a/n: if you wanna skip, nothing in here is crucial to the story, but i wanted to do some stuff outside of chris' pov!

—

Asher laid in a bed made with the finest of sheets; a masterly crafted bed frame and richly colored curtains. It was exquisite. And it was exactly what he'd been craving, yet he couldn't enjoy it.

He grasped a bloody cloth he'd found in Ryan's belongings, tossed aside for the maid to clean up following a blood ritual. Asher wrapped it around his fingers tightly. He pressed it to his face, inhaling the sorcerer's cologne, blood, and sweat. There was a moment after that he swore he felt high, but it was more than likely his heartache bubbling up to the surface. The flash of old memories burned his eyes, blurred his vision.

"A totem." He massaged the fabric between his fingers. "Beau talked about it once, tryin' get me to open up. Me if all people. When you can't say the things you want to say to someone, pick a totem to represent them and speak to it. You'd find it ridiculous that I was actually listening to anyone's advice, let alone his." Asher's hand dropped heavily to his side. "No matter how far I run, the pain still finds me. He isn't you, but he still hurts like you. You fucking asshole." He choked on his last words. The dam broke, hot tears rushing down the sides of his face. It was only a few days here, he reminded himself. Only a few days.

—

Bruges, Belgium — A town of 13th century majesty, seemingly frozen in time. And, quite literally, frozen. The chill of winter and the charm of Christmas dressed the town in coziness. The cobble streets reflected endless ropes of string lights in every window, over every roof, tree and tent. A giant of a tree stood at the heart of a holiday market. Though it was an absolutely remarkable, romantic view, one Ville could write an album's worth of songs about, nothing outside this room could matter to him right now.

His head rested on Atlas's heart, bare limbs entangled beneath messy hotel sheets. Every twelve months, a single night to forget the unbearable burdens he carried. A single night to be the one cared for rather than caring for another. The comfort of someone that brought him safety, familiarity, and silence. Each year, when this night would come and he'd relax all his weight against Atlas, he'd realize exactly how tense he'd been. His purpose meant as much to him as his lover. He'd never complain or surrender, but a break was long overdue.

Atlas felt a tear so delicately upon his chest. He didn't tense, only simply reaffirmed his touch in Ville's hair. His voice was deep, dipped in the honey of an English accent. "Talk to me, my love."

A sigh shook from his chest. "Must we continue to do this to ourselves?"

"Something's changed?"

"Why must there be a change?" Ville questioned, "Can't I simply be lovesick?"

He replied, "I know your heart as I know my own. We've both accepted our sacrifice long ago."

"You're right. Something did change. One of your kind came to my world, and fell in love with one of my kind. I see you in that vampire so much, and I see myself in that demon. I see our love in them, and I see what could've been if the worlds hadn't come between us."

"My love," Atlas tightened his wrap around Ville, bringing him closer still somehow. "My love. It's a beautiful thing, isn't it? That someone else gets to feel what we do without compromise."

"They haven't been without their sacrifices either. That vampire, he can travel the rift now without consequence. He has the power to bring you to my world. He offered, and when I declined, he says to me so kindly, if it was only the rift keeping us apart, I would've found a solution long ago. But I didn't." Ville's fist balled up over his chest. He raised his head to look Atlas in the eyes. "I just accepted that this is the way things must be for us, and for the life of me, I can't understand why. Why did I do this to us? Why did I do this to myself?"

Atlas' rough hand cupped his cheek. "Shhh," He kissed Ville so gently. "Hysterics does nothing to help. That's what you would tell me, isn't it?"

"Don't do that." He said with a melancholy smile. "You know I hate when you do that."

"Hysterics, and now lies. What on Earth have you done with the man I love?" He teased. Ville feebly smacked his fist against his chest. They laughed quietly together because in all their immortal years, they'd learned all pains pass eventually. There wasn't a point in ruminating. Atlas rolled Ville beneath him, kissing him once more. "My world is becoming unrecognizable to me. I do begin to wonder... Wonder if culling a single parasite is even worth the trouble. Am I really helping this dying world, or am I simply delaying the inevitable?"

"What are you getting at?"

Atlas pressed his forehead to Ville's. His eyes slipped shut as he bathed in the perfume of their hearts. "I can't say for sure. Though, I promise you a decision by next Christmas. We haven't picked a city yet."

"London?"

His eyes opened just enough to see the glass of Ville's. "London."

—

Somewhere in the long stretch of land between the eastern shore and the Forrest of Mayotta, Ezra and Yuu found themselves in a mountain valley. They'd chosen to make quite the romantic adventure out of their return trip. Secretly, Ezra hoped to tire Yuu's thirst for adventure, but he now feared he's only fueled it further. His love's thin arms draped over his shoulder to take a closer look at a trinket he'd brought out.

"Shiny." Yuu beamed. "What is it?"

"Sometimes I swear you're part goblin. It was a gift from Mother."

"Dragons horde shiny things too, ya know! And frankly that would've been a far cuter insult." He stated matter-of-factly. "What's it do?"

"That, my dear, is a surprise." That is, if it works, he thought. Ezra didn't doubt his former master's magic. However, he wasn't sure they were in the right spot to find what he was in search of. The item was a beacon specifically designed to lure wisps. Though curious creatures, they were notoriously rare and skittish. For now, Ezra tucked away the trinket and hoped for the best.

They'd taken their time on their journey, stopping to camp out beneath the stars or enjoy the down-home comforts of rural inns. Had the weather been warmer, Yuu would've no doubt taken a dip in the river they now walked alongside. Ezra could picture it—A warm, lush spring day, green grass and blooming flowers, and Yuu's white linens and silks wet and clung to his skin. He'd giggle as the fish rushed past him, or sublimely stilled when a deer came to the bank for a drink. But, seeing Yuu dressed in his fur-lined winter garb, enchanted by the little miracles of winter, was equally as picturesque.

A few more days brought them through a small town, then onward to the pine woods that surrounded it. Deep within the dark forest, they'd stopped for a moment to rest. Ezra shuffled through their belongings as he located the map and fished out a snack for his peckish elf. He turned to hand a bundle of cookies to Yuu, only to find him gone. Instant heart attack. Ezra hurriedly scooped up their things and ran after a trail of footprints left in the snow. He breathed a sigh of relief to find his love had simply chased after a forest creature not too far away. Yuu was knelt down beside a burrow of twigs, attempting to coax something out.

He held his hand back to Ezra, "Careful. Don't scare it."

Ezra cautiously maneuvered about until he was able to get a glimpse of a blue orb. He immediately retrieved the trinket from his pocket, gaining the creature's curiosity. "You want this, don't you?" An intrigued mew came from the wisp. "You're not as scared of Yuu. I bet I know why. You've seen people that look like him, haven't you? If you show us where they are, I'll let you have this."

The wisp raised it's small nubs of hands to it's face. It contemplated the risk, anxiously looking around before seemingly agreeing. The wisp zoomed up to Ezra just long enough to retrieve the trinket, then darted back. With a few more small noises, it motioned towards the thick of the forest. The blue light of it's body twirled between the trees sporadically, but not without direction. Yuu and Ezra shared a quick look before hurrying off after it. They could barely keep up with the wisp, often just barely catching glances of it out of the corner of their eyes, until the creature finally stopped. It landed upon the branch of two trees that bowed together, then cooed a noise of encouragement. With that, it disappeared in a streak of light.

Yuu approached the arch cautiously. He placed his hand to the trunk of one tree, feet planted upon the overgrown roots. The elf was strangely trepidatious. He reached out slowly until a hidden portal suddenly rippled beneath his fingertips. Ezra stepped beside him and the couple shared a glance again. Without a word, he gave Yuu the comfort and encouragement he needed to move forward.

Even if they weren't in the right spot, he figured it was at least a start. Ezra followed Yuu through the portal and into an undetectable village. Hidden in plain sight, a cloak of magic cast down from the stars themselves, creating a protective barrier around the entire tribe. Upon entering the village, Ezra barely caught a glimpse of Yuu's twirling hair as he ran off excitedly. He rushed after, the two cutting through the center path that led straight to the chief's doorstep.

"Papa!" Yuu exclaimed, nearly knocking the old man over with a hug.

His father's eyes lit up, "My little star!" Their conversation continued in their own language. "How in the world did you find us?"

"Papa." He whined.

"Oh, I suppose you're right. It doesn't matter. I'm just happy to see you. Look how long your hair is! And your aura—I can see Ezra's taken good care of you."

Yuu glanced back at his boyfriend to smile proudly. Then he asked his father, "Where's mama?"

"With your sister and brother." As the young elf began to run off, his father grabbed him by the wrist. "Yuu, wait." He sighed, "Before you go, you should know, there was an incident not too long ago. Lina was attacked by a hunter. It was outside the village. She'll going to be okay, but the recovery hasn't been easy on her or your mother."

Yuu's joy quickly faded as the reality of being home slammed into him. "Maybe I shouldn't bother her then."

"No, please, go. They both miss you so much. It'll cheer them up a lot to see you."

With a bittersweet smile, Yuu continued into his parents' home. The chief stepped down from his porch and motioned Ezra to walk with him. Though Ezra could speak their language just fine, the chief conversed with him in English as a formality.

"You've taken good care of my son. Thank you." He said, "Yuu gets unhappy with these talks of hunters, but I must ask you how you found the village."

"An old friend gave me something I could bribe a wisp with. If Yuu wasn't with me, I doubt it would've even shown itself. They've al always been loyal to the elves first."

"I see, and how did your friend know of the wisps?"

"My former master knows about a lot of things most people don't. She's a nurturer and a protector above all else. I promise, you don't have to worry about her telling the wrong people." Ezra explained.

"I trust your word. After all, I trust you with my first born. But, the crest upon your clothing hasn't gone unnoticed, nor has the sigil."

His throat suddenly grew thick. "I'm sorry, Liang." Ezra hung his head. "It was the only way I could keep Yuu and my brother safe. I was injured in the spring, and I- I wasn't strong enough to protect them anymore. I'm not sure I ever was. There are things in this world, I never realized... I'd give my life, I'd sell my soul to protect Yuu."

"Ezra, though I may have my concerns about this," The chief gestured to the sigil sewn upon his chest. "There is no doubt in my mind, you will always do what is best for my son."

"Chief Liang, if I may be so bold... I've promised Yuu everything I have to give, but I want to promise him more."

The chief looked at him pleasantly, "A union?"

"With yours and your wife's permission, yes." Ezra responded without hesitation.

"You know our traditions." He answered, "You've done much for our village, but I'm afraid you're not exempt from the trial."

"I promise you, I will leave no shadow of a doubt that my love for Yuu is pure. I'll do whatever it takes."

The chief smiled, "You've never left room for doubt. Yuna and I will talk with you this evening. She may prove to be scarier than the trial itself."

Ezra laughed nervously, perhaps a little awkwardly. He didn't exactly want to agree with the chief that his wife was more intimidating than even the demon lord he served. Speaking of, in the downtime while Yuu visited his sisters, Ezra borrowed paper and pen to write their master. Chris had told them not to worry, take their time in coming home, but naturally Ezra worried how the master would regard their absence. If all went to plan, he didn't want to be newlyweds without a place to call home. That word, newlyweds—It was hard not to smile when he thought it, of his future with Yuu.