The Cursed Prince

2

TW: implied past abuse, and some violence

Virgil wiped down the kitchen counter after he finished eating. Just because Logan was out doesn't mean he can make a mess, besides cleaning helps calm his nerves.

He went to the living room to start reading the new book when there was a knock at the door. He frowned, not many people come by to their house and it's not like Logan to forget anything.

He opened the door and groaned when he saw it was Lukas.

"Trying a little too hard today, are we?" Virgil asked rhetorically.

"Well I'm not too comfortable knowing you're all alone, I do care for your safety."

"That's rich coming from you, and nothing is going to hurt me. Except maybe you."

"Look Virgil, I changed. I promise I have."

"Good for you, now get out of my house."

"I brought muffins! Baked them myself." Lukas handed the basket of muffins over.

"No thank you." Virgil tried to push him out but Lukas grabbed his wrist, making him tense up.

"Please Virgil, I messed up last time."

"Y-yeah, you did." Virgil ripped his wrist away from Lukas's hand. "And you're not getting a second chance. So please leave, and take your muffins with you."

"Virgil-"

Virgil pushed him hard and threw the basket of muffins outside at him. He caught the basket, to Virgil's annoyance. He half hoped the basket would hit him on the head.

He doesn't trust any food Lukas tries to give him. It wasn't really rational, but the last time he tried food Lukas had cooked it... drew him to Lukas. Not too much of course, and Virgil was able to resist it, but he didn't want to eat another crumb that was made by him.

Virgil closed the door and locked it. He grabbed his book from the living room and went upstairs to his room. He didn't feel like listening to Lukas beg from the other side of the door.

He didn't care if Lukas was the only other gay in town, Virgil would rather stay single than ever date him again.

He sighed as he looked at himself in his vanity mirror. There were two white lines on his eyebrow where an injury had scared, and the black makeup under his eye hid two smaller scars.

Even if Lukas had truly changed, which Virgil doesn't believe for a second, he could never forgive him.

~~~

Logan looked at the map once again before searching for the sign that was supposed to be there. He was lost, of course he was. It was starting to get dark and the trees blocked out the light.

After they moved further on the trail, Logan saw a sign at a fork in the road. The words that were on the sign were impossible to read, but checking the map again Logan figured going right would be faster. That is, if they were where he thought they were.

"I don't know Sandy, these woods have always been confusing," he mumbled, mostly to himself but talking to Sandy was nice. "I just hope we're going the right way, I don't want to be late to the convention."

Sandy simply nickered in response. Logan frowned as the trail took a turn that wasn't on the map.

"Hold on, I think we took the wrong path," Logan said, stopping the carriage. Fog was starting to settle in around them. "Maybe we should camp out for the night?"

He froze when he heard a howl, wherever it was coming from it was close by. Several more howls filled the air and Logan felt dread settle in.

"Nevermind, move, move!"

Sandy started running off again, following the path to wherever it leads to. Logan realized the carriage was slowing her down so he grabbed his knife and carefully climbed onto her back.

Already he could see moving shapes following them between the trees. Either he loses the carriage or he never sees home again.

Without hesitation, he cut the ropes tying Sandy to the carriage. Sandy was able to run faster but Logan felt his blood freeze when he realized the wolves were still keeping pace.

He was looking between the trees when two wolves jumped in front of Sandy, making her stand on her hindlegs in fear. Logan didn't tighten his grip in time and fell off.

Sandy ran back the way they came, many wolves chasing after her. Logan tried to call her back but she didn't listen.

A wolf jumped at him and he rolled away, cutting the wolf's side as he did. He got up and started running, not sure where he was running to.

Somehow he managed to get rid of the wolves, or maybe they were more interested in Sandy. He hoped she would make it home safe.

Still, he didn't want to run into any more wolves so he searched for shelter. Amazingly enough, he somehow ran into a castle. A castle! In the middle of the forest! How has he never seen or heard about this before?

Well... to be fair the castle doesn't look too pretty. It had an ominous feeling to it. But hearing the echo of a howl was enough to encourage him to continue forward.

He pushed the door open and closed it behind him before turning around to see what he had around him. The castle was in a poor state, but it still looked like someone was taking care of it. The floor was swept of most of the dirt, someone had attempted to stitch a banner back together to little avail, and a few candles were lit.

"Hello?" he called and heard his voice echo. "Is anyone there? I'm sorry for barging in like this but my horse was scared off."

He thought he heard whispering, "...too old, he wouldn't help."

"Hello?" Logan turned around to where the voice came from.

Maybe it was the wind or an echo, it was a very quiet voice.

He continued to walk further in, looking around for anyone who might be there.

The castle was even creepier inside, or maybe that was because it was dark. He heard footsteps behind him but when he turned around he saw no one was there.

He heard a growl behind him and turned around to see a large figure towering over him.

"What are you doing here, trespasser," the figure growled out in an almost animalistic voice.

"I-I didn't mean to- hey!" Logan shouted when a large paw grabbed him by his tie.

"No one is to enter without permission!"

"Hey- wait!" Logan protested as the beast dragged him away.