A/N: Sorry for the late update. Had a lot of homework and didn't have too much motivation after getting through all of it. This weekend and next week will be hectic so I don't know when the next chapter will be.
The room was dim, the light from the hallway creeping in through the ajar door. There was also a mason jar filled with fireflies set upon a desk as a nightlight of sorts and Leo nearly laughed at how stupid it all seemed. It was nearing midnight and the desire of sleep tugged at him; his eyes felt heavy and his moves were sluggish. Takumi was already asleep to his side, buried in a bundle of blankets as if he were scared of the dark. Of course, the light from the hallway and the nightlight were dead giveaways that the boy actually was afraid of the dark.
Leo turned over, facing away from Takumi. The object in his pocket weighed down on him and he reconsidered what he was expected to do.
After the events of Takumi's birthday party, Mikoto informed Leo of all she remembered of what she had called "the first life". From what he could grasp, he was the reincarnation of a prince and was the one to slay the dragon of that time. It all seemed blasphemous and laughable, but the longer Mikoto talked without falter, he had to come to the realization that this was no practical joke.
And as he turned through book after book, the evidence was irrefutable. Names and appearances were never recorded for the royalty at that time, but the rest of the details of the War of Fates were written. Since the party, he had probably binged more than ten books just on that one war and the time period. And the more he read, the more he began to believe in the possibility of him truly being a reincarnation of the second prince of Nohr.
However, there was still reasonable doubt in his mind. It never occurred to him that Mikoto could easily just be delusional and believe the reincarnation story wholeheartedly, leading to him reading up on the war and convincing himself he was truly of that time. Was there truly something amiss? Or was Mikoto making him a self-fulfilling prophecy over some made-up fantasy?
He shook his head. No- he would have to believe Mikoto on this. As much as the cynic in him wanted to reject how foolish this preposition of reincarnation and dragons was, there was this sense of childish wonder that begged him to fall down the rabbit hole. He would have to throw aside his doubt and actually have faith in another person for once.
Reaching into his pocket and sliding his finger over the chilling metal, he began rethinking his choice. He had promised Mikoto he would draw Anankos out, and from what she told him of the truth of the kidnapping a few months ago, it was Anankos that had saved Takumi and Sakura. That meant that Anankos cared enough to save his vessel, leading to the conclusion that Leo drew for the plan.
He retrieved the pocket knife, the steel glinting even in the faint luminescence of the bedroom. He frowned, gaze flicking between his friend and the weapon. He flicked it open, the edge cutting through the air through some spring system. Deep down, he hoped for Anankos to actually be sharing a body with Takumi so that this was not for naught.
Taking a deep breath, he inched closer to the bundle of blankets and began slide them off the silver-haired boy, revealing the uncovered skin of his arms. Biting his lip, Leo contemplated over backing out for the sixth time but steeled himself, knowing he promised Mikoto he could do the simple task of provoking the dragon.
"Takumi, please forgive me," he muttered under his breath, bringing the knife to the boy's arm. He began making a light incision and nearly pulled away as Takumi visibly winced in his sleep. Guilt and regret washed over the blond but he swallowed past the lump in his throat, continuing the cut.
And in a split second, he was on his back, pinned to the ground with Takumi's hands wringed around his neck.
"Prince Leo of Nohr...!" Takumi growled, red eyes burning with anger. Leo clawed at the hands, attempting to pry them off his throat. He kicked at Takumi's chest as he struggled for air, choking and gasping as nails began to dig into his neck. His sight was blurring and his peripheral vision was darkening. Nevertheless, Takumi continued to strangle him and showed no signs of relenting any time soon.
Everything Mikoto had said was true. Of course, Leo probably would have been happier at the revelation if he wasn't being suffocated. His mind raced at a mile a minute for some solution, for some way to save his life, but all he could do was rely on the adrenaline in his veins and his desire to survive. With whatever strength he had, he incessantly kicked at the boy hovering over him, even if it would deplete the air in his lungs quicker.
"I'll kill you!"
Leo squeezed his eyes shut, praying to whatever god would listen, and continued to gasp like he was a fish out of water. This couldn't be how he died; not at such a young age by the hands of his best friend.
I can't die here. This can't be the end - it can't..!
He could breathe again.
He sputtered, inhaling and reopening his eyes almost like he was just revived. His vision was still blurry at the edges but he pushed himself backwards, away from Takumi until his back hit the sleek wood of a nightstand. Glancing up at Takumi, he almost looked crazed, his hair flaring out wildly around his shoulders and his eyes a deathly red.
Leo panted, body still shaking as he heaved for breath. He coughed before he was able to speak. "Y-you're Anankos, aren't you?"
Takumi failed to move but his gaze stayed on Leo, as if he were an animal watching its prey. It made the blond feel uneasy but he had the willpower to not cower under the glare. The silence confirmed his suspicion, and Leo found the lack of an answer unnerving. From what Mikoto had told him, he expected snarky remarks and to be toyed with. However, it seemed the tense air that sat between them was more unbearable and Leo couldn't settle the tremors in his bones. Just the presence of the dragon sent goosebumps down his skin.
Recalling the fact that he was currently alive and not being strangled, Leo furrowed his eyebrows in thought, the confusion he felt probably evident on his features. "Why..." he began, keeping a close eye on the unmoving Takumi, "why didn't you kill me?"
Red eyes shifted to the side and the blond found himself intrigued. He expected to be dead at this point, especially with how he was being strangled barely a minute prior. Seeing the uncertainty in Takumi was odd, and Leo almost regretted his deal with Mikoto. A part of Leo didn't expect an answer from the dragon, especially with the pregnant silence that fell between them, but the answer he received became all the more surprising.
"I can't."
It was stated bluntly and Leo felt more confused than he did before. Anankos was... unable to kill him? Leo found himself whispering a quiet "what...?" to himself, something he was certain the dragon picked up on, but he couldn't contain his confusion. Nothing was making sense and he almost regretted allowing himself to join in with Mikoto over this bizarre witch hunt.
Takumi clenched his fists and scoffed, perhaps in spite of himself. "There are still remnants of Brynhildr's magic in your soul, protecting you" - a growl - "I am unable to kill you."
Feeling slightly at ease, Leo steadied his breathing and ran through all of the possibilities of the situation. There was no chance of him dying to the dragon, but now that he knew of Anankos' presence, Leo was sure the dragon would be keeping a close eye on him. It would limit his options and he would have to reconsider his approach for the future. From now on, he would have to be careful around Takumi.
Takumi. Leo chewed at his lip, narrowing his eyes. Did he know what Anankos truly was? Leo doubted it, recalling the one-sided conversation he overheard from the birthday party. And then there was the question of why Takumi was calling Anankos that other name. What was it again...?
"I don't care about me," Leo announced with bravery he did not know he possessed. "I just want to know what you're doing with Takumi."
Takumi narrowed his eyes, moving closer to the blond. He growled lowly, teeth seeming more like fangs as he spoke. "I see no point in telling a human such as you," he scoffed, disgust written clearly on his features. "Humans have only given me trouble - what makes you any different?"
Many answers ran through Leo's thoughts but the tenseness in the air seemed to choke him. He never worked well under pressure and the unwavering glare of red eyes did not help at all. He steeled himself, mustering up whatever courage he had left, and fought past the fear in his heart.
"Takumi is a human," Leo reasoned, stating it plainly in hopes of rationalizing his argument, "and you care about him. You clearly don't hold hatred for all humans. What makes me any different?"
By the time the words left his mouth, Leo regretted his question. Anankos may have not hated all humans, but the dragon had more of enough of a reason to have contempt for him. According to Mikoto, Leo had been the one to slay Anankos in the first life. Based on the dragon's threat of killing him, Leo was sure Anankos remembered the event. He did not even have the time to rebut before his inquiry was thrown back at him in an accusation.
"Don't even think about comparing yourself to Taki," Takumi growled, hands already at Leo's neck as he glared daggers at the blond. A weak whimper left Byrnhildr's past wielder, the breath being stolen from his lungs for the second time that night. "You killed me. You are nothing like Taki; You're just like the rest of your pitiful race!"
Leo choked, attempting to pry Takumi's hands off his neck. Even if it wouldn't kill him, the strangling was a feeling of deja vu he would happily pass on. He was able to knee Takumi in the stomach to get the boy off of him, giving him the time to regain his breath.
"Stop doing that, gods!" He scolded, his annoyance evident. "I'm not trying to hurt Takumi and you don't even have the ability to kill me!"
In what seemed like a complete switch of temperament, Takumi shrunk back, almost like a wounded animal. Leo inched away in habit, his back still stationary against the desk. Even if Anankos was unable to kill him, maybe he would just keep attempting to hurt him to put him out of commission and-
When Takumi looked up, he was teary-eyed and clutching at his stomach. "L-Leo...?"
In his shock, Leo couldn't move. Takumi was back to normal- that was for sure- but the after effects of Anankos using his body were obvious. It made the blond feel guilty for kicking the boy off of him, but his fight-or-flight instincts were what drove his behavior.
Takumi ran his finger over the cut on his arm with a yelp, wincing at the touch. "What happened?"
With expectant amber eyes on him, Leo could not find his voice. He did not know how much Takumi knew about Anankos, but it seemed better to leave the subject of the matter alone- for now, at least. He would have to talk with Mikoto again and figure something out; at least he didn't have to worry about Anankos doing anything to Takumi.
"I guess I kicked you in the stomach in my sleep," he lied with ease after composing himself from his initial shock, "and you must have cut your arm on the bed frame or something."
Takumi rubbed his arm, not completely convinced but knowing he would get no further in his interrogation. "I'll take your word for it then..."
With a hum in response, Leo made his way back to the center of the bedroom and took up the disheveled blanket to his shoulders. He lay down, body slightly uncomfortable on the floor, and turned his back to the other boy.
"Good night," he said, his run in with Anankos replaying in his mind. He had the grim realization that there was no going back to normal after this, but he didn't mind helping Mikoto, especially if it was to help Takumi. Hopefully by morning he would be able to speak to Mikoto, but he had a feeling the dragon would be keeping a close eye on him from now on.
Takumi sighed, exhaustion washing over him. He decided to ignore whatever Ryuurei was whispering to him about and shut his eyes, waiting for sleep to claim him. He had a feeling something was amiss, but his lethargy was more powerful than his willpower. He knew Leo wasn't telling him the complete truth but he rationalized that there had to be a reason for being lied to. He would just have to trust in his friend's judgement.
"Good night."