𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓶𝓸𝓸𝓷 𝔀𝓲𝓵𝓵 𝓼𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓪 𝓼𝓸𝓷𝓰 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓶𝓮|

chapter 02

I watched as ajaw sprinted from one merchant booth to another, excitedly zipping through in a yellow and green flurry. its not like he hadnt been to the scions of the canopy before, so It confused me why he was acting like a child at an amusement park for the first time. after a while of his nonsense, I finally heard him come to a stop. not bothering to look over, as I was completely focused on a book that I picked up from one of the merchant booths. It was a cheap copy of some light novel from inazuma, but it was entertaining enough to keep me distracted while ajaw did his own thing

"servant! what are you doing standing there!" ajaw exclaimed, which made me sigh in annoyance. is this a dream? a really bad dream? can I wake up now??

"I'm coming, hold on" I rolled my eyes, shoulders slumping as I made my way towards my over-exited companion

ajaw was standing at the edge of the canopy, his eyes wide as saucers. I looked to see what was causing this reaction from him, only to see that it was the sunset. I stood there for a while, admiring how the colors danced on the sky so effortlessly and beautifully. a myriad of colors swirling into a mural-like painting. my gaze shifted to ajaw, who was completley entranced by the magnificent sight. a small smile tugged at my lips, seeing him like this was quite the experience, especially since his rude, and cocky personality was the only side of him I ever got to see

"we should get going, we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow" I sighed, bringing myself out from my trance. however, I don't know if I was more focused on the sunset, or ajaw..

"hmph, fine. but only because the almighty dragonlord, k'uhul ajaw wishes to. not because his lowly servant told him to" he huffed, immedely going back to his old self. I rolled my eyes, sighing as I walked off

"so do you think you can change back, or is this permanent?"

"I'll find a way! after all I am a genius"

"uh huh, keep telling yourself that."

...

we found ourselves at the top of cotapec mountain, I had already started to make a small campfire, while ajaw was blissfully sipping on his juice. he was much calmer than usual, no nasty comments, no death threats, none of it. it was unusual seeing him so calm and collected, but I didn't bother mentioning it. the more peaceful he was, the better sleep I would get

I hear take a final sip of his drink, sighing. which caused me to immedetly brace myself for the stream of insults he usually throws at me

"hey kinich?" his tone was soft, which was a first for me to hear. I perked my head up looking at him as he gazes at the night sky

"yeah?" I reply, curious as to what he had to say. maybe his tone was a trick, and he was just going to harass me before going off to bed. which is what he usually did

"the moon is beautiful tonight, isn't it" he smiled, making me relax my shoulders a bit. he was so...calm. it was a disturbing, yet somewhat magical sight. the usually cold and arrogant ajaw that I had grown to tolerate, had suddenly melted away into this soft, kindhearted individual. it was almost like he was a complete stranger to me now, with the way his body moved, and his voice soothed my mind like a lullaby. it was almost..captivating

"yeah..it is.."

I stared at him for a bit, finding myself captivated by his smile, his eyes, the way he sat, the way his lips parted when he took a sip from his almost non-existent drink..almost all of it, all of him, was like my eyes had been blessed by a miracle..

I pulled myself out of my thoughts, wondering what the hell I had been thinking. did I eat something weird? did ajaw actually manage to poison me, and I was slowly dying? whatever it was, I needed to keep those thougts FAR in the back of my mind. I didnt have any time for whatever this shit was

but every time I looked at him, I couldn't help but think about his almost perftect features. how his skin glowed in the moonlight, how his lips curled into the tiniest smile. all of it was enough to send me into a spiral of confusion, and admiration. why was I suddenly finding myself completly entranced by the very person who wished to kill me with every fiber in his being. I mean, come on. he's tried to convince me to go bungee jumping without any gear.

"I'm going to bed." I bluntly stated, hoping my voice wouldn't waver. I made my way to the makeshift tent I had put up, and made sure it was completely closed off. mostly so that ajaw wouldn't suddenly walk in on me racking my brain for answers as to why I had suddenly gained such an interest to him

"Kay." he replied. I sighed, greatful he didn't press on any further. once I got some sleep, this would all go away. and I would realize it was nothing but a bad, and very  weird dream

but oh, how very wrong I would be...