Work Text:
Buddy sighed, startling awake when he felt a tiny hand tap his cheek. Opening an eye, he saw Violet staring back at him, looking tired.
"My dear friend, the old man has sent word that the Rogue has chosen a new story," Violet explained softly, and Buddy could see the regret in her gaze. "He wants us to intercept him."
"How the old man knows where Chase is going is beyond me," Buddy muttered, stifling a yawn. He stretched, swinging his legs out of the worn-out cot he called a bed.
"Chase?" Violet enquired, shifting on Buddy's pillow. "Oh! Is that the Rogue's name?"
"It is," Buddy confirmed, rolling his eyes when Violet squealed.
"He told you?" She looked excited for him. "Oh, I told you that he likes you back!"
"I don't like him!" Buddy lied, but Violet knew him better than that, "And he didn't want to tell me, I...never mind. It did not go well."
"Oh," Violet sighed. "My dear friend, you need to stop pushing him away."
"I need to find out what his purpose is," Buddy reminded her. "And he is far safer as my enemy. I cannot get him entangled in Ex-Libris. I just...I can't."
"Maybe he can set you free," Violet said, but the only response she received was a frigid silence. "I'll drop it for now, but at least consider the possibility that-"
"What story are we entering?" Buddy interrupted, earning a disappointed look from Violet.
"It's a novel that I haven't heard of before," Violet said. "The Mistenwood Chronicles."
"A vampire story?" Buddy said, surprised. "I thought that brat was afraid of vampires. It must be that friend of his...Deacon."
"Deacon?" Violet asked, "Is that the one who has my brother, Bronze?"
"Yes," Buddy said with a sigh. "And he's dragging Chase into a story that he'll hate."
A story he'll hate, Buddy mused to himself. That might be the perfect way to get on his good side.
If Chase was too busy being afraid of the vampires, maybe he'd forget to hate him quite as much.
The stone walls echoed Buddy's footsteps as he strode through the castle. Though he had read The Mistenwood Chronicles several times, he was a bit baffled as to where the story had placed him. As the Villainess, he was frequently placed into the story as a wicked stepmother, or an evil queen. This time, he appeared to be a scullery maid for the series villain, Caspian Wolfsblood.
"This story is lacking a good villainess," Buddy grumbled, tugging at his standard purple corset and black trousers. Thankfully, Violet hadn't decked him out in full rags, knowing that he liked to look good for any non-story-book character he came across.
Not just Chase, Buddy argued with the Violet in his head. It was no use though, she couldn't hear him, and would never believe him.
Buddy was so preoccupied, that he ran straight into the brat's friend, both of them falling to the floor in a heap.
"Sorry!" Deacon said, rubbing at his nose as the two of them stood up. "I wasn't...oh, it's you."
Buddy glowered at Deacon, crossing his arms as the other boy glared back. "Unfortunately, for the both of us. You could remedy the situation by leaving, of course."
"Not a chance," Deacon responded. "I don't want you to hurt Chase."
"Where is he?" Buddy asked, glancing around for the short blond. "You didn't leave him alone, did you?"
"Oh, like I'm telling you!" Deacon scowled. "He's doing fine on his own."
"In a vampire story?" Buddy asked, raising an eyebrow at him. "Some friend you are."
"What are you talking about?" Deacon's scowl morphed into a confused frown.
"He's afraid of vampires," Buddy explained. "I thought you of all people would-"
Deacon's loud snort echoed through the halls, interrupting Buddy's train of thought. He glanced over to see Deacon practically doubled over, giggling like a maniac.
"What on earth are you laughing about?"
"Afraid of vampires," Deacon giggled, "oh my god, wait until I tell Prunella."
"What's a Prunella?" Buddy asked, before thinking better of it. "Never mind. Tell me where Chase is, we do have a story to complete."
"He's in the ballroom," Deacon said, wiping tears of mirth out of his eyes. "Absolutely terrified in Caspian's arms."
"The attack scene isn't until later in the book!" Buddy said, "He's got to meet the hero of the story first. What on earth is he doing?!"
"I don't want to know," Deacon replied.
"You're entirely useless as the helper key," Buddy spat out, dashing away towards the ballroom.
"I can't save him if he wants to be there!" Deacon called out, but Buddy didn't hear him.
Buddy smoothed out his pristine hair, making sure he looked put together before entering the ballroom. He slid in silently, hoping that he could ward off Wolfsblood without too much trouble. He was already starting to make his plan of attack, when he caught sight of the pair.
They were on the edges of the ballroom, sitting on an ornate settee. Wolfsblood was facing away from Buddy, but it looked like he was gesturing animatedly, but it was the look on Chases face that made him pause. It was a look Buddy had never seen the shorter boy make, but had imagined being directed at him on more than one occasion.
Chase looked positively lovesick.
A thick swoop of jealousy landed heavy in Buddy's stomach, and it took every ounce of decorum to not stomp over to the pair. Why on earth was Chase gazing at this...this creature with such adoration, when he had never so much as giving a second glance to any of the handsome princes that had come before? Buddy had assumed that Chase was straight, and therefore would be interested in any of the men who attempted to sweep him off his feet.
"What on earth are you doing?" Buddy demanded as he came to stand in front of them. Wolfsblood's eyes flicked to Buddy first, but it took a few moments for Chase to drag his eyes away from the vampire in front of him.
"Ugh, what are you doing here?" Chase complained.
"I'm the villainess," Buddy bit back, hiding his jealousy with anger. "You would think you would remember that, as we've been popping in and out of stories for months, but I always did give you too much credit when it came to thinking."
"Could you maybe not be such a jerk for once?" Chase snapped.
"My darling?" Wolfsblood interrupted, smoothing a hand across Chase's cheekbone. "Is the scullery maid bothering you?"
"Yes, he is," Chase replied, practically batting his eyelashes at Wolfsblood. Buddy groaned in disgust.
"Wolfsblood is the villain," Buddy explained to Chase, "you're supposed to fall in love with a village boy who rescues you from the vampire."
"Ugh, no thanks," Chase said, wrinkling his nose in disgust. "He was really pushy, and tried to kiss me the moment I entered the book. Like, buy me dinner first."
"My love," Wolfsblood interrupted, reaching for Chase's hand, which Buddy slapped away without thinking.
Wolfsblood's eyes flashed with anger, and that same hand darted out to grab Buddy by the collar, pulling him dangerously close. "You dare to hit my hand, wench?"
"I..." Buddy gasped, trying to pull himself away from the enraged vampire. Oh, this wasn't good. "M-my liege, I..."
"Let him go," Chase said firmly, and the grip at Buddy's neck loosened enough to allow him to breath. "Give me a moment to...ah, punish him?"
Buddy was immediately pulled away from Wolfsblood by an angry-looking Chase, his grip tight on Buddy's wrist. "I was already manhandled by Wolfsblood, you don't need-"
"Shut up, you creep!" Chase whirled around, pointing a finger in Buddy's face. "I finally convinced Deacon to leave me alone with Caspian, now you come barging in here!"
"You are an endless mystery to me," Buddy grumbled, pulling his arm out of Chase's grasp. "You ignore every prince that attempts to win your heart, then fawn over a vampire of all things. You told me you were afraid of vampires!"
"I did not," Chase replies hotly. "You leapt to conclusions."
"You practically had a panic attack when I asked if you thought I was a vampire." Buddy ran an agitated hand through his hair, pacing away from Chase. "It was not a difficult conclusion to leap to."
Buddy whirled back around to see that Chase's cheeks had gone pink in anger. "And suddenly you're drooling over a villain, when you couldn't be bothered with any of the hero's in prior stories."
"Caspian is not the villain." Chase crossed his arms. "He's misunderstood. Why are you so mad that I didn't want any of the boring, princey guys, anyway?"
"I'm not mad," Buddy huffed.
"You are," Chase retorted. "You're yelling at me because, what... I didn't go around making out with Prince Charming?"
"Ugh," Buddy groaned, attempting to ignore the images that popped to mind. "No one wants to see that!"
"Don't tell me you're homophobic." Chase's nose crinkled as if he had smelled something terrible. "What, are you afraid of seeing two boys kiss?"
"Don't be such a brat," Buddy snapped. "I'm gay, if you must know."
"You are?" Chase looked confused. "Does that mean that you want the boring, princey guys?"
"You are absolutely impossible," Buddy said. "I'm leaving."
"Are you jealous because they're flirting with me instead of you?" Chase asked as Buddy turned around to leave, following close behind him. "Is that why you're after my key, so that they'll fall for you instead?"
"I don't want them," Buddy said between gritted teeth. "Now leave me alone and go make out with your stupid vampire, or whatever it is you planned on doing."
And before Chase could get another word out, Buddy slammed the ballroom door in his face. Ever the professional, Buddy finished his portion of the story, barely managing to avoid Chase and Deacon. But it was all for naught. When he left the story several hours later, he hadn't even earned a drop of Narritonin.
"Do not feel disheartened, my dear friend!" Violet said the next morning. They sat together in Buddy's tiny room, eating their meagre breakfast as Buddy recounted what exactly happened during the previous evening's story. "You've gain a lot of intel about the Rouge!"
"Yes, I'm sure Ex-Libris wants to know that Chase is in love with Caspian Wolfsblood," Buddy said with a roll of his eyes.
"Not for Ex-Libris," Violet laughed, her voice twinkling like windchimes. "For you!"
"What on earth could I do with that information?" Buddy asked with a scoff.
"You said it yourself," Violet said, "he's never shown any interest in a Prince before, but add a vampire to the story and he's suddenly...er, how did you put it?"
"Drooling all over him." Buddy reminded her bitterly.
"Yes!" Violet sounded pleased. "I do hope that it is a saying, and not entirely literal."
"Too close to literal for my liking."
"Well, maybe this Chase has a type!" Violet finished.
"Tall, handsome Vampire?" Buddy asked with a raise of his brow. "How am I supposed to work with that?"
Violet gave Buddy an unimpressed look.
"You're tiny, everyone looks tall to you." Buddy snipped.
"Just leave it to me," Violet said primly. "I'll give you an outfit he won't forget."
Buddy had been hoping that they would return to fairytales after completing The Mistenwood Chronicles. It was far easier to watch men flirt with Chase when it was obvious Chase didn't reciprocate. But his wishing was all for naught, as he found himself in he midst of another vampire tale.
"Really?" Buddy complained, glaring around at the woods around him. "What's this one called, then?"
"Oh, did we finally stump you?" A voice said from behind him, and Buddy whirled around to see an amused looking Deacon. "and I figured vampire stories were right up your alley, seeing as you look like one."
"I hardly look like a vampire," Buddy sniffed.
"You look like half the vampires that Chase has plastered to his walls." Deacon responded, crossing his arms over his chest. "It even looks like you dressed like one today."
Buddy glanced down at himself, surprised to see that Violet had given him a deep red outfit so low cut, it showed off his navel. His black pants were skin-tight, leaving little to the imagination, and if he wasn't mistaken, he was wearing a crown of glittering rubies. "Who on earth am I supposed to be?"
"You're some queen of a neighboring country, hell-bent on destroying the vampire coven," Deacon responded. "I don't know the details, as this type of story is more up Chase's alley."
"So we're following the brat around blindly?" Buddy asked. "I'm sure this will end well for us."
"Hey!" Chase's voice startled him, and he whipped around to see Chase decked out in the most intricate looking outfit. He looked every bit a fairytale prince, which seemed a touch out of place in a story like this. "I know this story inside and out. We'll have no troubles...what are you wearing?"
Chase's eyes had gone wide when he finally got a good look at Buddy, and a pink flush spread across his cheeks. Buddy glanced down at himself, wondering what could have caused that reaction.
"What is it?" Buddy asked, "Is something ripped?"
"No, ah...you look good," Chase said, making Buddy freeze. "But your outfit doesn't match your character."
"What are you talking about?" Buddy demanded. ""Yours doesn't exactly match either."
"Yeah, but you're an enemy of the vampires," Chase said, "Why are you dressed like one?"
"Wait," Buddy frowned. "The vampire's are the good guys in this story?"
"They are in every story," Chase said dismissively. "But yes, the love interest is a vampire who-"
"Ugh," Buddy interrupted, "of course the love interest is a vampire."
"-quite literally swept me off my feet." Chase continued, as if Buddy hadn't said anything. "It was unbelievably romantic, wasn't it, Deacon?"
"It wasn't, no," Deacon deadpanned, though that didn't deter Chase's good mood.
"And where is this romantic vampire now?" Buddy asked, glancing around the woods. "Not a very good partner to leave you alone with the vill-"
Buddy was immediately cut off as a body slammed into him, knocking the both of them to the damp dirt below. He let out gasp as the wind was knocked out of him, thrashing against whatever was holding him down. "release me!"
"You will not prevail." A man's voice hissed, deeper than both Chase and Deacon's voice. Ah, the vampire. "I will make sure to end your tyranny here, Queen Marguerite!"
"Felix!" Buddy heard Chase exclaim, "let the...er...the queen up."
"But she's a danger, my love!" The vampire (Felix, Buddy reminded himself) said, tightening his grip. "What if he hurts you?"
"I don't think he'll hurt me," Chase said, and Felix released Buddy long enough to allow him to roll over, looking up at all three men staring down at him.
Buddy sneered up at them before struggling to stand, dirt and mud clinging to his skin and clothes. "Ugh, Violet worked hard to make me look good."
"You still look good," Chase said plainly, and Buddy watched as he allowed the vampire to pull him closer.
This is hateful.
"Thank you," Buddy said primly, glaring at the hand on Chase's shoulder. Feeling like he was being watched, he looked over to see Felix glaring back.
The vampire was roughly the same height as Buddy was, dark black hair swooping down over his forehead. They looked remarkably similar, if Buddy were to be honestly, the only difference is Felix had bright red eyes instead of icy blue. Felix smirked when Buddy's eyes landed on him, tightening his grip on Chase even more.
"Queen Marguerite, we meet at last!" Felix said. "You're lucky that my love is a forgiving woman, or you would have been slain on the spot."
"My love," Chase repeated, and Buddy could practically see the hearts in his eyes.
"Really?" Buddy asked, his tone unimpressed. "That's all it takes to make you weak at the knees?"
"Don't be dumb, Buddy," Chase snipped. "All the other princey guys you're in love with say the same thing. No, the first-most important thing is consent."
"The second is to be tall and brooding," Deacon interrupted. "Hey, you're dressed like the princey guys, Chase. Why is that?"
"No reason," Chase said quickly. "Silver took some creative license. Shut up."
"I am not in love with the Prince Charming trope," Buddy reminded him.
"My love," Felix said, unaware to the real conversation happening around him. "Let us be gone from this company, how I wish to spend time with you alone!"
"Yeah, in a minute," Chase said, brushing Felix's arm off of him. The action released something in Buddy's chest, and he felt as though he could breath a little easier. "What do you mean you're not in love with the Prince's?"
"I don't follow you through stories because I want them to love me," Buddy said with a roll of his eyes. "It's my job to retrieve your key back."
"Yeah, but why have you been acting all weird?" Chase asked.
"I haven't been acting weird," Buddy snapped hotly. "You're the one acting weird."
"You're both acting weird," Deacon chimed in.
"Shut up, Dorkin!" Chase snapped, eyes never leaving Buddy. "Why are you dressed like that?"
"I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about," Buddy said, subconsciously smoothing a hand over his red shirt.
"Don't play dumb." Chase said. "You're dressed like a very sexy vampire. Why are you dressed that way?"
"You think I look like a sexy vampire?" Buddy felt warm at Chase's words.
"Don't change the subject!"
"Violet has impeccable taste." Buddy replied. "She wants me to look my best. Why are you dressed like Prince Charming, when you're the heroine?"
"My love," Felix interrupted them, coming up behind Chase and wrapping his arms around the shorter boy. "Let us be off."
The vampire leaned down, pressing a chaste kiss to Chase's neck, and Buddy saw red. Before he realized what he was doing, he landed a punch square in the middle of Felix's nose, sending him flying back. The punch hurt of course, but the satisfaction far outweighed the pain.
"Buddy, what the hell was that for?" Chase demanded.
"He's not real," Buddy reminded him, rubbing his hand. "He doesn't feel pain."
"But you do," Chase said. "And that doesn't mean you can go around punching people. It's not okay."
"Yes, mother," Buddy intoned.
"Now tell me why you punched him," Chase demanded.
Buddy blinked at him, unsure of how to proceed.
"He's jealous," Deacon supplied. Buddy whipped his head around to glare at him, and only earned a smug smile back. "He wants to be a love interest, alright, but not to the Prince Charming."
"If you don't stop talking, I will destroy you," Buddy threatened.
"That's why he's dressed like a vampire," Deacon continued, "And coincidentally, why Chase is dressed like a Prince."
Buddy turned to look at Chase, who now looked mortified.
"Oh my god, Dorkin. Shut up!"
"You guys were taking too long," Deacon shrugged his shoulders, "and we've still got to finish the story to get the Narritonin."
"Right, Narritonin," Chase perked up. "The perfect distraction. Later, Buddy!"
"Wait," Buddy frowned, watching as Chase grabbed Deacon's arm so they could scramble away. "I have a few questions."
"And I won't answer," Chase responded.
"The answer is he likes you," Deacon chimed in, earning an elbow to the ribs. "Ow!"
"Well, I might like him back," Buddy said quickly, making Chase freeze in his tracks. "But...maybe I'm not supposed to."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Chase demanded.
"It's not safe," Buddy said quickly. He stepped over the prone body of Felix, whom he had hit harder than he realized. "Ex-Libris isn't safe."
"Then let us get you out of there."
Buddy looked down at Chase, a look of determination his his warm, brown eyes. "I can't. You can't. We...we can't."
"You can't tell me what to do," Chase said, crossing his arms.
"You really can't," Deacon sighed.
"We're going to come and find you."
Buddy sighed, thankful for the fact that Ex-Libris headquarters was hard to find. "You'll be unsuccessful."
"Nah, we'll come get you, and the keys, and make everything right." Chase said. "Come on Felix, we've got to finish the story."
"My very own Prince Charming," Buddy huffed, with a roll of his eyes, ignoring Felix stirring feebly beside him. "One more thing before we continue on, may I?"
"Yes." Chase responded quickly.
Buddy hesitated, wondering if Chase knew what he was asking for, but the blazing look in his eyes suggested he did. He leaned down, pressing a kiss to Chase's cheek.
"See, consent is sexy," Chase said, face pink.
"I must say, I think you're right." Buddy agreed.
When Buddy exited the story several hours later, he had more Narritonin than he knew what to do with, and an excitable key.
"My dear friend, tell me everything that happened!"
-fin-