To Match Your Eyes

Manon was frowning, heavily so, as she checked over Abraxos' saddle carefully. When the wyvern shook himself, she withheld a growl. "Keep still or this will only take longer."

He huffed at her, but followed through, not moving as she made sure the leather where her feet went was still in good shape. "This will be good for tonight," she muttered as she straightened.

Abraxos turned to her, his head held at an angle so that he was level with her. As Manon met his eyes he bobbed his head in a manner she knew was a taunt. Taking a step back, she crossed her arms. "What?"

Abraxos shook himself before sniffing at her, specifically at the pouch she carried around her waist. "What, you intrusive whelp?" When she was about to back off, the wyvern actually placed a large paw behind her, keeping her in place while he used his tongue to infiltrate her pouch. "What in the Wyrd-" he growled at her and she paused in shock. Her recovery was swift however and soon she was pushing back at his head, growling back as her iron teeth were bared. "Abraxos, if you do not let me go this instant, I will cut off your wings and feed you to the spiders, you demented felcher."

And then he took his head back and between his iron-tipped teeth was an emerald necklace, the stones glinting in the setting sun streaming in from the mouth of the cave. Abraxos slowly removed his claw from around her, but she didn't move, staring at the beautiful jewel he held in his maw, knowing exactly what he wanted to communicate.

Manon did not accept gifts, ever. Even from someone as close to her as Asterin or Sorell. They knew she despised receiving things, the witch heir always felt like she owed when she was given something, and there is nothing more she detested than unpaid dept.

Controlling her expression, the white haired witch took the necklace from her wyvern, taking it in her hands and stroking the gold chain.

To match your eyes.

She gripped the thing while sneering at Abraxos. "What?" She asked him again, feigning ignorance.

The wyvern huffed before looking at something behind her. Irritated but intrigued, the witch followed his penetrating gaze…right to Asterin's female who was resting on her side, a large bone beside her, one Manon knew Abraxos gave her.

As if to prove his point, Abraxos nosed her hand, the one holding the necklace.

"He is no more than a plaything," she heard herself say as she watched the female wyvern sniff at the bone in her sleep. She met eyes with her own, "a distraction."

Abraxos lowered his head, his stupid gaze fixed upon the item in her hand. The one thing she had decided to keep despite her aversion to owing people things, despite considering the whole experience a fling, an enjoyable pastime at most.

But one night a month had lowered to once a week, then twice, four times. The only reason she was checking the saddle on Abraxos was because she was returning once more to that glass wall and that stone castle, to a room she was starting to know so well she had no need of light-

"He means nothing to me," she reiterated, gripping the necklace so hard her knuckles felt numb. "This means nothing."

The mongrel of a beast just kept staring at it, then up at her. She knew what he was thinking, not that Manon ever wondered what he actually thought of the late night outings where he would watch her from the courtyard next to the flowers he loved to smell as she went into the King's quarters and did not come out until hours later, sometimes close to morning.

Slowly, almost fearfully, Manon looked down to the gift.

What is that? She had asked as she had dressed.

She could still remember the smile he gave her-with an appreciative look in his eye-while he still lay bare before her. Well, clearly it's a necklace.

Manon had scoffed. Do you need help placing it on or something?

He had stared at her then, much like Abraxos did now, as if wondering if she was being dull on purpose or if she truly was as dense as she made herself appear. This is a gift, he said slowly, carefully. For you.

Manon stroked the stone, noting how perfect the cut was, imagining just how much it was worth to the common human. "I couldn't say no," she muttered, but quickly caught herself, snapping her golden gaze up to Abraxos. Annoyed at herself, the witch placed the necklace back into her pouch. "Perhaps there will be no outing tonight," she said.

"You should go."

Manon paused in the removing of the saddle feeling cold ice all over. For once, she wished the ground to swallow her whole, to forget that she ever spoke any words in relation to a handsome creature that had been nothing more than an afterthought in her mind. Abraxos' tail swished, signaling he was happy to see the intruder.

Traitor, Manon thought. He had always been a traitor.

"You like him, don't you?"

Manon closed her eyes as Asterin stepped beside her. Mayhap if she ignored her Second, Asterin would grow bored and leave.

"Manon."

No such luck.

The white haired witch removed her hand from the saddle, but refused to acknowledge Asterin's presence. "It's okay, you know, if you have feelings for him-"

"Do not go there," Manon bit. She dared to look at the blonde. "I feel nothing-"

"The gift he gave you, may I see it?"

Manon swallowed thickly, feeling inadequate and lost. Asterin's face was just so knowing, it made the Wing Leader feel like a child. Mutely, she reached into her pouch and took out the necklace. She watched her Second smile, the action beautiful and natural, like she was remembering something nice. "Is this emerald?" A nod. "It's beautiful…the gold matches your eyes."

That's what he had said.

"You can have it."

Why did that…hurt?

Asterin raised elegant eyebrows. "We both know you don't mean that." When Manon looked away, her Second spoke again, this time in a much quieter voice. "I know how you feel, how confusing it is at first, but later-"

"Stop." It came out as a weak whisper, something Manon had never heard from herself before.

As an answer, Asterin stepped toward her, placing the necklace back in the pouch. And then Manon felt a warm hand on her face and though she flinched, she didn't push Asterin away. "Go to him, at least for tonight. Take it day by day, slowly. Don't fight things, let events run their course naturally."

"How long have you known?"

Asterin removed her hand and a grin replaced the soft smile she had sported before. "About your little escapades? Since they started, though some of the others are a tad worried because you're out more consistently lately."

I am such a fool, Manon thought.

"I told them not to worry," her Second added. Rendered speechless, Manon's eyebrows drew together. Such a huge fool. She glanced at Abraxos while Asterin placed her hands on her hips. "You should wear it."

"What?"

"The necklace. You should wear it."

Manon observed her pouch, actually considering it. Finally, "You said to go slow, I don't think I want…"

"I understand, but please, don't give it to someone or throw it away, you will end up regretting it."

Manon nodded. "I will keep it."

A smile, one that Manon was sure would smite quite a number of men in their tracks. "Good, now go, you're already late." Without awaiting for confirmation, the golden-haired witch left, but not before giving Manon a wink the latter didn't react to.

Abraxos observed her expectantly…and Manon got unto the saddle.

…

Deep into the night, Manon Blackbeak stared at the form beside her in heavy consideration, listening to the steady breathing, taking in the bare skin. Her head felt muddled.

"Dorian," she breathed almost hoping he hadn't heard.

But his cerulean eyes, noticeable in the candlelight, turned to her. "Yes?" She took her time and he waited patiently, his face showing signs of tiredness-product of their joined exertion.

"Thank you."

The King's eyes lit up, but he controlled his expression well and she wondered if it was for her benefit. "For what?"

Breathing out she said, "the necklace."

His smile was so beautiful she was reminded of sunshine and fresh snow and flowers and other silly things that made her want to consider a lobotomy due to their ridiculousness.

How did he do it? Manon wondered.

How did he make her think like this?

Was he even slightly aware of the turmoil he caused?

And then she noticed how close he was, so close she could smell him clearly, a scent that was slowly driving her mad. For a moment the King seemed to hesitate, but gaining courage, he gently reached out with his hand, touching at her hair with his fingertips, asking permission with his eyes. When she didn't object, with the same speed, the same care, he slowly stroked her head. An action so bewilderingly intimate the witch felt her eyes grow misty. No one had ever touched her in this way before.

Shyly, reverently, Dorian leaned forward and placed a kiss against her forehead.

"You're welcome."

I said I was doing these short on purpose and I ended up doing a longer one.

Thanks to Guest and Shizawaffles for your awesome reviews, your words were very touching and just as long as I am inspired to make these I will continue to update consistently. I really do enjoy writing about Dorian and Manon.

I hope you enjoyed, thanks for reading.