A single red rose....

...Has many thorns on its spine...

Sitting on the edge of the fountain, you and Aries talked for a while, finally telling him your name since you forgot about it earlier which he teased you about with slight chuckles and snarky remarks, he wrote down on his notepad with a teasing smirk. With that you'd lightheartedly laugh and nod, throwing a sarcastic comment back.

The two of you were getting along while, talking like you two were old friends. Aries felt like he's known you forever. He's never felt this sort of connection with someone before. One the other hand, there was Tink, who was absolutely furious watching you interact with Aries. He thought he didn't have to share you with anyone else.

He was jealous of Aries. Like why. Why every time he gets comfortable with someone they end up interacting with someone else and pay less attention to him? This happened with Peter and now you. Tink was not having it.

In a fiery and jealous rage, that made his light turn bright red, Tink rushed in and started to pull at Aries' hair to try and get him away from you. When a pained look paints itself across Aries' face, you panicked at this until you saw the tiny, blonde culprit.

"Tink, stop that! That's mean." You exclaimed. You try and swat at the fairy trying to make him let go of Aries' red hair. Soon you decided to clap your hands together to capture the fairy in your hands, making him let go of Aries and pulling the blonde fairy away.

Opening your hands a bit, you peered at the fairy in the palms of your hands. "Tink, what's gotten into you? Why would you do that? Apologize." You told him.

Tink scoffed at this, turning his head away crossing his arms, shaking his head 'no', saying he wouldn't apologize. Tink didn't care. He just wanted your attention, is that so wrong?

You frowned at the fairy's behavior then you turned to Aries, sighing out.

"Sorry about him," You said. "Fairies can only handle one emotion at a time because they're so small."

Tink silently gasped at your offensive response, even though knowing it's actually pretty true.

Aries lets out a silent laugh at her comment, waving his hand, dismissing her apology. Showing her it was fine and he took no offense.

"Okay, if you say it's fine, it's fine," You said. "Looks like you're off the hook this time, Tink."

The fairy smirked smugly, crossing his arms proudly as if he won something. Resuming his place on your shoulder, crossing his legs one over the other. Then Tink tugged at your shirt collar, remembering why they're here. He tinks around frantically. Trying to tell you to get up so the two of you can get going.

"Oh," You said seeing Tink in her line of sight. "You want us to get going?" You asks.

Tink nods, affirming your question with a smile.

"I see," You said. "Well, Aries, it was a pleasure meeting you but we really should get going."

Aries' eyes widened, hearing this. You were leaving. So soon? He wasn't ready for separation yet, he was just starting to get to know you and you're leaving. So he reached out to grab hold of your shirt sleeve. This grabbed your attention as you turned over your shoulder to look at him. He was looking down with a deep red blush on his face.

"Mmm? What is it?" You asked him.

Aries looked up, then turned a page in his notepad and he wrote something on it. Then he turned it around for her to read.

'Mind if I tag along with you?' The words read.

You were surprised at this moment, I mean who are you to say no, I mean you came here looking for help, maybe if you take Aries with you can help him too. Maybe you can help him move on from his heartbreak.

You smiled. "Sure, the more the merrier," You said. "Right, Tink?" You turned to the fairy flying ahead of you.

Tink rolled his eyes, crossing his arms and pouting. Though he didn't want to go against your wishes even if he didn't like them one bit though you'd be sad if he disagreed so he'll just have to deal for the time being. The fairy waved you off, trying to say "do whatever you want" as he turned away.

"Well, Tink seems a bit indifferent though I'm sure he won't mind either. So you can come with us." You said smiling at Aries.

Aries was thrilled about this as he grinned ear to ear as he rushed up wrapping his arms around your neck, squeezing you in a hug. You'd chuckle at his enthusiasm and once he heard that Aries blushed letting go of you then looking off to the side embarrassed.

"No need to be embarrassed," You said. "We're friends and the hug was nice." You smiled at him in reassurance.

The young redhead smiled back at you when you reassured him. His heart felt warm that you were so understanding about things and you appreciated his hug. Aries felt a bit bashful about looking at you as you smiled. You took his hand and tugged him alone with you.

"Come on, we have a lot of ground to cover," You said. "And I don't want to just help myself, I want to help you too and get your voice back." You smiled at Aries as you walked backwards with Tink preaching on your shoulder.

Being that you weren't looking where you were going and you bumped into a big, tall and gruff looking man. He towered over you with a frightening expression on his face once he turned around. And in a gruff and low voice, he grumbled.

"Watch it, missy."

You were startled by this. "I'm sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going. That's my fault." You said.

"You got that right that it's your fault and I'll make you pay for it." The intimidating looking man said to you with a smirk.

Aries noticed this as he scowled at the man as he gets in front of her in a protective way. The large man seemed to laugh at this.

"Really this scrawny boy is your protection, missy. Ha! He couldn't even lift a sword," The large man bellowed. "Watch this." The large man roughly pushed Aries over sending him flying in to the ground.

"Aries!" You exclaimed. "Hey, not cool, man." You scowled at this as you try to go to Aries but the large man grabbed your wrist with his large hand.

"H-Hey, let go of me!" You shouted, Tink's seen enough, someone touched you in a way that was threatening and Tink was not going to have that.

The blonde fairy flew around the large man's head trying to get him to let go of your wrist but to no avail.

"Buzz off, you little bug." He said smacking Tink away with the back of his hand.

"Tink! Stop it, I said I was sorry. Why can't you take the apology?" You asked.

"Where's the fun in that?" The large man laughed.

"Excuse me," Someone in the crowd was heard, you didn't even notice the crowd around you until that voice called out. A young man with long blonde hair, he had a sword attached to his side as he stepped into view. He had the look of a prince that was going to save a damsel in distress, damsel being you. "I couldn't help but overhear, but I think the lady ask for you to let her go." He said.

The large man laughed, it was deep and menacing. "Look at this! Another scrawny, sissy looking boy," He looks to the blonde's sword. "Can you even use that sword?"

The young blonde's face would scrunch up in disdain. He scoffed. "Of course I can use this sword. At least I don't have to use my size to prove I'm a man. Now, I'm going say this one more time. Let the fair lady go." He demanded walking up as he unsheathed his sword with an intimidating expression on his face, who would have known that his pretty face could make an expression like that.

The large man seemed to shrink from the sword that the young blonde held as he lets go of your wrist. "Have it your way." He said as he stalks off.

The young man smiled as nodded putting a his sword, back in its sheath. "Are you alright, my lady?" He asked looking you over for injuries just in case.

"Oh I'm just fine." You said to him.

Tink and Aries would come back to your side, Aries wear a concerned expression on his face as he tugged at your sleeve. Tink would rush in and hug your cheek being glad you're alright.

"I'm just fine you two. It's all thanks to... um, who are you exactly?" You asked the blonde.

"Oh I'm..." He hesitated a bit before continuing. "Rose... Briar Rose." He said holding his hand out to shake.

"Briar Rose..." You'd smile as you took his hand. "Nice to meet you." You said as you introduced yourself to him.

Rose's face would look in awe. It was the first time no one said to him about how weird his name is. You just took it in stride, who are you? He thought to himself.

"And who are your companions?" Rose asked.

"Oh this is Aries," You pointed to the redhead next you. "And..." Before you could say anything Tink rushed out and stared Rose down with a glare. "And that's Tink, my fairy... don't mind him, he can be a bit... mean at times."

"I see so that's why I'm being glared at..." Rose said chuckling nervously.

It wasn't that Tink was being mean or jealous by Rose's presence. He was suspicious of him. Tink noticed his hesitation when you asked about his name and Tink didn't like it. Is Briar Rose really his name?

***

"Oh? So you're one a quest of sorts. How exciting," Rose said. "I'm on a quest myself."

"Really? Can I ask what it is?" You asked Rose.

"Well, it's a bit complicated... and personal..." He said looking off to the side.

"Oh I see. I understand." You said.

Briar Rose's eyes widened at what you said. You understand and you didn't even dig deeper at all. What a considerate maiden you are. He continued to scan you as soon as you turned to talk to Aries. There was something about you that he was drawn to, your kindness and the fact you can stand up for yourself. Not to mention, you were gorgeous. He decided to make a decision.

"Allow me to join you." Rose said.

"Huh?" You answered.

"On your quest, I wish to join you if you'd allow it." He said.

"I mean I'd love for you to join. You might be helpful to us with your sword skills and all." You said.

Rose smirked a bit as a pink blush dusted on his cheeks. "Certainly. I'll protect you all. Especially you, my fair lady." He said.

"Perfect! What do you think, Aries? Tink?" You said turning to the others.

Aries nodded. He knew you were right, Rose could help them if they run into any danger and honestly if Rose can protect you, Aries trusted him even if Aries saw him as a rival for your heart. Tink, on the other hand wasn't too happy. First Aries, now this guy. He didn't trust Rose at all and the fact that he also seemed to be after your affection also pissed him off but your safety comes first so he reluctantly agreed.

"Great, everyone seems to be on board." You said.

"Brilliant, we should be off then." Rose said.

With Rose leading the charge, the group was off, ready to see where the adventure goes next.

//edited//