Chapter 53: Like a feather

He was the queen. The prime example of a noble woman. Sick maybe but of high status and glory.

And he was a man.

Looking at the offered arm Izaya shook his head in mild confusion.

"Are you stupid?" he asked, but the words carried no bite.

Expectant eyes glittered in anticipation of a dance and Shizuo shrugged with no regard to their current situation it seemed.

"Why not?"

Cheers and laughter filled the inn as the knights conversed about various topics at once. Alaric was busy dancing with three women at once and the innkeeper was rushing to keep the beer flowing.

"You know why," Izaya whispered and he thought his words should have been enough to make Shizuo understand.

He thought wrong.

Not a shred of doubt lingered in those honey coloured eyes as the king tilted his head towards the dancefloor.

"All I see is a gorgeous wife and queen."

Izaya didn't know what expression to make. Should he be annoyed by his persistence? Flattered by his compliment? Agreeing because he was acting as the queen and a dance would only fasten that role further?

But somehow none of these emotions really stayed as Izaya glanced at the king.

A smile, broader than anything he had seen him wear the past few days bent his lips upwards and somehow Izaya couldn't bring himself to decline.

Shizuo just wanted to dance.

There was not much thought to it, no hidden meanings and careful actions.

Shaking his head with a soft smile Izaya took the offered hand and rose to his feet.

Unsteadiness ruled his body as soon as he left the secure hold of his chair, but Shizuo was quick to provide assistance.

Pulling Izaya close he quickly found his hip joined with Shizuo's, one arm around his body and the other holding his hand up.

A smile much grander than expected decorated Shizuo's features as he waited for the music to hit the right notes to start.

Hints of nervosity suddenly befell Izaya and he quickly leaned into Shizuo's shoulder.

"I have never danced the female part," he whispered as quietly as the fireflies circling beyond the inn's window.

It was late, the moon was up and the forest outside slumbered underneath the soothing blanket of cold.

The music, the lively knights and happy women filled the inn with life and a kind of warmth that no fire could provide.

Having caught the hushed words next to his ear, Shizuo smiled with confidence.

"No worries, I got you."

The lute paused for a brief moment in which the innkeeper's wife took a sip of her own mug of beer.

All welcome silence forced the ladies Alaric was entertaining to pause and they grinned at each other with chuckles of flattery.

And so the music started anew, and Shizuo moved.

Slow.

Slower than Izaya had been when teaching Mairu about the basics of dance, Shizuo moved their bodies in a half moon circle.

Resisting the urge to look at his feet, Izaya tried to continue his act of the perfect queen and kept his eyes straight.

Shizuo seemed to realize his minor troubles and without another word tightened his gentle hold on his queen.

Tables passed, chairs were evaded and before Izaya knew it he found himself swept away as easily as a leaf tumbling in the wind.

Shizuo's body was sturdy, his moves executed with unwavering brilliance, and somehow despite never having danced as a female Izaya didn't find trouble matching his steps.

A bit of speed was added to their spin and Izaya found himself chuckling quietly.

Dancing- he had always thought of it as a necessary means to busy oneself during boring banquettes. But this right now?

It was actually fun.

He felt like a feather dancing on paper in the most beautiful patterns and lines.

A sense of security and ultimate trust overwhelmed Izaya as he danced, because no matter which direction he moved into- Shizuo would be there, would keep him steady, would spin him just right.

Is that what made a good dancer?

Izaya started to doubt his own teaching skills as he remembered Mairu's very displeased expression while dancing.

Shizuo seemed to be a natural.

The fire burnt strongly and everytime Izaya passed the flames with his back he felt the pleasant sensation of heat drowsing his skin.

A few knights had stopped talking and started watching the two, and Izaya snorted before meeting Shizuo's eyes.

"Faster?" Mischief glittered in Izaya's eyes and Shizuo's mirrored the same as he nodded.

The grip on Izaya's hand and hip tightened and before Izaya knew it the pace sped up.

The innkeeper's wife must have watched them because the music followed their steps. Each motion, each pause, each executed action fit so perfectly to the music being played and Izaya felt a rush of excitement fill his veins.

He felt oddly free, oddly safe.

He was dizzy, but even if he fell Shizuo would be there to catch him.

A few claps joined the music and for a second Izaya lost himself in the moment. He felt good. He felt better than he had in weeks.

But his body was still not up to par with his regained consciousness and it was just then that his balance was lost under the weight of a twist.

Dizziness kept Izaya from doing as much as reaching out as he lost his orientation for a second.

Up and down, left and right, which was what? He had no idea-

He expected to crush into the stocked wood next to the fireplace, but of course such an accident would not occur on Shizuo's watch.

Quicker than Izaya, the blond had noticed the lack of momentum and before Izaya could do as much as bump into the wall next to the fireplace, he bumped into Shizuo's chest instead.

A secure hold instantly locked around his queen and Shizuo smiled as the last tune of lute's music played.

Cheers resounded as no one had noticed the blunder except Izaya and Shizuo. Mugs toasted in unison and flattery was tossed from all sides.

Noticing that Izaya's breath had sped up, Shizuo pulled Izaya closer.

"Are you okay?" he whispered quietly and Izaya quickly nodded.

"Just a little exhausted." Quick breaths left his lips and he smiled. "Where did you learn to dance like that?"

Confidence colored Shizuo's eyes with a bit of pride and he nodded towards his knights.

"We often stayed at inns and Carlyle insisted I have to learn the minimum of one or two dances." Having heard his name the knight in question curtly raised his mug with a broad grin.

"I see." He was the oldest of the knights so it made somewhat sense that he was trying to teach the prince some courtesy even during their campaigns.

Slow steps moved into the direction of Izaya's previous seat, but reaching the destination had considerably increased in difficulty.

Weak from exertion and the slightest bit dizzy, Izaya closed his eyes for a moment and Shizuo's grasp on his body tightened.

A slight hint of regret befell the king as he realized his suggestion to dance had backfired when it came to Izaya's health.

"My lady, should I accompany you back to the pig's mansion?" Craigh gallantly offered as soon as he noticed his queen's state.

It was an actual offer, serious and not a joke and Izaya opened his eyes to decline, but Shizuo was faster.

"No, I will go." Glances were exchanged and Izaya's reluctance quickly washed away as he faced an expression that wouldn't accept a no. "Enjoy yourselves as much as you can," the king announced louder and his knights cheered.

"You heard the commander! Owner, another round!" Craigh announced and the innkeeper's wife laughed before rolling over another barrel.

Cheers rolled through the air and Izaya sighed for a moment.

This mood had been too peaceful and the exciting dance too short for his taste.

But Shizuo's order was Shizuo's order at the end of the day, and it wasn't like his decision was a bad one.

Izaya knew he had probably strained himself more than he should have.

Quicker than Izaya liked, the warmth of the inn faded into the background.

Opening with a creaking sound worthy of a hundred doors at once he stepped into the cobblestone plastering the way to the inn.

The moon had disappeared.

A cloud, much larger than half the sky covered the negligible amount of light and doused everything in unfamiliar darkness. The air was clear, brimming with fireflies drifting in a gentle breeze.

It wasn't until a full minute had passed that Izaya's eyes got used to the lack of light.

"Fresh air really helps one sober up," Izaya whispered as soon as Shizuo closed the door.

Joining Izaya's side the king hummed, "Don't tell me you aren't tired anymore?"

A good joke, rewarded with a slight chuckle.

No.

At the end of the day Izaya knew better than to misjudge his body twice in a row. The dance had been an exertion not too wise and his illness had only improved since a few hours ago.

Happy as he was, he knew it would be wiser to rest.

"I am, very."

An arm was offered quicker than Izaya expected and he took it with a certain sense of habit.

Just when had that happened?

He couldn't tell.

The walk back to the castle was as short as it had been to get to the inn.

Mere minutes separated them from the grand entrance and another for one of the maids to lead them to their room. They had probably expected their return at a later point in time as they were pretty busy arranging seven more rooms to accustom Shizuo's knights.

A deep sigh escaped Izaya's lips when he finally took off the cloak and let his body drop into the generous amount of cushions in the king size bed.

It was funny, how could a body that had been resting for days be so tired after a few minutes out?

The sound of metal hitting the marble ground brought Izaya's attention back to Shizuo.

He had taken off the sword that had been dangling off his hip all day long.

"You don't have to stay. Join your knights," Izaya quickly clarified, but Shizuo just showed a tired smile. "I would really love to, but I can't move anymore."

Feeling his own face show heavy doubt, Izaya laughed. "Really? One dance is all it takes to knock the rumored warrior out?"

A sleek smile spread across Shizuo's lips as he glanced towards his queen.

"With you? Easily."

Ah.

Caught in a second of stupor, Izaya blinked, before grasping one of the pillows on the bed. Quicker than expected Shizuo found the cushioned weapon flying towards his body.

"Shut up," Izaya snorted as he watched the king catch his projectile with laughing ease.

"Hey now don't mess up the room. I'm sure Lord Hebaron gave those maids hell to make everything look perfect," the king scolded and tossed the pillow back where it belonged.

Glances were cast all around the room.

It looked pretty, taller than it was wide, but most importantly clean. Every speck of dust had been cleared and the bed sheets smelled like flowers for some reason.

"Yeah, you might be right with that," Izaya agreed, and let his body roll on his side.

This wasn't even half bad. The bed was soft, the blanket smooth to the touch. There was no fireplace inside their room, but an odd warmth seemed to seep from the wall behind.

There must have been a fireplace in the other room being used to heat this one.

Just the light was a bit dim as only two sets of candles mounted to the walls, gave their best to illuminate the room.

Looking over Izaya could barely make out Shizuo's shape as he unbuttoned the top of his shirt. A chair was standing in the corner.

Fancy, really, but not as comfortable as the bed.

Seeing Shizuo start to take off his boots and garments it was easy to guess his intention.

"Are you going to sleep in the chair?"

A short glance was cast upwards in the midst of opening the last button and Shizuo blinked.

"Except you don't want me here?"

Rolling his eyes, Izaya snorted. That was the opposite of what he was trying to say.

"This bed is large enough for five people. There is no need to get a stiff neck," he declared courtly to prevent any new misunderstanding from forming.

Shizuo seemed to contemplate the offer as he stilled for a second. A glance was cast towards the fairly uncomfortable option of sleeping in the chair, or spreading out on the freshly made bed.

It was the second option that won as the king let his body drop into the cushions.

Moving shortly Izaya grasped the bedsheets as the force Shizuo had thrown himself into the bed caused it to slightly shift.

Arms up and legs down Shizuo stretched like a star at the brim of an ocean.

A deep sigh of satisfaction left his lips and Izaya couldn't help but laugh.

"Better?" he asked, while Shizuo stretched himself like a large cat.

"Definitely. Not gonna lie," he agreed with similar amusement.

A firefly, probably attracted by the light of candles, suddenly entered the room through the open window. It was just one. Simple and cute.

The turquoise color was fascinating to watch as it circled around in curious patterns.

Only when it found the bed's frame did it stop to rest and slowly faded to black.

It was a smart action. Sitting still like this it had basically disappeared from the sight of predators.

A different set of disappearances suddenly came to mind and the light mood spoiled just a little bit.

"What do you think causes the villagers to disappear?"

Shizuo had expected a lot for Izaya to say, but bringing up their current campaign was not exactly a topic he had expected.

Tilting his head into Izaya's direction he spotted nothing but seriosity. He was actually worrying about the people.

An attribute Shizuo couldn't deny liking about his queen.

"An animal perhaps, or kidnappers," he whispered into the silence of the quiet night and Izaya hummed.

"With no signs or extortion for money?"

Shizuo shrugged. "They could sell them as slaves for all we know."

Great.

The idea wasn't exactly one that delighted Izaya. But at least his worst fear seemed to remain unfulfilled. One illness was enough to endure. He wasn't sure whether he could have handled a second one.

Sighing softly, Izaya rolled on his back.

The ceiling was awfully dull.

Compared to their sleeping chamber back at their castle at least. There were no ornaments, no delicately painted pictures. It just held a green color that called for a touch up in various cracked places.

"The elder tree irks me," Izaya spoke after a while and Shizuo followed his gaze to the ceiling. Hands were crossed behind his back and he sighed.

"It's certainly weird the disappearances only occurred after it was felled."

"Heretics?" Izaya whispered, and Shizuo's mood shifted to a negative one.

"Could be. If they thought it to be holy or something they might be exerting justice as they see fit." Sourness accompanied his words and Izaya blinked at the change of attitude.

"You hoped to save them?" he whispered and Shizuo sighed. "You didn't?"

Of course.

Sometimes Izaya seemed to forget just how ambitious Shizuo's care was. He didn't only care about Izaya, or his knights, he cared about his servants, everyone back at the castle, the village, and even here, as far from the castle as one could be, he still wished to protect everyone present.

The rumors Izaya had heard about Shizuo's campaigns resurfaced in Izaya's mind. About how he killed the enemy and protected their land and people. Of course a knight was supposed to do exactly that, but of everyone Izaya knew Shizuo took his pledge to heart the most.

Feeling his expression soften, Izaya gently whispered, "... as much as your optimism honors you, the odds of captives being treated well enough to survive are really low."

It was funny, he had meant to give Shizuo a reality check, remind him that he could not save everyone and that it wouldn't be his fault either if some of these disappeared villagers ended up dead.

But at the end of the day Izaya only managed to choke himself.

Because the villagers weren't the only people who had disappeared.

Mairu. Kururi.

How much time had passed since they disappeared?

The last he heard of them was that they sold their dagger to the innocent farmer in order to gain money that could actually be spent.

What happened after that?

Where did they go? Where did they live? Sleep? Eat? Were they injured? Sick? What about their cover? Pretending to be boys was not always a good move.

What if they got caught up in a fight?

Caught by human traffickers? Sold?

Feeling his thoughts spiral into an even worse direction Izaya shortly pressed his eyes shut, as if he could ward off the pictures forming in his head that way.

It was then that a palm found its way to Izaya's head and his eyes snapped back open.

Shizuo had rolled on his side. Eyes filled with sympathy reflected the pain that Izaya felt as he quietly whispered soothing words.

"I will find them."

And somehow Izaya knew he wasn't talking about the villagers.

He wanted to protest, wanted to tell Shizuo that this wasn't going to be as easy as he thought, and yet being faced with this radiating confidence dousing him in warmth, he couldn't.

Shizuo's touch was gentle and his confidence too blinding to argue.

As if having read his thoughts, Shizuo nodded, answering Izaya's insecurities with a simple but unwavering yes.

He would find them.

Soft strokes evened out Izaya's hair and he let his head sink into the cushion with a deep sigh.

It was funny, he was no five year old seeing a knight fight for the first time and believing there was no enemy they couldn't defeat- and yet here he was, believing in Shizuo with every fiber of his body.

Just looking at him made Izaya feel the confidence he lacked and suddenly he just felt so, so comfortable.

The warmth, the dance, slight dizziness from the alcohol, the soft cushions and the gentle touch to his head just merged into a pleasant array of sensations.

"Izaya?"

Blinking softly, Izaya realized Shizuo had said something. What he couldn't tell-

"What?"

Soft chuckles left Shizuo's lips and he quickly shook his head.

The pleasant hand was retracted and he leaned on his elbow, watching Izaya intently.

"Sleep," he announced and Izaya felt his drowsiness battle his curiosity in his mind.

"No, what did you say?" he tried, but even his voice sounded tired by now and Shizuo shook his head.

"You are falling asleep as we speak," he argued with a smile, "Rest."

Right.

A sigh left Izaya's lips, and somehow he couldn't bring himself to decline.

"Okay."

It was funny.

Just when had he started feeling this way?

This feeling that as long as Shizuo was there everything was going to be alright?

to be continued~