Chapter Text
There was a bat in the living room. You stare, a bowl of cereal gripped in one hand trying to recall if maybe, just maybe you forgot to close a window or something. You lived in the middle of nowhere in a dark forest with only your master as a companion. The closest village was at least 3 days by broom. It would be quicker teleporting but the old coot spelled the place that magic was unusable for at least 1 mile within the tower. For extra protection, she claimed and you disagree. You couldn’t imagine not having your magic on hand in the middle of the dark forest for Seven sakes! Exhaling, you push back the negative thoughts from your head.
You gingerly placed your bowl onto the fireplace mantle before slowly grabbing onto the blanket left on the couch. The bat remained in place as if dead, but better safe than sorry. It only proved your gut right when the bat squeaked loudly. It laid on its back but upon hearing you approach, it simply looked at you with its big eyes. Its pink glowing eyes. While you’ve never seen a bat in person aside from books, you can certainly say there was something different about this one.
“Uhm, hey buddy, don’t worry I just want to help.” you greet it a bit awkwardly, placing the blanket gently over its body. Your suspicion grew at its lack of struggle if you didn’t know any better you could almost say it looked smug. It squeaked once again in response but again no struggle to get away.
“Magical bat? A familiar?” you murmured as your mind began analyzing the possibilities. With the bat secured in the blanket like a baby, you moseyed toward the garden. It was the closest waypoint where magic worked normally and the workshop's location. You’ve been working on potions just last week there were still some ingredients left to make something to fix the bat up. Plus you’d need the zoology books to see what it could or could not consume.
“Unfortunately Master is away on business so I’ll have to tend to your injuries Ms Bat,” you smile down at the bat. The bat in turn tilted its head back, eyes sparkling before it let out a tiny squeak. You purse your lips trying to hold back your emotions. That was too fucking cute.
You exhaled wearily, This was going to be a long day.
In consideration of the bat being injured but an unknown variable, you laid it on the table nestled in the blanket for comfort. Yet you prepared a magical field around said nest. There were way too many monsters in the forest to ignore the possibility of this adorable bat being one. Plus the disease it may carry.
In response to its new cage, the bat screeched trying to wriggle out of the blanket and towards you. When it met the translucent wall of its magical prison, it looked at you with misty eyes. It let out a series of soft squeaks but you reluctantly ignored it.
Firstly, you used magic to check its injuries and status. The injuries were mild with just bruises on its left wing. Possibly flew into a branch? You did note the injury to its left foot, a clean break, unfortunately. “You poor thing, I wonder how you hurt your little feet.”
The bat squeaked.
“That’s no excuse to not be mindful of your injuries Ms Bat.” you scowled jokingly. You noted the information in your datapad before bringing up its status. You weren’t a true healer so your magic only took a glimpse of information on what the bat was.
“Okay then,” you state, reading the information, mouth pulled into a confused frown. You looked at the bat confused and again weary. Most of the information given was something like a corrupt file would give. It was the first time it happened to you since meeting your master. It was a given that your master was stronger than you, but a bat? Was it possible the bat had no magic or was it possible it was stronger than you?
“Oh wait there’s something here,” you blinked looking down at the bat. “You’re a male?”
Squeak!
“Oh do accept my apology, Mr. Bat,” you laughed.
Squeak!
“Yes, you’re most right, how very ignorant of me.”
At the end of your research, you could only conclude it was a fruit bat. The identifying magic only gave you so much detail to work with so you could only base your information on the bat’s physical attributes. You magic water and fruits into its container after wrapping its injuries. It must have been more tired than you thought as it tuckered itself into sleep. Thus began your primary work you neglected in favor of the bat.
You worked for hours in silence, only pausing at the sound of insistent squeaking at the end of your attention. You blinked and turned in your seat to see the bat’s face smush into the cage wall.
You giggled at its face.
“I hope you had a lovely nap, Roderick.”
The bat stilled and to your shock (and amusement), it let out a shrill sound with its face furrowed displeased. You’ve already ascertained that the bat was unusual but this proved it. It had higher intelligence because it threw a tantrum at your naming skills.
“Okay, okay, you don’t like that name.”
Squeak!
“Fine, fine just stop.” The bat stopped and looked away from you almost pouting. How cute.
“Anyways my little chiropteran, I have to go make lunch for myself, so please feel free to eat and drink, the cage will automatically replace it,” you paused thinking of more to say. “Ah yes, don’t worry I’ll be back in an hour.”
Strolling out of the workshop, you ignored the calls of your new companion.
Lilia almost pouted at the sight of you leaving. Well, this was not how he planned your first meeting. Originally he had devised a way to meet you by using his bat form. Your master, Luneria, was overly protective of you which only increased his interest in you. So he snuck in. Only to be caught in Luneria’s trap. The hidden wards almost catapulted him out of the universe had he not shifted into his smaller form.
He almost regrets his actions.
Almost, until he sees you across the threshold of the lonely tower. If there was ever a time to declare he fell in love at first sight, it was now. A single glance at you and you had your grips on his entire being. It was as though a flash of lightning burst into his body as he imagined your face, nestled in the loving embrace of his own hands that held you like a goddess. Visions of you in white in a meadow field and children with mixed features of both of you and him sent him giddy. He never imagined an old man like himself could be a romantic.
Yet, he had never wanted someone as much as he wanted you. The darker part of him, the primitive part of his Faes’ side struggled wildly under his control. The voice telling him to spirit you away like the olden times. Take you as his own. To own you physically, emotionally, and spiritually until you agree.
However, Lilia was a Royal Guard of Her Majesty and would never besmirch her reputation nor his future wife’s.
He could be patient if needed, and he certainly didn’t mind when the prize was a lifetime with you.