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Chapter Text

Fathom had never thought of himself as anyone special. Even after he found himself to be an animus, he always thought that he could be easily looked over in a crowd, and this was proven to him once animus magic was banned in the Sea Kingdom.

He was actually glad to be nothing special, and he would rather let Indigo have all the attention instead of him. He had a quiet life of wood carving and helping Pearl if she never needed it, which she never did.

Until she summoned him to stop an animus from using his powers. Pearl had decided that he had been scared into not using his own power enough, and she wanted him to scare Darkstalker into not using his too.

Indigo had tried to stick up for him. “But is it safe for - is it safe?” she asked the queen. “What if this is a NightWing trap to steal out animus, the way they stole the IceWing one?”

“That story is nonsense,” Pearl said, already standing to leave the room. She paused to look down at Fathom. “Who would want an animus?”

The cold, hard truth of that sank in for a moment. Fathom knew that his sister definitely didn’t want him anymore. He understood, for the most part. Looking at him was a living reminder of the massacre that had killed almost their whole family.

Fathom knew that if the NightWing animus had killed him, nobody would mind at all. He made everyone in the palace uncomfortable just by simply existing. He took a mental note. Even after his mission was done, if he lived, he would never return home.

In the end, Pearl allowed Indigo to come with Fathom to the night kingdom, as well as two other guards. She turned with a flourish of her wings and swept out of the throne room, lashing her tail furiously. Maybe it was a good time to travel halfway around the world from her, after all.

When he got to the NightWing palace, however, things got strange. It was lit up from end to end, and fire was blazing in nearly every window. A light drizzle had started to fall, misting the dragons with wet sparkles and steam as they flew behind the NightWing leading them to the grand ballroom.

He had been ushered to a roped-off area, which had low purple couches and tables of sparkling drinks of various colors. Fathom had been there before whatever party was going on started, and he watched anxiously as NightWings slowly started to fill the room.

Indigo nudged him with a talon. “It’s fine. Just focus.” She whispered.

He weakly nodded as the NightWing queen - Vigilance - walked over, leading another dragon toward him. Her two sons had been talking to him, or trying to, but he couldn’t focus on a conversation for more than a few seconds.

“Prince Fathom of the SeaWings,” said the queen. “This is Darkstalker.” The dragon was only a year younger than Fathom, it seemed. He looked quite strange, for a NightWing. He had black scales, but there was a line of white sticking out where his wings met his body. His black eyes glittered as he stared down at him. On the corners of his eyes sat silver scales that looked like teardrops.

Darkstalker stood with confidence.

*The other animus* Fathom thought with a jolt of fear. He took a step closer to Indigo, who gripped her spear a little tighter. He couldn’t figure out if she did this because she was afraid of Darkstalker, or afraid of him.

Even though every instinct told him to get out of there, Fathom took a deep breath and spoke. “Hello. V-very pleased to meet you. This is - these are my guards, Wharf and Lionfish… and Indigo.”

“I’m honored to meet you too,” Darkstalker said with a smile. Fathom hated that he found the NightWing’s voice soothing, and his face rather charming. *Why did he have to be handsome?*

Darkstalker gave him a small amused look. “Has anyone shown you the view from the Royal Tower yet? May I?” He turned to Vigilance. “I know you have many duties with your guests, Your Majesty. I’ll take Fathom and Indigo for a short flight and we’ll be back soon.”

*Wait, is he trying to lead us away from here?* Fathom’s brain started thinking of a million different reasons not to GO WITH THE MYSTERIOUS DRAGON THAT COULD DEFINITELY KILL HIM. A few thoughts of his grandfather holding a knife over his sister’s body flashed through his mind.

The queen narrowed her eyes at Darkstalker. It was subtle, but Fathom caught it, and alarm bells started ringing in his head. *Not even his queen trusts him.* Not that Pearl had trusted Fathom, either. “Of course,” she said. She pointed one claw at Darkstalker. “Soon, though.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” The NightWing bowed and spread a wing to a door. Fathom was in favor of NOT LEAVING. Is he taking us away to kill us?

Indigo stepped forward to follow Darkstalker, and Fathom reluctantly padded behind her. If Indigo could handle it, so could he.

The whole way they were flying, Fathom was trying to think of a way to get out of there alive with Indigo. He looked at the blue-purple dragon in front of him. His best friend was always the brave one, especially during and after the massacre. She could probably find a way out of here after this NightWing kills me. Indigo could survive without him. She’s already been doing so for a while now.

Darkstalker landed on a small island. The moonlight shone brightly around.

“This doesn’t look like a tower,” Fathom said, landing but keeping his wings spread. He tried to keep his voice steady and less nervous than he felt. He watched Indigo fly around the island once and then started checking dark corners, prodding things to see if a threat was nearby.

Darkstalker’s dark paws caught his eye, and as they made eye contact the bigger dragon smiled warmly again. Fathom hated how that made his stomach flutter excitedly. He’d never met any dragons outside of his tribe aside from the SkyWing visitors from the party.
He dared to think that the dragon in front of him was pretty.

“I’m giving you the grand tour,” Darkstalker’s grumbling voice snapped Fathom’s mind back to attention. “Well, actually, I’m just trying to save you from that awful party.”

“Oh,” Fathom said, flustered. “It’s not - I mean, it’s very nice of the queen to - I just -”

“It’s torture,” said Darkstalker. “I mean, it’s torture for me, and I’ve never had my whole family killed in front of me at a party like that.”

A bolt of pain flashed in Fathom’s chest as the trauma was mentioned off-handedly. Indigo stopped what she was doing and stared at him. Fathom looked at his talons, trying not to think about how quickly the queen dropped after her throat was cut open.

The NightWing kept talking. “Oh, nobody talks about it in the Kingdom of the Sea?” Darkstalker guessed. *No, nobody talks about it. Why would we want to?* Fathom's mind got angry, like a snapping viper. “All right, I won’t if you don’t want to. But if you were sent here to be my friend, then you don’t have to suffer through all that diplomatic tedium - especially with the bonus post-traumatic stress.”

“You know why I’m here?” Fathom said. He had heard that NightWings had powers. Did he see him coming from the future? He had a sharp stab of embarrassment.

*He can probably read my mind and I’ve been thinking about how cute he is half the time! Stupid Fathom! FOCUS. If he could read your mind, he would have said something by now. Right?*

“Because we’re both animuses,” Darlkstalker answered. “Animi? Huh. I’m not sure. That one doesn’t come up very often.”

There was a clicking noise that drew his attention. Indigo was holding her throwing stars in her talons.

“Indigo-” Fathom said anxiously. If she started a fight right now, they probably wouldn’t make it out alive. They had no idea what this dragon could do to them. Yet, he knew enough at the same time.

“He’s here,” Indigo said to Darkstalker, “to make sure you don’t turn out like his grandfather.”
Fathom silently prayed that Indigo would not kill the one dragon in Pyrrhia that he found cute. Then he shook himself for such treacherous thoughts. *THIS DRAGON COULD KILL YOU, SEAWEED BRAIN. *

Darklstalker gave him a bewildered look as if the thoughts in his brain startled him. “That’ll be an easy mission,” He said charmingly. “I’m not murderous at all. I’m entirely delightful.”

So was Albatross, he glumly thought. At one point, he and his grandfather used to get along. They would laugh and even joke together, and Albatross would tell him stories. But now he was dead, and he took almost all of Fathom’s family with him. He couldn’t let that happen to Darkstalker.

The glittering NightWing looked directly at Fathom. “Listen, if you’re worried,” he said, “why don’t you make something? A - a soul reader you could call it. It could reassure you about who’s harmless and full of soul, like me, or who’s teetering on the edge of soulless killing rage. Liiiiiike not me.”

His oath echoed around in his head, and he remembered the fear on Pearl’s face as she looked down at her brother from her throne. *I can’t I can’t I can’t.* His mind screamed at him.

“All right, settle down,” Darkstalker said, surprised. “I can make it for you.”

“NO!” Fathom yelped. “You mustn’t. You have to stop using your magic. That’s why I’m here, to help you stop.”

He felt a talon on his shoulder. “You don’t have to be this miserable,” Darktalker said softly to him. The voice rang through his soul almost, silencing all the thoughts around him.

Fathom lifted his chin, looking into Darkstalker’s eyes. *How am I going to do this? He thought sadly. I failed so badly before. How can I possibly save him, and everyone?*

“You went through something awful.” Darkstalker held out a talon and slipped Fathom’s into his grasp. “All you need to do is enchant something to make the pain bearable. Just - an earring that helps you stop thinking about it so much. An armband that lifts all the grief or stops the flashbacks.”

“I have to remember,” Fathom croaked out. “I can never stop thinking about it.” His mind chanted at him. Or else it could happen to me. The memories make sure I keep my vow to Pearl.

“Don’t you want to be happy?” Darkstalker asked. “I can help you with that.”

The NightWing went to wrap his wings around him, and Fathom found himself leaning in to embrace the touch.

All at once, Indigo was behind Darkstalker. She pinned his wings with hers and placed her knife against his neck. Fathom saw flashes of the queen’s neck being slit, and Princess Sunset’s blood rolling down her shoulders.

“Indigo, don’t!” Fathom froze, his eyes fixed on the blade at Darkstalker’s neck.

“He’s too dangerous,” Indigo cried. “He’s already trying to mess with your head, can’t you tell? This isn’t safe Fathom. I should kill him right now, to protect everyone.”

“No Indigo, we can’t,” Fathom said. “He’s not Albatross - he hasn’t hurt anyone.” *Yet.* He couldn’t stop the terrible feeling in his chest. Like he was about to lose the greatest thing that could happen to him. “And killing him could start a war with the NightWings.”

“Or maybe save them” she pointed out. “Maybe save all of Pyrrhia.”

“But I want to know him,” Fathom said, shocked at his own honesty. “He doesn’t seem dangerous.” *He seems like…he seems like he could be a friend or maybe more..*

“That could be a trick - he could be using a spell on us right now,” said Indigo. “Maybe he’s planning to kill us later. And I bet he’s a mind reader,” she added, pressing the blade a little harder against this throat. “Are you a mind reader? Don’t lie to us!”

Darkstalker had his tail angled towards Indigo. “I am,” he said. “That’s not a secret. Any NightWing with silver teardrop scales by their eyes is a mind reader - I’m certainly not the only one in the tribe.”

*Uh oh.* Fathom felt a hot blush rise up his cheeks and down his neck. Did Darkstalker hear everything Fathom was thinking? Or just the very embarrassing parts?

“An animus who can read our minds!” Indigo yelled at him. “Fathom, this could be our only chance to take out the most dangerous dragon in Pyrrhia.”

“Indigo” Fathom said, feeling a pool of misery brew in his veins. “Think for a moment. Isn’t this what our tribe wants to do to me?”

“All right,” Indigo said. “I hope you’re right about this, Fathom.” She stepped back from him.

“Please don’t be mad,” Fathom said to Darkstalker, bringing their talons together. “She’s trying to protect me. It’s her job.”

“I completely understand,” Darkstalker said, taking his talons away and rubbing his neck. “I’m not mad at all.”

*If he was, he could use his power on us right now. He could have used it to escape from her. Maybe he really can be trusted, after all.* He paused and looked at Darkstalker’s expression as he wondered how mind-reading really worked.

“Hey, I promised you a view from the Royal Tower,” Darkstalker said, nudging Fathom with one of his wings. It felt pleasantly warm against his scales. “You can see almost the whole Night Kingdom from up there. Come on, we’ll have plenty of time for serious talk later.”

Fathom watched as he took off into the sky, moonbeams dancing gloriously over his scales. He lifted off behind him, humming to himself anxiously. *Oh dear, what have I gotten myself into this time?"

Chapter Text

Fathom could not believe he was doing this. He couldn’t believe it. Darkness was just starting to spill onto the grounds around him as the night started to stir awake. Swarms of black dragons busily dashed around him, some giving him puzzled looks and hushed whispers as they spotted him. He wasn’t bothered actually, it would be quite confusing to have a random dragon from a different tribe standing in front of their school. 

The school wasn’t far from the palace, but it looked quite close to it. There were lots of black and gray marble terraces, one of which he was standing on in front of the entrance gate. As he looked up to the sky, he saw a few hanging gardens from afar, and he wondered what kind of flowers or plants were growing there. Earlier this evening as he flew towards the school, he saw long glittering waterfalls that were glowing as the sun was starting to set around the mountains. 

Indigo wrapping her tail around his stopped his thoughts. “Do you really want to do this?” She whispered. “The queen wouldn’t be mad if we opted out.” 

Fathom gave her a look. “Do you know how long it took Darkstalker and Clearsight to convince her to let us come here? We have to do this, at least one day.”

Over the past week or so, Fathom had been getting closer to Darkstalker, as well as meeting Clearsight. He thoughts they were actually very kind to him, and he felt refreshed to have some friends. Friends he was allowed to have, and friends he couldn’t hurt. 

Indigo, however, was not as excited for him. She constantly reminded him of what he was actually here to do. So he should have expected the backlash he received when Darkstalker offered the idea of Fathom going to school with him and Clearsight. 

“He can’t go to school with you!” Indigo yelped as she heard what the NightWing was saying, her tail lashing. “How could you offer such a thing?” 

Clearsight curled her tail around her back leg nervously. “We just thought Fathom would like to go back to school again. He mentioned missing it a few times.”

“No!” The dark blue dragon yelled. “I’m not letting you mess with his head any more than you already have.”

Fathom looked at her, hurt. How could she say that about his friends? Did she not see how happy they made him? “Indigo, please calm down. I think…” He took a breath and looked towards Clearsight. “I think I would like to try.” 

“What?” Indigo cried, outraged. “What about your schedule? You’ll have to wake up at night, and it’ll take forever to fix. And Fathom. We’re not staying for that long! We’re going home soon.”

The emerald-green SeaWing took a shaky breath. “Do you hear yourself? Pearl doesn’t care if I come home. She wouldn’t care if Darkstalker killed me.” He saw Darkstalker flinch as if he’d been burned by Fathom’s words. “I’m happy here. If you want to go home, you can. But I’m staying here.” 

Indigo and he had argued for days after that, her insisting that he needed to go home eventually and that he couldn’t live in the Night Kingdom forever, and their queen wouldn’t allow it. 

Darkstalker had put an end to the school conversation when he told Indigo that Fathom would have an easier time ‘keeping an eye’ on him if they went to school together. He also insisted that the queen would allow him to go and that he could get written approval. 

So now they were here, and excitement buzzed in Fathom’s talons. He missed school. He missed reading, missed being around other dragons, missed the schedule. He brushed his wing against Indigo’s. “It’ll be just like old times.” 

Indigo scoffed, untangling their tails. “Yeah, with a psychopath on the loose.”

Fathom narrowed his eyes on her, unimpressed. “Darkstalker isn’t a psychopath. If you actually stuck around and got to know him you’d know that.” 

She rolled her eyes and turned away from him. The sound of two dragons landing on the black marble tile around him made him jump. He whirled around to see Darkstalker and Clearsight, as long as another dragon trailing behind them. 

“Fathom, good morning!” Clearsight said, brushing her wing against his. 

Darkstalker wrapped his wings around the SeaWing just for a moment, and Fathom tried to ignore how it made his heart race pleasantly. The NightWing smiled down at him with glittering eyes. “Have you met my sister, Whiteout?” He motioned to the dragon beside him. 

Whiteout glanced at him with startling blue eyes. She had black scales, the underneath of which had hints of a dark sapphire blue. Her head was narrow and elegant, and her claws and the spines along her back were bluish-white. Herk wings were a chilling blue color, and they were dotted with jet-black scales. She was quite beautiful and strange-looking. 

“Hello Whiteout, I’m Fathom,” The SeaWing chirped. “You’re very beautiful.” 

The strange dragon tilted her head at him, grabbing his hands. “The moon and the tide finally meet.” She glanced at Darkstalker. “I like the way he knits, too.” She released his hands and walked into the school, her long tail whisking after her. 

Fathom blinked at Clearsight. “What?”

Darkstalker laughed and patted his shoulder affectionately. “She likes you, that’s good.”

The SeaWing felt relief. “Oh okay, good.” 

“Are you ready for school?” Clearsight asked him. Her dark purple eyes were wide with excitement and filled with promise and destinies for them to unfold. 

“I’m actually kind of nervous,” Fathom admitted. He noticed Indigo turned around and faced Fathom again, looking wary of the other dragons around them. Today he made her leave her spear in his room. He allowed her to keep her throwing stars, but only if she had them hidden until she needed them. “What if nobody likes me?” 

Darkstalker grabbed his hand. “We like you. If other dragons can’t see how fantastic you are, then that’s on them. You’ll fit in great, don’t you worry.” 

A gong sounded loudly throughout the courtyard, and all the NightWings that were outside started shuffling into the building. He felt a shiver of excitement run down his spine. 

“Come on!” Clearsight cheered. “Let’s go see Professor Truthfinder. She has your placement. Hopefully, you’re in my class.”

“Or mine,” Darkstalker murmured. 

“Or his,” Clearsight rolled her eyes as they stepped into the arboretum entrance. It was a damp, leafy space where the last rays of sunshine poured through the skylights and plants lined the room. A colonnade led from here past the library - A LIBRARY!! It’s been so long since he’s been in one - to a vast hexagonal courtyard, with classrooms lining the six sides. The courtyard was full of trees, twisting vines, loops, mazes, and other tricks. 

“Wow, it’s crowded in here,” Indigo said from behind them. 

“They made this place with flying lessons in mind,” Clearsight told her, brushing their wings. 

“They have my placement too, right?” The SeaWing asked. In this lighting, she sparkled as if her scales were her own treasure. “I’ll be with Fathom.”

“That’s the plan,” Fathom said. He knew he had made the right choice to stay here. It was beautiful. 

Darkstalker and Clearsight led them towards the longest waterfall, to a pavilion on an upper level, and to the main office, where a tired-looking dragon crouched behind a desk, moving piles of paper around. 

“Hello professor Truthfinder,” Darkstalker smiled. “We’re here for Indigo and Fathom’s placements.”

“Oh,” said the dragon, pressing her talons to her temples. “I’m sure those are around here somewhere.” 

Fathom prayed he didn’t have to retake those tests. Clearsight was right, it took him forever to fill out all those scrolls. 

Truthfinder stared down at him for a long moment before pulling out two scrolls and sliding them across the counter. “Indigo, you’re in 3A. Fathom is in 4B.”

Darkstalker brightened greatly. “We’re in the same class!” He twined their tails together, and Fathom had to force every unwanted thought out of his mind before the NightWings around him read it. 

Indigo stepped up to the counter and slammed her scroll down, disrupting the fluttery-feeling Fathom had in his chest. “This has to change!” Her gills flared and she lashed her tail. “I need to be with Fathom. I can’t let this PSYCHO ruin him!”

“Excuse me?” Truthfinder slammed her paws down on the counter, lifting herself up. Her huge wings spread out, making her look massive. “I put you where I did for a reason. If you have a problem, take it up with someone else because I will not hear you out. It’s very obvious that you don’t know how things work around here.” She sat down with a huff. “I suggest you figure it out, or you will not have a good time.” 

Indigo was about to protest, but Clearsight pulled her away. “Sorry, Professor! She’s nervous for today, you know. Coming from a different tribe and all.”

The professor thought over this for a moment. “Oh, yes. I suppose I could see how that can be difficult. You are forgiven. This time, at least. Get to class, all of you.” 

All four dragonets scrambled out of the office, giving some variation of ‘Yes ma’am’. 

They ran all the way down to where the classrooms were, toppling over each other's tails and wings. They stopped to catch their breaths in the hallway. 

“Indigo,” Darkstalker panted. The dark-blue dragon turned to him with a skeptical look. “Professor Truthfinder is the ONE dragon you don’t want to mess with at this school.”

“Oh yeah,” Clearsight agreed, shaking her scales off. “She’ll make your life miserable.” 

“I already feel miserable,” She mumbled, shooting a death glare at them before walking into her classroom. 

Fathom frowned. “I just want her to feel as happy here as I do.” 

Darkstalker twined their tails together. “Just focus on having a good first day.” He shot Clearsight a look. 

“I’ll talk to her,” She promised, bumping both of them with her head before walking into her class. “Have a great day boys. Behave! I’m talking to you Darkstalker.” She gave him a pointed look before disappearing through the doorway. 

“She always thinks that I’m gonna do something,” Darkstalker muttered, pushing Fathom to the door. 

“She has a point.” Fathom glanced at the door for a second. This was it. Behind this door, his new life was awaiting him. He couldn’t wait to get started.

Chapter Text

The classrooms were airy and full of torches. Plants and water features littered the back wall, splashes of water reflecting on the ceiling above in dark blue wisps. Fathom’s eyes almost sparkled as he admired the room around him. 

Wow, His mind echoed. This place is beautiful, and it’s mine now . 

Darkstalker wrapped his tail around him, making the SeaWing jump. “You’re right,” the NightWing whispered beside him. “It’s ours now.”

Fathom felt a dark blue blush creep up his face. “Jeez, could you stop that?” 

Darkstalker ducked as Fathom flapped his wings at him. “I’m sorry,” He laughed. “It’s just so natural for me to respond to the thoughts of other dragons.” 

Fathom’s heart jumped in panic for a second. “Can all of you read minds?”

The NightWing snorted. “Of course not. Only dragons born under full moons have powers, and they’re randomly between mind-reading and prophetic abilities. I got both because I was born under three moons.”

The SeaWing hummed thoughtfully as he glanced at the desks. Names were etched into the wood. He found one with his name on it, seated next to Darkstalker’s. He sat by his desk, nodding. “So, Clearsight has foreseeing?” 

The NightWing’s face brightened. “Yes! How did you know?”

Fathom snorted and gave him a look. “She ran up to me like she already had known me forever, remember?”

“Oh yeah,” Darkstalker giggled. “Sometimes it’s hard for her to tell what has already happened and what’s going to happen.” He sat in is desk next to Fathom. “I hope the girls are doing alright. I don’t think Indigo likes us that much.”

“She definitely doesn’t” Fathom pointed out. “But, you know how it goes. Either she’ll be friends with you once she trusts you, or she’ll hate you and leave when she realizes she can’t convince me to go home.”

Darkstalker looked at his paws for a moment, before looking at him with a worried expression. “Do you want to go home?”

“More than anything,” Fathom answered honestly. He knew Darkstalker would hear it in his mind either way. “But I know I can’t. Everyone there either fears me or hates me, and my sister - the queen - is no exception.” 

“Indigo doesn’t” The NightWing mumbled. 

“Yeah, but Pearl keeps us apart.”

“What a despicable dragon!” Darkstalker slammed his talons on the wooden desk, chipping the side of it. 

“Calm down,” Fathom grumbled at him, facing the front of the classroom. “It’s probably for the best. I don’t deserve to have friends.”

“Fathom how could you say that?” Fathom felt warm wings wrap around him tenderly, and he shivered at the touch. “I’m not afraid of you, and I don’t hate you. You deserve to be happy. How could you ever think otherwise?”

Flashes of spears ripping through his grandfather’s throat darted into his mind before he shook them off. Why is nobody in this class yet? I don’t want to talk about this anymore.

Darkstalker stepped back and sat back at his desk, keeping their tails tangled for a moment. 

Just when Fathom got his heart rate back under control, a dark dragon slipped through the door and darted into the seat in front of him. She craned her neck back, revealing a dark purple lining under black scales. Her dark purple eyes gleamed at Darktalker. 

“Hey, where is everyone? Normally I’m la-” Her eyes widened as she locked eyes with Fathom. She flew out of her chair and to his side immediately. “WOAH. WHO ARE YOU?” 

“Uhm..” Fathom started. 

“He’s my friend,” Darkstalker interrupted. “Not yours.”

The purple dragon rolled her eyes. “I’m not talking to you, I am talking to your nice sparkly friend.” She grabbed his talons with hers and wiped her head back at Darsktalker again. “Oh brother, relax. I am not going to take him from you.”

Fathom tipped his head at the dragon, talons slightly shaking from being held by someone unfamiliar. “What? What did you say?”

The dragon giggled. “Oh, sorry. I forget not everyone is a mind reader. Darkstalker is just jealous that someone else is looking at you. That’s all.”

“I am not!” Darkstalker protested, only to be pushed back down by the thin dragon’s wings. 

“Yes, you are, shut up. Anyways, what’s your name? I’m Eclipse.”

“Uh-” Fathom started, only to be cut off again. 

“Oh Fathom is a great name, are you a SeaWing? I’ve seen pictures of them before, but you’re much prettier. Do your scales actually glow in the dark? I like the webbing in between your claws. Do you ever get things caught on them? Do you-”

“ECLIPSE!” Darkstalker yelled, shoving the dragon away. “Stop pestering him, he’s anxious enough already. Don’t you think I’d have all the answers if he wasn’t?”

She rolled her eyes again. “Well, I’m just asking what you’re wondering.” Eclipse stepped back to sit by her desk. She turned to look at him. “He’s obsessed with you.”

“Eclipse! I am not ,” Darkstalker griped, placing his head on his desk in embarrassment. “Fathom, ignore her. I beg of you.”

“I’m listening alright.” Fathom blurted out. Darkstalker gawped at him in surprise. 

“She doesn’t know what she’s talking about!” 

Eclipse and Darkstalker started bickering, and Fathom swished his tail underneath him, pleased. 

Darkstalker? Obsessed with him? Oh boy, Fathom was obsessed with Darkstalker . He wanted to know everything about his life, his achievements, his fears, and how he thought of Fathom. 

He felt his face heat up as he thought about the implications of what Eclipse was saying. 

He could work with this.

Chapter Text

Fathom walked in between the two NightWings as they went to the courtyard for their hour-long break. Eclipse jostled and pushed Fathom into Darkstalker as she teased them both. 

The SeaWing found Eclipse quite funny, even if she asked a million questions about Sea life and the palace and SeaWings in general. He was careful not to give too much detail, just in case she turned out to be a spy. 

“Another question,” She said as Fathom recovered from another hard shove into Darkstalker. “What are those slashes on your neck?”

Fathom was confused for a moment before a claw stabbed right into his gill. “OW.”

“ECLIPSE!” Darkstalker yelled, tugging Fathom against him. “I told you not to touch him!”

“Right right, sorry,” She mumbled, rolling her eyes. “Only you can touch the magnificent SeaWing. He’s allowed to have other friends you know. Are you this defensive when Clearsight touches him?” 

“Of course, I’m not,” Darkstalker said. “Clearsight knows not to pester other dragons, though.” He looked down at Fathom. “Tell her.”

“About my gills?” Fathom asked. 

“Yeah.”

“Oh,” He whispered. “Well, these are my gills.” He leaned his head back, allowing the gills to stretch out and be visible. “SeaWings use them to breathe underwater.”

“YOU CAN BREATHE UNDERWATER?” Eclipse shouted, drawing the attention of dragons passing by. 

“Shut up!” Darkstalker nipped. 

Fathom bapped the NightWing’s snout with his paw. “Why are you being so mean today?”

Eclipse grinned and put a wing around Fathom. “He’s just jealous.”

“I can tell,” Fathom giggled, watching Darkstalker scramble to keep his expressions under control. 

Oh silly, I can see right through your act. 

His heart leaped with joy as he recognized a familiar face. “Indigo!” he slipped out from under the NightWing’s Wing and ran right into Indigo’s arms, tangling their tails together. 

“Fathom! Are you okay? Did that NightWing hurt you?” Indigo checked him for cuts and bruises and sighed with relief when she found none. 

Fathom laughed and rolled his eyes at her. “I keep telling you, I’m fine. They’re my friends.”

“You made friends with another NightWing?” Indigo asked, her eyebrows raised. 

“Yeah,” Fathom dragged his friend closer to Darkstalker. “Indigo, this is Eclipse. She’s in my class.”

“Oh hi, Eclipse!” Clearsight’s voice rang throughout the pavilion as she landed, Whiteout trailing right behind her. 

“Hello Clearsight.” Eclipse bowed light-heartedly. She turned toward Indigo, grabbing her hands. “You are beautiful. I mean, Fathom was pretty but wow, I think you have him beat. Darkstalker don’t look at me like that.” 

Indigo looked backward at Clearsight, who tapped a talon to her head. Indigo lurched away from Eclipse, diving behind Clearsight and hiding under her wing. “Stay out of my head you freak!”

Eclipse took a step back, looking at Fathom. “Wow, that’s the fastest anyone who isn’t a mind reader has figured that out.” 

Darkstalker looked quite annoyed. “I’ve never seen a dragon so distrustful in my life.”

Eclipse snorted. ”That says a lot, knowing your father.” 

Fathom turned to Darkstalker and wrapped his tail around the NightWing’s. He ignored how the black dragon stiffened for a moment. “Oh my goodness, I just realized I’ve never met your family. When can I?”

Darkstalker gave him an uneasy look. “Well, I don’t think you’d want to.”

Clearsight looked down at Indigo, who was still clutched to her leg. “Well, I think maybe it’d be helpful to the both of them. Indigo too.” 

“What do you mean helpful?” Indigo said skeptically before she realized what she was doing and jumped up and away from Clearsight. 

“Well. Darkstalker’s father is an IceWing.”

Fathom felt like his head hit a brick wall. What. 

Chapter Text

Fathom paced his dorm room over and over, lashing his tail in confusion as Indigo interrogated Clearsight. Indigo had wanted to talk about it as soon as it was mentioned, but Darkstalker was clearly uncomfortable about the situation in public, and he respected that. The group crashed in Fathom's room once school was over, since his room was the biggest, and no NightWing really wanted to see him anyway. 

“What do you mean he’s an IceWing?” Indigo asked. Her snout was furled in confusion, and she was shaking her head back and forth every few seconds. 

“She means he’s an IceWing.” Eclipse muttered, flopping down to curl up on Fathom’s bed. “You know, straight up prince from the Ice Kingdom.” 

“How??” The dark SeaWing questioned, her head cocking to the side. 

“Well, when a mommy IceWing and a daddy IceWing love each other not so much-” Eclipse started. 

“Shut it!” Darkstalker pawed Eclipse in the face, turning to face Indigo. The SeaWing stiffened up and narrowed her eyes on him. She seemed to be uncomfortable with the fact that she was surrounded by three NightWings. In her mission report she was to interact with Darkstalker only, and have very limited contact unless in an emergency. 

“Your father is a prince?” Fathom asked. 

“And an animus,” Eclipse mentioned, shaking her wings out to get more comfortable on Fathom’s bed. “Also a total bitch, but you know.”

“This is true,” Darkstalker sighed. 

Fathom’s eyes widened softly, and he glanced at the floor to avoid eye contact with any of the NightWings. He’s just like me. 

“No,” Darkstalker shook his head violently. “You are nothing like my father, and you never will be.” He said firmly. 

“He is not the dragon you want to be,” Clearsight whispered. “He’s bitter and cruel, and hates his own son for having more power than him.” 

“So we should steer clear of him, good.” Indigo said, slamming her spear into the ground to annunciate her point. Her eyes were sharp, and she was scanning the room very closely. 

“I’m so glad you feel a part of the group now!” Eclipse cheered teasingly, smiling when the dark SeaWing scrambled to defend herself.  

Clearsight stepped forward, looking uncertain. “Well, I’m not sure we can steer clear of him.”

Darkstalker snapped his head toward the other dragon, looking alarmed. He grabbed her talons. “What did you see, Clearsight?”

“Well,” The sleek dragon mumbled. “I don’t see a future where Fathom and Arctic don’t meet.”

“Well, that’s not so bad, right?” Eclipse said, patting Clearsight’s wing affectionately. “I mean, what’s the worst thing that could happen.”

The silence in the room was devastatingly loud. Fathom felt his heart leap in his throat. What IS the worst thing that could happen? 

“He could kill Fathom.” Clearsight said, tears pooling in her eyes. “I see it in a lot of futures.”

“WHAT? You said this would be GOOD for us.” Indigo shouted, leaping in front of Fathom and bearing her spear at the NightWings in front of them. “I knew going to school was a bad idea. We should have never stayed on this wretched island! Look what you did!” She whirled around to look at Fathom. “We need to leave, now!”

“Why?” Fathom snapped back, gills flaring. “So Pearl can kill me when I get home?”

“Pearl would never kill you!” Indigo defended her queen, lashing her tail in anger. 

“Yeah, of course she wouldn’t,” He yelled. “She’s afraid of me!”

“But you're her brother, she loves you!” The dark SeaWing reared back, making herself look bigger. 

“Yeah, and she watched our grandfather kill half of us! Family doesn’t really mean anything to us anymore.” Fathom mumbled. “When she orders me to be killed, who do you think she’s going to make do it? Huh? What’s your nickname again? Oh, that’s right. You’re the animus killer.” 

The look on Indigo’s face was heartbreaking, and Fathom almost regretted every word that had come out of his mouth. Almost. I’m sorry, but I’m just telling you the truth. I can’t go home, even if I really want to. 

“You know that’s not what happened.” She said, gritting her teeth. 

Fathom wrapped his tail around his leg anxiously. “Yeah, but that’s what she thinks happened. I’m staying here, so you can either buckle up for the shit show or leave.” 

The dark blue dragon stared at him before dropping her spear and hugging him tightly. “I’m not leaving you, but I can’t just sit around and watch Prince dumbass kill you either.” 

Darkstalker put a talon on Indigo, and the smaller dragon flinched. “We won’t let him die. I’d kill my father before he had the chance to put a talon on Fathom.” 

The SeaWing didn’t like how that made his chest fuzzy. He’s never had a group of dragons that want to defend them. Do I even deserve these dragons? What if they get hurt because of me? Fathom caught Darkstalker giving him a sad look, before he turned around and lifted Clearsight’s chin. 

“In how many futures will things go wrong?” Darkstalker’s grumbling voice was calm, but very serious. 

“Why would your dad even kill Fathom anyway?” Eclipse muttered. Her long, glittering wings caught the torch light in the cave, and sent sparkling white dots across the floor in diamond patterns. She looked as though she was made of crystals. 

“Because he’s a terrible dragon wh-” Darkstalker seethed before he was cut off by Clearsight. 

“He’s afraid of those who are powerful.” She explained, her dark purple eyes were knit in worry. “He knows you’re an animus, and he’s afraid of that. I didn’t know it would be so bad if you two met until I started looking through the futures.”

Fathom rolled his eyes and wrapped his tail around Indigo’s. “As if I haven’t heard that before.” Flickers of anxiety seeped into his skull. If even ANOTHER animus is afraid of me, how dangerous am I? Maybe it would be better if he killed me after all. 

Darkstalker flinched, and the SeaWing felt panic. He didn’t know how the NightWing would react to his self hatred, and he was too stressed to handle that right now. 

“Okay well,” Eclipse started talking, making everyone look in her direction. “If we can’t stop them from meeting, we can at least try to stop him from killing Fathom. We can’t have our SeaWing friends being murdered on our island, right?” 

“You’re right.” Clearsight said. “For now, we just have to act like everything is normal until they meet.” 

“Maybe,” Indigo stuttered for a second. Fathom thought she could be nervous about the thought of him dying, or maybe she was recovering from Fathom throwing all of the SeaWing’s societal problems out in front of everyone. “We should make a plan.” 

Chapter Text

The plan was extremely simple to Fathom. All they had to do was act completely normal, which was fine with the SeaWing. He just had to go to school, which he loved, and hang out with his friends, which he also loved. However, the only thing he couldn’t risk doing was meeting Darkstalker’s mother, or going to the NightWing’s house. He wasn’t sure why this was such a hard task for himself. 

He craved to know where Darkstalker had come from. He also craved alone time with the NightWing, which he was never able to get. It was frustrating to him, and yet he was too scared to ask the NightWing straight up. 

Fathom’s talons hit the marbled terrace of the entrance of the school, and he glanced up at the tall building. He would never get used to how giant it was. The school in the Sea Kingdom was always under the sea, but it never seemed to be as huge and impressive as the NIght Kingdom. 

He loved the Dark Architecture of the school, and the several levels of gardens within it. He would often fly up there and see other NightWing students socialising and doing homework together. 

The SeaWing tried to steer clear of any NightWings that he wasn’t familiar with, as he found that they would stare at him a lot, and he was anxious enough as it was. No need to add anymore reasons to be insecure. 

He padded his way into class, ducking behind a huge NightWing as he scrambled to get into his seat before the teacher arrived. Sometimes he felt as though the teacher was watching him more closely, as if he was going to attack someone at any moment. 

This class - herbology - was his favorite to learn, although he barely knew anybody in the class. He loved learning about the plants and flowers of the Night Kingdom, and how they can heal and damage dragons all the same. 

As he sat in his seat, he took a deep breath to himself, trying to focus on anything other than the fact that Clearsight saw him getting murdered by Darkstalker’s father in almost every future. 

However, there was one good thing going on later tonight; he was going to visit Clearsight’s parents. Fathom was extremely nervous to meet them. What if they know I’m an animus and get freaked out? He shook his head. Of course they would know he was an animus, as the whole tribe was aware of the SeaWings visiting at this point. 

What if they think I’m just plain weird? This was a very good possibility, as a lot of older SeaWings thought Fathom as odd when he was a young dragonet, and only kept him around because of his animus powers. 

He flinched and looked down at his claws. If only I was normal, what would my life look like then? 

He felt a claw poke into his side. He turned and looked at the dragon who touched him. “Hey.”

He was a big dragon, from what Fathom could tell while he was sitting down. He was a solid black dragon. Most of the other NightWings he saw had underlinings of different, sparkly colors, but there was black seeping through his slightly lighter scales. 

The most remarkable thing about this dragon, however, were the glasses he wore. They were held by silver wires that were wrapped around his horns and down his forehead. 

“Uhm, hello.” Fathom murmured, fidgeting with his talons. Come on, you stopped a crazy animus outrage, you can talk to a stranger. You’ve already made three or four friends, you can handle this. 

“So uhm, do you like to garden?” The dragon said, with a deep voice. He sounded to be just as nervous as Fathom was, and that made the SeaWing feel a little better. 

He tilted his head at the other dragon, slightly confused as to where this conversation was going. “I’ve never done it before, but I suppose I do..” 

The other dragon looked surprised. “Well, that’s a relief! I do too.” 

Fathom snorted. “Uhm, okay?” 

“Well it’s just, whenever I mention gardening to the other NightWings, they get all mean.” The other dragon explained. “I see you around, and I just. I see that you look more at ease during this class, that’s all.” 

“Oh,” Fathom said, surprised. “I didn’t think anyone was paying attention to me that much.”

“How could they not?” The dragon muttered. “You’re a SeaWing. Not a lot of those visit these days. I thought, maybe we can be friends? If you ever need a study partner, or something.” 

The SeaWing glanced at the dragon in front of him. He quite liked the dorky looking dragon. He imagined gardening with him, and he liked the thought. 

He stuck out his talon. “Friends. Sure. I’m Fathom.”

Thoughtful tilted his head and smiled, shaking talons with him. “Very nice to meet you. I can see us becoming great friends.”

“Oh! Are you prophetic?” Fathom asked. 

“Oh, no. I’m afraid I don’t have any powers from the Moons.” The black dragon nodded sadly. “Everyone in my family does, except for me. Isn’t that crazy?”

“Wow, that must be hard.” Fathom understood the pressure to be an animus, but being the only one in his entire family to not be special? He couldn’t even imagine it. 

“You have no idea,” The dragon shook his head, snorting. “Sometimes it’s completely fine, other times, it’s…well it’s not.” 

Fathom was about to respond when the teacher burst through the door, immediately starting a rant over the plants they were talking about for the day. The SeaWing snapped to attention, staring attentively at the teacher as she pulled down a scroll, pointing to it animatedly. 

Fathom curled his tail around his back talons, pleased with himself. He was going to meet Clearsight’s parents later today, and he made a new friend. He would have to ask her if she saw them becoming close or not. Or maybe, he just wanted to find out for himself. 

All that he knew was that things were okay for right now, and that’s all he needed.

Chapter Text

Fathom liked Clearsight’s house before he even saw it. Darkstalker had picked him up from his room, and had shown him the way to their friend’s house. He claimed  that Eclipse was already there waiting for them. 

Indigo had come along, insisting that she was only going so that Darkstalker wouldn’t kill Fathom or invade his mind. Though Fathom could have sworn that she was excited to hang out with the group.

Come on, I know the real you is in there somewhere. You secretly enjoy these dragons. At least Clearsight. Who could actually hate Clearsight?

They had been flying for a while, Darkstalker and Fathom talking about classes while Indigo would voice her opinion every once in a while. He thought that Darkstalker was actually starting to like the sass that Indigo gave off. 

The SeaWing relished how the wind felt under his wings,as it carried him upwards and towards the clouds. He had always been fond of the clouds, white and puffy and never-ending. He even adored dark, scary-looking storm clouds that towered over the sky, looming down on the Earth threatening to rain. He could admit, sometimes he missed the Sea Kingdom, but he was treated so much nicer here. No more fancy parties, no more isolation, why would I ever want to go home? 

He felt Darkstalker nudge his wing. “What are you thinking about? You’re giving me this weirdly happy feeling.” 

“Oh,” Fathom paused, remembering the mind-reading thing. It was beyond him how he kept forgetting about that, as two of his friends had this power. He always wondered what it would be like to have this power. I bet it’s awful sometimes. “I’m just thinking about how happy I am here, really. It’s so much nicer than the Sea Kingdom.” 

“So much nicer?” Indigo called, flapping her wings hard to catch up with the other two dragons. “But what about the culture and all the festivals? What about the tuna rolls? Or that mango-lime drink we used to love so much?” 

“Well, yeah.” Fathom recalled the festivals, from when he was very young. He remembered scampering around the royal kitchen, watching everyone get ready for celebrations such as the Queen’s birthday, or the anniversary of winning the war against the RainWings. He knew how the dragons would dance, laugh, and be all together without the worry of status. But that all felt like a dream now. “I haven’t been allowed to go to the festivals for a while, and I think being treated like an actual dragon is much better than any tuna roll I’ve ever had.” There’s also the fact that I feel nauseous any time I have the mango-lime drink now. That was the last thing I had to drink before…

“Hey, look!” Darkstalker cheered, pointing towards the mountain. “Here’s the city!” 

Fathom looked forward in shock. Like the rest of the kingdom, the terrain consisted of a vast landscape of caverns and ravines, glowing with firelight and fluttering with busy wings. Most NightWing dragonets were returning home from their after school activities, and getting ready for dinner. 

He had found out from the Queen that the bottom of the cliffs had rivers and contained spaces for the lesser NightWing homes. The richer or more influential NightWing structures were built higher and were more skylit, closer to the moon and the stars. He thought about how that was kind of similar to the SeaWings. 

Darkstalker veered down, more than halfway down the cliffs of the city. He swooped to a house that had a ledge built into it. Fathom veered down too late, and had to flap his wings frantically to slow down. He was a little less than successful, as he slid onto the ledge and crashed into the wall with a painful thud. 

“Wow,” Darkstalker laughed, pulling the emerald green dragon up. “That was very impressive Fathom.” 

Indigo landed gracefully beside him, snorting at his landing. “Fathom was never the best at flying tests.”

Fathom would have given the purple dragon a look, but he was too busy trying to focus on anything other than how he thought Darkstalker’s laugh was the most precious sound he’s ever heard. 

A door swinging open distracted all of them. Clearsight was standing at the door, looking quite concerned. “Did one of you fly into my wall?” When she saw how quiet the group was, she smiled. “Fathom, was it you?” 

Indigo took a hard look at Fathom’s face before bursting into bubbly laughter. Clearsight and Darkstalker looked equally shocked, seeing the grouchy, overly hostile SeaWing break down into shrill giggles. Fathom smiled warmly at her. There she is. There’s the Indigo I know. 

The purple dragon took a shuddering breath, laughing again once there was air in her lungs. She grabbed Clearsight’s talons, and the NightWing walked her inside as the SeaWing started talking. She motioned for the others to follow with her tail, and Fathom padded in close behind the girls. 

“I don’t know what he was doing, but he couldn’t stop in time and just slammed snout first straight into the stone!” Indigo exclaimed, her laughter finally tempering off. 

Fathom rolled his eyes affectionately, and glanced around at the house. It was small yet cozy place, with a small fireplace in the living room, and a warm light coming from a room which he assumed was the dining room. 

A much older dragon peeked his head around the corner, almost running straight into Darkstalker. 

“Oops!” He yelped, backing up a little bit. “Sorry Darkstalker. How are ya, champ?” The big dragon patted Darkstalker fondly on the shoulder, smiling as he recognized the dragonet. 

“I’m great,” Darkstalker promised. He pulled Fathom closer to him, showing him off. “Fathom, this is Clearsight’s father.” 

“Hello, sir.” Fathom said, a little nervous. However out of all the dragons he had met, this one had to be the most kind-looking, and by far.

“Well, hello there young man.” He said kindly, patting his wing with a soft sort of look on his face. “How are you liking the Night Kingdom? I bet it’s tough being away from home.” 

This if the first dragon to have mentioned that other than my friends, Fathom noticed. Most dragons asked him personally invasive questions about himself, not even bothering to say ‘hello’, or to even introduce themselves. 

“Yeah, sometimes it’s rough,” Fathom caught the concerned glance that Darkstalker was giving him. He picked up on small anxieties from the NightWing, as if he was scared Fathom may actually want to go home some day. “But I’m happier here.” 

“I’m very glad,” Clearsight’s father talked in a sweet, unbothered way, as if he knew that everything would eventually turn out fine. He was glad that Clearsight had a father like this, as he probably helped a lot with easing her anxieties about the future. “I was worried you wouldn’t like it here. Clearsight has told me so much about you. I feel like I’ve already met you!” 

He laughed, genuinely happy to hear that from the bigger dragon. He loved the idea of being known here. It’s almost like I have a new family. One that I can’t hurt. 

“Well, you boys go on. We may still have a little while before dinner, so I hope you don’t have anywhere to be. Darkstalker, does your mother know you’ll be in early this morning?” 

“She does, don’t worry.” Darkstalker smiled, twining his tail in Fathom’s and leading him towards the back of the house. “See you later!”

Fathom walked through the house, taking in all the cozy decorations and lighting. He noticed a bookshelf by the door when they had first walked in, and he wondered what Clearsight liked to read. 

He had only been able to read whatever the Queen wanted him to, which mostly involved war tactics or the royal family tree, or even worse all of the SeaWing royal customs and laws. Those certain scrolls made him want to tear his eyes out. 

Sometimes, however, Indigo would sneak him scrolls that she was able to find, and together they would read tales of warriors, heroes, and other funny stories. He missed curling up with a scroll, fumbling with the paper, squinting at it to see it with their night vision. Fathom missed his life before Albatross. 

“Hey,” Darkstalker said softly, stopping them in the hallway, holding his talons carefully. “Stay here, in the present. With me.”

Fathom had heard him say this to Clearsight a few times, but hearing it aimed at him made his head soar, and he had to will his talons to not be sweaty. There was something about how his voice sounded that made his head feel all fuzzy and warm. He tried to put together a coherent thought, but it was hard with how affectionately the NightWing was staring at him. 

“I’m sorry,” Fathom coughed out. He averted his eyes so that he could focus on his sentence. “A lot of things remind me of home recently.” 

“This is your home now, with me and Clearsight.” Darkstalker mumbled, nosing him gently. “We’ll take care of you.” 

Fathom found he liked the idea of Darkstalker taking care of him much more than he should. He shook off Darkstalker, giggling awkwardly. “Yeah, I know. It’s just hard to fully adjust.” He feigned a weak smile in the NightWing’s direction. “I’ll get there, I swear.” 

The SeaWing tried to ignore the worried look on Darkstalker’s face as he walked through the door ahead of him. He was careful to make sure it was Clearsight’s room, but he figured it was, since it was the only room with light flickering underneath the door frame.

The heavy door creaking alerted the dragons inside of his presence. For a moment, he expected to see hatred, or fear on the other dragon’s faces. To his surprise, he saw everyone smiling at him. 

“Did you get roped into a conversation with Clearsight’s dad?” Eclipse asked, holding a scroll up to the torch light. “That sucks for you. He doesn’t know when to stop talking.” 

Cleasight whacked Eclipse with her tail.  “Rude!” She turned towards the boys, an apologetic look on her face. “She is right, though. He means well, I promise.” 

“Oh no!” Fathom exclaimed. “I like him! He’s really nice, nicer than an dragon I’ve met before. Is he always like that?”

“Yeah pretty much.” She shrugged. 

“I don’t even think my parents felt that happy to see me,” Fathom admitted. “He feels like he’s full of sunshine.” 

“That’s what I said!” Indigo pointed out. “I didn’t even talk to him, but he smiled at me, and for like a half second he was my favorite dragon in the world.” 

“I think he’s still my favorite dragon.” He turned to Clearsight for a moment. “Is that a secret NightWing power? Making dragonets feels validated in seconds?” 

Clearsight laughed. “No, that’s just my dad. Have your parents never been nice to you?”

Fathom shrugged. “I mean, I didn’t really matter too much, as I was a Prince and not a Princess. They weren’t ever mean persay, they just focused a lot more on Pearl.” 

He felt a stinging feeling as he realized he missed Pearl, and he definitely missed his parents. He missed sitting at the royal table with his mother as she would pass him bits of octopus and his favorite sushi rolls. 

“Wow,” Eclipse said. “I’m glad our Queen doesn’t do that.” 

“She has kids, doesn’t she? Does she have any daughters?” Indigo asked. “I only remember her sons.” 

Darkstalker shook his head. “I don’t think she does.” 

“Well, that’s why she doesn’t care then.” Fathom pointed out. “Since daughters can inherit the throne, most Royal parents give all their attention to them.”

“Aka, be nice to them so they’re less likely to challenge and murder you.” Indigo said, flicking her tail in Eclipse’s direction. 

Fathom snorted. “An interesting way to put it, but yeah. Pretty much. Princes often go neglected or unnoticed, which I’m completely fine with. I’d rather be forgotten than labeled as a hero or something.” 

Darkstalker looked at him with a sideways glance. Fathom caught him looking at Clearsight, making eye contact for a moment. The bigger NightWing shook his head subtly, as if he didn’t want anyone else to notice. However, the SeaWing was observant. He narrowed his eyes at Darkstalker, trying to think directly into his head. 

Alright, they’re definitely talking about me. What’s going on? 

Darkstalker froze as he realized he had been caught. He looked guilty at Fathom, and looked away quickly. 

Before the NightWing could say anything, a voice rang out from the kitchen. 

“KIDS! DINNER!” 

Fathom whirled around, ducking as Eclipse jumped over him to fly down the hallway. He rolled to the side just as Indigo was leaping towards him. She slid on the floor, not expecting the landing. She whirled around to him and yelled. “Come on, Fathom!” 

The SeaWing gave one last glance to the two NightWings in the room. He felt an anxious feeling creep up his claws, settling into a terrible tension. This might be an awkward dinner. What were you guys thinking about?

Chapter Text

Dinner was in fact awkward, but not for the reason that Fathom was worried about. 

In fact, he practically forgot about the NightWings mind-talking about him as soon as he left the hallway. He could deal with that later, right now, he really just wanted to enjoy being around his friends. Fathom actually liked being with these dragons. After the year of mind-depriving isolation, he loved being around dragons that he couldn’t hurt, or that weren’t afraid of him. He had come to this realization many times, but right now he really took it in, melting in the warm feeling he got in his chest as he walked through Clearsight’s house. 

Banging on the front door distracted him for a moment, and he whirled down the hallway to go open it. He swung the heavy door open, and stared down at the NightWing that was standing in front of him. 

She was holding something that was wrapped up, and she looked like she was supposed to be here for dinner as well. “Did I miss it? Am I too late for dinner?”

“Uh, no.” Fathom looked backwards, looking for anyone who would know this dragon. “Not at all, we’re about to sit. You’re right on time.” 

The dragon looked to be large for her age, with slight curves that suggested she was well-fed. She had a teardrop scale beside her eyes, signaling that she was a mind-reader. 

Who are you? Fathom cringed to himself as his tone seemed defensive in his head. Oh, I was trying to be friendly and do the NightWing communicate-with-my-mind thing. Shoot, Fathom, come on. 

The dragon laughed out loud. “It’s okay, I get what you meant. I’m Listener. I’m Clearsight’s friend. You don’t have to try to talk with your head, if you don’t want to. Actually, speaking the old fashioned way is how I prefer it!” A giggle came out of her after that. Fathom thought it sounded like Moon festivals. 

Fathom’s ears pricked up as he had remembered hearing that name before. “Oh! Clearsight has talked about you! Nice to meet you.” He bowed, and then realized what he was doing and sheepishly got back up. Sometimes he forgot he wasn’t royalty anymore, and bowing before other dragons may have been considered weird. 

“Oh yeah, she’s talked about you too!” Listener smiled. “But really, who hasn’t? I swear, everyone talks and THINKS about you all the time. It’s like jeez, maybe the guy just wants to be left alone and treated like everyone else?” 

He put his talon on her shoulder. “Listener. You get me.”

She laughed, and he was pleased to hear it. He reached out and took what she was holding, and he stepped back and ushered her inside. “What’s this?”

“It’s some herbs and some vegetables.” She claimed, shutting the door with a hard slam from her tail. “I always bring a salad when I come for dinner. Clearsight’s dad really likes it, and I always help him make a dressing when I’m over.”

“He’s really cool, isn’t he?” Fathom said quietly, hoping that nobody heard him. 

“Yeah, he’s awesome.” The other dragon exclaimed. “He’s kind of like everybody’s dad? I mean, at least everybody in this little group.” 

“Oh, I can totally see that.” Fathom chuckled, turning the corner to go into the dining room. 

“I’ll take those vegetables! Right on time, Listener.” Clearsight’s dad hummed as he grabbed the vegetables from the little dragon, dodging young kids as he danced through to get to the kitchen. 

He grabbed something off the counter with his tail, and handed it to Clearsight’s mom, who grabbed it with her own tail, as her hands were full of dishes and cups. A wad of folded napkins were tucked into her arm as well, and Fathom thought she was mighty impressive from carrying all of those things at once. 

She put everything down on the table, and handed Clearsight the cups, and Darkstalker the dishes. They both got to work, helping to set the table. Listener went to talk to Indigo and Eclipse, so Fathom stepped and grabbed the napkins from Clearsight’s mother, looking up at her nervously. 

He refolded the few napkins that had gotten messed up from the journey they had, and he went behind Darkstalker, placing napkins down on the left side of every plate. 

The SeaWing remembered the harsh etiquette lessons he was forced to go through, and he still remembered the stinging feeling of the rulers he would be punished with if he got something incorrect.

He stared hard at the placements when he was done, fighting the urge to move the cups into the correct positions. He shook his head and looked at Clearsight, who put a wing over him and nosed him. “Thanks for coming.”

“Thanks for having me. Your family is a blast.” He whispered back to her, twining their tails together for a sweet moment. 

A screech made them stop in their tracks. Fathom looked up towards the counter, to see Clearsight’s dad with his hand in a bowl, and something that looked to be tomato juice all over himself, Listener, and the walls. 

“Whoops!” He yelled, looking apologetically at his wife. “Sorry, dear. I’ll clean it up.”

“Let me help!” Indigo laughed, scampering to get towels. “We used to get all sorts of spills like this in the Sea Kingdom royal kitchen. This is nothing compared to having to catch a hundred live shrimp!” 

“Oh tides,” Fathom snorted. “I remember that.” 

They scrubbed tomato chunks off the walls, giggling and talking about old memories they had to share. The NightWings looked genuinely interested by what they had to say, and asked a lot of questions about the Sea Kingdom. 

“Wow, you two have had very cool lives!” Clearsight’s dad said, putting the finished salad on the table. 

The dragons all settled around the table for dinner, passing food and drinks around to each other. 

“Before we eat,” Clearsight said. “I just wanted to say how happy I am that you’re all here. You are all truly my family, and I hope we can all be happy together for a very long time.” 

“Aw Clearsight, you sap.” Indigo blushed. She looked around at the NightWings and suddenly looked down at her talons. “I know I’ve been…less than friendly to you all. I’m sorry. You’ve truly made our stay here bearable, and if things come down to it.” she looked at Fathom, grabbing his talon in hers. “Then I would love to stay here permanently, as long as you guys stay by our sides.” 

“Oh jeez, who’s sappy now?” Eclipse teased, twining her tail around the SeaWing’s. 

“Aw, I’m so glad you all found each other.” Clearsight’s dad said. 

Fathom took a sip of his drink, marveling at the taste of pineapple and raspberries in his cup. 

“So Darkstalker, Fathom, tell me when you guys started dating.” 

Fathom sucked in a breath with shock from such a random question, choking on his drink as it infiltrated his throat. 

“DAD!” Clearsight yelled. “You said you wouldn’t be weird!” 

Fathom coughed hard, trying to dislodge any of the liquid that had turned acidic in his throat. 

“I’m not being weird!” Her dad protested. “I just thought they were! I mean, with the way that they look at each other anyone would have thought it.”

“Dad.” Clearsight groaned. “I beg of you. Stop talking.”

“Alright, alright. Fathom, are you okay?”

Fathom took in a gasp of air as he hacked the rest of the drink out of his lungs. He gave the table a thumbs up. “I’m good, I’m great.”

“Uh,” Listener mumbled. “ANYWAYS.” 

Fathom’s head reeled over the question, and the commentary that came with it. You mean I’m not as slick as I thought? He eyed Darkstalker, who was giving him a questioning grin. Stay out of my head, you. He smiled to himself. Oh jeez, what am I gonna do now?

Chapter Text

Dinner had finished off without any more choking, much to Fathom’s relief. Clearsight’s dad had apologized to him for asking such personal questions, and that Fathom didn’t have to tell him anything he didn’t want to say. Clearsight facepalmed for the 18th time since they had all sat down together, and they all awkwardly tried to enjoy the rest of their dinner. 

“Anyways,” Clearsight’s mother coughed. “How is school…”

However, once the meal was done, he was the victim of a LOT of teasing, Specifically from Indigo, who Fathom thought would be on his side.

“OOOOOOOOOooOOOOoOOOOooOOOO” She sand out, drawing her voice out to be purposefully annoying. “FATHOMMMM AND DARKSTALKERRRRR.”

“Indigo, I will hit you,” Fathom slammed his head on the table once it was cleared, raising his tail threateningly. “I’ll do it, I swear.” 

“Oh please,” the purple dragon pulled on his arm. “We both know you can’t catch me.” 

“Cut it out!” He whisper-shouted, feeling grateful that Darkstalker and Clearsight’s dad were locked in heavy conversation about something that made the younger NightWing’s eyes sparkle. 

How he longed to be the reason those eyes were sparkling. 

“Oh please, I can see you making love-eyes at him from here,” Indigo mumbled, rolling her eyes. “You should just tell him you’re into him.” 

Fathom felt a spike of fear stab into his gills. “Absolutely not! Indigo, we don’t even really know each other that well. And what if he doesn’t date males? What if he doesn’t like me because I’m a SeaWing?” 

“First of all, you know each other enough. You’ve been hanging around him nonstop since we got here,” his friend said, whacking him affectionately with her talons. “Second of all, I see the way he looks at you, and Eclipse said he thinks about you all the time. Not to mention how protective he is of you. You guys would work pretty well together. Just saying.”

He eyed his friend suspiciously. “Who are you and what have you done with my Indigo?” 

She shrugged. “I guess I got hit with the realization that this place may be good for you.” Her tail twined around his lovingly. “I’d say go for it, I really think he would make you happy.” 

Fathom sighed. “I’m just not ready yet. I think it’s hard enough to make friends around here. But this is a whole other problem I swear,” 

“Okay, okay” Indigo said. In the firelight, her scales looked pristine and gorgeous, and the dark purplish-blue shining brightly in the room. “Come on, let’s go help Clearsight then, shall we?” 

“What’s she up to?” Fathom asked, stretching out his wings. He squinted out a window, and saw the soft-rising sun being whisked away by dark and angry clouds. “Is it about to storm?”

Clearsight’s dad must have heard the conversation, as he turned to glance out the same window the SeaWings had looked through. “Oh wow. That doesn’t look great, now does it?” 

Darkstalker looked as well, shaking his head. “That’ll be a pretty bad one…It looks like it’s coming in really fast.”

With that, a bolt of lightning struck, shaking the cave and blasting Fathom’s ears with a horrible noise. 

“YEESH!” The SeaWing yelled, jumping from the sound. He skidded across the cave and hid behind Indigo, holding onto her tail for dear life. 

“Could you cut that out?” Indigo said, lashing her tail back and forth, trying to get the dragon attached to her to let go. “It’s just thunder, don’t be a scaredy scavenger!” 

“Tunder like that doesn’t come anywhere NEAR the sea!” The emerald green dragon yelped, digging his claws into his friend’s tail on accident, causing her to whip around and bite at him.

“YOU’RE CLAWING ME!” She snapped, wriggling her tail and yanking it out of his grip. 

“Does it not storm underwater?” Eclipse asked, tilting her head to the side. “I thought it did.”

“No, it does.” Indigo said. “It’s actually worse underwater than on land, believe it or not.” 

Fathom curled his tail anxiously. “Yeah, however, underwater it’s silent. No huge booms…only flashes of lights and whirlpools.” 

Clearsight’s dad hummed, shaking his head. He turned back towards the dragonets. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can let any of you fly in this weather with a good conscience. You’ll all just have to stay here for the day.” 

Darkstalker shrugged and flexed his wings back. Fathom would be lying to himself if he said he didn’t catch a glimpse of his muscles rippling under the NightWing’s scales. Darkstalker just had this look to him, you knew he was strong just by his size and his build. Fathom glanced down at himself and rolled his eyes. Why couldn’t he have been blessed with good genes?

Any muscle he put on, whether it was from swimming laps all day or training with Indigo until he collapsed, eventually would come right off. It was still nice to oogle at the NightWing, though. Even if he was a little bit jealous. 

“My mom knows I’m here, and I doubt my dad wouldn’t care if I died out in the storm.” Darkstalker grumbled, walking out of the room. 

Eclipse shook her head, following him. “I mean…you’re not wrong, but you didn’t have to say it..” 

Another bolt of lightning cracked through the valley, followed by a gush of wind that forced the windows open. The sudden air flowing through the house caused the torches to go out, as well as drop the temperature significantly, giving Fathom chills. 

A tall, slender dragon came out from behind Fathom, making him yelp and turn around quickly. 

“Looks like it’s time for bed!” Clearsight’s mother - SwiftWings - said cheerfully. She squinted into the darkness, looking at Fathom’s shocked expression. “Oh, sorry honey. I didn’t mean to scare you.” She paced by him, her tail sliding against his leg as she hugged her husband. “Let’s tuck in our…very large number of kids.” 

Clearsight’s dad laughed. “I agree.”

SwiftWings turned around and looked at her daughter. “Okay, you know the rules. Girls will be in your room,” she glanced at Fathom. “Sorry boys, you’ll have to sleep in the living room.” 

A jolt of excitement burst through Fathom’s chest. Him and Darstalker. Alone. Together. SLEEPING. The possibilities were endless, and Fathom needed to stop thinking like a pervert before Eclipse or Listener caught any of his trailing thoughts. He would never be able to live that down. He glanced towards the living room before smiling at SwiftWings. “That’s okay, ma’am.” 

“I’m coming, I’m coming.” Darkstalker said, marching into the living room with Eclipse trailing along behind him. His tail was wagging in frustration, and Fathom wondered what they had been talking about. 

“What if they get cold, my starlight?” Clearsight’s father said to his wife, coiling their tails together. “I worry about the wind coming in here.”

“We’ll be okay, don’t worry.” The younger NightWing insisted. “A little wind never hurt anyone.”

Clearsight’s dad seemed unconvinced, but sighed and shook his head. “Alright, fi you say so. If you guys get too cold, you can always come into our bedroom.” He then walked by all the dragonets in the living room, giving them one finally look. “Don’t stay up late, you have school tomorrow night. Don’t be too loud either. If you wake up your mom you clean the whole house. Okay, love you kids. Goodnight.” 

Every dragonet in the room said some kind of variant of ‘I love you too, Dad.’ which made Fathom soak up how much he loved it here. The fact that he felt more at home with dragons who weren’t even in the same tribe as him said a lot about his childhood, he thought. 

With the click of the door, Clearsight yanked Listener and Indigo, pulling the dragonets into a kind of circle. “So. About Arctic.” 

Darkstalker’s expression darkened, and he shook his head. “Do we have to talk about him now? Why not at dusk?” 

“Because I don’t know when we’re going to have the chance for all of us to have privacy.” Clearsight stated, narrowng her eyes. “You know how crazy my dad gets before school. He likes to be organized and ready and ON TOP OF US ALL THE TIMES.” 

“He’s a good dad,” Fathom said, nodding. “I like him a lot.” He felt the comment dissipate into the tension, and he felt embarrassed for saying it. He never was good at reading the room. That's why he stayed quiet; can’t mess up your words if there are none.

Listener craned her head, seeming confused. “Arctic? The IceWing? What’s going on with him this time?” She pointed at Darkstalker. “Isn’t that your dad?”

“Unfortunately, he is.” Darkstalker rolled his eyes. 

“Clearsight and Darkstalker have been having visions about him and Fathom.” Eclipse whispered, bringing the overall volume of the conversation down. “Clearsight is convinced something bad is going to happen if they meet, but Darkstalker thinks he can protect Fathom from his father no problem.” 

Everyone stared at her. “What? I have really sharp mind-hearing, I can’t help but know everything.” She looked at the emerald SeaWing with an amused look. “You and I have to have a conversation later.” 

Shock and terror jolted through the dragon. What could she have possibly heard? Or what if she heard something from someone else? Or what if she knows that-. He paused his thoughts for a moment as all the NightWings in the room were staring at him. Apart from Clearsight, who was looking at Eclipse with a confused expression. IN A ROOM WITH A BUNCH OF MIND READERS GET AHOLD OF YOURSELF YOU SEA SNAIL. 

Listener burst out into a fit of giggling, having to muffle her laughter with her wings. “Fathom, you kill me.” 

He could feel the blush rising into his face, and embarrassment made him shuffle his feet. Right. 

Eclipse must have noticed Clearsight staring at her finally. “Don’t worry, it’s nothing related to this. Nothing serious, either. So, what are we going to do with them?” 

Darkstalker straightened his wings. “Keeping Fathom far away from my father, and my house, is my plan.” Fathom wasn’t sure how that would help, but he concentrated on just wondering about Arctic in general. 

He wasn;t even sure he had ever seen an IceWing before. The only tribe he had seen was SkyWings, and now NightWings, of course. He had been fairly young as a prince, so he wasn’t allowed to go outside of the palace for a long time. And then his grandfather…he shook his head quickly to get those thoughts away from him. You’re not there right now. You’re safe. 

“That’s the issue,” Clearsigh’ts sharp, yet worried voice cut through his head. “I keep seeing them meet. Whether it’s an accident or not, they bump into each other.”

“Why don’t we just let them?” Indigo said. All heads whipped around to her. “What? Don’t look at me like that. We all know they’re going to meet eventually, and it’ll be almost IMPOSSIBLE to avoid him. We’ve already SEEN him. Hello, we LIVE IN THE PALACE. He sniffs around there all the time, begging for attention from the Queen.”

Fathom tilted his head. They had seen him? Surely he would have remembered such a thing. He then thought about all the excitement and anxiety from when he first arrived, and remembered he was on autopilot for at least three days afterwards. That makes a lot of sense. Indigo is so observant, no wonder she could sniff out my crush without me saying anything to her first. 

Clearsight had an expression on her face that Fathom couldn’t quite describe. It was a mix of panic-fear, and worry. “Well…it’s complicated.”

Indigo narrowed her eyes. “What’s the big deal, it’s not like he’d kill him or anything.”

Silence. Eclipse turned towards Clearsight, reading her expression. 

“OH THREE MOONS,” Listener yelled. “Fathom, he IS going to kill you!”

Oh, fuck.