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Shaknar was a proud ground dragon.

He'd always been, he's pretty sure. Even when his companion wasn't so strong, so noble, so recognized; Shaknar knew his worth, ensured that others knew it as well, and strived to keep it that way.

He liked to think that this was what had pushed Julius to train as hard as he did. 'Shaknar is surely shackled by my mediocrity,' he must've thought to himself. The poor boy. It was only natural, then, to credit Shaknar with his companion's success throughout the years.

So just as Julius Juukulius was a leader, an example for his every fellow Knight, so, too, was Shaknar for every ground dragon in sight.

And even despite this, he'd just been snubbed.

“You're making a mistake!” he squawked, indignant. “I decide to give you a chance, and this is how you react-!”

“Oh, shut it, asshole,” the hag said. She was, unfortunately, beautiful, with gorgeous frills framing her face and razor sharp teeth and claws to boot. “My rider wants nothing to do with yours, so I don't want anything to do with you. And even if that changes, you're still an arrogant bastard.”

“But-!”

“Forget it,” she barked, and made her way away from him. Whatever. Patrasche was a stupid name anyway, and if she still considered her companion to be a mere rider, then they were far from equals.

That didn't stop him from sulking, though.

His companion, of course, noticed his mood immediately. “Shaknar?” he asked, placing a careful hand on his side. They were marching steadily into a forest, now, and Shaknar understood it to be the future site of a glorious battlefield. “Are you alright?”

He tried to sigh, the way he'd seen his companion do before. It didn't work the way he hoped it would, but he seemed to get the point across, at least; it was the latest in his batch of attempts to communicate with him. “Oh, it's just my pride,” he chittered. “Wounded. Torn to pieces by some... some harlot!” He sniffed. “No, wait, I didn't mean that. Curse that ephemeral woman.”

“I apologize for your discomfort,” Julius said, and Shaknar felt like jostling him for the misinterpretation. “The battle ahead seems arduous, but not long. We shall be home shortly.”

All the better, he supposed. That way he could nurse his wounds in private, surrounded by adoring fans. But it would be slow, and not for the first time he wished dearly that he possessed some way of speaking directly with his companion.

He'd heard Julius speak of his fears, his anxieties, his doubts. He'd been there when Julius had spent the night stressing about his upcoming Knight evaluation, the nerves leading up to his Knighting Ceremony, the stuttering mess he'd become when rehearsing the lines he would use to declare his loyalty to his liege.

So was it wrong of him to wish that it could be reciprocated? He didn't think so. He longed to simply speak, without the constraints of language. “Here are things you know about me for certain,” he'd say. “Here are the things you got wrong. Here is something you never knew, could never have known.”

Alas, it wouldn't come to be. So he resigned himself to giving what support he could – something Julius would surely crumble without – and receiving everything he was capable of reciprocating.

-*-*-*-*-

Karma was delivered quite quickly, if you asked Shaknar.

“That's what you get,” he muttered to himself, nonetheless pacing back and forth. “That's what you get for misplaced loyalty. 'Rider', you said? Of course something so shallow as a 'rider' would allow you to become so injured-”

“I would appreciate some silence, if you would.”

Startled, Shaknar whirled around, spotting another ground dragon nearby. She was lying in the shade next to a small carriage, the wheels almost entirely demolished alongside the back, and when he looked over she narrowed her eyes.

“Stop muttering,” she said. “It's distracting.”

“You don't understand,” he hissed. “That idiot boy declared himself a Knight, and then injured his mount! This reflects badly on the Knights as a whole, and now I have to figure out what to tell my subordinates when they ask me if they're no longer safe with their companions. What am I supposed to tell them!?”

She sighed, a deeply human motion he'd never seen in another ground dragon. “Patrasche is fine. Her rider is reckless, but means well, and she just wanted to keep him safe. That's all.”

He eyed her critically. “You must not be a part of the Order,” he said, and she snorted.

“Did it really take you this long to figure that out?”

“It makes sense that you'd be so complacent about this, then,” he said, ignoring her rude question. “But I suppose you're right in that there's no use in continuing this conversation with someone so ignorant.”

She didn't respond, instead just seeming amused, and he shook his head, going back to pacing. As irritating as she was, she hadn't deserved to fall victim to her rider's negligence. He felt himself become increasingly frustrated with the situation. In fact, he should march over there, really give that idiot boy a piece of his mind-!

“Frufoo, one of the drivers asked to take a break. We'll be taking one of the carriages the rest of the way to the Karsten estate.”

She stood, shaking herself of dirt. “What about the other dragon?”

“He's a bit tired from the first stretch, so he's grateful for the break.” Wait, what? “So long as you're up for it...?”

“I am.”

“Great.” Shaknar shook himself, as though trying to figure out if his ears were deceiving him. “They're still figuring out the fallout from Mr Natsuki's commotion, but we'll be heading out soon-”

“Who are you talking to!?”

He glanced around furiously, but there wasn't another ground dragon in sight. Instead, all he could see was a small, unimposing, grey-topped figure in green, who startled slightly at Shaknar's interruption.

It would've been a normal reaction to a ground dragon's seemingly-random screeching. Would've, except he responded.

“Ah, that would be me. I apologize for the shock.”

“That's...” Shaknar's brain turned the words over for a moment. “No.”

The man titled his head. “No?”

“No,” he repeated. “No, but such a sequence of well-timed coincidences are impressive.”

“Is your head just there to look pretty?” the other dragon – Frufoo, he supposed – cut in. “This is Otto, my companion. He can understand us. It's really not a difficult concept-”

Shaknar blinked, filtering out whatever else she was saying. Companion? Understanding...?

“I'm borrowing him,” he said, and abruptly grabbed the man by his coat before taking off towards Julius. Otto yelped, but Shaknar's mouth was tragically too full of cloth to apologize, and so he didn't. He also didn't believe this warranted an apology.

He practically skidded to a halt – though it was much more graceful than that, really – next to Julius. He barely had a moment to turn around and look surprised before Shaknar gently but quickly deposited the distressed lump at his feet, and barked out an order.

“Explain,” he said, and Otto stood slowly, clutching his hat.

For a moment, Julius seemed mortified. “I apologize,” he said. “Shaknar is usually gentle, I don't know what could have caused-”

“It's alright,” Otto said, and Shaknar nodded approvingly. It was. “Now, explain what?”

Julius remained silent, glancing between Otto and Shaknar, and... ah. He was talking to Shaknar. Right, of course, he knew this. “How you can understand me,” he said. “You can translate for us, correct?”

“I... could,” he said carefully. “What is it you want me to say, exactly?”

Shaknar preened at what he could essentially take to be confirmation. “Everything,” he declared. “My family, my tastes... if you could explain to him some of the intention behind my body language, it would be much appreciated. And- oh! My woes,” he wailed dramatically. “Just before the battle, I was cruelly and viciously rejected by-”

He was abruptly cut off by a head colliding with his torso, and he tumbled, rolling back onto his feet quickly. “What-?”

“You!” Frufoo said, practically shaking with rage. “How dare you just take him like that. You could've hurt him, or worse! If I hadn't still been partially coupled to that Od-damn carriage, I would've-”

“Frufoo, it's alright,” Otto said, approaching her gently. “He was just excited, is all. He was careful with me.”

He nodded enthusiastically. Very observant, this one. Frufoo continued to glare at him.

“...he's never been able to communicate with his companion,” he said, a touch softer. Shaknar suspected he hadn't been meant to hear. “It'll only be a moment, while we wait to regroup and leave.”

She stared at him for a long, tense moment, before sighing. Shaknar understood where and how she'd picked it up, now. “Fine,” she said. “But just this once.”

A foot in the door, as Anastasia liked to say. It wouldn't be the last time if Shaknar had anything to do with it. There was no need to tell her that now, though.

He nodded. “Thank you,” he said, and Otto began to translate what would be Shaknar's first ever message to Julius.

-*-*-*-*-

He and Julius spoke for nearly an hour. It was incredible. It was over far too soon.

“I am incredibly grateful, Otto Suwen,” Julius said once the caravan was ready to depart once more. He bowed, then reached into his coat. “Allow me to compensate you for your time-”

Otto waved his hands rapidly in front of him. “There's no need! This just happened to be something I could do, please don't think of it more deeply than that.” He glanced over at Frufoo briefly, who had stayed close the entire time. “I can't imagine how it feels to not be able to talk to someone, despite wanting to. I apologize if my presence made it more difficult to share some things.”

“Your presence is what made this possible in the first place,” Shaknar said, and he bowed his head slightly. “Thank you.”

He gave Shaknar a warm smile, and out of the corner of his eye, Shaknar saw Julius' cheeks redden. “Of course,” Otto said. “It was nice to meet-”

“You're a merchant, yes?”

Otto turned. “Hm?”

“Anastasia-sama is very particular about scouting talent,” Julius said, shuffling slightly in place. “I believe there is a place for you in the Hoshin company, should you wish for it.”

He smiled again, but shook his head. “Mr Natsuki has already promised to help me with my current situation, but I do appreciate the offer,” he said. Shaknar huffed his irritation, but Julius hid his a bit better.

He nodded his head. “I see. If your mind ever changes, please do let me know.”

“I will,” he said, and at last he began to leave for the carriage he was meant to drive. Frufoo stood to follow him.

“I hope to see you again,” Shaknar called out to them both. She turned slightly, but didn't pause.

“I don't,” she said, “but take care of yourself, and your companion.”

“You do the same,” he said.

He didn't see them at the Karsten estate, and they departed early for the Hoshin company headquarters. He wished he had.

-*-*-*-*-

Shaknar stared at Julius, unblinking.

“I do not know what you're trying to insinuate here, Shaknar.”

He continued to stare.

“I merely expressed my concern for him,” he said. “Is that not normal, for friends?”

Shaknar did his best to raise an eyebrow, and Julius averted his gaze. “Meeting once is plenty enough to consider someone a friend,” he said. Shaknar sighed.

“You need more friends,” he said, but he knew Julius wouldn't understand him. For all the progress they'd made with what little communication they could manage, it still wasn't perfect.

It had only been a little over a month since they'd met Otto and Frufoo, and word had already arrived of an incident taking place in the Mathers domain regarding another Great Mabeast. Of course Otto following that idiot would just lead him to a bigger mess. It was natural to feel some concern, he'd admit, but this was the third time he'd heard Julius mention “wondering if Otto was alright.” At the very least, he'd only done the same for Subaru and Emilia once each.

Julius sank onto a stool he'd placed in the stables, running a hand nervously through his hair. “Perhaps I could send a letter,” he suggested. “A polite, concerned inquiry for their well being.”

Shaknar rolled his eyes. So now it was 'their' well being “Or, we could just go visit.”

Julius sighed. “I wish I could understand what you were saying to me, my friend,” he said, and Shaknar agreed. Which was all the more reason they should go and physically check on them.

Disgruntled, he dragged a claw through the dirt in a straight line, directed from him and Julius out to the entrance to the stables. He turned back, and saw Julius' eyes widen.

“I'm... not sure we can simply do that, Shaknar,” he said, before pausing for a moment in contemplation. “Although Anastasia-sama did mention that Subaru would be undergoing an official Knighting ceremony soon. It is meant to be a more private affair, but perhaps we could attend, as a show of goodwill.”

Shaknar grumbled, but it was a good excuse. Julius laughed.

“It wouldn't be the only reason,” he said. “Anastasia-sama also wishes to know if there is truth behind the reports surrounding the Great Rabbit. And isn't it your duty to welcome Patrasche into the Knights Order, as well? They may be Mathers knights rather than Royal ones, but I believe the etiquette exists regardless.”

He grumbled again, but it was true. He could put his misgivings aside if it meant gathering information and having yet another real conversation. “Fine,” he said. “Go tell Anastasia, then.” He nudged Julius gently but firmly off the stool, and he stood, smiling in amusement.

“We may have to make haste. I am unsure when the Ceremony is meant to take place,” he said, and Shaknar simply nudged him again. “Very well. Be ready to depart soon.”

Who did Julius think he was, truly? Shaknar was perfectly prepared already.

They waited for morning to depart. They arrived in Mathers territory just hours after notice of their assistance arrived.

-*-*-*-*-

“I thought I might find you in here. I'm glad I was right.”

Shaknar saw Otto jump slightly, and he snorted. “Sir Juukulius,” Otto said. “I apologize, I wasn't expecting company in here.”

“Of course not,” Frufoo said in a mildly chiding tone. “There's a party going on, and you're in the stables.”

There was poor lighting in the stables, but Shaknar thought he saw Otto's cheeks darken, and he chuckled. They'd only arrived earlier that day, and the ceremony itself had been fairly quick; Shaknar had been in the stables for most of it, and so he knew that it hadn't been long before Otto had retreated from the crowd.

“I was checking on you!” he said. “And then-” He turned to look at Julius, as though justifying himself. “I found Shaknar in here, and it would've been rude to not catch up with a friend, right?”

Julius chuckled. “I agree,” he said. “That's precisely why I was looking for you.”

“I- ah.” If possible, Otto's face only reddened further, and he bowed his head. “In that case, I'm sorry I disappeared. I had meant to speak with you, I just-”

“It's alright, Otto-san,” Julius said, gently lowering himself into the hay. Hesitantly, Otto did the same. “I, too, often prefer Shaknar's company to that of a crowded room.”

Otto sighed in relief. “I'm glad you understand, Sir Juukulius.”

“I would prefer if you called me Julius,” he responded, smiling gently. “It's what my friends use.”

He was silent for a moment. “Julius,” he said, as though testing the way it felt to say. “In that case, it's fair to ask you not to use honorifics.”

“Very well, Otto,” he said.

In Shaknar's opinion, it had been a heartwarming exchange. Unfortunately, it was immediately followed by an extense, awkward silence. Julius shifted slightly, uncomfortable, and so did Shaknar.

“Ah, did you and Shaknar wish for me to facilitate another conversation? I'm happy to-”

“I am thankful, but that is unnecessary,” Shaknar said, shaking his head and standing. “I've spent a bit too long in the stables, and I had meant to find Patrasche tonight.”

Frufoo turned a critical eye on him. “Why, so you can be rejected again?”

“Ha!” He barked out a laugh, perhaps a bit louder than intended. “I am not so generous as to grant her another chance. My intentions are purely professional.”

“If you say so,” she said, nonplussed. “Have fun, then.”

Shaknar grumbled under his breath. “Actually, I was hoping you would accompany me.”

Her head snapped up, and she looked genuinely confused. “Why?”

“You know both her and this estate far better than I do,” he said, hoping she would take the hint. Fortunately, after a long, evaluating stare, she acquiesced.

“I could use a walk anyway,” she said, getting up. Beside her, Otto began to stir as well, until Shaknar cut in.

“We'll return shortly, Otto,” he said. “There's no need for you to trouble yourself.”

“...are you sure-?”

“I am.”

Beside him, Frufoo was squinting at him, and Julius just looked confused.

“What are they saying?”

“We'll be back soon,” Shaknar repeated, and he shuffled out of the building. Somewhat reluctantly, Frufoo followed him.

They'd only walked a short distance before she addressed him. “If this is some attempt to get me alone, let me say right now that I'm not interested-”

Shaknar's eyes widened. “Eugh, no.”

She reared her head back. “Excuse me-?”

“I was trying to get them alone!” he hissed. “For weeks, I've been hearing Julius mention his concern for Otto. So now, they get a moment to speak with some privacy, and I get to not be around any more awkward silences.” He turned back away, and kept walking. “Besides, he needs more friends.”

“...on that, at least, we can agree,” she said. “I think they're good for each other.”

Shaknar nodded. “Exactly. I approve of him.”

“You're sure it has nothing to do with Otto's Divine Protection being more accessible to you?”

“I'm sure I have no idea what you mean.”

“Mhm. Yeah, sure.”

They continued walking in silence, the moon having now risen enough to offer some light through the trees ahead. It was beautiful, really.

“...do you know where you're going?”

“I do not, no.”

Frufoo sighed, turning in the near opposite direction. “Follow me.”

“Much obliged.”

-*-*-*-*-

By the time they got back, the moon had risen far higher, and Patrasche had been formally inducted to the Order.

The lighting in the stables hadn't gotten any better, but there was noise coming from it, and hearing Julius' laughter only made Shaknar more confident in his decision.

“See? They're getting on great,” he said smugly. Frufoo just rolled her eyes.

“Yeah, yeah. Same would've happened if we were around, you know.”

“Another attempt to diminish my accomplishments does nothing to dim my actual worth.”

She snorted as they turned the corner into the building. “My apologies, I didn't mean to bruise your- Od-damnit, who gave Otto alcohol!?”

The smell hit Shaknar before he laid eyes on the scene, and sure enough, there was a bottle in Otto's hands. He turned when they entered, though the movement was somewhat slow.

“I – hic – gave myself alcohol, thank you very much,” he said. Shaknar laughed, and Frufoo turned to glare at him.

“It's late,” she said. “You both should get back inside. Besides, I'm fairly sure Julius and Shaknar have an early morning.”

Otto slumped further in his spot in the hay. “Nooooooo,” he said.

“Yeeees,” she said back, and began to move towards them both. Julius blinked blearily at the movement.

“What is it?” he said, squinting. “Otto?”

“You're leaving soon,” he said from his spot on the floor. Julius blinked again.

“We are?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh.” He looked impossibly sad. Shaknar cleared his throat, and the room turned its attention on him.

“Surely we're not in such a rush,” he said, and Frufoo's flat stare was offset by Otto's wide, hope-filled eyes.

“Really?”

“Another day shouldn't hurt,” he said, turning to Frufoo. “And I'm not sure Julius will want to be on the road tomorrow morning.”

Julius blinked again, having recognized the noise he knew Shaknar used to refer to him. “What?”

“You're staying,” Otto said.

“We are?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh.” He had a wide, dopey grin on his face, and Shaknar grinned.

Frufoo sighed. “We still need to get you both inside- where are you going.”

Shaknar glanced at her, halfway to the back end of the stables. “To bed,” he said simply.

“We still need to-!”

“Why?” He settled down beside Julius, who immediately slumped halfway onto him. “They seem comfortable.”

Frufoo seemed unsure for another moment, until Otto snored loudly, and the bottle in his hand clinked onto the ground. She sighed, again. “He really needs to get more used to sleeping indoors,” she said, but she still laid beside him.

Shaknar glanced up, curious. “Is he not?”

“We've spent a lot of time on the road,” she explained, glancing down at the sleeping figure fondly. He stirred, slightly, moving closer to her. “Though I suppose I don't mind. I have missed it, a bit.”

“You take care of him well,” he observed. She nodded.

“I do.”

Shaknar yawned. “Perhaps we're more similar than I had assumed,” he said. “Goodnight, Frufoo.” She grunted.

“Rest well. I want you out of here soon.”

“Sure thing,” he said. He didn't mean a word.

-*-*-*-*-

It was late, and Shaknar wanted dearly to sleep.

“No, that is far too much information.” A pause. “Is it?”

Unfortunately, that didn't seem to be an option for him anytime soon.

“He did ask for details,” Julius said, chewing on the end of his pen. A marvelous invention, that; Julius no longer got feathers in his mouth when he wrote. “How much detail is reasonable, Shaknar?”

Shaknar groaned. Julius took this to be an answer.

“It would be wasteful to use more parchment,” he said. “I shall keep what I have written. Thank you, friend.”

Shaknar groaned again, turning over slightly to blearily glance at his companion. He had dragged a small desk into his stable, several months ago, and now he sat there with a small, nearly-melted candle burning a faint light in the darkness. Ia had tired of giving light and retired a while ago, now, and Shaknar wished he could do the same.

The first time this had happened, he'd been excited. Julius was spending more time with him! A few weeks into the correspondence, Shaknar had finally bothered to ask him why here?

“You are Otto's friend as well,” he'd said. “And I do not wish to have the details of my friendship known throughout the company,” which translated roughly to 'I know Anastasia or the triplets would eventually snoop.'

So, reluctantly, Shaknar had allowed it. Letters took time to arrive, meaning only about one night at most out of the week would be compromised, but it was still beginning to grate on him.

“If you want to talk to him so much, why not just invite him here?” he grumbled. Julius turned, for a moment, but he didn't understand, and so Shaknar reluctantly stood to trace a line from the rough entrance of the stables back towards themselves. It was pretty clear, honestly. He'd done the same thing months prior.

Julius chewed his lip. “I... suppose this letter could double as an invitation,” he said, and the scratching of a pen against parchment returned. It finished quickly, however, and Shaknar sighed in relief, finally resting.

He'd all but forgotten his suggestion until he was greeted with visitors in his stable, nearly a week later.

-*-*-*-*-

“Julius' letter mentioned, apparently, that the invitation was your idea.”

“It was late,” Shaknar whined. “I wanted to sleep! He'd spent so long on that letter already, I simply wanted him to allow me some rest.”

Frufoo snorted. “How hurtful to discover that you didn't want to see us.” Shaknar rolled his eyes. “I agree, though. If I had to spend one more moment watching Otto agonize over the contents of his next letter...”

She trailed off, and Shaknar nodded sympathetically.

In the not-so-far distance, both of their companions sat in the shade of a tree. They'd been talking for what felt like hours, now, and abruptly Shaknar felt a short pang of jealousy.

“...while he's here,” Shaknar said, moving to stand, “there are some things I've been wanting to tell Julius.”

“And so, the true motivations are revealed.”

“Nothing so underhanded!” he yelped. “I just-”

Frufoo laughed. “I'm joking,” she said. “But you'll have to be the one to interrupt them, you know.”

He glanced back at the two of them, Julius chuckling at something a red-faced Otto had just said, and settled back down.

“It can wait,” he said. “There's no rush.” The shadow of their tree grew longer.

-*-*-*-*-

“-of course he would be disgruntled, Julius! What work could you possibly have that would keep you up so late, and why must you do it in his company?”

“I, er,” Julius said, stumbling a bit over his words. Shaknar couldn't say he didn't find it amusing. “It's important,” he said weakly.

Before Otto could continue chiding him, Shaknar cut in. “It really isn't so bad, Otto,” he said. “I appreciate your concern, but I also do appreciate that Julius brings his work to spend time with me. I only wish for it to end a bit earlier, is all.”

He huffed. “Fine,” he said, then turned back to Julius to relay the rest of his message.

He'd waited until after they'd taken a short break for lunch to cut in. He really couldn't emphasize enough how grateful he was for Otto's Divine Protection, and his willingness to share it. Especially because it lead to conversations like these, and it was rare that Shaknar ever saw Julius get chewed out over something-

A realization struck him. Merchant. Clever, too. Capable of keeping Julius in check, great lengths to go for people they care about...

“Otto,” he cut in, already smirking. “I need you to tell Julius that I think he has a type.”

Otto's head whipped back immediately. “Huh!?”

“Repeat after me, please,” he said. “Julius, I think you have a type-”

“No!” he said, cheeks red. “I mean, I'm not sure...”

“Please, Otto,” he said. “Our friendship hinges on this one message.”

“I-”

“Alright, knock it off.” Frufoo walked up to them, planting a basket firmly between the two. “Otto, neither of you have eaten since lunch, and it's getting late.”

He seemed grateful for the interruption. “Ah! Alright, we can make our way back-”

“I got some meals from the kitchen,” she said gently, gesturing towards the basket with her head. “Enjoy your dinner. You, come with me.”

Shaknar stood reluctantly, stretching. “You never let me have any fun,” he said. “Enjoy your dinner, Otto, and tell Julius the same.”

“I will,” he said, and Shaknar padded away back to his and Frufoo's earlier spot, shaded against the setting sun by sparse trees.

He laid down, angling himself to face the rising moon rather than his friends. They could have some privacy.

“Here,” Frufoo said, dropping something in front of him before lying down herself.

He glanced up, momentarily confused. “What is this?”

“They insisted on some red meat for us to have, as well. They might have only taken one of us into consideration, though, so each of us just get a bite.”

Shaknar shook his head. “This was meant for you,” he said. “I shouldn't-”

“Just take it, dumbass,” she said. “Or is it somehow chivalrous to reject a gift?”

Shaknar glanced at her, briefly, before turning back to the food she'd dropped in front of him.

“...thank you,” he said. They ate in companionable silence.

-*-*-*-*-

It was the last day of Otto and Frufoo's visit, and for the life of him, Shaknar couldn't understand what was happening.

“Have they spent any time together today?” he stage-whispered, squinting at his companion. “At all?”

He was sitting at his desk in the stables, brow furrowed as he worried over a letter. He'd been working on it since the previous night, though he had taken some time to sleep eventually, but he'd neglected to inform Shaknar what this one was about. Usually he could only assume it had to do with the Company, or some other business, but today he did have his suspicions.

At his side, Frufoo shook her head. “No,” she whispered back, yawning. “They were acting fine yesterday, weren't they?”

He nodded, and it was true. The four of them had gone a short distance away for a nice dinner, and though there had been a strange sort of tension in the air whenever Julius and Otto spoke directly, it didn't seem awkward or hostile. They'd stayed late, so everyone had retired upon returning, except for Julius staying up late in the stables; Shaknar was sure that nothing could have happened between then and now that he wouldn't have heard about already.

He heard shuffling outside, and turned just in time to see Otto poke his head in for the third time today. He glanced around for Frufoo, saw that Julius was still there, and scurried away. Julius, again, failed entirely to notice.

“This is ridiculous,” Frufoo said, and Shaknar nodded. He sighed, and stood, stretching slightly. Frufoo eyed him wearily.

“Where are you going?”

“I'm going to get him,” he said. “It's your last day here! It makes no sense for him to be avoiding us, or for Julius to spend the whole time working.”

“Shouldn't you deal with Julius, then?” she said, tilting her head critically.

He approximated a shrug. “It'd be harder to get my point across. Plus, he's busy with something-”

“Wow. Not a shred of favoritism, there.”

“-and,” he continued, “it seems important. Especially since he's been at it since yesterday.”

“You really weren't kidding,” she said, yawning again at the reminder. “How are you not exhausted?”

“I'm used to it,” he said smugly. She sighed.

“Fine. Go get him, then. I'll follow Julius if he gets up.”

“I'll be back soon,” he promised, and he lumbered out of the stables.

It wasn't hard to find Otto, really. He was crouched under the same tree they'd sat at a few days ago, pitifully staring at a bug crawling over his hand, and occasionally sighing. “Otto?”

He jumped slightly, and the bug fell to the ground, instantly scurrying off into a hole. “Oh! Shaknar. Hello.”

“Good afternoon,” he replied. “...are you alright?”

Otto offered him a strained smile. “Of course! Why do you ask?” he said, laughing like he was being held at swordpoint.

Shaknar squinted. “Because you've been avoiding Julius all day,” he said, and Otto tensed. “Or maybe it's me-?”

“No!” he yelped. Shaknar grinned.

“So it is Julius,” he said. “Why?”

Otto didn't answer, instead turning to avoid his gaze, and Shaknar sighed, laying in the grass beside him.

“Different question, then,” he said. “Why do you keep coming back to the stables? Were you looking for Frufoo?”

“I... yes, actually,” he said. “I wanted to ask her for some advice.”

“I'm listening.”

Otto glanced at him, though he was smiling faintly. “I wanted to ask her for advice.”

Shaknar gasped dramatically. “You're saying you don't trust me, Otto? At all? Not after everything we've been through together?!” He was laying the theatrics on a little thick, but Otto chuckled, so it was fine. “I'll have you know,” he said, taking on a slightly more serious tone, “that I am full of wisdom. Whatever it is, I'll do my best to help you, Otto.” He glanced down at his feet, and Shaknar pushed a bit further. “I'm your friend, aren't I?”

They were both silent, for a moment, until Otto lowered himself down, sitting on the grass and leaning lightly against Shaknar. He waited patiently for him to speak.

“...Shaknar,” he said. “Have you ever had feelings for someone that weren't reciprocated?”

“Lots of times,” he said immediately. “Many.”

“...that's not exactly comforting,” he said. “What happened afterwards? Did it- Was it painful?”

“It was,” Shaknar said easily. “It depended a bit on whether it was just attraction, or something more, but yes. But in the end, I deserve to be with someone who also wants to be with me.” He paused. “Does that make sense?”

Slowly, he felt Otto nod.

Shaknar allowed them to sit in silence for a short while, letting the cool breeze wash over them, before speaking again.

“This is about Julius, isn't it?”

He felt Otto jump. “What-?!”

“You haven't exactly been subtle,” he said, and Otto stilled. “So, is it about my companion?”

Otto took a few deep, steadying breaths. “Yes, it is-”

“Great! In that case, problem solved!” Abruptly, he stood, and grabbed an unbalanced Otto by the back of his cloak. Before he could get far, however, a head bumped into his side, and he stopped.

“There's no need, Shaknar,” Frufoo said. “Put him down.”

Shaknar turned his head quickly when he heard his name, but only processed her words halfway through. This resulted in him letting go of Otto midair, tossing him forwards.

Shaknar winced as Otto crashed, but then grinned when he realized that Julius had, conveniently, been in place to intercept. “Whoops,” he said, watching in amusement as Otto and Julius rolled a bit before stopping, ending with Julius holding himself just above Otto. Frufoo leveled him with a half-assed glare.

The man in question squirmed. “Um-”

“Otto,” Julius said, sounding out of breath. “I was looking for you.”

“I was too,” Otto blurted out. “I- I've been meaning to talk to you. About something.”

Julius blinked, leaning back slightly. “About what?”

“Could you get off of me first?”

He blinked again, then scrambled back, standing quickly. “Of course! Yes, I- Yes.”

Otto stood far more slowly, eyes darting anywhere but Julius. They happened to meet Shaknar's, for a moment, and he nodded enthusiastically.

He took a deep breath. “Julius, I think I love you.”

For a moment, the air stilled, and Julius froze. Before he could get the chance to reply, Otto barrelled on.

“You're one of my closest friends,” he said. “And for a long time, I though it was just- I thought our relationship was like the others. But you've always treated me so kindly, and- and acted like everything I say matters. I-” He paused, deflating slightly. “Every moment apart I've spent wishing I could walk a room over and talk with you, the way I can with my other friends. Every letter you've sent I've pictured you saying to me directly, the way you'd smile, or laugh, or slip into that overly formal tone when I knew you wanted to be mean without saying mean things. You've been important to me for a long time, but then last night it dawned on me that I was leaving soon, and...”

He swallowed, looking down at his feet. “I'm going to miss you,” he said. “So before I left, I wanted to get this off my chest.”

A beat passed in silence, then another, and slowly, Shaknar saw Julius thaw. Wordlessly, he reached into his pocket and withdrew a letter, about three pages altogether.

“I don't trust myself to speak what I mean,” he said. “So please, read this.”

Otto looked up, confused. “Julius, what is-?”

“I realized it too, last night,” he said, “though I believe I had felt something even upon our first meeting. I meant to finish this before morning, but there was...” He breathed deep. “...so much I wished to say, and so many ways to say it. I may have kept writing it forever if it hadn't been for Frufoo pushing me towards the end.”

Hesitantly, Otto reached forward to grab the letter, and he began to read. And now it was Julius' turn to look as though the world had frozen in anxious anticipation. Shaknar couldn't help but share in the feeling, even if he believed he knew how it would end.

Movement startled him, however, and he turned to see Frufoo turning away and trudging back to the estate. Her tail whacked him in the face as she left, and he got the message.

As he left, he spared one more glance towards them both. There were tears in Otto's eyes. Shaknar would bet anything that the same could be said for Julius. He tucked the letter away carefully in his coat before surging forward, and Shaknar turned away once more.

They would be happy. Shaknar was sure of it.

-*-*-*-*-

“I was sure that you both would stay another day or two, after yesterday.”

“We were pushing it already,” Frufoo said, eyes fixed on the drawn-out farewell in the near distance. “As much as I'm sure Otto wants to, we really do need to make haste.”

Shaknar turned to her slightly. “Just Otto? I knew you hated us.”

“Most you'll get from me is that you're not as bad as I'd thought.”

Shaknar huffed a laugh. “Likewise,” he said. “Though I'd put it more as 'surprisingly tolerable'.”

She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, but there was faint amusement in her expression. “That's pushing it,” she said, but she didn't disagree, and they lapsed into a comfortable silence.

Eventually, Otto and Julius parted and Otto made his way back to Frufoo, Julius close behind. Shaknar received a far quicker farewell from Otto, but it wasn't as though he could complain; the lingering redness on his companion's face alone was enough to make him happy.

As they began to leave, a sudden, final thought struck Shaknar. “Has Anastasia sent you her invitation yet?”

Frufoo paused, and Otto turned around, confused. “An invitation?”

“To Priestella,” Shaknar continued. If they hadn't received it yet, then they would soon. It couldn't hurt to tell them now. “There's business she wishes to conduct there with your camp, in a couple of months' time.”

Otto seemed to work the idea in his mind for a moment. “Priestella,” he said thoughtfully. Then, “I suppose that means we'll be seeing you again soon?”

Shaknar grinned. “So long as you accept.”

Otto smiled. “See you soon, then, Shaknar,” he said, and beneath him Frufoo turned for one final glance.

“I look forward to it,” she said, and they set off.

Julius joined him shortly, standing at his side. Together, they watched the shape slowly shrink against the horizon.

“I suppose I have you to thank, Shaknar,” he said, “for introducing us.”

Shaknar dipped his head. “Perhaps,” he said, tracing faint lines in the dirt. He seemed to need less of them to be understood, lately. “But I have you to thank for them staying.”

Julius smiled at him, placing a gentle hand by his neck. “It seems we're both fortunate to have each other, then.”

The figure in the distance had all but disappeared, and already Shaknar missed them both. He knew his companion felt the same. But he'd see them again, soon, and they'd have something to catch up on.

“Take care,” he said softly, and headed back inside. He needed to catch up on some sleep.