A/N: -Tentatively slides this gift into the room- I am so late I am so sorry but here it is. I have a longy for you. You'll have to forgive me, I had a convention to attend this weekend thus my absence and I am sick as a dog to boot. The prompt for this day was AU and this is my AU! This is inspired by a scene between myself and Misaki-the-red over on tumblr in an rp we did a few months back. For those who don't much care for AUs this one probably isn't your cup of tea. Unless you like magic and dragons and fantasy like things in which case, carry on! I may not get through all the prompts quickly but the next one I will definitely be doing next is the "Angst" prompt. The title will be "Soulmates" So make sure you keep an eye out!
In all his years, Tatara could honestly say he had never seen a more frightening sight than when he saw Mikoto angry. There were probably not many who got to see him in such a state and managed to walk away unscathed.
He jumped to the side as an axe swung at his head, robes swinging behind him as he skittered away on nimble heels. He wasn't a fighter. Never had been. He could barely do the simplest of destruction magic; even starting a fire had the ability to drain him mentally and physically should he attempt to start one. It was a pathetic state to be in really, that he had always known. Now though, it was much more prominent than ever.
A great clawed hand swung out, striking his assailant like a fly with a roar that shook the timbers around them. Totsuka looked up at the large dragon before him, black and red scales flashing like steel in the light of the late afternoon sun. It was a marvelous sight. One Tatara knew he would never get to see unless there was a true danger to them here.
They had sensed danger when they entered this part of the wood. Mikoto's senses were sharp, his hearing without equal, and Tatara had spent too many years running away from conflict not to know when trouble was nearby. Unfortunately their senses were not much help in this case short of giving them enough warning to defend.
Dragons were a rare breed, feared and hated but sought after all the same. Their hides and talons fetched a high price should they be acquired but even just the killing of something so dangerous earned the hunter a hefty bounty.
Mikoto's sides heaved with each breath, worn from fighting and defending. The bandits were not skilled on their own but they were here in numbers. They had been ready to face on a dragon of Mikoto's size. And while they soon found that nets were useless against him there were still enough to give cause for alarm.
Totsuka looked around, searching for any way out that he can find. Anything at all that can help them escape. The clearing here was too dense for Mikoto's wings to open fully. In fact the whole wood was too dense for his full form. Had they any hope of slipping away Mikoto would have to revert back and even that could spell a death sentence.
A deep, guttural growl slides easily from Mikoto's throat, mouth open and fangs bared, ready to take on all who dare attack next. Tatara stepped up to him, smoothing a hand over the warm scales at his side to calm him. Blind rage would only get them killed. He needed him to keep his head about himself and the gold, reptilian eyes that slid his way proved Mikoto got the message clearly.
A bandit rushed forward with a cry and Tatara ducked, reading Mikoto's movements a split second before his tail whipped over his head, slamming into their attacker. Mikoto gave another roar of rage, fire suddenly bubbling in his chest and bursting out of his maw. His attacker screamed in agony, falling to the ground and Mikoto turned the flames on the others instead.
The flames scorched the trunks of trees around them, burning them black and Totsuka grew concerned Mikoto ran the risk of burning the forest around them with them in it.
The flames end, leaving behind the scent of burnt flesh and blood and molten metal from burnt armor. Totsuka keeps a hand on Mikoto's side, sensing how tired he is. The carnage around him doesn't even register as he looks his partner over, looking for any wound that could have been caused.
Mikoto's head came down on a long neck, nudging him reassuringly that he was fine. No real harm had been done and he breathed a sigh of relief, leaning into his warm neck comfortably. What a relief that was then. Another fight over and hopefully one that would be their last. Why couldn't they just leave them in peace?
"I think you and I both deserve a long rest and some good food, don't you thi-" He doesn't get the chance to finish his question before something sharp whizzed by his face, opening a shallow wound on his cheek that made him start. He whirled around with a gasp, finding one lone fighter left, who looked as if he could barely keep his feet.
The scent of Tatara's blood sent the dragon into frenzy, eyes slitting as he lunged forward, claws outstretched to rip him apart.
Dragon and human collided with the sound of ripping flesh and cloth, the momentum behind the attack sending Mikoto crashing into the trees. The weakened black trunks gave way, splitting and cracking under the pressure and coming down.
"Mikoto!" Fear suddenly gripped around Totsuka's heart as he saw the trees come crashing down. A mangled cry of pain came from the mess of trees and debris as they all settled and Tatara rushed over, digging at branches, trying to get leverage to climb over them.
A human hand suddenly burst up out of the pile, lined with deadly claws that dug into the wood and pulled a broken body free. Mikoto pulled himself out, red hair matted by blood as his voice screamed in agony. Tatara gasped as he rolled from the pile of debris, landing on the ground with a sickening thunk.
It only took him a second to notice the true cause of his agony and the sight forced a hand over Tatara's mouth in pained shock.
The wings that usually rested to neatly against Mikoto's back now laid limp on either side of him, hanging in awkward angles and obviously broken or shattered in multiple places.
The fear and agony in Mikoto's eyes is too real as he tries to run to him, stopped by a growl and the slice of claws in front of his face. Mikoto isn't himself and Tatara can see that, can see how he's blind with rage and pain. All he can see now is a human intent on harm rather than the friend he had come to know. And with a human so close he knows death is an almost inevitable outcome.
After all, as Mikoto had said once, "A dragon without his wings, is a dragon without his life."
"Mikoto." He says softly, ignoring the snarls he gets in return. "Mikoto, it's me. It's alright."
He reaches his hands out to the top of Mikoto's shoulders and claws immediately dig into his sides, fangs finding the flesh of his shoulder. He hisses before schooling his face into a neutral expression, smiling softly. "Mikoto." It was almost a whisper with how low he says it, knowing Mikoto has the strength to tear him apart here and now if he wanted to.
"It's me, Mikoto. It's your Tatara. You need to calm down." He feels the claws digging deeper, feels blood starting to leak out from the small punctures. "Let me help you." Mikoto is trembling against him but slowly his words seem to have an effect, his grip loosening and his teeth slowly sliding from his shoulder.
"Ta…Tatara…" It's a pained whine and Tatara smiles at the sight of Mikoto's eyes, seeing his renewed awareness. Thank goodness.
"Shhh I'm here. You need to let me see. Stop moving. You're making it worse." He was reflexively trying to move his wings, trying to get them to respond. The result was only more pain caused to him.
Mikoto leans forward, burying his face against his stomach with a groan and Tatara pets his hair, trying to help him relax as best he can before sliding his hands down to the warm, damaged flesh. Mikoto jerks at the first gentle touch and Tatara bites his lip, hating himself for bringing him any kind of pain.
He can feel the bones underneath, can feel how they are in pieces, shattered and beyond repair by normal means. It makes his stomach roll just thinking about it. The amount of pain he had to be feeling now would be enough to knock out a regular man.
The damage is extensive. Beyond his meager power to heal, he knows. His specialty was healing magics but even those were weak in comparison to a normal mage. However, he had to do something. He had to fix this. He had been the one who decided to come into this wood. Mikoto had been injured protecting them. He needed to do something.
"I'll fix it." He said assuredly, hands shaking as he arranged himself in a better position, pulling Mikoto almost fully into his lap. "I'll fix it, just..just hold still for me ok? I need you to hold as still as you can." This was going to be beyond painful for both of them and most likely deadly for one.
"You'll…you'll hurt yourself…" Mikoto tried to protest. Tried and failed when his voice reverted to an agonized whine.
It hurt to see the strongest person, the strongest being Tatara had ever known, in so much pain this way. He knew if he didn't do something, didn't at least try, that Mikoto would be crippled. Being crippled would all but kill him completely. He would never be able to fly again. Wouldn't be able to fight as well or even walk quite as well without his wings to help balance him properly.
Mikoto holds onto him tighter and Tatara shakes his head, knowing he's protesting his thoughts. "It doesn't matter. You matter. I'm going to fix this." Even if it killed him, he was going to fix this for Mikoto. Was going to make sure he flew and survived. Such a rare, beautiful person did not need to be crippled this way. It would most certainly lead to death if he was.
"It matters…to me.." Tatara ignored his words, ripping a long strip from the hem of his already torn shirt. He rolled it up tight, holding it in front of Mikoto's lips to bite down. It was going to hurt and he didn't want Mikoto to accidently bite his tongue in his reflexive struggles.
"Bite down on this. It's going to hurt." It's the only warning he gives, Mikoto relenting and taking the strip of cloth between his teeth. Tatara takes a shaking breath, settling his hands against Mikoto's back, between the wing joints.
He takes a long moment to steady himself before closing his eyes, concentrating on that small spark within himself that allowed him to tap into his magic. It responded to him, flaring forth to his fingertips and pouring into the bones and damaged flesh.
The resulting scream was even more painful to hear than he expected, the kind that made his insides run cold like ice, made them twist with illness. He can feel the bones setting themselves under his hands. Piece by small painful piece and he talks to him, voice soothing and low, trying to help, trying to bring him some form of comfort. He doesn't think it helps. Mikoto is too far gone, buried in his pain, to register his voice.
Claws are digging into the soil next to them, ripping roots and shoots from the ground and Tatara is only grateful it isn't his flesh this time.
He talks as long as he can but soon he's drained and his voice trails off to nothing, full concentration going to the healing process. He just needed to finish. It didn't matter what happened to his body he just needed to finish and make it to the end of the healing. That was all. He needed to make this happen.
His vision blurs, his magic wavering as he tries to force it through Mikoto's skin evenly. He's almost there…he just…he has to finish...he has to. For Mikoto's sake. His vision blurs, eyes closing to fight of nausea and by now Mikoto has long since bit through the make shift gag, fangs grinding together in agony. Just…a little more.
Mikoto's sounds of pain begin to ease and soon Tatara feels the last splinter of bone slide into its proper place, melding together and leaving behind something new and whole. The flow of magic abruptly tops and he cracks open his eyes, trembling and chest heaving for air. He feels like he's floating, head full of down and he can't think straight.
He stares at the newly fixed wings in a daze before leaning to the side as the contents of his stomach hits the ground. His stomach falls at the sight of blood mixed with the contents and he knows he's pushed himself past any acceptable limit.
He doesn't have time to reflect on this before his mind gives way, consciousness flittering away as he falls forward against his lover's back.
0
0
There's nothing but a deep, aching pain when he wakes.
The lightheaded feeling had yet to recede though it wasn't as bad as it had been before. His arms and legs felt like lead and something soft had been placed beneath his head. He…was alive then? He hadn't died? There had to be some miracle at work here for this to be so. He tries to move and his muscles burn at the strain, causing him to wince and grunt.
It draws the attention of a hazy figure sitting next to him and Tatara squints, trying to get his vision to come into focus.
A warm hand meets his face, sliding behind his head and down to his back to help him sit up. "Easy, Tatara." The gentle sound of Mikoto's voice brings him so much relief that tears flood his eyes. He didn't sound like he was in pain any longer. Did that mean he had succeeded? He tries to speak but his throat is far too dry to make proper words.
As if in response, he feels the lip of a water skin against his lips, Mikoto tilting it slowly to help him drink. He drinks it down to the last drop, still thirsty but able to think a bit more clearly now as he cleared his throat. "Wi-Wings…your wings…they're alright?"
The look on Mikoto's face looks a cross between complete confusion, relief and surprise. "You nearly died, you damn fool, and that's the first thing you can say? Worry about yourself for once." His words are said gently, no matter the bite that sounds like they should be behind them. Tatara can hear how grateful he is and it makes him feel so much better as he relaxes against Mikoto with a sigh.
The dragon helps him eat something small and light, desperate to return some of his energy before gathering the mage into his arms. "You saved me." He whispered quietly, pulling him against his chest tight. "You saved my life. I owe you everything."
Tatara shakes his head weakly. It was the least he could do to repay the dragon for taking care of him as he had all this time. "Let…let me see them.." He wanted to check over the wings for himself. Wanted to see the repair he had managed.
Mikoto gives him what he wants, stretching the scaled pinions and wrapping them around them tightly. Tatara gave a sigh of relief, reaching to run his hand along the warm scales and membranes.
"You did this." Mikoto said quietly, lips meeting Totsuka's hair. "You made them whole again. I love you but…never do it again. You are not worth losing just so I can fly again."
Tatara smiles softly, closing his eyes and nuzzling his face into Mikoto's chest comfortably, sinking into his warmth. "Let's just…agree to disagree for now. I'm sleepy." He gets a snort in response and a hand strokes over his hair.
"Rest. I'll be here when you wake."
Tatara takes his words to heart, relaxing and letting his mind wander, giving into the dark, comfortable realm of sleep.