Myceil lies in bed, soaking in the warm rays of the warm sun peaking through the curtains, tied after last night's activities. They flip over reaching for their lover's body, only to be greeted with empty space. Confused, they slowly get out of bed– stretching as they do so, their wings fluttering. Walking out to the living room, a familiar humming and smell of breakfast cooking wafts through the air. Entering the kitchen, they wrap their arms around the figure standing over the stove. With a jump, he turns around, sighing when he sees its only Myceil in all their drowsy glory.
“Buenos días mi pixie, you startled me.” says Jake, still slightly startled.
“Sorry darling, i simply can't help it sometimes.” they say sleepily, face smushed into his shoulder.
“I know, one of the many things I love about you my love.” he says with a purr.
“Being such a flirt at this early hour? Quite scandalous of you lockley.” Myceil says with a teasing lit in their tone, resting their chin atop his head.
“Only for you cariño.” he says lovingly.
They stand in the kitchen for a while longer, wrapped up in eachothers embrace, basking in the morning light and domestic bliss. Detangling themselves sooner than they wanted, Jake plates the breakfast, hashed potatoes and honey pancakes with butter and bacon. They share their appreciation, both of them sitting together in a comfortable silence as they eat their food. Putting down their fork, Lecanora asks
“Do we have any plans for the day?”
“No, why do you ask?”
They answer with glee, a smile blooming across their face “How about we go to my forest, all of us.”
It's at this point that the others show themselves in the reflections of the silverware–Myceil opening their pocket mirror for them to use instead. The boys nod in thanks before continuing on with the conversation.
“But how, we're in the middle of the city.” Marc questions, slightly skeptical.
“Never doubt a Fay with an agenda dearest, it could be seen as insulting, and I'd hate to have my lovers whisked away to the otherworld.” they say kindly, a thinly veiled threat though not ill intended. A warning, you could say, of what is possible when dealing with these fickle creatures.
“Noted.” Steven says from the reflection, a waiver to his voice. He has such a scary lover sometimes.
“So what do y’all say, would you like to take a trip to the forest i resided in?”
“Of course sweetheart, I'd love to go! Imagine all the new things I could discover!” Steven replies, a childlike joy filling his face.
Lecanora responds fondly “Oh, believe me dear, you will find wonders.”
“How about you Marc? Jake?”
“Of course, I'm up for a bit of an adventure today.”
“I'll go, I wonder if I'll see any other pequeñas hadas.'' Jake says with a smirk. (tiny fairies)
“Oh hush you, I doubt we would run into any others in the forest and you seem to forget who the taller one is here.” They retort with a scoff before continuing.
“Wonderful, it's decided then. Let's head out, first though, I'd recommend some comfortable clothes and sneakers, it's very deep in the wilderness you see.”
“On it.'' They both go into the bedroom, picking out the appropriate clothing for the outing, filling a backpack with supplies before walking to the front door.
“Alright, let's head out to the park, I know a spot to get us where we want to be.”
“Lead the way, love.”
They walk hand in hand to the park. Steven takes control of the body on their commute, animatedly talking away about herbs and what he could happen upon in the forest, Myceil telling him if they've ever come across certain plants and fungus he mentions, refusing to elaborate past that, despite his begging—wanted to keep it a surprise.
They get to the park's entrance, Stevens' excitement rising, and maybe Lecanoras too, afterall, they get to show their homelands to their lovers, what's not to be happy over? Making their way to the back of the park— and away from prying eyes— they come across a decent sized cluster of trees. Myceil leads them into the thick of it, and opens their pocket mirror, they other alters reflections appearing inside.
“Now listen up everyone, I need what I say next to be taken very seriously with no interuptions, do you understand?” they say sternly.
Mummers of agreement pass over the group.
Myceil smiles in satisfaction “Good. Now I am going to explain what I'm doing next, and what you should and should not be doing. First, I am going to create a fairy ring, which acts as a type of portal for us fair folk, and before we step inside, I will command you to close your eyes. Humans stepping into a fairy ring and seeing the otherworld is lethal, and I do not wish death upon you dears. We shall hold hands, and I will guide us through the otherworld to get to the fairy ring leading to my homeland. You must ignore anything you hear or sense in the otherworld, I will not let anything harm you, don't even respond to my voice while on the other side, infact, dont talk at all, it could not be me talking after all. You may only resond and open your eyes when I let go of your hand, is this all clear?”
The others listen on in shock (Steven not so much. He had a fay lover! He obviously had to do some research on their kind!). Not expecting this slightly dark turn to their outing, they stay quiet for a moment, but nod along.
“But why can't we respond to you, what do you mean it could not be you? It's your voice?” Marc questions, confused.
“Oh dear, you still have much to learn, you see, when humans go to the other world, everyones knows. Everyone senses it. And they want it. They want that human, for what, it depends on the fay but rest assured it's never a good fate for them. They will do anything to get them. Illusions, auditory hallucinations, you name it, they will do it. I will not let them harm you though, for you are mine, and they know not to hurt what a fay calls theirs, they won't harm, but they will trick, try to get you to walk away from the safty that i provide, to let go, eat faerie food, anything to get you away from me. Thus the closing of the eyes, most of the stuff they do cant work if you simply can not see, but they will try to trick you with the voices of people you care for, friends, lovers, family, people long dead. Whispering sweet nothings, screaming in agony, whatever it takes to get you to let go of my hand, this is why I tell you to not respond and not let go, it is only safe when I let go of your hand.”
“Oookay. wow uh– that was a lot-'' Steven stutters, flabbergasted and a bit terrified.
“Are you sure this is the only way to your forest, that was a bit intense.” marc questions, nervous.
Jake sighs “Mi pixie, i trust you, but this is alot to take in right now.”
Myceil frowns “I know i know, but its reality. It's what must be done to ensure your safety. And marc, this is the only way to get there.”
He nods, weary.
“Now I hate to ask this, but who is going to front on the journey? It won't take long, just a few moments, but you cannot switch at all during the walk there. I don't know what will happen when you don't and I don't want to find out.”
“I'll do it.” marc proclaims.
“Are you sure Marc, it's going to be a lot to handle.” Steven askes, very concerned for him.
Marc holds steady in the decision “Yes i'll do it, it will be fine.”
“If you say so.” Steven sighs, resigned to his stubbornness.
“Ok Lecanora, do what you do best.” Marc says, determination lacing his voice.
Myceil sighs “alright, let's get this started then.”
Myceil starts “/Steven Grant and Jake Lockley, you are not to switch or co front with Marc until I let go of his hand./”
A change in the air, a heaviness that only magical power can conjure.
They continue “/Marc Spector, you will not let go of my hand and you will not talk until I let go of you hand. Once I grab your hand, you will close your eyes until I let go of your hand./”
They nod to themselves, and walk a couple of feet away, crouching down towards the earth, singing in a language none of them understand. Around them mushrooms grow, bright red and yellow fly agarics with specs of white on the caps, perfect in every way. Ferns and wildflowers form as well, crawling up from the earth at the faeries command. A perfect ring of flora.
The boys all stare in awe of the beautiful sight in front of them, whether that is their lover or the faerie ring is between them and the stars.
“Are you ready?” Myceil smiles, outstretching their hand. They seem almost glowing, and when they talk, it sounds not unlike tinkling bells.
“As i'll ever be.” he grasps their hand in his, and then it all goes dark.