Once upon a time, there was a knight that made it to the history books, his bravery and dutifulness were praised around the world.

His deed was avoided by all, a hero that never got to see his triumph, the knight had defeated the dragon guarding the tower, though his fate had been sealed along with the creature's.

Those were the mocking words Alfred got in the town, he paid no heed to them. He had a mission and nothing would stop him. Not the mockery, not the weather, not the long search and certainly not a small climb.

The tower stood tall, the stones were slippery, rash on Alfred's hands. The rain was pouring heavily, he squinted his eyes as some droplets blurred his vision.

He panted as he reached out his hand, grasping on the jointed rocks above him. He glanced up, the window was just a few meters away,

His hand slipped, losing the grip but he held on tighter with his other hand. The tower rumbled with a roar, a thunderous laugh echoed inside, the stones vibrating with each cackle.

"Your attempts are futile, young one." A voice said between the chuckles.

Alfred frowned, a thousand times had he heard that voice, the words were different, yet the message was always the same.

"Leave." It said, the stones shook again, Alfred feared he might fall but he kept silent, closing his eyes and gripping for dear life.

When the laughter stopped, Alfred resumed his climbing. Little by little, he was reaching the window.

The voice resounded again. "Leave, you won't like what you'll find in the tower."

"Why should I listen to you?" Alfred said, pausing to regain his breath. "You said I wouldn't be able to reach the middle, yet here we are."

"What are you looking for, knight?"

Alfred arched an eyebrow, his eyes wandering down, the height was considerably high, a fall would surely kill him. "I'm looking for the prince." He said, humoring the talking creature.

"The prince is no longer here. Leave."

"We'll see."

Alfred felt his hands aching, his fingers numb from the cold, everytime he glanced at the lone window at the top, it seemed to be farther and farther away, yet his hands finally grasped the windowsill, his arms shaking as he pulled his weight up, entering the tower and falling into the floor.

He chuckled, laying down, his clothes were soaked, the ceiling was dark, a night sky painted skillfully, disturbed by scratches.

Alfred frowned, the curtains were torn, the small table flipped on the floor alongside broken pieces of ceramic.

"Where are you?" He breathed out, sitting as he glanced around.

A slippery sound made him flinch and Alfred found himself staring at pearly white fangs. "You were warned." The thunderous voice said. "You should have stayed outside."

Alfred smiled as the creature wrapped his sneaky form around him, the scales glinting with a golden undertone, he was so small in comparison, yet the creature hugged him tenderly, as if his mere touch would break the long tail.

"Where's your silver sword? Your mighty shield or your sharpened spear?" The voice asked exasperated, its warm breath enveloping Alfred. "It doesn't matter, all that it's futile against me."

Alfred stood still, his eyes fixed on the creature's golden orbs, he let out a chuckle. "Stop joking."

"I am a dragon, the mightiest of creatures and you dare to make fun of me? You shall perish for your foolishness, I will eat you just as I did with your beloved prince."

"It 's me, Alfred. I've been looking for you." He said, reaching out his hand to touch the scales, the creature's hold on him weakened, avoiding his touch as if it were ignited by fire.

"I know your secret." Alfred stood up slowly, walking towards the retreating creature. "I don't love you any less."

"Lies! You don't know anything." The creature roared, the walls trembling as it backed against them, squirming in the small room, the golden eyes were wide. "Leave."

"I know enough." Alfred ran his hand through the scales, his touch steady, slow as he watched the reds shifting into golden. The creature trembled, slumping his form on the floor as he kept his caresses.

Alfred wrapped his hands around him, breathing out his words with the softest tone he could muster. "Yao, you don't have to be alone anymore."

It was all it took for the room to echoe with the wails of the creature.

The knight had defeated the dragon guarding the tower, his fate sealed to be alongside the creature.


A/N: This was made for Amechu week 2021 the prompt was AU