Love Incarnate

6: The Tale of Francois

One day, as the inhabitants of the Owl House reveled in their daily routines, Elara's keen senses detected a faint, familiar presence. Following an ethereal trail, she soon discovered King's beloved plushie, Francois, tucked away in a corner.

"Oh, what have we here?" Comet mused, a playful glint in her eyes as she gently picked up the plushie. The sight of Francois triggered a wave of nostalgia, and she knew that returning it to King would bring a smile to his face.

Finding King in the living room, Elara approached him with a mischievous grin. "King, look what I found!"

King's eyes widened as he spotted Francois in Elara's grasp. He rushed towards her, his tiny hands reaching out eagerly. "Francois! You found him!"

Comet handed the plushie to King, her eyes softening as she witnessed the genuine joy on his face, " I can't believe you kept him."

King clutched Francois to his chest, his gratitude evident. " Heck yeah, I did! Francois is more than just a plushie. He's my confidant, my companion in times of triumph and defeat."

Comet's eyes gleamed with understanding. "Companions are precious indeed. I'm glad I could reunite you with Francois."

As King examined his plushie with affection, a playful idea crossed his mind. With a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, he turned to Elara. "You know, Comet, I think Francois wanted an adventure with you. He told me all about the places you two visited while I was away."

Elara chuckled, enjoying the playful banter. "Oh, he's quite the storyteller, isn't he? We had some splendid adventures together."

Embracing the lighthearted atmosphere, King decided to share a joke with Elara. He put on his most dramatic voice, mimicking an ancient storytelling style. "And then, Francois, the fearless plushie, and Elara, the magnificent fox-skull creature, set forth on a quest to find the legendary Snuggleberry Tree!"

Elara burst into laughter at King's theatrics, a melodic sound that echoed through the Owl House. As King witnessed Elara's genuine joy, something extraordinary happened – his pupils dilated, and a rosy blush tinted his cheeks.

Caught off guard by the unexpected reaction, King fidgeted with his crown. "Um, heh, I guess I'm pretty good at making people laugh."

Comet, wiping away a tear from her eye, smiled warmly at King. "You have a gift, King. Laughter is a magical thing."

Embarrassed yet secretly pleased by the compliment, King seized the opportunity to reciprocate. "By the way, Elara, where are you from, anyway? You're not like the other Titans; you're... cuter."

Elara's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Ah, that's a story for another time, King. Just know that I've traveled through realms and witnessed the wonders of magic."

King, intrigued by the mystery that surrounded Elara, nodded thoughtfully. "Well, I'm glad you ended up here, with us. You've added a whole new level of magic to the Owl House."

Comet's smile held a touch of gratitude. "And you, King, with your jokes and your plushie adventures, bring joy and laughter to this magical haven."

As the day unfolded, the enchanting bond between Elara and King deepened, marked by shared laughter, playful banter, and the warmth of newfound companionship. In the heart of the Boiling Isles, the Owl House became a haven where the extraordinary was ordinary, and friendships bloomed like the most magical of flowers.