug, almost toppling him over.

Kid laughed, jogging after Momo. “You've got to spin to counterbalance!" he yelled. "I’ve told you that!”

"Yeah! Like this!” Momo said before tackling Kid who easily caught her in his steady arms and spun around so as to not fall over. Her giggles tickled his senses.

“See?" Kid panted, putting Momo down.

"I see,” Charlie smiled. He straightened his clothes and fixed his hair. "I’m just still not used to such a happy welcome, I guess.”

"Who wouldn't be happy to see you?” Kid wrapped an arm around Charlie’s shoulder as they walked.

Charlie’s smile faltered for a split-second, gaze dropping. Under his breath, he said, "You'd be surprised.”

Kid raised an eyebrow, glancing at Momo who had the same curious-yet-concerned look on her face. She cleared her throat but before either of them could say anything, Charlie pointed at the bow and quiver of arrows Kid left behind.

"Were you shooting?” he asked.

"Y-yes,” Momo said, picking the bow up. "I was teaching Kid but he's no good.”

"Hey! It's harder than it looks,” Kid protested but Momo waved him away.

“Do you know how to shoot?" she asked.

“I learned how, back home," Charlie said. “I'm not that good though."

"You're probably better than Kid.”

"Probably not if you're teaching him.”

Kid raised an eyebrow and smirked, completely ignoring Momo's jab at him to watch the playful banter between the two. He sat on the log as Momo grabbed the bow and arrows. Charlie commented on the bow, noting the size and build, to which Momo proudly explained that she made it herself with the help of some village warriors in the east. Momo was a lot like her brother, Tai-Sun, in the way she spoke of her travels. Always excited to talk about the people she's met and the things she's seen and the food she's eaten. Charlie looked at her like she was the most interesting thing in the world. And she really was. Kid looked away. He scratched his nose and cleared his throat, a bitter taste suddenly spreading on his tongue as if he'd eaten a fruit prematurely picked. “Are you guys gonna shoot or what?" he yelled.

Momo obliged when she was asked to shoot first.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Three arrows hit the target, close to the center. She grinned, “Just a little more practice and I'm sure to hit bull's-eye!"

"Yeah, you're so close,” Charlie said, shielding his eyes from the sun as he watched Momo retrieve the arrows. “Your form is great," he smiled.

"How can you tell?” Kid asked.

Momo handed the bow and arrows to Charlie and Charlie notched an arrow. "Um, well, the feet should be shoulder-width apart and um,” he drew and released.

Thump!

Charlie furrowed his brows, head tilting to the side. The arrow was near the edge of the target. “Huh," he said. He glanced at the bow, repositioning his hand before notching another arrow.

Momo shrugged, “Well, you're still better than—"

Fwoosh! Thump!

Bullseye.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

"Woah!” Momo and Kid exclaimed, eyes wide and jaw dropped at the arrows in the middle of the target.

Charlie gently set the bow and quiver down and jogged to retrieve the arrows from the target.

“That was amazing!" Momo exclaimed.

Charlie scratched his head, "Ah, thanks. Got lucky, I guess.”

"You hit the bullseye thrice. No way that's just luck," Kid said, leaning back.

"Yeah! You were really good!” Momo said.

“It's really nothing," Charlie shrugged. "Anyone can do it with enough practice.”

Momo stretched her arms, “How often do you practice?"

“Oh, I haven't practiced ever since Edmund and I moved away. But even then, I couldn't practice much because of my siblings.”

Kid laughed, “Then that's the complete opposite of what you said!

‘Anyone can do it with enough practice.’

"

Charlie pursed his lips, “Well, that's —"

“Kid's right!" Momo said. “It must be a gift. You're good at archery the same way Sunny is good at languages."

Charlie pocketed his hands, “Oh no, it's not, um, I'm really not that—”

Momo nudged Charlie’s arm and grinned, “Come on! You're amazing! It was so cool! You gotta teach me!"

“It's really nothing special," Charlie shrugged, a rosy tint spreading across his cheeks.

"Do you really think that about yourself or are you just fishing for compliments?” Kid asked, brows furrowed. His warm brown eyes grew cold and dark. He interlocked his hands together.

Charlie just stared at him, blinking. He scratched his head and stammered, starting over sentences before he could even reach the middle.

Momo glanced between the two boys, fidgeting with the jade pendant tied to her belt.

“Charlie," Kid said. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Do you really think that about yourself?"

"

Kid

,” Momo hissed. “

Drop it

."

"

No

, he keeps saying he's no good when he's clearly amazing,” Kid shook his head. “I don't know much about being a prince but from stories, good or bad, they don't dismiss themselves like that at all. Something's wrong here."

“I'm not…fishing for compliments," Charlie said after a beat of silence. He looked down, fist clenched on his sides. “This…this is just-that’s just how I am. I'm not good at anything and I will

never

be good at anything,” he said, voice stern and cold, almost rehearsed, as if his voice wasn't his own. He continued, “It's just a fact and that's that.”

Kid’s eyes softened, and Momo frowned, reaching out to squeeze Charlie’s arm.

“There you guys are! I have milk bread from Baxter!" Dawn’s voice called out. The group turned to see the girl walking towards them with a basket on her arm. She stopped in her tracks when she saw their faces. “Is-is everything alright?"

Momo and Kid glanced at Charlie who was still looking down, then at each other. For the first time in their friendship, Momo couldn't find any words to say. She fiddled with her pendant and looked at Charlie, noting how his eyebrows were knitted together and how clenched his jaw was. He pursed his lips and took a deep breath.

Kid stood up. “No,” he said. “I made a mistake. Sorry, Charlie. I shouldn't have pushed you like that. I should've just dropped it.”

"Like I told you to,” Momo poked Kid.

"Yeah, yeah,” Kid swatted Momo’s hand away.

Charlie cleared his throat and rubbed his nose. "You don't have to apologize. It's fine, really. I'm sorry for bringing the mood down,” he said.

"That's hardly your fault!” Momo exclaimed.

"Yeah, it's completely my fault,” Kid said.

"No, no, you couldn't have known anything about—”

"Group hug!” Momo yelled, and immediately tackled Charlie, followed by Kid.

"I have no idea what happened but okay,” Dawn said, setting the basket down before joining in the hug around Charlie.

Charlie laughed, relaxing into the hug, and almost bumping his head against Momo’s. He sighed, hugging them back, “Thanks, guys."

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

The horror! The horror! I, Mao, also known as Kuktik-tikkik, fifth hatch of the Northern Inner Ocean Pearly Pod, Conqueror of Storms, Rescuer of Humans, am being replaced by a foul hatchling! Oh, how awful! The betrayal! The agony! Late in the evening yesterday, My Boy’s little sister, Momo, acquired a hatchling and brought it into our home. I do not know where to begin to describe the awful scent it emits or the nonsensical ramblings it persists in telling me. I do not see the charm that the humans seem to see in it! Its scales are metallic yet extremely dull, it is unable to fly, it sheds poisonous tears all over the ground, and worst of all, it has stolen much of My Boy’s and Momo’s attention away from me! Ugh, if its scales were not made of metal and if I were not so particular about what I eat, I would have gobbled it up before My Boy even laid eyes on it but alas, my taste is impeccable and my life is ruined. It seems to have grown attached to Momo the Traitor so they plan to keep it in the house while they are nursing it back to health which I can tell will take many moons. I am going to die of neglect. I would run away but I would rather face the inevitable than survive like a coward! This might be the last song you hear from me, my beloved Pod. Please save all your sympathies for when my body sinks to the bottom of the sea and feeds the ocean.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

The sun hung low in the sky as the village prepared for supper at the Great Hall. Momo, Niamh, Charlie, and Kid laughed all the way from the hills to the main square with the girls riding on the boys' back.“We're winning!" Momo screamed, tightening her grip around Kid’s shoulders.Kid screamed back, “I told you to stop yelling into my ear!" Sweat dripped down their foreheads and laughter filled the air. With a leap, Kid reached the square first and Momo jumped off his back, squealing and pumping her fists into the air.“Champions again! Champions again!" She and Kid sang and danced around as Charlie and Niamh reached the square.“I demand a rematch!" Niamh scrunched up her nose as she jumped off Charlie’s back. She patted her dress down. “Next time, I'll be with Kid." “No way!" Momo yelled. She stepped in front of Kid and spread her arms wide. “We're Team Sunshine!" “More like Team…Sun…Scream…Loudshine…uh…" Charlie said, voice getting quiet as he failed to come up with something funny like Gitta would. “Team Yells-a-lot?" Niamh offered.“That sounds like a knight," Charlie shrugged.“Sir Yells-a-lot at your service!" Kid dramatically bowed before them. "Actually, next time, the girls should carry us instead. I'm tired of being a horse.”"No way!” Niamh said. "I'd love to be a horse!” Momo grinned. "I'll be faster than you, Kid. I'll even carry both you and Charlie on my back so Niamh won't need to carry anyone.”"Yeah, right,” Charlie snickered, poking her cheek. "You're just a little munchkin.”"What's a munchkin?”Niamh held back a laugh before answering, "A small person." “I am not a munchkin!" Momo gasped and crossed her arms, feigning offense. “You're a munchkin!" "I'm literally taller than you,” Charlie rolled his eyes."Yeah, by a dragon’s eyeball!”"A dragon’s eyeball?” Kid laughed. "That's a terrible unit of measurement.”“You know what I mean," Momo said, waving her hand about. She tucked her fringe behind her ears. "I'll go wash my face at Sunny’s. See you at dinner.”The rest of the kids walked towards the Great Hall and waved when they caught Tai-Sun’s attention. The man sat by his hut’s entryway, weaving ropes. He waved back at them with a smile.“SEE YA, MUNCHKIN!" Charlie suddenly shouted—louder than he himself expected, calling the attention of everyone in the village. Momo laughed when his face turned tomato red. He pulled his shirt over his head as Niamh and Kid teased him further, ruffling his head and poking his sides. “See ya!" Momo yelled back in a sing-song manner. As she walked towards Tai-Sun’s hut, her brother wore a familiar grin on his face that only meant trouble. All her brothers had the same look of mischief and she always feared she wore the same look every time she was up to no good. She shuddered at the thought. There was no way a pretty girl like her looked like her gross brothers! “So, ‘munchkin,’ huh?" Tai-Sun smirked, following her inside the hut. “What do you call him?" Momo leaned over the washbasin and splashed water against her face. She rubbed her cheeks and forehead, "Uh…Charlie?" Tai-Sun scoffed. She couldn't see his face but he was rolling his eyes, for sure. “Wow, so you're so unromantic." She grimaced. She reached for a towel, patting her face dry before responding. "Why would I need to be romantic? We're friends.”He raised an eyebrow."We are!” Momo whined. "And you know I left home to avoid being matched, right? So stop all this,” she waved her arms about, "all that.”"Who said anything about a match?”Momo threw the towel to her brother's face who laughed. "You're so stupid!”"That's not how you talk to your elders, Xiaomo,” he planted his hands to his hips but a smile still stayed on his face. “Come on, Charlie’s a good kid. Good lookin’, too, right?" “Yeah, I guess he's, no, wait—" “HAH!" Tai-Sun jumped up. “And he's a prince. I don't care much about his older brother but—”Momo groaned, "Stoooop! You're gonna make things weird!" She coughed and flailed when he caught her in a headlock, ruffling her head. “My baby sister's all grown up!”"MY HAIR!" Before she could punch him in the gut, he let her go and bolted out the hut. She stomped her feet and removed the ribbons from her braids to fix her hair. Warmth spread across her face and ears and neck. From anger and who knows what else. Stupid Tai-Sun!

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

A pitcher of mead made its way around the table, spilling over raised cups and mugs that clinked and clattered. Shoulder to shoulder, elbow to elbow, stories and laughter filled the air. Hair stuck to Charlie’s forehead due to sweat the same way his fingers stuck to the table thanks to the spilled mead. He loosened his collar and scratched his neck, eyes scanning around him to keep track of the story being told. Voices overlapped, something about Gitta stealing something? Or Gitta saving someone? Whatever it was, Edmund retorted with his own version of the story, voice laced with annoyance that very thinly veiled his affection for the young woman (affection that he, apparently, cannot see for himself). A few young men playfully booed Edmund’s story, defending Gitta’s version. Stories grew louder, spilling and blending into each other. Charlie craned his neck. It seemed like everyone in the village, along with a few visitors, were in the Great Hall. All except two whom he has come to call his greatest friends. Only friends, really, but that's beside the point. Charlie fiddled with his collar again. Whoops and cheers echoed in the hall as another set of pitchers and food were passed around. 
Charlie leaned towards his brother, “I'll just get some fresh air."

Edmund tilted his head to take a good look at him. His brow creased and he clasped a hand on Charlie’s shoulder. “You alright?"

“Yeah, yeah, don't worry," Charlie smiled as he stood. “I just need a break."

Once Edmund nodded, Charlie smiled and briskly walked out of the hall, politely nodding to those he passed on the way out. The cold fresh air immediately greeted him outside. Sharp yet comforting. Snow crunched beneath his feet as he walked. Only a few torchlights illuminated the entrance of the hall; the rest that accompanied him in the quiet night was the starry sky. He cleared snow off the steps and sat down. He took a slow deep breath and puffed hot air out, his breath fogging up. He rubbed his face, running his fingers through his hair before pressing his forehead to his knees, tucking his hands under his chin. He sighed and closed his eyes. It was a nice party. No stuffy nobles or conniving siblings or uninterested parents. But it was still a party with lots of people. Kind and cool and funny people, but still people. He might never get used to it.

“...I'm just saying,” Kid’s voice said. “It's a pretty good strategy."

Momo's voice laughed. “Yeah, nobody’s gonna expect—Charlie?"

Charlie sat up straight and saw the two walk up the stairs carrying firewood in their arms.

Momo started running up the stairs, making Kid yell, “It's slippery! Slow down!"

She stopped a few steps before Charlie so they could meet eye-to-eye. She hoisted and rested the firewood to her hip. Her pale face glowed rosy in the cold. Her clothes were thicker than usual, with a fuzzy hat and fuzzy mittens to complete the look. It also seemed like she was using her long dark hair as a scarf around her neck.

“What are you doing out here, Charlie?" she asked.

"Just getting fresh air,” he said.

“It does get warm in there," Kid said, finally catching up to Momo. He was also wearing a hat, gloves, and a coat over his usual clothes. He raised a brow, “Where's your coat?"

Charlie scratched his head, “I, um, I forgot to get it.”

“You forgot to get it. Before going out to sit in the snow,” Kid deadpanned.

“Well, um, Edmund took it when we went inside and I didn't know where the coats are kept."

“So you just went outside without one? You could've asked someone!"

“I didn't know who to ask! What if they don't know where it is either?”

Momo giggled, "Then you ask someone else, silly."

“I'm not used to…I usually just ask the staff about…things…so I, um,” Charlie muttered.

She giggled again, "Okay, Mister Fancy-pants."

"Where did you guys go anyway?” Charlie asked, changing the subject.

"Scarlet sent us to get firewood from the shed,” Kid said, walking up the stairs. “They ran out of extras inside. I guess—”

“She asked us because no one's sober enough to do the job!” Momo said.

“Or because she caught you trying to sneak a drink from your brother’s cup," Kid smirked.

Momo raised her chin with a smile, "It's a sweet way to warm up!”

"Not so sweet anymore since she made us walk in the cold,” Kid said before turning to Charlie, “Are you staying here?”

Charlie tucked his hands under his arms. "Yeah, just a little more.”

Kid shrugged and stood by the door. "Alright. Come on, Mo.”

"Coming,” Momo walked up but stopped when she got to Charlie’s steps. She held her firewood with one arm, resting it on her hip, while her other hand undid the ribbon of her sheepskin cloak. She shrugged it off, immediately shuddering when she did, then draped it over Charlie’s shoulders. “Can't have you freezing to death," she smiled. “And I'm guessing you don't want company but if you change your mind, we can sit with you.”

“Don't include me in that promise, it's so cold out here!" Kid whined.

Charlie laughed and shook his head, “No, I'll be alright here. Thanks."

"Alright,” Momo nodded, catching up to Kid. Her footsteps grew quieter as she walked closer to the door. Charlie wrapped her cloak around him, its soft citrus scent warming up his senses. He looked up at the night sky, splattered with light, and as the Great Hall’s door groaned open, Charlie turned around.

“On second thought!" He said and his friends stopped in their tracks. Charlie cleared his throat before continuing, "It would be nice…to have company."

Momo beamed and Kid playfully rolled his eyes, taking Momo’s firewood into his arms before disappearing into the hall. The girl ran towards him with a bright smile on her face, only to slip and fall on her rump.

Charlie jumped to his feet. “Are you alright?,” he called out. The voices of his siblings crept up his spine as his brow creased and his heart pounded the longer Momo didn't respond.

To be worried for others is to be soft and to be soft is to be weak

. He hoped he didn't sound too worried. He shook his head as he took the final steps to get to her. He bent over to offer his arm, “Are you okay? It looked like a painful fall.”

Lying on the ground, she was looking at the sky with wide twinkling eyes. Her hair looked like spilled ink against the snow, as dark as his ravens’ feathers. She laughed when she met his eyes and his siblings’ voices seem to have vanished. She grabbed his arm to pull herself up. “Thanks," she said, patting the snow off of her clothes. "Kid was right. It's slippery.”

"Well, it

is

snow,” Charlie smiled as they walked back to the steps to sit.

"It's my first snowy winter, I can't help it if I'm a little excited,” Momo shrugged. "And because it's my first snowy winter, I'm taking my cloak back.”

"Aww, but I'm already nice and warm!” Charlie pouted as he took the cloak off.

“We can share."

Charlie didn't expect a comfortable silence from Momo when she had offered him company. She was usually such a chatterbox, bursting with energy and stories and questions—a type of person he wished he could be, a lot like the Vilulf siblings. Yet here she was sitting in silence with him and looking at the stars. The shared cloak was somehow warmer, too, likely due to their proximity. Shoulder to shoulder, hip to hip. The citrus scent was a bit stronger with her next to him. Must be her perfume. Maybe it's something she wore on special occasions? He pursed his lips. Charlie didn't really mind Momo’s energy and wouldn't mind if she were to

not

sit in silence with him, but this was nice. Momo is nice.

“So how's your first snowy winter?" Charlie, surprisingly, broke the silence.

Momo hummed, “A lot colder than I expected. It got very cold at home but I didn't realize how cold the world could get!"

“I heard it gets even colder in some places."

“No way!"

“There's even a kingdom with a queen with ice powers. She cursed her kingdom in eternal winter once.”

Momo scrunched up her nose, “Now you're just messing with me."

"I'm not!” Charlie laughed but before he could continue, the Great Hall’s door opened and they turned to see Kid carrying a fur coat.

"I knew you'd come around!” Momo cheered.

"Can't have you two freezing to death, sharing that little cloak,” Kid grinned. "I asked Edmund which one's yours but it seems like I didn't need to because you and your brother’s are the fanciest ones in there.” He draped the coat over Charlie’s shoulders before making space for himself on the steps. “Wow," he whistled. “That’s a beautiful sky."

“Right?!"

The three scooted closer together with inside jokes and cold noses. Charlie smiled, a golden warmth spreading in his chest even as soft specks of snow fell upon their faces. This was nice.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Dahlia sat on the windowsill next to Annika’s desk that overlooked the village. She sharpened her weapons and looked out the window as Annika read through trade letters. Across their home was Tai-Sun tending the medical hub’s garden. He had his hair intricately braided in a half-up style, very different from his usual simpler styles. His brow creased as he explained something to Kid who was tending the garden with him. A gentle hand clapped Kid’s shoulder in praise after the young teen responded correctly to his quizzing. A proud smile graced Tai-Sun’s fair face. The sinking sun’s rays bathed him in a golden glow and heat crept up from Dahlia’s belly to her neck. Her breath hitched when she caught his eye. He waved and blew a kiss. She bit her lip and waved back.

“He's so pretty," Dahlia said under her breath, leaning her back against the window.

Annika craned her neck to look at the view. “Oooh, did you braid his hair?" she mused.

“Momo did it. She’s learning Viking hairstyles from Hilda,” Dahlia said. She set her weapon and polisher aside.

“She moved out this morning, didn't she?”

“Yeah, we helped her carry all her stuff out."

Annika neatly stacked her documents to the side and hummed, “She's as perceptive as her brother."

"What does that have to do with her moving?”

Annika smirked, green eyes gleaming with mischief. Dahlia could hear her teasing voice before she could even utter a word. Annika shrugged, "Well, you clearly need your hands all over your man. I imagine that's hard to do with his little sister in the next room. And I’d wager it's awkward for her to watch you two make eyes at each other.”

"Ew, Anni!”

"Am I wrong though? You've been avoiding him

and

drooling over him since this morning.”

“I have not!"

“How long has it been since you got proper time alone? Ten? Eleven months? I'm surprised you haven't just brought him to the woods and fu—"

"Stop! Ew! People live in the woods!”

"So you HAVE thought about doing it in the woods!" Annika howled in laughter.

“I'm done with this conversation, actually. Good bye,” Dahlia huffed, cheeks burning as she made her way to the door and Annika laughed even louder.

“It's completely normal to feel that way, Dahls!" the blonde called out.

“

Done talking!"

"See you at dinner!”

Dahlia stopped before she opened the door. She looked over her shoulder, "And for the record, I haven't thought of doing it in the woods, you pervert. I have some self-respect.”

Annika cackled. "Does your boyfriend have some self-respect?”

"He's working on it,” Dahlia rolled her eyes and shut the door on her way out. Thoughts of her lover pressing her against a tree under the moonlight flashed through her mind and she shook her head. What a horrendous idea! Her ears burned. She ran her fingers through her hair and groaned. She needed to splash her face in cold water. Maybe even submerge her whole body. She took a deep breath. The sun hung low in the sky so the lake was too far a hike to make it back in time for supper, and she was

not

coming back inside where Annika was and be subjected to more teasing. She quickly scanned the village square. Tai-Sun was nowhere to be seen. He must have already been in the Great Hall, helping out with the food. She could pop into his house and wash up in peace. She undid one of her braids as she walked towards his house. She slipped through the door, closed it, and took a deep breath, inhaling the herby scent of his home, clearing her mind.

“Oh hey, Saf. I was just thinking about you,” Tai-Sun’s voice broke through the silence and she yelped. “Woah, are you okay?" he asked. He was hunched over a basket of dried leaves. His done-up hair looked even prettier up close. He looked at her with those warm brown eyes that could read her better than she could read herself. It was annoying. Her heart pounded against her chest. "Saffron?"

She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and avoided his gaze. “Yeah, I just need to wash my face. Maybe dip in the bath before dinner,” she said.

Tai-Sun hummed. He crossed the room, leaving whatever he was working on behind. He reached out to pull the ribbon off her remaining braid, making her awfully aware of her breathing and the gnawing warmth growing down her abdomen. Awfully aware of how close he was and how alone they were. She met his eyes. She was sure her cheeks were still red. “I could draw you a bath.” His voice was low. He thumbed her chin and smiled. His eyes flickered down her lips. “Would you like me to join you, Dahlia?”

She crashed her lips against his. She kissed him over and over again. Her fingers tangled in his dark inky hair, his arms wrapped around her. They stumbled backwards, and he swiftly turned them around when he hit the table, lifting her up. She wrapped her legs around his hips and pulled him close, fingers deftly undoing his belt. She set the belt aside gently, careful not to break the jade pendant that hung from it. Her tongue swiped the edge of his lip and he parted his lips, deepening their kiss. His hand languidly pulled her shirt up from where it was tucked beneath her skirt. His touch lingered on her waist before running up and down her back, cold skin burning against his warm hand. She pushed his robe off his shoulders and pushed his tunic up. He pulled away just enough to toss the shirt over his head. She gasped as he planted kisses down her neck. Her hands explored every inch of his exposed skin, tracing taut muscle. She could feel him growing, pressing against her and she pulled him closer to her, bucking her hips. He groaned against her ear and she shuddered, electricity down her spine. She sighed, “Take me to bed—”

A knock.

Another knock.

And another.

They froze. With his hand on her breast and her arms around his neck. Hot heavy breaths against sweaty skin. Silence for what felt like an eternity. Hips on hips.

“Tai, are you in there?" Gabriel’s voice was muffled. “Petir’s asking about the herbs," the door started creaking open. "Do you have th—”

"I'm-I’m getting dressed!” Tai-Sun yelled. Dahlia’s heart raced. He cleared his throat, "I'll be there in a minute, don't-don't open the door! Very, very naked! Fresh from the bath!”

The door quickly shut and Gabriel laughed. "Okay! Damn, didn't need to know all that. Be quick, you're the one always complaining about bland food.”

“Yeah, yeah, I'll be quick!" Tai-Sun said.

Once Gabriel had left the front door, they sighed, relaxing over each other. Tai-Sun laughed, running his fingers through his hair. “Spirits, imagine if he walked in on us."

Dahlia pressed her forehead on the crook of his shoulder. “We'll never hear the end of it!" she laughed.

"Hey, he's the one walking into people’s houses uninvited."

"You need a lock. I've been telling you  that you need to get a lock,” she kissed his neck then his jaw then his cheek. She pulled him in by his waistband. “Now, where were we?"

He hummed as she kissed him behind his ear. He moved, guiding her back to his lips. He kissed her deeply, biting her lip before pulling away. "They'll still be looking for me and we'll be interrupted again,” he said.

"They can wait."

"Petir won't have the decency to knock and I don't want anyone else seeing you undone,” he said, voice low. Almost a rumble. “And I'd like to take my time with you, if you don't mind. I've missed you so.”

She pressed her palm against his chest, drawing circles. “I don't want to wait," she said. Her demand came out more as a whine and she almost regretted it. He kissed her again, slowly.

“Dahlia," he said, and she loved how her name rolled out of his tongue. He cupped her cheek, caressing her with his thumb. “Meet me here after dinner. You'll have me for dessert and we won't be interrupted. We'll have all night together."

Dahlia blushed and pushed him away. “Don't say it like that!" she scoffed, cringing, and he laughed. He picked up his clothes from the floor.

“I'll have you for dessert then."

“That's not any better!" she groaned. She jumped off the table. She straightened her clothes and fixed her hair as she watched Tai-Sun change his clothes. He stood in front of her, belt in hand, and she helped him fasten it. He kissed her. When they parted, her eyes flickered to his slightly swollen lips, and she touched her own with her fingertips. It was completely normal, of course, but still she hoped Gabriel bought Tai-Sun’s excuse or else it was going to be a very long dinner.

Well, at least she's going to have a nice dessert.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

She did not have the time nor the energy for this. A stranger walked towards her with a smile and a wave. There was an air of arrogant confidence about him. He was already talking, nodding towards Arne and Nore’s house, as he approached her. He must be Erik. Tae and Momo have been talking a lot about him (not that she paid much attention to their conversations) and ever since he arrived, Tae has been hanging out more frequently at either her house or at Merry’s. Hilda didn't really mind. Tae was good company and he liked helping around the farm but when he ended up at her doorstep all bloody and bruised, she knew this Erik guy was to blame, even if Tae insisted that it wasn't because of him.

Erik stood in front of her, only a few inches taller. His hair is brown, short and tousled, and his teeth are nice. He wasn't unpleasant to look at and if it was any other day, she might have entertained him.

“My name…Erik…” he said, extending his hand to shake. "…name?"

She looked at his hand. Can’t he see that she was carrying a big bag of meat on her back, both of her hands occupied? Or did he just not care? She doubted he wanted to shake her bloodstained hands anyway. “Hilda," she said, before stepping around him. Then the bastard moved to block her way. She groaned. She really did not have time nor energy for this.

Point, the leader of her flock of Terrors, was out sick, so she had to coral her sheep with only Thumb and Pinky who, without Point to correct them with fire, kept testing her patience. They missed a few sheep so she and Eula had to spend the entire afternoon chasing after the runaways. And to top it all off, it was meat delivery day, and a stranger was blocking her way while she was carrying freshly slaughtered mutton all the way from the hills. She walked again, “Excuse me," only for him to block her again.

“…me…help…you…” he said, already reaching for her bag.

She stepped back and shouted, “No!" Hilda quickly moved away with big strides towards the Great Hall but Erik was quick on his feet, already walking next to her. He grabbed her shoulder and she shook his hand away, only for him to stand in front of her.

He was talking again. He looked confused and out of breath, arms waving about. He still had that cordial smile on his face but he was clearly annoyed by the crease of his brow. He must not be used to getting rejected.

Hilda took a deep breath and sighed. “I'm deaf. I can't hear you. Let me go," she said. He’s had no trouble understanding her so far but she still hoped her voice was clear enough to understand. One can never really be sure.

“But…can…talk…” He was raising his voice now for sure. She hated it when people did that, as if talking louder was going to make her hear them better, no, as if it was going to make her hear them at all. He wasn’t even talking slowly to help her read his lips better. Instead, he was waving his arms about in bigger motions which only made him look funny. “…just…want…help…airy…looks…heavy…” he kept blocking her every attempt to move forward and she didn't really think about what happened next. Her knee just found its way—full force—up his crotch, making him bend over and crash to the ground. Her foot also found its way to his stomach, for good measure. Judging by Tai-Sun and Leif looking out the window from the medical hub, Erik must have made a really loud noise (and maybe he was still making a really loud noise). She grinned at Leif and Tai-Sun, shifting her bag against her hip to free her hand and give them a thumbs up. It looked like they were laughing, giving her a thumbs up back. Shifting her bag again, she made her way to the Great Hall. She was going to have to explain what she did to Erik to the Chief but what she did was his fault anyway. Annika would understand.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Tai-Sun watched her as she walked around the medical hub, observing their shelves of medicine. Momo couldn't really see much of their stocks. A lot of the items were way above her reach and sometimes, line of sight, and even if she

could

see the items, most of them were probably foreign to her (much like most things on the island). The items around Tai-Sun’s work area were familiar though. It must have cost a fortune to trade this far.

“
So, hypothetically
,” Momo said, stopping in front of Tai-Sun’s desk. “
If I were to make someone…feel ill, what should I use?
”

"You really should keep practicing your Norse, even with me,” Tai-Sun said.

Momo rolled her eyes. “
What's the point of talking with you if I can't speak Chinese?
"

“
You already have it easy by having me here
,” he patted her head with a notebook.

“I'm learning two languages at the same time, leave me alone."

“Who are you trying to make ill?"

"No one! I'm just asking hypothetically,” Momo said. “But if I

were

to do it, is there anything here I can give them?"

"No, why would you think we’d have that?” Tai-Sun chuckled.

"
You said your wife
—”

"
Not my wife
.”

"

Not yet

,

” Momo winked at him to which he playfully shook his head. "You said she and the others have killed people and dragons, so I thought ‘
maybe you'd have edible things of that nature
.’”

Her brother raised an eyebrow.

“Hypothetically speaking, of course. And I don't really want to

kill

them—hypothetically—they just need to be taken down a notch without them knowing who did it? Or without them knowing how it even happened? Hypothetically.”

Tai-Sun ran his fingers through his hair, mind in motion. For a split-second, he looked just like An and she braced herself for rejection, prepared herself for a shouting match, maybe even some hair pulling. Instead, Tai-Sun’s lips formed a small smile laced with mischief. He rubbed his neck and looked around the shelves. “Again, no. We don't have poison—and even if we

did

have poison, I wouldn't give some to you—but,” he took four jars from the shelves and started mixing dried shredded plants into an empty jar. "

Hypothetically

, if someone was having trouble…

relieving

themselves, I'd give them this,” he handed Momo the jar.

Momo inhaled the fragrance. Some of the ingredients, like ginger and peppermint, were familiar to her but the others she didn't know by name. She closed the lid. “And if someone were

not

having trouble relieving themselves?"

Tai-Sun shrugged. “You know how those types of teas work."

Momo grinned. “Can I also get stuff that's actually good for you?" 
 
—
 
"Hellooo! Miss Candles, I have new tea!” Momo barged into Scarlet and Gitta’s house, walking straight to the back of the house where Scarlet, Rune, and Erik were chopping firewood. “Oh! You have company!" she exclaimed, as if she didn't count on Erik to be there.

Scarlet smiled, leaving her ax and log behind. "Yes, Rune was helping me chop wood and Erik volunteered to help, too. Have you met?”

"Of course I know the kid, sugar,” Rune called out with a grin.

"I wasn't talking about you!” Scarlet rolled her eyes.

"Why not?”

Erik laughed. "I've met Momo, Scarlet. I taught her how to shoot.”

"Yes. Erik did, in fact, teach me how to use my bow which is very different from the ones used here but somehow, he knows how to use it better than me,” Momo said through gritted teeth, hoping it came out as a smile. “Thank you for correcting me when you did, by the way."

"I'm always happy to help,” Erik smiled.

"Right,” Scarlet said. "Is that tea from Tai?”

"Yes!” Momo shook the jars in her arms. “He said the same blend tastes entirely different from person to person but I don't believe him."

“We should put it to the test then?" Rune smiled, wrapping his arms around Scarlet. “Have you tried tea before, Erik?”

"I don't believe I have.”

Rune clapped a hand against Erik’s back, "You should join us then. It's an acquired taste but it's comforting. Really warms you up." 
 
—
 
"

Erik has been shitting in the outhouse for three hours now

,” Tae said the moment Momo opened the door. "

What did you do?!

”

"Why hello, Tae,” Momo said ceremoniously, bowing before beckoning Tae to step inside. "I have actually been advised by my dear brother to practice my Norse more and I implore you to do the same.”

“
Are you trying to kill him?!”

“No, Sunny wouldn't let me,” Momo whined as she followed Tae to the dining table. “I still think he's hiding poison in there, you know? But I don't wanna learn a new set of plants or get carried out by big Leif."

Tae rubbed his face and ran his fingers through his hair. He was rambling and muttering in a language Momo didn't know. Beads of sweat formed on his face as if

he

was the one she gave a laxative to.

“

What’s wrong with you?

” Momo poked Tae’s forehead.

“

He's going to kill me, Momo. He's gonna be pissed that he suffered today and he's gonna take it out on me

!" Tae said, his voice getting higher and higher.

"

He's not going to do that! He won't even have enough energy to look your way after he's done pooping his pants off

,” Momo cackled. "

You're a free man for the next two or three days, enjoy it!

”

Eula emerged out of her bedroom with ink stained hands and a quill behind her ear. “Could you guys stop scheming in a different language? I want in on whatever this is.”

“We're not scheming!" Momo yelled and Eula plugged her ears.

The older girl sighed as she sat down next to Momo, “Girl, inside voice please."

“I can't tell you what it's about," Tae said without meeting Eula’s eyes.

"It's about Erik, isn't it?” Eula deadpanned. "You do know that ‘Erik’ still sounds like ‘Erik’ even if you're talking in another language, right? And why can you tell Momo but not me?”

Momo shrugged and nodded to Tae who was trying to disappear into his shirt. After a beat of silence, Momo clapped her hands. “It's not important! He won't bother Tae anymore!"

"Odin’s beard, you killed him?” Eula’s eyes widened.

“If he bothers Tae again, I actually might."

Tae buried his face in his hands. "You're literally so small, Momo.”

"Say that again and I'll bite you.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

“You know it's really mean to string Niamh along like this, right?"

Kid rolled his eyes as Momo sat next to him and grabbed the mortar and pestle from him. He sighed and rested his cheek on his fist. “I’ve made it clear multiple times that I only see her as a friend."

“Yeah, but you're still affectionate towards her," Momo said.

“I'm affectionate towards everyone. It'd be really weird to just…single her out like that.”

"Mm.”

"What? Do you want me to be mean to her?” Kid asked as he added more dried leaves into the mortar. “That's gonna hurt her even more."

“You could tell her about your feelings for Dawn."

“My feelings for—" Kid sat up, almost breaking his neck at the speed of which his head turned towards Momo. “How on Earth did you know?”

Momo shrugged and Kid punched her arm. "Ow! How dare you punch a girl?!”

Kid grabbed the mortar and pestle to keep it from toppling over because of Momo’s sudden move to punch him back. "Aish!” he swatted her.

Momo huffed before settling down.

"So are you gonna tell me or what?”

The girl rolled her eyes. "You've been flirting with her! Do you think nobody noticed?”

Kid blushed, looking away. “I thought-I thought I was being subtle."

"You literally told her she looks cute when she laughs

and

you've been walking her home. Your

‘subtle’

is pathetic.”

"You're one to talk."

“Well, I'm rarely subtle so there's that!" Momo laughed. "So…you and Dawn…?”

Kid tucked a braid behind his ear. "I’m gonna tell her soon. I have a plan, actually,” he looked around them, making sure Dawn nor her brothers weren't around. “I'm gonna try to bake her favorite pastry and pick some wildflowers, then take her on a picnic down the beach before sunset, and tell her how I feel.” Kid’s face burned, finally verbalizing the plan that's been brewing in his head for the past few days. His heart flipped inside his chest. Was he actually gonna do this? Was he actually going to tell Dawn? But what happens next? What if she rejects him? What then?

“Awww, that's too cute! You make me sick!" Momo exclaimed and grabbed his arm, shaking him. She stopped shaking him after a while and sighed. “You really gotta tell Niamh."

"Yeah,” Kid pursed his lips. “Do you really think it's a good plan? What if Dawn doesn't like me back?"

Momo buried her face in her hands and squealed before taking a deep breath and facing him, grabbing both his shoulders so he was facing her. “It's a good plan and you're going to be fine!”
 
—
 
(I'm skipping the Niamh rejection for this one lol)
 
—
 
Kid peeked through the medical hub’s window from the garden. He glanced at Dawn and gulped. She was busy with a book, taking notes every now and then in a separate notebook. Her long dark hair cascaded over her shoulder and covered her face. If he were inside, he'd tuck her hair back behind her ear. But alas, he wasn't. He looked across the room to find Leif.

“Um," he said. “Hey, Leif. Is it cool if I go home for the day? I'm done with work."

Leif nodded, “Yeah, sure. Thanks, Kid."

“Thanks! See you tomorrow, Leif, Tai-Sun!" Kid grinned.

Tai-Sun raised an eyebrow, "No goodbye for Dawn?” and Kid blushed at this.

Dawn raised her head at the sound of her name. "Hm?”

"We're hanging out later!” Kid exclaimed. "I'll see her later! Right, Dawn?”

Dawn glanced between Tai-Sun and Kid and nodded. "Um, yes. At the beach, with Momo.”

"Right,” Tai-Sun smirked. "Alright, get outta here, Kid.”

Kid nodded, "See ya!” He sprinted across the village to his house. He quickly fetched a basket near the door and dashed out again to the fields to find wildflowers. He had at least an hour before Dawn leaves for the beach which left him plenty of time to collect flowers, borrow Nore’s lute, and set up the picnic. His heart beat fast and his stomach fluttered but he pushed through. He picked flowers in yellows and pinks, along with a few pretty leafy green plants to complement the flowers. After collecting the flowers, he jogged to Nore and Arne’s house where Nore was expecting him.

“There's my favorite kid named Kid!" the blond grinned as Kid entered the house.

“I'm the only kid named Kid," Kid shook his head with a smile. "May I borrow your lute?”

Nore disappeared into a room and returned with the instrument, “As promised. What are you gonna play the little lady?"

Kid strummed the strings with a hum. “I don't know yet," he said. “Maybe something from home. Or, I don't know. I might get too nervous to actually play anything."

“Well, don't back out now!" Nore laughed.

“I won't!" Kid said. He fidgeted with the lute, playing a soft melody. “It's just, it's the first time I'm doing this. And-and my older siblings would usually go to my

even older

siblings…and my dad…and mom…about-about things like this and I—”

A gentle but firm hand squeezed Kid’s shoulder. Nore smiled, flashing his sharp teeth—which should be threatening but it had the opposite effect. “You're a good kid, Kid," he said. “You've done everything you can to make this special. Whatever happens, we'll be here for you.”

Kid snorted, "Now you're making it sound like a life or death situation.”

"I mean,” Nore shrugged. "Kind of is.”

"Sure,” Kid said. “Thanks, Nore,” he tackled the man into a hug. “See you later!"

“Tell me everything about it!"  
 
—
 
Kid paced the beach, careful not to get sand all over the blanket he laid down. It was almost sunset and Dawn still wasn't here. He ran his fingers through his hair and pulled on his braids. Did she see through him? Does she know? Is this her way of rejecting him? Did she trip and fall and her prosthetic broke and she had to stay a little longer at the hub? Did Momo end up saying a lame excuse that led to Dawn getting worried and chasing after her? Did she get sucked into another medical book and won't leave the hub until midnight because she was too focused on learning? Was she—

“Kid!" Dawn’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts and he spun around. Dawn walked towards him and smiled. “Momo said she won't make it but she said the weirdest thing ever!"

Kid cleared his throat, collecting himself as he walked towards the picnic blanket. "Oh, yeah? What did she say?”

Dawn sat down, tucking her skirt underneath her. “She said she was going to help Hilda give Tiny a bath. But isn't Tiny, like, a giant dragon? And dragons usually don't really need help bathing.”

Of course, Momo made up the most absurd excuse

, Kid thought. “Yeah, that's—that’s Momo, I guess," Kid laughed. "More bread for us then!”

"Yep!” Dawn giggled. She froze when Kid passed her the basket. Her voice was soft. "Is that…

kkulppang

*? Where did you get it?"

“I made it. I had help from Baxter, Tai-Sun, and Arne but, um. You mentioned you missed it so I asked Arne about it and—I actually forgot the name," he said, laughing at the memory. “So I had to describe it to him the same way you described it to us, except I also forgot how you described it so it was a long conversation with him about it. I thought it was bean bread with honey filling but it's the other way around—it turns out there's no baking involved either. And I had to beg him for what little red bean he had in his stash. Ah, I'm rambling."

Dawn smiled. A sweet, sweet smile that warmed his heart. Would it be okay to kiss her? Maybe not now. Maybe not anytime soon. But the thought was nice. She picked a piece of bread from the basket. "How-how did you remember? I only mentioned it one time, I think.”

Kid rubbed his neck and shrugged, “I, um, pay attention?" A dusting of pink spread across her fair face and Kid could feel his own cheeks burning up. He picked up his own bread and raised it towards her. “Cheers?"

“Cheers!"

The bread was still warm. Crunchy on the outside, sticky on the inside. Sweet from the syrup coating and red bean paste filling, and a little salty from the roasted sesame seeds that stuck to the crunchy syrup coating. Dawn hummed in delight and did a little dance as she ate.

“You like it?" Kid asked.

“I love it!" Dawn answered, cheeks stuffed with the bread. “Tastes like home!"

Kid sighed in relief, offering more of the bread to her. “That's great to hear. I really worked hard on it to—um, I wanted to make you feel happy.”

Dawn looked at him, mid-bite. Her face was even redder than before. “Oh!" was all she could say, though Kid could tell a hundred thoughts sped through her mind. Now or never.

As the sun began to set, the skies changed colors. Splashes of orange and purples and pinks painted the sky. Soft clouds donned a golden hue. A soft breeze carried the scent of the salty sea and in the distance, a few dragons sang their evening song.

Kid took a deep breath before facing her. “Dawn, I…um, you're really…cool.”

Dawn sat up straight, "Thank…you?"

“And, um, well, you can probably tell that I planned something…for you but I, um,” Kid stuttered. His head spun and his fingers ran cold and his heart beat so fast it might explode. He took a deep breath again and began to speak slowly. “I had something prepared to say but I can't seem to say it. So, um. Dawn, I like you. You're kind and smart and hardworking and thoughtful and also really pretty and, um…would you like to go out with—”

"Yes!” Dawn said. "Sorry,” she squeaked. "But, yes. I'd like to go out with you.”

Kid jumped to his feet, almost toppling over the basket. "Really?!”

"Yes!” Dawn laughed. In a softer voice, she said, “I like you, too, Kid."

He sat back down next to her and offered his hand to hold, which she accepted. He hoped his hand wasn't too cold or too calloused. Both of them smiled at each other, rosy cheeks and toothy grins. Together they watched the sun sink in the horizon and ate more of the sweet bread Kid brought.

Dawn took a deep breath. “So, um, now what?"

Kid watched her face. The golden hour made her eyes look like honey. Her dark hair delicately framed her soft round face. He almost forgot what her question was. “I could play you a song? I borrowed Nore’s lute," he said. He reached for the lute behind him and started strumming a melody.

She smiled as she watched him play and his heart almost stopped when she rested her cheek upon his shoulder. He bumped his head against hers. Lord, how lucky was he?

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Naomi took a deep breath. Today is the day. She was going to talk to Hilda the Shepherd. Or try to talk to Hilda the Shepherd. She was going to say hi and be nice and normal and definitely not look at the sheep weird (even if the sheep look yummy). Yes. She gathered her skirt and hopped over the bush she was hiding in. The soft grass tickled her feet as she made her way up the hill and to the shepherd’s house. A gust of wind fell upon the hill and she braced herself for impact. She shuddered. Not because it was cold, but because of how the wind felt blowing against her skin. Maybe that’s why humans wore such restrictive long sleeved clothing. Gusts of winds are like blades against the skin! She brushed her deep red hair back and stood in front of the shepherd’s door.

“Hello, my name is Naomi!" she said to the door. “I’m a merchant and I am interested in…um…what do shepherds trade again? I should have asked Vivie. Oh, should I come back tomorrow instead…” she pressed her palms against her cheeks and groaned. Naomi shook her head, “No, I’ve delayed long enough." But as she raised her hand to knock on the door, it creaked open.

On the other side of the door was a young woman she hadn't seen before. She was Naomi’s height, with olive skin, dark wavy hair, and dark eyes. Behind her ear was a pen and on her cheek were smudges of ink, or maybe charcoal. She stood by the door for a while, staring at Naomi. “Erm, hello. Can I help you?"

"No, yes! My name is merchant and I’m a Naomi! No!” Naomi squeaked. "My name is Naomi and I'm a merchant and I, um,” she pursed her lips. "I was hoping to talk to the shepherd?”

The young woman looked amused, or confused? A mix of both, Naomi decided. She looked back to the house behind her then back to Naomi. “Afraid she's not here. I think she's at the baker’s house,” she said. She stepped out of the house, closing the door behind her. "Do you mind…stepping aside?"

“Oh!" Naomi said, suddenly realizing how close she was standing to the door (and the young woman). “Yes, sorry."

"Thanks.”

"Do you have a name?”

"Yes, I do.”

"May I have it?”

The young woman raised an eyebrow and eyed Naomi. She adjusted the clasp of her cloak and ran her fingers through her hair. "Are you fae, Naomi?”

"No, I'm a siren,” Naomi answered, then clapped her hands to her mouth. "I'm a human merchant!” she said, a little too loudly, that the young woman cringed. Naomi tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and fiddled with the strings on the front of her vest. “I don't steal names, if that's what you're worried about.”

The young woman nodded. “I'm Eula."

“Eula," Naomi echoed. “What a pretty name."

“Thank you," Eula smiled. “I'm going down the village. Would you like to walk with me? I can show you where the baker's house is so you can talk to Hilda."

Naomi’s heart fluttered. She skipped after Eula. “That would be nice, thank you!”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Momo hooked her arm around Charlie’s arm. She pursed her lips, looking at the fruit he was picking. “That's not good," she said. “Look, the color isn't right. It wouldn't be sweet.” She picked another fruit from the bunch and compared it to the fruit he was holding.

“Ohhh," Charlie nodded. "That one's brighter and less spotty than this." He returned the one he was holding and picked up a fruit that looked closer to the one Momo was holding.

“You can sniff it, too, if it smells ripe then it's good," Momo said, sniffing the fruit she was holding. “Here," she held it out to him and he inhaled the subtle sweet scent. He sniffed the fruit he was holding afterwards.

“Does this work for all fruits?" he asked as he helped her pick out fruits into their basket.

Momo shrugged. “Not all, there's some fruits where you want the spottiest ones, and there's others where you have to knock on it or shake it to hear if it's good."

“I see," Charlie hummed as he paid the merchant.

“Your wife’s got a good head on her shoulders, lad," the merchant said as she gave Charlie change.

Momo blushed, glancing between Charlie and the merchant, “Oh, we're not—"

“Why, yes, it's why I married her!" Charlie smiled. He pressed his cheek atop of her head, "Don't know where I'd be if she wasn't so brilliant.”

“
What do you think you're saying

?

”

Momo whispered, slapping his torso.

He only laughed and patted her hand.

“Feisty one, too!" the merchant laughed along. “I reckon you just got married, yeah? What brings you to our village?"

"Yes. We're traveling because of my dear wife over here,” Charlie nudged Momo. “Tell the lady why we're here, won't you?"

Momo rolled her eyes at Charlie before smiling at the merchant, “It's my dream to travel and see the world." She bumped her head against Charlie’s arm. She then dramatically planted her hand on her chest, “But I was forbidden to leave my home so he sneaked me out and we got married in secret and now we're here!"

"Oh!” was all the merchant could say and Charlie snorted. “Well, I'm glad it all turned out good for you two. Here, have an extra fruit as a wedding gift. May Frigg bless your marriage!”

“Thank you!" Momo grinned and she skipped as they walked away. “Is that why you didn't correct her? Who knew old people were so nice to newly weds!”

Charlie’s cheeks flushed pink and he shrugged, adjusting the basket in one arm and holding her hand with the other. “I sure didn't," he said.

She raised an eyebrow at him. She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and bit her lip, feeling her cheeks heat up.

‘Then why did you call me your wife?’

she thought.

‘And why did I play along?’

Before she could put more thought into it, they reached a stall that sold fish and once again, she guided Charlie through picking a good one.

“This one?" he pointed at one.

“Its eyes aren't clear," Momo said.

"This one?”

“Body isn't firm."

“This one?"

“Are you sure you're not just guessing?"

Charlie chuckled. "You just look so pretty when you're making decisions, I can't help it.”

"You're hopeless,” Momo smirked. "This and this one, please,” she said to the merchant.

“But it's true!" Charlie said. “Sir, won't you agree and tell my wife she looks pretty?"

The merchant laughed as he wrapped the fish Momo picked, “Sir, I won't tell another man’s wife that she's pretty."

"Please excuse his behavior, sir,” Momo smiled, shaking her head. "We just got married and he's just been so excited about calling me his wife in front of everyone. A little

too

excited, in my opinion.”

Charlie grinned, putting the fish in his basket and paying the merchant. “Can you blame a man for bragging about the love of his life?"

Momo squeezed his hand, watching his fair face. Butterflies fluttered up her spine and her heart did somersaults. He glanced at her with a soft smile and squeezed her hand back. She wished she knew what was running through his mind. She wished he couldn't tell what was going on in hers. Though, a part of her wished he knew how she liked the way those words,

‘my wife’

and

‘love of my life

,’ rolled out of his tongue. And how she liked that those words pertained to her.

"Not at all,” the merchant said, snapping Momo out of her thoughts. "I remember when my wife and I got married. Felt like I was the luckiest man in the world. You gotta cherish those moments.”

Charlie nodded, "We will. Thank you, sir.”
 
—
 
Momo leaned against Hayou and pulled her cloak closer to her body as Charlie started their campfire. She stretched her legs. “It's so cold," she pouted. “Maybe we should have traveled somewhere warmer this late in the year.”

Charlie sat next to her, "We can't travel that fast south on just one dragon.”

She sighed. " I know, it's just so cold! And I miss sleeping on a real bed.”

“Maybe we should go to an inn next time," he said. He unclasped his cloak and draped it over her shoulder, securing it around her.

"What about you?”

Charlie shrugged. "It's my duty as a good husband to make sure my wife is warm and comfortable."

Momo furrowed her brows, pouting. She pulled his cloak off of her and put it over his shoulders. "You don't have to say that. We're not in the village anymore. Don't say things you don't mean,” she said, trying to keep her voice as neutral as possible, but she could feel her voice waver as her heart raced.

Charlie watched her as she fixed his cloak and sat back down on her seat. He unclasped his cloak again.  “I'm sorry," he said. "I shouldn't have said that when there are no strangers to fool.” He sat closer to her. “I do mean it though,” he pursed his lips, looking down. “About making sure you're okay, I mean. So could you please let me share my cloak with you?”

Momo bumped her shoulder against his, “Okay."

He wrapped an arm around her so that they shared his cloak and she leaned against him. It was a lot warmer under the shared cloak. Next to him, Hayou, and the campfire. Momo watched as he turned the fish they were grilling around so it cooked evenly. The soft warmth of pride spread across her chest upon realizing that he's been learning and working so much in their travels. He glanced at her and raised an eyebrow. “What?" he asked.

Momo smiled, “What will your future wife think when you tell her about this? Our travels?” She fidgeted with her jade pendant. “Our friendship? She might think it’s scandalous."

Charlie looked up at the stars in thought. "Well, if I do get married, it would likely be because of my family and something that has to do with political connections. I wouldn't know anything of substance about her until the day we get married,” he said. He looked down, poking at the campfire for a moment, then looked at her. The fire lit his brown eyes golden for a split-second. “I want to marry for love though," he said, almost a whisper, as if it was something he couldn't want. Something he wasn't allowed to utter. Words that felt like they were only meant for her.

Momo brushed her thumb between his brows, smoothing the crease of worry on his face. “I hope you get to marry for love," she said. “You deserve to marry for love."

He sighed. There it was. That look on his face. The one that made her wish she knew what was going on in his mind. Pursed lips, furrowed brows, and an intense gaze. He almost looked like Edmund. Then it was gone. He shrugged. “I hope so, too."

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

It all happened too fast. First, they were just eating at the pub, scoring free drinks from the barkeeper because of the silly newlywed act they were playing, then they were at the inn where the innkeeper recognized them from pub (because Momo got the whole pub dancing to a bard’s song) and the innkeeper gave them a discount for a room. A room. SINGULAR. Of course, because they were

newlyweds

. And it was too late to back out of their act, lest they get their tongues cut for lying and getting free things from the town just because they were pretending to be a very cute and young NEWLYWED couple. Then they get shown to their room which only has one couple’s bed and a nice window view of the little town. And now, here he was, waiting outside the door in his pajamas as Momo changes into

her

pajamas inside their

shared

room. He was going to explode. This was all his fault. This was his own doing. He dug his own grave! Why did he have to play along with anybody who would call them a married couple? (He knew why, but that wasn't the point). The door opened and he almost fell backwards.

“Are you okay?" Momo asked, standing by the door, looking so cute in a green oversized shirt she must have stolen from her brother. Underneath the shirt, it seemed like she was wearing a white floor length nightgown. He wondered what she'd look like with only the nightgown. What about without the nightgown? ‘

Bad, Charlie!’

He internally kicked himself.

“Yes, I'm okay," Charlie stammered, looking at everything but her. “You know what? What if I just sleep in the shed with the dragons?"

"You want to sleep with Hayou and Weici in the abandoned shed we found on the outskirts of town?” Momo deadpanned. “And you're going to walk all the way there in the cold dead of night in your silk pajamas and dressing gown?"

Charlie stepped into the room and closed the door behind him, away from ears that might overhear. "Well, it sounds bad when you say it like that.”

"It would look bad if people see

‘my husband’

leave me alone at an inn! Am I that bad of a roommate?” Momo laughed. His head spun.

‘My husband.’ ‘My husband.’ ‘My husband.’

“Do I snore?" Her eyes widened and she cringed at the thought.

“You don't snore," Charlie said. "If you do, Hayou’s wing and your sleeping bag protects me from hearing it.”

Momo crossed the room and sat on the bed. Charlie looked away again. “My family doesn't snore so I probably don't," she said. “Well, my oldest brother, Shoi-Ming, snores a lot when he's really tired. But if

I

snore, Yuze and An likely would have teased me for it.”

He wished he could look at her as she talked about her family. She always had a tender look on her face whenever she did. But she was sitting on the bed.

Their bed

. And he'd really rather keep his mind pure than admire her beautiful face and risk thoughts unbecoming of a gentleman. He shifted where he stood.

‘Do not think about the bed, Charlie.’

“Are you really okay, Charlie? You're acting weird," she said.

“Yes, I'm fine!" he nodded. “I'm great! I'm just, um, I think I'll sleep on the floor." He awkwardly walked towards the bed and grabbed a pillow. But Momo got her hand on it.

“You are

not

sleeping on the floor when the bed is big enough for the both of us," she said. "We got this nice room for a nice price so we ought to make the most out of it! Plus, it's going to be cold on the floor and your back is gonna hurt in the morning.”

‘Make the most out of it,’

her voice echoed in his mind and his eyes flickered to her soft lips.

‘Snap out of it, Charlie! You're a gentleman!’

He massaged his temples. “I can sleep in my sleeping bag. I'll be fine, really. You should have the bed. You're the one who missed it.”

Momo crossed her arms and pouted. Furrowed brows and puffed cheeks. “I don't believe that one bit, Prince Charlie Lancaster!"

Charlie laughed at that. He

did

miss sleeping on a proper bed and he

did

dream of sharing one with her someday, but not like this. And he couldn't possibly share a bed with her while his head kept pushing inappropriate thoughts to the center of his mind. Even if she didn't know about it, she didn't deserve that. “Momo, I really think I should sleep on the floor," he firmly said.

Momo stared at him and pursed her lips. She grabbed another pillow and put it on the center of the bed, creating a divider. “There! Since you're being weird. And I guess it

is

improper for us to sleep in one bed. But I still won't let you sleep on the floor,” she said. "That's final! You work as hard as I do and deserve to sleep on a soft bed just as much.”

They glared at each other for a while before Charlie finally folded. Because how could he say no to her? He took a deep breath. "Fine,” he sighed. "But I'm not sleeping under the blanket.”

"You'll be cold!”

"I'll use my cloak and I'll be fine!”

"Alright! Fine! Suit yourself!”

He was definitely not fine.

Momo had fallen asleep the moment they turned the lamps off and said their goodnights. Meanwhile, he laid in bed, wide awake and motionless, with only the moonlight and Momo’s steady breathing keeping him company in the quiet night.

‘This is worse than torture,’

he thought. He held his breath every time she stirred and stared at her every time she settled. She looked so serene. He wished he could reach out and brush her hair away from her face. He wished he could reach out and poke the cute mole on her chin. He wished he could crawl up to her and kiss her forehead. He bit the inside of his cheek. Could this be his future? Was he allowed to have this as his future? Could this look like his wedding night?

Wedding night?

Wedding night. He shut his eyes.

‘Charlie! Stop thinking about that! It's not nice! Well, it

would

be nice. But no!’

He slapped his forehead and immediately regretted it, turning to see if the sound woke her up. He sighed when it didn't. He turned his back to her and closed his eyes. This was going to be a long night. 
 
— 
 
Momo yawned. Her eyes sleepily fluttered open. “Oh," she smiled. “Good morning, Charlie!"

He gulped. ‘

Oh no, she looks so beautiful. Is this what she'd look like after our wedding ni—CHARLIE! Get a hold of yourself!’

He rubbed his eyes and forced a smile. "Good morning, Mo,” he said.

She sat up and stretched her arms then brushed through her hair. "Did you have a good sleep?”

"No,” he croaked before he could even think about it.

"Oh?”

He chuckled, sitting up. "The bed just wasn't for me, I guess. Got used to sleeping in a bag?”

She frowned. "Oh, I'm sorry. Maybe you really should have slept on the floor like you insisted.”

Charlie quickly shook his head. “It's not your fault! You only wanted me to be comfortable!"

‘It kind of is. No, it's not!’

He needed to run head first through a wall.

Momo smiled. “Okay, well, I'll go wash up. See you at breakfast?" she reached out to squeeze his hand before getting her bag and leaving the room.

Charlie crashed on the bed with a groan. He was doomed.