Chapter Text
The snow was ruthless, a flurry so thick and heavy the high, stained glass windows began to frost over with the brutal temperatures, creating intricate patterns on the multicolored, translucent surfaces. In contrast to those harsh wintery winds of the outside, was a warming interior, accompanied by the sound of gentle chatter and a captivating melody. The flickering candle lights danced along the many winding hallways, highlighting the many portraits and trinkets that decorated the corridors.
The winters here were never kind, and preparations for the changing of the seasons happened usually in the late spring. Hundreds of logs from the forest were chopped down and kept in a storage unit near the barn, about a two minute walk from the pastures. Then, just as the weather would begin to get nippy, the servants would begin the process of locking all the windows tightly to avoid even the smallest hint of a draft from creeping in. Some older parts of the castle would be boarded up as an extra precaution, but that brought with it a certain dystopian drearyness to the intricate gothic, timeless architecture.
A full course meal baked only with the finest, freshest ingredients and the most recent kill brought back by one of the elders would be what everyone looked forward to—as was the tradition going back centuries. Only the finest wine from the cellar that only a certain few had access to would be served. It’d been the Master’s favorite room aside from his study.
The maids gathered around hours prior in preparation for the evening affairs; every room arranged in a spotless state, as if meant to represent a moment frozen in time. It was Christmas Eve, and the delicious scent of gingerbread and peppermint wafted through the halls. Wreaths, garlands and the most delicate of ornaments hung around every corner; handcrafted from glass crafted by the best glasssmiths. Each one holding a unique design and shape, no two being the same. In the main gathering room, all the servants sat comfortably by the fire. Some, already feeling the buzz from the red wine.
“Is he still taking his sweet time?” One of the younger maids asked, raising her glass to her lips in mock elegance. She had no reason to be prim and proper, and most took it as a subtle mockery to the young Master who’d yet to show himself.
“Now, none of that. You know what this year has been like for him.” Another woman, one of the hand chosen, personal servants to the boy, spoke as she turned to look up at the fully decorated tree. One ornament in particular caught her eye; the way it dazzled with the lighting from the fire. It belonged to the Lady of the house as an heirloom to be passed down to her son. She remembered the small box hidden on top of the mantel, just out of sight of those wide, curious eyes, and the contents inside it. The words given to her just before the young prince’s parents had set off and—
For now, she pushed away the memory, only recalling what was told to her that early January morning.
Give this to him when you feel the time is right.
The familiar twist of pain swelled in her chest when she recalled the young master’s face when he’d realized the last time he’d ever get to see his mother again was through the highest point in the castle. The trip was only meant to last a week and yet…now he’ll go a lifetime without feeling a mother’s embrace or a father’s pride.
Bitterness and isolation soon became the eternal atmosphere through these once lively halls. Two portraits now hung covered behind a black cloth, never to see the light of day again.
A sudden thump thump thump resounded down the halls, disrupting the serenity as the doors were flung open revealing a boy, no older than five, dressed in the finest silks. His silver hair tied back in a small ponytail that allowed for only the back of his hair to be contained. Strands fell down the sides of his cheeks, framing his face perfectly and with bangs just above wide, sea-green eyes. With much more dignity, he settled himself down quietly in front of the tree, not bothering to greet his servants nor his caregivers. Instead, a certain something—an emotion unmatched to the others present in the room—displayed itself.
Impatience. No…eagerness. Perhaps a mixture of both.
“Young Master, Merry Christmas Eve! It’s wonderful to see you this evening.” A young woman spoke up, standing to approach the boy.
“Aerith, I want to open the gift I saw you put on top of the mantel earlier.” An eerie silence fell over the room, only for the tension to amplify when the young boy had turned his head towards her, as if judging her for an unspoken crime.
“And…why that one in particular, Young Master?” She tried in vain not to betray her calm, friendly demeanor. That’s when she sees him stand on his tiny legs, walking over to her and staring up at her with gentle, yet empty eyes.
“Because I want what’s inside it.”
“Perhaps, we wait to open that one tomorrow, yes?” A young man’s voice spoke up. The young Master dared not raise his tone to the man whose voice it belonged to. Instead, he turns to face him before walking over. “Big brother Terra, I wish to see what it is my parents left behind for me.” Once again, that tension is back, though now accompanied by a somber sorrowness. “Tomorrow.” The tone is gentle, but his voice holds a certain kind of control and power over the young Master. To him, Terra was the kind of man he one day aspired to be.
Strong, handsome, gentle, but powerful in his presentation.
Out of all the servants in the castle, Terra had the most patience when it came to matters regarding the young Master. Not so much an actual older brother to him, but he played the role well. He was the closest thing to a guardian one could get.
But he was no father.
Terra was still someone’s son though, with his father, one of the young Master’s teachers, Eraqus, filling in the role as much as possible without overstepping any boundaries.
The sound of a short pout made its way up to the taller man’s eyes and ears and for a moment he truly considered himself to be a cruel man for rejecting the young boy’s wish. But he’d be damned if he were to bend the knee completely to a toddler. With quick thinking he grabbed for the young boy, his arms hooking under tiny arms and lifting him up and into a more comfortable hold. “Now, you know I hate the pout.” He knows all too well the young boy’s schemes by this point and the last thing he needs is for the holiday cheer to be dampened by those fat, streaming tears.
“Then shall I take my leave?” His small voice filled the ears of every person in the room, and it left everyone with a sudden heaviness in the pit of their stomachs. Terra could see the restraint swimming in those small, innocent eyes. He could see the way they wanted to rip open every perfectly wrapped box, kick down the tree and then throw all the gifts into the massive pit of fire in front of them. The desire for chaos.
“If you so wish.” He spoke with a low, barely concealed disappointment as he bent down, placing tiny feet firmly on the ground before letting his arms loosen around his waist. Then, without another word spoken, he turned on his heels and walked straight for the entrance of the living room. The door shut with the violence of a man three times his age. All bodies flinched at the sound of it still echoing off the walls. Aerith’s sigh of disappointment did not go unnoticed by him and for only a moment did their eyes lock in understanding before she turned to face the fireplace, raising her glass to her lips.
Not another word was spoken for a short time as everyone took solace in the comfort of each other’s presence. As time grew closer and closer to the midnight hour, many of the servants turned in for the night until only a handful of them remained. Aerith took Terra’s hand, leading him to follow as she addressed her leave.
She grabbed for the box still placed atop the mantel, slipping it into her silk nightrobe.
Walking down the dark corridors of the castle, with only the white-blue glimmer of a cold winter’s night, the moon, and the handheld candelabrum held within the young woman’s hands as she and Terra whispered amongst themselves.
“Are you going to see him?” She asks, already knowing his response. She then steps in front of him, her face displaying a certain eeriness to it from the flames of the candelabrum. He sees the gift in her hand, extended out for his taking.
“You know, maybe it’s okay for him to be a little spoiled.” A soft smile forms on her lips as she waits for their exchange.
Examining the box as he takes it, Terra knows she’s right, but he also knows how young boys who are spoiled too often are.
“A young Master is not supposed to be getting ideas of entitlement.”
“As if he isn’t living a life of it. You know, this family hasn’t always been as kind and warm as the Master and his Lady were.”
“I know.” His voice grew colder than the crystallizing snow on the stained glass murals. And there was something about his eyes that froze Aerith to her core. Much like the story of Medusa, she felt as though she couldn’t look away from his stone cold stare. And only after a moment does she find the words she needs to speak.
“I don’t mean to–”
“It’s fine, really. I made a promise to help in raising the boy to be more than what his father’s father was like.” He then grabs for the box of matches in his pocket, replacing them with the gift. Lighting his own smaller candle, he turns to face the woman one final time.
“And I know he’ll grow up to be a fine, worthy Master of the house. Goodnight, Aerith.”
Parting ways with her, he continues his journey to the West wing alone.
A soft knock echoes through the room and without missing a beat, the door to the young Master’s room is opened. He knows the one to visit him is Terra, he can tell by the heaviness of his steps. He was more top heavy, with broad shoulders and a well-defined, toned torso, and arms that could crush anyone if he felt the need to use them.
But he also knew it was Terra by the pattern in which he traversed from the doorway to the massive bed he’d been laying on, always walking around to the right side of the bed, for whatever reason the young boy was uncertain of. His tiny body raised with the bed when he felt Terra sink down on the edge.
“I know you’re not asleep.”
Shuffling followed Terra’s words and soon enough, the blue light of night reflected off silver and the orange glow of the candlelight shone in those endless pools of blue-green.
The boy spoke not a word but upon seeing his face fully in the light, Terra caught a glimpse of red puffiness in his eyes and nose and cheeks. And of course there was no effort to hide the sniffling.
“You know, Santa usually skips over boys who throw temper tantrums when they don’t get their way.” Even with the intent for the joke to be lighthearted and not remotely serious, a small pang of regret hovered over him like a raincloud when he realized this was not what had the young boy hiding his distress. Swallowing hard, he inhaled sharp and quick through his teeth. “I know it’s…been tough. On everyone; on you.” Silence never sounded more deafening. No quick quips or outburst or sudden breaking down in tears. Just a shared hurt.
“Was it hard when your mom went away?”
The question hit deep, but it wasn’t hard for Terra to find the words. “I suppose so, yeah. I guess I was too young to remember the exact feeling.” He relaxes, leaning back, looking out at the snowfall. “I’ve had the time to process that sadness. Maybe I forgot after a while.”
“Do you still remember her? Do you miss her?”
Once again, the question hits harder than what he was expecting. “I do. And more and more every single day.” There’s no need for him to go into the details, but he's getting off track from his true intentions. He sits back up, placing his hand inside his pocket, pulling out the box. And just as he suspects the sound draws those curious eyes forward.
“Aerith said it would be alright.” He says, running his thumb along the silk red ribbon and just as that tiny, energized body lunged for the prize, he drew his arm up and out of reach. “Now, hold on. First, I have a few questions for you.”
He found some slight enjoyment in seeing the boy try to hold back his groans. With a huff, he settled back with his bottom hitting the mattress with a soft thud.
Aerith might’ve gotten her way with spoiling the young Master, but he was going to continue living in his ways of molding the boy into a man.
“First of all, I want you to apologize to everyone tomorrow morning for how you behaved earlier.” Already, that seemed too much of a task for the young boy. But, much to his annoyance, he agreed.
“Second,” He continued, just barely holding the box out of the boy’s reach. “Where have you been running off to everyday since Spring?”
A small gasp left those tiny lips. The young Master sunk away from him, his hands returning to his lap. Quivering lips and fresh, salty tears threatened to emerge once again as he fidgeted with the silk material of his smock.
“Don’t worry, it’ll be our little secret. Just as long as you’re truthful with me.” He says, holding out his pinky finger. He knows one of the first lessons he wants to instill into the boy is trust. Trust in his servants, his only remaining family, but also trust in the world around him. He’s surprised he, himself, even has an ounce of trust left in him after his many adventures when he was just a young man with hopes of living a life outside of his own small little world.
After a moment’s hesitation, they lock pinkies, sealing their promise.
“You promise you won’t tell?” The young Master asked.
“You have my word.”
Only then did he practically crawl up the tall man’s bulging frame to speak to him, cupping his hand up to his lips as he whispered. With each second that passed, he only grew more piqued. “I see…so that’s where you’ve been running off to.” Once finished, curious and even eager eyes landed back on the gift still just out of his reach.
Those glimmering turquoise eyes looked up at him, wide-eyed yet pleading. The only thing he needs from Terra right now is understanding as his tiny hands grip at the front of his shirt.
“If…it means that much to you. Then, I suppose—” His anticipation only grew palpable once he realized the box being presented to him. Trembling, he took the box into his hands, studying the intricate designs etched into the golden wrapping paper.
“Come on, now, open it.” Hearing the encouragement in Terra’s tone, he swallowed down the fear and unwrapped the box.
Time came and went and soon enough Christmas Eve returned once more for yet another year of festivities and celebration. Though instead of sulking, the young Master instead found himself sneaking past the many obstacles of servants and narrowly stumbling into Terra a few times. He’d grown quite smart in just a few months during the Autumn season as a form of pastime for him included mapping out the entirety of the castle he called home. Though no secret, discovering the many hidden passageways and corridors meant sneaking out and getting to the woods would be far easier now. Just getting back inside, now that was the real challenge.
A bit unconventional, and dangerous, but the boy had promised his friend that he’d meet him there. He’d been meeting up with this friend of his for quite some time now, since last year, and he knew that the younger boy he’d grown quite fond of was from the village. He reaches for the small, familiar box resting in his pocket and with a surge of determination, he finally manages to escape from the castle and without looking back, heads for the forest.
It was by no means normal for Terra to worry this much, though with the passing of his father back in the summer, and the fear of failure looming over his head, and the guilt of his father’s passing, he’d been restless—snappier than usual. Aerith reeled him in, and his fiancé, Aqua, kept him sane. But his duties only began to pile up more and more regarding raising the princely master. Though, at six years old, he knows the young Master is hardly easy to wrangle in.
Bumping into just the women he wanted to see, Aqua and Aeriths’ voices filled the room he’d entered. Decked head to toe in only the finest decorations, the ballroom had never glimmered and sparkled so brightly. Breathtakingly was the only word that could describe how the pristine, pearly, marbled room suddenly turned into a winter wonderland in just a matter of hours. The beautifully hand-painted murals only added to that wintery beauty, and somehow, despite the chill of the season, it all felt warm and calming, temporarily easing the older man’s anxieties.
“Terra, what brings you here?” Aqua’s voice was like velvet, soft and soothing and Terra could only feel so at ease before he realized he was drifting off into a slumber. Though, his fiance could take that as a flattering compliment as she reached up to caress his cheek, lulling him back to the present.
“A certain someone is testing my patience.” He says, a heavy sigh leaving his lips. And in an instant he’s feeling that relief again as she takes him by the hand, leading him closer to the center of the ballroom. She then presents herself in front of him, placing her hands delicately on his shoulder while the other lifts their hands up.
“I do hope you haven’t forgotten your lessons, it’d be quite a shame if you suddenly make a fool out of yourself at tonight’s ball.” Her teasing is enduring and her smile is infectious, completely capturing him in a trance that he gladly never wants to leave. They begin to slowly move about the center of the room, gliding across the dancefloor as Aqua pretends her maid’s dress is a glorious ballgown. He twirls her around, casting her away from him just to pull her back and end with a dip and a momentary glance where it feels as though time has stopped, and for that moment it’s only them and the sound of their heart beats ringing in their ears until all live suddenly continues as it would normally.
“I’m impressed.” Aqua says, and Aerith’s clapping resounds throughout the hall. Terra, now quite bashful for getting carried away, lets the women get back to their duties, though he does pull Aqua aside for one final moment.
“I’m just worried about—”
“You worry too much, dear. Wherever the young Master is at should be no concern of yours right now. Besides,” she leans in close, bringing her tone to below a whisper, “I know he goes off into the woods a lot these days, perhaps to meet up with his little friend.”
Terra’s eyes widened, “You know about that?”
“Well, yes, during my return from my travels in the spring, I ran across a young boy in the woods I’d thought was lost when actually he said he’d been waiting for the young Master’s arrival. I carried on with my day as if nothing had happened.” She admits, her face neutral, yet Terra could sense a tone of cheeriness to her tone. And then she narrows her brows, “Though now I’m curious as to how you know about this.”
Terra swallowed, suddenly realizing the trap he’d caught himself in. Nervous, he admits that he’d spoken of their meeting last Christmas Eve, and he’d sworn to keep it a secret. Though at first ready to scold her future husband, she suddenly feels very fond of their brotherly bond, and at that moment, the doors to the ballroom opened, welcoming their third into the small circle.
“Ventus.” Aqua greets the young man, blond hair and emerald-green eyes that held so much wonder in them. And he greets her with that very same wondrous enthusiasm before turning his gaze towards Terra, and that expression softens, admiring him like he’d hung the stars in the night sky, or had personally brought the beauty of winter onto them himself. “Ready for tonight’s ball?” He asked the both of them, eagerness more than apparent on him as he’d already halfway dressed himself up in his best clothes.
Their hearts swell with fond affection for their third, but Terra can still feel that twinge of anxiety in his chest, overwhelming him and the joy he should be feeling instead. Lovingly scolding Ventus to go on and finish getting ready, she turns her attention back to Terra and with the softest of smiles, affirms him one more time that things will be okay. Though not fully convinced, he nods and presses a gentle kiss to her head before leaving for his own bedchamber.
As the night crept closer and closer and the bustling of the servants became more and more chaotic, thoughts of the young Master dwindled to less and less inside Terra’s mind, of course that was no thanks to Ventus as well, who’d thought it lovely to offer his gift to Terra early, eager to see that blissed expression across his face as he rose up from between his legs; knees a little red from the pressure. That glint in his eyes as the candlelight glowed across his features. The way that delicate pink tongue glided across his lips, licking off the last of his reward.
“You’re quite the fast learner; it was just last week you were barely able to handle me. If I didn’t know any better, I’d assume you’ve been getting around.” Terra teased as he helped get him cleaned, thankful for the lack of evidence of their rendezvous on Ventus’s clothing. A small laugh left the boy, who was more than proud of himself and his efforts, got up to his knees and pressed a small kiss to the man’s lips.
“Just Aqua, her magic has been getting much better since she’s returned from her training.” Ventus explained as Terra readied himself on the other side of the room. That draws out a deep, low laugh from the older man as he approaches closer to the candlelight. Of course it’d be no one other than Aqua, seeing as their bonds run deepest amongst anyone else’s in the castle. Initially only betrothed to Aqua, and had only grown up alongside her since childhood, it only made sense that they’d tie their fates together.
But then came Ventus, a boy without so much as a glint of a memory of his past. Cold and shivering one early spring’s night. It’d been raining heavily, and it was a miracle that anyone had been up that late into the evening, but Eraqus had been out tending to some matters in the pastures when he’d seen the boy running through the fields and up to the castle’s gates. When he was finally able to catch up to the boy, he was knocked out cold. In a panic, he’d done what he could and the rest was history.
Terra finally returned to the young man’s side, lifting his chin up and pressing a firm kiss to his lips, “I see, in that case, be sure Aqua also gets heavily rewarded tonight, alright? And tomorrow evening I can indulge in you both.” His voice was deep and alluring, sending the most pleasant of shivers down his spine. He could only nod, completely enraptured by the exciting thoughts of pleasure just waiting for him.
An hour later and in a spiraling case of eager excitement, guests began to spill in, all greeting each other in many warm hugs and sophisticated kisses. The finest wine was already beginning to be drunk as the castle sprung to life with light and a dazzling array of color. A symbol of change and a welcoming of a new beginning since the death of the old Master and Lady, a new expectation would soon be placed on their son as he’d continue to grow in not only age, but in his knowledge of the world around him. Though technically a Prince, Master was a title he’d only ever grown to know and associate with. But princely matters still fell upon him. Duties to uphold; people to protect; a crown waiting to be placed on his head.
As the main hall flooded with people from neighboring kingdoms, Terra found himself nearly killing himself trying to walk through the sea of them just to get to Aqua, who’d been discussing matters with one of the other maids, Tifa. But the moment their eyes locked she knew something was wrong.
“Where is he?” She asked, her voice quivering with a sudden fear. The expression Terra held was one of pure terror. The prince had yet to show himself, and his room held no signs life either. His clothes still hung up neatly without so much as a dent in the fabric.
A sudden howl echoed loudly from the outside, though loud enough to permeate the walls and cause a sudden stillness in the air. Every single soul present stopped, frozen as the howling still echoed in their ears. Then, unnoticed by anyone, came a rumbling.
Present first in the wine, ripples growing more and more until it became noticed by sound. The deep, ground shaking sound of something quickly approaching them before the eventual sound of the main entrance doors flying open caused time to progress as usual.
But for Terra and Aqua, time still stood still. There, in front of them all, was a wolf-like beast, its eyes glimmering gold and teal, its fur white as the snow falling from the clouds, and its mouth frothing with an eagerness to devour. Their first shared thought was Ventus, as he’d been off somewhere else entirely. Then a burst of light came and suddenly the doors to the castle were slammed shut as the light grew more and more intense, until it surrounded every single inch of the interior until fading in a shower of glimmering magic
The beast stood still for a moment, its head jerking in every direction possible. Its voice a pathetic whimper, deep and low with a hint of a growl, until it finally collapsed along with the other bodies present in the castle. All the doors had been magically locked with no hopes of escaping so easily.
And as the wolf-beast dropped to the ground, something fell just a few inches away from it.
A crown shaped pendant.