General Content Rating: 18+

Story Content Warnings: Heavy Swearing, Blood and Gore, Death, Racism, Sexism, Ableism, Homophobia, Transphobia, Exorsexism, Child Abuse, Underage Shenanigans (Drinking, Smoking, etc.), Suicide

Current Chapter Content Warnings: Heavy Swearing

Viewer Discretion is Advised

#10: Settling in

“Thank you for bringing her in. You may leave now.”

Brian frowned at Dr. Elfrida’s command. “You can handle this? You can fix her?”

“I can certainly try. I’ve never tended to…ugh…strangers like you before, but hopefully your anatomy isn’t too different from ours.” Dr. Elfrida grabbed a bag that rested in a nearby shelf; it leaned against one of the walls of her tent. She placed it next to the small alter Diantha laid on, and pulled out an early version of the stethoscope. “Now scram. I don’t need your inquisitions.”

Brian did as the doctor said. Emerging into the outside world, he observed the various elves that passed by with boredom. He unintentionally eavesdropped on their conversations with his super hearing.

Well fuck. What should he do now? Surfing his hand through his spiky black hair, he didn’t know.

“Brian! Brian!”

Brian was alerted by a familiar, boyish voice. Turning his head, he saw Aden racing towards him as fast as they could. He nearly fell to the ground as they tackled and squeezed him tightly. “Is Diantha okay?” Aden inquired, lifting their face up from Brian’s shirt.

Struggling to remove himself from Aden’s arms, Brian answered their question. “Don’t know. We’ll see.”

Aden stared at the tent Brian was in front of. Removing himself from Brian, much to Brian’s relief, he pointed at it and gave Brian a curious stare. “Is Diantha in there?”

“Yeah?”

Aden grabbed the tent flap with a relieved smile, seconds away from going inside. Luckily Brian grabbed Aden’s hood before they could lift it up, and pulled them away from the entrance. “Dude, no! Don’t bother the doctor right now. She’s busy.”

“But I want see Diantha!”

“You can see her later, now where’s Noriko?”

Aden straightened his posture at this question. “Prince is showing her around.” He explained. “I was worried for you, so left.”

Brian had no idea who this ‘Prince’ guy was but that wasn’t the main question on his mind. “You told them you were going to look for me, right?”

“No.”

Brian facepalmed, letting out a deep sigh. This dude; Noriko’s probably worried sick. “Do you remember where you last saw them?”

Aden vigorously nodded. “Yes! Follow!” He grabbed Brian’s hand without warning and dragged them with him, much to Brian’s disliking.

Aden led Brian through the spacious elvish camp; naming various tents that this ‘Prince’ guy had shown him. There was a huge library tent, a dining room tent that was next to some outside dining tables, a recreational tent, a sewing tent, so many tents to take note.

Eventually the two boys turned a corner and found Noriko with a young elf, searching their surroundings and calling for Aden’s name. “Here!” Aden shouted, waving his hands to gain their attention.

The millisecond Noriko saw Aden’s familiar form, she rushed as fast as she could to the two boys. “Aden!” She called out. “Don’t wander off like that! We thought something had happened to you.”

“I found Brian!” Aden cheered, pointing at the tall teen.

Noriko looked up at Brian, a bit of relief in her eyes. “I’m glad to see you again.” She said softly. “How’s Diantha?”

“Don’t know. The doctor’s taking care of her right now.”

Noriko sighed. “At least she’s getting medical attention. Better than nothing.”

The lean elf finally caught up to them, and performed a small curtsy. “A pleasure to meet you sir.” He spoke. “You’re this ‘Brian’ Your friends have spoken about, yes? I’m Elric, Prince Elric Killough. How do you do?”

So, this was the prince guy? He was…holy heck he was tall. Just a bit shorter than the doctor, who was a good few inches taller than Alva, but still. “…Uh. I’m cool.”

“But you’re wearing that coat, yes? You shouldn’t be too cold, it’s a nice, warmish day out for once.”

“That’s…just slang for good.”

“Oh, I’ve never heard that term before. Is it foreign?”

“…Yeah.”

“Oh…”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“A-Anyways!” Elric clapped his hands together, ending the awkward silence “We should head to the spot your tent will be set on!”

“Our what?” Brian turned to Noriko, hoping for an explanation.

Luckily Noriko was, as always, ready to explain. “The captain is allowing us to stay here and let us figure out our situation, as long as we help around. We’ll be staying in a tent.”

“I don’t get a say in this?” Brian barked out. He was tired of taking orders from the girl. In that marble palace and in the forest, he knew it was necessary. Now that they’ve found civilization he could easily ask around and figure out where to go next on his own.

Noriko seemed to understand all of this without him even explaining it out loud. “You can leave if you want. None of us are holding you back.” She stated emotionlessly, startling Brian.

“Did you read my mind or something?” He scoffed out; frustrated at his thoughts possibly being invaded.

“You think your emotions are perfectly closed off, but in reality, you are often times very easy to read.” Noriko answered, following Prince Elric without skipping a beat. “Your mind is very simple.”

Brian gaped at Noriko’s accusation; stunned into silence. Watching the one-armed girl walk away, he stomped after her; his pride in shambles. Aden followed him like a puppy its owner.

“Hey!” He called out for Noriko’s attention. “Are you saying I’m stupid?!”

“I never said you were stupid.” Noriko didn’t even bother to turn her head and acknowledge Brian.

“Well ‘Your mind is very simple’ sure sounds like a roundabout way of calling someone stupid!”

“That wasn’t my intent, and I’m sorry if my comment hurt your feelings.”

Brian let out a huff. He wasn’t backing down. He’d show her! “Well jokes on you!” he began. “I actually wasn’t thinking of leaving! I was just mad you decided to settle down without talking to me about it! Of course I’m gonna stay!”

Noriko abruptly halted. She turned her head to the side. “…Oh? Would you mind making a promise out of that? We wouldn’t want you to go wandering off when we need you now.” Noriko offered her hand to Brian, waiting for his decision.

“Deal!” He blurted out without a second thought; grabbing her hand and shaking it vigorously. “See! I’m not so predictable now, huh?”

A small, subtle smirk graced Noriko’s lips. “…Indeed.” Was all she muttered before catching up to Prince Elric.

Brian slowed to a stop. The realization hit him in an instant.

…He just got bamboozled. Fuck!

He couldn’t go back on a promise! He’s a man of his word, and she knew that! She read him like a book and played him like a fiddle!

“I’m glad you staying!” Aden spoke up, standing directly next to Brian, and distracting him from his pity party. “I like you!”

Brian’s face flushed at Aden’s comment. “…Uh…thanks.” He muttered back.

Strangely enough, Brian wasn’t as upset about this development as he thought he would be.

A small part of him didn’t really want to leave the three behind.

***

The four’s tent was set up within a few hours; allowing for Noriko to provide Brian the information she had obtained from captain Gonzalo and Alva. Prince Elric had gathered some volunteers to help set the tent up. “Please, just sit back and wait patiently!” The prince urged them. “You have been through quite a lot today. We’ll do the work for you, and you can rest. I’ll wake you up for dinner.”

The inside was plain and decently sized. A dresser with four drawers on one side and four bed rolls right next to each other on the floor. That was all it contained.

Prince Elric left the three teens inside to get used to their ‘new home.’ Brian sat on his bedroll for a while; staring at nothing in particular while Aden repeatedly opened and closed the drawers of the dresser out of boredom.

Noriko meanwhile laid down on one of the beds; the farthest from Brian’s bed. She passed out within seconds. Brian eventually urged Aden to stop messing around with the dresser, in case it was bothering her sleep.

“I’m gonna crash.” Brian decided shortly afterwards, flopping down on his bedroll. He was seconds away from a peaceful nap…

Until he felt something warm at his side.

He opened an eye, only to see an Aden without his poncho, gently clinging onto him. The sleeve of their red and blue shirt brushed against Brian's back. They breathed softly through his mouth.

Normally Brian would have pushed the guy away…but…for some reason he didn’t want to.

It was probably just his laziness.

He tried to ignore Aden’s presence; and allowed sleep to overtake him.