My Hero. Chapter 9 – The Fool Co-Written and Art by with Justinukute

Morning came to the orchard, casting soft warm light over the ground, catching itself on the two forms below one of the trees. They were curled up together, leaning on the tree, one resting on the other, hands holding on tight and tickling the other.

Both of them were shirtless their bodies and their cold bodies were coated with morning dew, a single bead of it running down from under doctor's brow and running into his eye. The man moaned at the disturbance and opened his eyes, looking at the face before him. "Ah, good morning."

"Morning." Smokescreen moaned as he stretched out against the trunk. "We… stayed out all night."

Knockout chuckled slightly, reaching to the side and grabbed his shirt, beginning to slowly dress himself. "Yeah, I guess we did."

Reaching out, Smokey ran a finger slowly over his neck. "Did you sleep well?"

"Amazingly." He sighed before turning around and taking the other up in a kiss. "You're a very good pillow."

"Thanks." He smiled then yawned and stretched. "So… what now?"

Doing up his shirt, Knockout let out a deep breath and smiled. "I was thinking about that. And I… I think I have a plan."

"Want to share it?"

"Alright. Well… I realised there are… some items I need to get, sentimental really but if I'm going to start a new life, I'd… I'd like to have them with me."

He blinked and swallowed. "You mean… you want to… to… go back?"

"Only for a little while. I'll go back, get my things and return by nightfall."

Looking at the floor, Smokey frowned. "I don't like the idea of you going back alone."

"I can sneak in and get out easier if I'm alone."

"But… what then?"

Smiling shyly, Knockout looked back. "Then… I come back and… at the next full moon, I become your match, not Starscream's. As long as you… you want to."

Smokey smiled softly then nodded. "Nothing will make me happier."

"Really?"

"Really."

Laughing, Knockout grabbed his hands and leant over kissing him again. "I know it won't be easy but I don't care. If I'm with you, I'll be happy, I know I will." He pulled him in for a kiss, pushing him back into the dirt and straddling his hips with a proud smile. "If I leave now, I can make it back by noon, get my things and return by evening."

Pinned, Smokescreen smiled as his hands played with his intended. "Or you could stay a little longer and leave a little later. I mean… it won't make that much difference… will it?"

He smiled softy then leant forwards. "Alright. Just a little longer."

~#~

Opening the window to his room from the outside, Knockout smiled, his mind burning with the want to get back to his new, real beloved. He walked into his room and looked around in the dark, not wanting to light any candles and give himself away. His eyes moved over the room, trying to work out the shapes of his furnishings and memorise where his mementos were kept.

Just as he reached his desk and opened a draw, a light suddenly appeared, illuminating the whole room from one side. Knockout shielded his eyes with his arm and peered over at the cause of the light.

"Where have you been?"

Lowering his hand, Knockout tried not to panic. "Starscream? What… what are you doing in here?"

"I've been worried sick about you!" The sleek commander said as he stood up. "You've been missing for two whole days. Where have you been?"

He shrugged slightly and turned back to his desk. "Why do you care?"

"Because you are my betrothed. I am meant to know where you are."

"I like to have my space." The red haired man said, still looking in his desk, keeping his back to the other man. "And if you must know, I was out gathering herbs, lost track of time and stayed at an inn for the night. It happens."

Starscream frowned at his back then sighed and smiled. "I guess it does. Well, at least you are back now. And you're safe."

"Yeah. Well if you don't mind, that inn bed wasn't very comfortable so I would like to get some sleep."

"Of course." The commander whispered, stepping up behind him and reaching out to his shoulders, pulling the coat away. "Let's get some sleep."

Instantly, Knockout pulled away and stared in shock, holding the old coat close. "What are you doing?"

"I didn't sleep much last night either. Worrying about you." The man sighed, reaching up to his jacket and undoing some of the buttons. "So why don't we just… get some sleep?"

Knockout continued to stare at him hatefully. "Fine. You know where your quarters are."

"Or…" He said smoothly. "We could spend the night together? It's not unheard of for engaged."

Knockout gave a sudden hollow laugh. "Listen here, Starscream, you will never, EVER share my bed. Never! Now get out of my room before I throw you out!"

Starscream stared at him blankly then frowned. "We are be to wed in three time days."

"It will never happen, Starscream." He pointed at the door and frowned. "Now get out!"

Glaring at Knockout, the commander turned and made his way out of the room before the door was slammed shut behind him. He froze for a moment then leant on the frame, arms crossed and head back in a moment of helplessness.

He was getting desperate.

~#~

The small house was right on the edge of the village, the windows covered with curtains to keep people from looking in, a thick dark smell coming from it while a strange green smoke from the chimney. The commander had been staring it from across the street for at least an hour, trying to build up the confidence to enter it. Every time he thought he could, he would back down quickly.

"How can I help you sir?"

He jumped half out of his skin and turned to look behind him and saw a beautiful woman with long wavy purple hair that shone with gold tread in a black skirt and white shirt, a dark purple shawl with red trim behind him carrying a small wicker basket filled with flowers and poisonous mushrooms.

The man frowned at her then bowed his head gently. "I hear you are the woman to speak to if you have a… problem."

"I am. My name is Airachnid, Commander Starscream."

"H…how did you…"

The woman grinned and ran her hand back in her hair. "It is my business to know these things. Shall we go inside?" She led the way into the house, Starscream following her. The house was dark and filled with smoke, herbs and plants hanging from the roof along with several drying meats and other strange magical looking items he had no idea on.

Airachnid walked quickly to the fire and pulled off a black kettle, pouring two cups of tea and sitting at a table. "So, how can I help you?"

"I thought it was your business to know."

She chuckled as she drank. "Well, I may know who you are but you have lots of problems. Which one are you looking for help with?"

The man frowned for a moment then shifted where he stood, looking over the room and the items it contained. "Well… you see… I am engaged to the only one I have ever wanted."

"Oh?"

"But… he doesn't want me back."

Airachnid smiled and stood up. "So what would you like me to do about it?"

Wandering the room, Starscream randomly picked up some items and nodded. "I… was hoping you would have something to help… encourage him."

"Like… a love potion?"

"Do you have such a thing?"

The woman laughed and turned around, using a key from around her neck to unlock a cupboard on the far wall. "Of course. A basic potion for someone of my powers."

"How much?"

She turned, placing a small red bottle in the shape of a heart. "To gain the love of your life… I would ask for something of equal value." She tapped her cheek playfully. "I believe you have a ship in the harbour? The Nemesis? In return for the potion… you give it to me."

"What? What would you even do with The Nemesis?"

"That is not of your concern. It is my price. Take it or leave it."

"Never. No potion can be worth my ship. I can always find another enchantress."

She shrugged casually and closed the cupboard. "If that is your choice. But believe me, word travels fast among my kind. You will not find a spell like this for a cheaper price."

Starscream frowned but then his eyes were drawn to the red bottle on the table. Holding back a smile, he huffed and nodded. "Fine. I guess I will have to do this the hard way." He stepped forward and grabbed the second cup of tea, gulping it down quickly while his hand subtly took hold of the bottle and hid it up his sleeve. He put the cup down and stared at the woman. "Good day miss."

Without another word, he walked out of the house with the potion hidden up his sleeve. Back inside, Airachnid looked down at her table before smiling coldly and going back to her drink.