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fractalsfrozen | Ice Fae Sigma AU
There's a part of him who knew it'd end up this way. Cast out of the town he'd lived in his entire life, where everyone knew each other like family. In the end it hasn't mattered.
He was a warlock, a friend trying to poison their town with witchcraft and dark magic. Or that's what everyone thought. Change was frightening and right now it wasn't something they were ready for, Harold had feared it, but it hadn't been an excuse to not try to better the lives of the towns people.
Medicine and the advancements in it were not to be trusted, so he'd been cast out, forced out into the harshness of winter and the wilds to fend for himself. Harold packed as much as they allowed him, bundled up in as many layers as he could wear without inhibiting his movement.
The first few days aren't so bad, cold, but thankfully not windy. He's got enough food for maybe a week if he rations it out. Making a fire is dangerous, it draws attention and he's on his own, his only weapon a knife he uses to eat with.
In the end it's not monsters or animals or even ruffians that get him, it's the storm that hits three days in. The wind bites through his clothes and there's no way he could make a fire like this.
So he fights through blinding snow drifts to find a cave or anything he could take shelter in, but his body gives out before he has any luck. The cold is just too much and he collapses, still clutching a blanket tight around himself to try and fight off the wind and snow.
He was a warlock, a friend trying to poison their town with witchcraft and dark magic. Or that's what everyone thought. Change was frightening and right now it wasn't something they were ready for, Harold had feared it, but it hadn't been an excuse to not try to better the lives of the towns people.
Medicine and the advancements in it were not to be trusted, so he'd been cast out, forced out into the harshness of winter and the wilds to fend for himself. Harold packed as much as they allowed him, bundled up in as many layers as he could wear without inhibiting his movement.
The first few days aren't so bad, cold, but thankfully not windy. He's got enough food for maybe a week if he rations it out. Making a fire is dangerous, it draws attention and he's on his own, his only weapon a knife he uses to eat with.
In the end it's not monsters or animals or even ruffians that get him, it's the storm that hits three days in. The wind bites through his clothes and there's no way he could make a fire like this.
So he fights through blinding snow drifts to find a cave or anything he could take shelter in, but his body gives out before he has any luck. The cold is just too much and he collapses, still clutching a blanket tight around himself to try and fight off the wind and snow.
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He tossed another handful from the bag before offering it to Harold.
“Would you like to throw them a handful or two?”
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Natural.
"Oh, yes of course. Thank you." He has to use both hands to take it, it's a big bag for him, but he'll set it down between them and toss a few handfuls in, watching with a pleased twinkle in his eyes as the fish gobble it up.
Harold sighs, wistful.
"... you have a beautiful home here." He smiles then up at the fae, "Thank you for sharing so much of it with me."
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Then there was that smile up at him and he could not help but softly smile back.
"Of course. It is rare to find a human so open minded. I think I should be a real monster if I did not share my knowledge with someone who could make a genuine difference. So...thank you for listening."
He gently patted Harold on the back and realized that his palm covered a portion of it. There really was a large size difference between the two of them.
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His face heats up a little, but hopefully in the low light it's not too obvious. Besides he's got the whole cold excuse. It's fine.
"I'm not sure about making a difference, but I do intend to try." His smile turns a little sad, "Humans are slow to change, to accept, one day they will." Already there are places more open to it, to what Harold wants to do.
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“I hope so.”
He noticed the heat on Harold’s face, but chalked it up to the cold the human had been suffering.
“Harold, are there any symptoms you have that need additional attention?”
It was an honest question. The human knew what was best for himself, after all and the fae wanted him to know that he could be open and express his needs on any way, shape or form.
That large hand rested on the healer’s shoulders.
“Or perhaps there is a symptom you do not have but would like the information to treat?”
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Realizing he might come off rude he'll clear his throat and smile.
"Sorry, just a few cobwebs up in my head. Maybe a dip in the hot spring later would do me some good." His eyes flicker to the beautiful fish, then he turns a little towards Sigma.
"But I'd love to learn more, anything, any knowledge you'd be willing to give. A little cold shouldn't hold back the thirst for learning." He'll chuckle. Harold you almost died, almost froze to death. Sighs.
"I almost feel bad, here you've given me so much, shown me such wonders, I feel like I've nothing to offer in return." He's mostly grousing in jest, teasing, but it's true. What does he have to offer such a wise and magnificent fae?
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"That can certainly be arranged. Would you mind terribly if I joined you there?"
The fae shook his head and raised his hand with a smile.
"Nonsense. Your pleasant company and the promise that the knowledge I share will not go to waste is more than enough. The winters here can be a bit lonely at times now that Sombra's all grown up. Most of the animals are sleeping or have migrated South. It is nice to have a visitor."
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"Not at all, Sigma." Besides, this was the fae's home. Who was he to say he couldn't go where he pleased? Though he's sure if he truly wished to be alone the fae would afford him that privacy.
"So what I've gathered is we both enjoy each other's company." Harold chuckles, fusing at his glasses a bit.
"I hope you don't grow sick of me too fast, since I'll be here for a little while." Through the harsh bite of winter, before it's safe to travel out to the city. It's only been a few days after all, it must be a mere blink to Sigma.
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The fae ran his clawed fingers through his hair.
"No, I don't think that will happen."
There was a smile in his voice as well as on his face and his blue eyes looked up and down before shifting over to Harold and eventually met his gaze.
"I am sure we will not tire of each other's company."
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Harold on the other hand holds that gaze with the fae for a beat, smile tugging a little wider before he changes the subject.
"So then, what's on the agenda today? You must have plenty to do, besides catering to my curiosity?" Like the day before, going out to see the damage of the storm and taking care of those who needed it.
"Not that I'm complaining." Again, they've established they do like each other's company after all.
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He smiled softly towards the human.
"I...would enjoy your company...and...I could help you gather some medicinal bark for your work."
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"How could I refuse such an offer?" He couldn't. He'd be an idiot if he did.
"Here," Harold will sprinkle a little more food for the beautiful fish. Everyone is full now!
"Everyone has had breakfast, let's go see how things are going outside."
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Siebren led Harold through the cavern back the way they came. In one of the rooms, there was a wooden trunk. He lifted the lid and pulled out A sparkling blue and white coat trimmed in thick, white fur. The ice fae shook it out, it clearly did not fit him and was much more in line with Harold's size.
"This was mine when I was younger. The spiders and a neighboring fae made it for me...I still felt the cold when I was young, Ice Fae or not."
He offered it to Harold.
"I believe this will help you keep the chill off during our walk."