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"Will you tell me a story, Leo?”
“Aren’t you a little too old for those now, Michella?”
“But it’s fun, pretty please? You come up with such nice stories”
“Alright, alright. Let me see….”
Once upon a time there was-
“Noooo, not like that. Start it more…mysteriously~”
“Geez…”
Once upon a time…
…Is how a story normally goes. A long long time ago, in a land far away, but this story starts in a land beyond our realm, one that people debate ever even existed.
This realm was barren, a desert land of dusty towns and endless sands, save for one city at its heart, an oasis in the desert, a jewel of green ruled over by a pair of Angels.
The Angels are treated like Royalty in the city, twins with pure white wings, revered by the people.
The elder twin is the people's Moon, pale in complexion and dress, he is the one who truly rules, quiet and just. A firm leader, cool and untouchable.
At his side is the Sun, golden hair and a bright smile, he is the one who walks among the people, shares his joy and laughter. A down to earth and open Prince to his brother's role as King.
But though the people love him, the Sun Prince is often the target of danger.
For as many devout followers of the Angels, there are equal amounts of those who would wish them harm, who seek to topple their rule and claim a crown for themselves, desperate for money and power.
And so one day, fearful for his naive younger brother's life, does the Moon seek out a Wolf.
A warrior from far away, a tall and strong man with the tenacity and will of a beast, draped in shadow with the mercy of the divine at his back, he travels and rids the lands of sin.
The Wolf is a free spirit, he bares his teeth to the Moon and denies his requests at first. Snarls and scoffs at the King, mocks him for his weakness if he cannot protect his own without hiring a beast.
The Moon King simply sighs at the protest, and offers the Wolf a leash and a collar. Work for him, protect his brother, and the Wolf's pack will be protected and provided for in return.
"Give me your word as King," The Wolf demands. "Your word as one of the Angels this land worships, and I will do as you ask."
A promise is sworn, loyalty given, and the Wolf is chained.
Though he is reluctant at first, before long the Wolf learns what the light of the Sun he protects is like, befriends his charge, is granted respite in his warm glow, allowed to bask. The Sun's beams turn the night black of the Wolf to a chocolate, and the Wolf in turn chases the clouds away.
They become friends, never one seen without the other, the Wolf becoming a permanent shadow. The Sun is safer than ever, and happiness reigns.
Until one day, a tragedy strikes, the city falls under siege, a far off tribe jealous of their resources attacks, civilians and warriors alike must fight, to protect their homes, their Angels.
And so fight they do, for hours the battle reigns, their Moon defending the heart of the city with silver blades, their Sun rains arrows from high above, protected but refusing not to help, and the shadow of the Wolf darts between them, a vicious defender.
Lives are lost, blood is shed, but when the dust settles the city has won, their Angels are battered and tried but alive and the people rejoice.
"My Wolf!" The Sun cries, stumbling among the people and the wreckage, searching for a shadow with wild eyes. "Where is my Wolf? Please!" But none can answer, for none have seen the Wolf since the carnage ended, only able to listen as their Sun cries and mourns, as the day passes and there's still no sign, as his light dims in grief.
Hours without sign of the Wolf become days, become weeks, and the Sun withers and wilts, his brightness still shines on the people, he will still smile and spread his kindness, but it’s grown dull. His smiles are not as wide, his voice will shake, and sometimes people look from a distance and see their Sun so mournful it breaks their own hearts.
Looking at him becomes more like looking at a blurred reflection of the light he once was...
…
“Wait wait wait-There’s more right? That was a really ominous pause, Leo!”
“Calm down, calm down! Of course there’s more, it’s called suspense.”
“Don’t *do* that! I need to know if the Wolf comes back.”
“Then stop pulling on my ear! Now…”
..Where was I?
The days the Wolf was mourned were bleak, but one day, news came from a small village. They’ve been caring for an injured stranger this past month, one who has only just awoken from his injuries, and inquired after the Prince.
Their Sun dared not hope, but nonetheless demanded to be taken to the village at once, being sent off with a small party with reluctance, his brother warning him to return safe, with or without the Wolf.
Another two days of travel, and the Sun is welcomed to the village, taken straight to a cosy hut where the floor is lined with furs and a fire crackles and, most importantly, His Wolf sits waiting for him.
The Sun runs to His Wolf, throwing himself into waiting arms.
He weeps into His Wolf's skin, smoothe expanse broken by silvery scars, the signs he almost hadn’t made it, that the Sun really had almost lost his Wolf.
“Don’t cry for me, My Sun.” The Wolf soothes gently. “My wounds have healed, I can return to your side now that you’ve found me.”
“My poor Wolf.” The Sun insists, tracing the valleys of silver embedded into his skin. “What pain you’ve gone through to leave these stars across your skin, how can I make them mine?”
And the Wolf knows what his Sun is asking, so he leans close to seal their lips in a tender kiss.
“Every inch of me is already yours. My heart, my soul, my life. These stars on my skin shine for you.” The Sun holds his Wolf close once more, the two falling into a loving embrace.
When the Sun brings his Wolf home, the city celebrates, for once again does their Prince shine brightly, blinding with the Wolf and his new night sky coat at his side.
That evening, they sit together, hands clasped as one, bands of silver and gold pressed together against their skin, and vow to never leave one another again, that they will always stay by each other's side, so that the Sun may never dim, and the Wolf will always have a home.
"The end-Are you crying??"
"That was just-It was such a beautiful story! They loved each other so much!"
"Yeah, yeah they did. A love like that, it's something special, don't you think? That's why I like that story."
"You didn't just make it up?"
"Nope. Some people even say it's real. Or at least, the characters were based on a real couple."
"Then...I hope those two are happy."
"I'm sure they are."