The Idea of You (Bdoc Royal AU)

Chapter Twenty: We Didn't Start the Fire

[Day 20]

Doc burst through the first pair of doors he found, startling the employees. "The forest!" He panted, still catching his breath from running from the woods. "It's on fire, it's dying!"

The employees immediately began to move.

"I'll gather more mages!"

"We'll brew up as many healing and regrowth spells and potions as we can!"

"Rain spells, someone find more rain spells!"

"Your majesty I assume the kings already know but please go alert them anyways!" A butler pleaded, to which Doc nodded and quickly took off down the hallway.

He ran into the kings, both looking extremely concerned. "We both feel as though something is... off. What's wrong?" King Cub asked.

"It's- it's the Magical Wood. It's burning and Bdubs he- Bdubs is in there! We have to help him!" He explained while trying to keep his emotions from bubbling over.

"A fire but-" King Scar shared a look with his husband before turning back to the prince. "We have to go now. Before Bdubs gets hurt."

The three took off, bolting out of the palace.

Doc saw the flames fighting against the mist of rain floating just above the trees.

He glanced over and saw the kings visibly struggling.

"We need to find Bdubs," Scar muttered through gritted teeth.

When they entered the forest, the kings stumbled and vines immediately grasped Doc's right ankle and left arm.

"What- hey- what's happening?!" He protested, struggling against the thick vines.

Scar touched a vine and they immediately let go of him. "Sorry about that. When there's a hostile intruder the forest immediately attacks any non-mage that attempts to enter. You should be okay now though."

"Hostile?" He repeated.

"Bdubs is this way! I can sense him!" Cub called out and they immediately ran down the path.

-

Bdubs could see the inside of the gun light up as another ball of fire was ready to hit him.

Using what little energy he had, he created a curved shield between them. The flames pooled on the sides of the shields, threatening to touch him. Staggering to his feet, the shield began to crack.

He was being stretched too thin.

Maintaining the rain spell was a nightmare, and on top of the forest dying around him, he wasn't sure if he would be able to maintain consciousness much longer.

This is probably the stupidest decision I've ever made.

Once the shield spell withered away he clapped his hands, meeting the flame from the gun with one of his own. He overpowered the weapon, however, instead of nullifying it as he hoped, the weapon exploded.

He fell on his back, curling up and crying out in pain as flames gnawed his flesh and singed his nerves.

His whole body ached, and it hurt to breathe.

Despite how much he was trembling with pain, he tried to get up.

The intruder was weakly trying to get up as well.

The world around him was fading fast, and he felt the rain lighten up.

Lunging forward, he grasped at the jacket he was wearing.

The person kicked him, grabbed and beat his arm, (specifically where he was burned) but he refused to let go. Especially when he began to hear familiar voices approaching. Suddenly, the rain spell ceased and he flinched, sensing the forest dying much faster.

The intruder slipped the jacket off and his arm dropped to the ground. When the voices grew nearer, the person kicked him in the chest, directly on top of a burn, and effectively knocked the wind out of him.

Bdubs collapsed into a weak fit of coughs but protectively curled up around the jacket. There was no way he was giving up on an incriminating piece of evidence.

Everything was growing so distant and dark.

His body ached for a break.

Raindrops.

Raindrops sprinkled on his face and he weakly smiled.

Suddenly there were arms gently scooping him up, a familiar voice murmuring worried words of comfort that he couldn't quite understand. He looked up and realized his father Scar was holding him.

"You're all- you're so hurt," he whispered, his voice cracking with concern.

He wanted to assure him he was okay, but he couldn't speak, only cough.

"Don't worry, everything will be okay. We're here now," Scar murmured. His other father had a hand on his back, also softly assuring him.

Bdubs looked over and saw Doc covering his mouth and kneeling.

That's right, the jacket. He'll recognize the jacket, he'll know what it means!

His arm trembled as he lifted the jacket from the ground and held the back up towards Doc. He hoped it was a good enough message as he no longer had the strength to keep his eyes open. The warmth of his father's embrace was far more comfortable as he eased into a light sleep.

-

Doc just stared.

If he were a fool he'd be convinced his heart wasn't beating.

Bdubs had passed out and looked so... weak.

"Doc, the other mages should be here shortly to help with the fire. The rain spell can only do so much, and right now keeping Bdubs in here will only weaken him further. Please bring him back to the palace," Cub explained.

Nodding, he gently lifted his fiance.

Scar touched the jacket and it vanished.

"I've sent it to our room," he explained before Doc could ask. "This is something we should keep to ourselves for now. Once Bdubs has recovered we'll call for your father and figure out why members of a disbanded military branch attempted murder on Artise royalty."

Doc nodded again and turned to leave.

He tried not to cry as he stared at the sleeping man in his arms. His clothes were completely ruined and he reeked of burnt hair and flesh. "I've got you," he murmured, lightly kissing his forehead.

As he left the forest, he ran into members of the palace heading towards the damage.

They all spared the magical prince a worried glance before heading into the rain.

"Bdubs," Beef whispered, a hand over his mouth as he slowed down. "Oh god is he okay?"

The hybrid slowly nodded. "He will be."

"C'mon guys," Beef called, urging Keralis and Stress to follow.

Holding Bdubs a little tighter, he neared the palace and headed through the opened doors. 

One of the non-magical servants led him to one of the healing rooms and he gently placed the prince on the bed. "A healer will be here as soon as possible. I'll go make you some tea," the servant said before leaving. Pulling up a chair, Doc sat down and stared at the prince. He had a feeling they'd both be in the room for a while.