#Recently realized I could have Aloskos force him to sing

[pyrepostings]

Free Birds And Fiddlers: Dragon Au

Cw: aftermath of implied self harm, magical brands, noncon body alteration, forced to perform, mildly unreliable narrator (applies to maybe one line)

~~~

Kevin was left in the master bedroom, with a thick bandage on his throat underneath the golden collar, and his wrists bound together and tied to the headboard. He couldn't even move enough to lay down, rather he was forced to sit amongst the pillows.

He knew there was a guard on the other side of the door, listening for any sounds of renewed efforts of rebellion. But there wasn't much he could do like this.

The door opened, and he made a conscious effort not to acknowledge it. He kept his gaze firmly in front of him, towards the curtained window. He wouldn't give Aloskos an inch, now that he's taken so much.

But it wasn't Aloskos who entered, but one of his guards, and Julian, who crossed the room to sit on the bed near him but definitively not close enough to touch.

"Hey, Kevin. I- I heard what happened. How are you feeling?" His voice was tentative, slow.

Kevin wished he could explain everything that just happened, but he was too scared of what might come out if he opened his mouth, or made any sound at all.

"May I touch you?"

The request sounded fuzzy, as if muffled under too many layers of sand in an hourglass. With a nod, he scooped himself to a moment in the past.

Julian sat beside him, closer now. With the sleeve of his own robe, he dabbed at the tears Kevin didn't even realize were falling.

"May I ask technical questions?"

That same voice, the same tone, as those years ago. Julian was one of the few people in the entire world, and the only one in this castle, who could ask him technical questions now, and always. He nodded.

"I'm not asking you to prove it, but do you think you're still able to physically speak?" And when Kevin remained still, he continued, "You don't have to answer that. I'm just trying to assess damage."

Kevin shifted, straining against his bonds to do so. He lowered his head towards Julian in hopes he understood, and he did, sliding up beside Kevin in kind. Kevin nudged his face into the space between Julian's chin and shoulder, right up against the silver collar, and let out a shaky breath when a gentle hand found his hair. It was quite possibly the first breath he took since being tied to the bed that morning.

"I can speak," He said, hoarsely quiet both to prevent the guard from hearing, but also due to damage done. The spell last night and his begging for it to stop had both done a number on his voice.

"That's good," Julian said, dropping his own voice even lower in volume. Kevin could tell he didn't fully think so. "I won't force you to."

I know, he almost replied. I know and I do want to talk to you but I just can't bring myself to say anything more at all.

"I was told, he branded you again. That this one was worse. That he could force you- Kev, I know how much your music means to you. Genuinely, are you alright?"

How will I ever be alright, when I can't even hold that one thing for myself? He shook his head.

"Is there anything at all I can do to help?"

He nodded. Probably not, but please stay with me anyway. He hooked an ankle around Julian's, hoping that said everything he needed to. It seemed to land.

"Alright. I'll stay for as long as I can."