AN: This is the last chapter for this short series. Will there be more, I hear you ask? (You did ask, right...?) The answer is; maybe. I like writing about characters getting kidnapped, apparently. So, who knows what the future will bring.

In any case, hope you'll enjoy reading!

-

Chapter 6:

Flavio felt dazed and groggy as he opened his eyes from a deep, but far from rejuvenating sleep. He felt like a dead weight, yet achy at the same time. He felt warm, though slightly smothered. As if he was under a pile of blankets.

Softly blinking his eyes to regain focus, it took him a moment or two to realise where he was. He was in his room at the inn. He immediately recognised the ceiling, funnily enough. He should. He had spent many a sleepless night staring up at the slight cracks, counting them over and over again, watching as the shadows danced across the ceiling from a flickering candle as he fretted for Fafnir's future.

Saved for the candlelight, the room was dark. Must be either late in the night or early in the morning.

Lolling his head to the side, Flavio noticed that the door to his room was open and there was a young man he hadn't seen before standing at the desk, shuffling through a large leather bag. Orange hair and a white coat. He must be a medic. Maybe the medic who often worked at the clinic that was attached to the inn to ease the load on the hospital. Flavio had never met him, but Hanna spoke highly of him. What was his name? He couldn't remember at the moment.

Wait...a medic with orange hair and violet eyes? Was he the one that Ascott mentioned? The one they had originally wanted but decided against because of some overly protective guilds or something?

Lifting his gaze from his bag, the medic turned toward Flavio and smiled gently when he saw that he was awake. He then turned to look in the opposite direction, seemingly to regard someone else who was outside the door. "He's awake."

Immediately, the sight of the medic was replaced with that of his friend, his Fafnir. Flavio felt a rush of relief flow through him upon seeing his best friend. But he also felt a sense of concern. Fafnir looked tired, as if he hadn't slept a wink for days. Did that mean...Had Flavio been unconscious for a few days? That couldn't be right, could it?

Rolling onto his side, Flavio wiggled an arm free from the cacoon of his blankets to reach out toward Fafnir, to gently lay his hand against his cheek. Fafnir immediately placed his hand atop of his, leaning into it.

As Flavio looked into Fafnir's eyes, noticing the light weariness yet relief, he felt the slight sting of tears appear in his own when he remembered what had happened to him, to them.

Fafnir...he fought against an ice dragon. Alone. For him. He could have...he could have been killed.

But he wasn't.

"You're ok?" Flavio asked him softly, his voice almost desperate.

"Fine," Fafnir replied as he tightened his hand around Flavio's, pulling it away so that he could slightly tilt his head and place a chaste kiss to his palm.

Flavio felt faint from relief.

"Don't go crowding him so soon," the medic suddenly scolded lightly as he stood in the threshold of the doorway. "He's been through quite an ordeal. Let him recover first before asking any hard questions."

"Oh, yes, of course," Arianna immediately replied as she fidgeted upon her feet, appearing ever so eager to enter the room to check on Flavio herself, but also wanted to abide by the medic's orders.

However, the second the medic stepped aside, Arianna was inside the room. She was lingering back, but inside nonetheless, looking relieved, yet concerned as the same time as she nervously hopped from one foot to the other. The medic could be heard sighing, but he made no attempt to pull the young woman out of the room. In fact, he even stepped aside to allow Bertrand and Chloe into the room as well. It was like he knew the kinship guildmates held toward each other and was purposely ensuring that he wasn't getting in-between them.

Seeing that the others had gathered into the room as well, Flavio felt that he should at least sit up in bed to show and reassure his teammates and friends that he was going to be all right. Fafnir tightened his grip on Flavio's hand to help him up, of which Flavio was grateful for as his limps felt slow and sluggish, making the simplest movements surprisingly difficult.

Just as Flavio rested against the pillows that were propped behind his back, the medic returned, seemingly after speaking with someone, to retrieve his bag. He spent a moment shuffling around in it once more before pulling out a couple of glass bottles, medicine most likely. He placed them atop of the desk and as he lifted his medical bag upon his shoulder, he turned his attention on Fafnir, gently placing a hand of reassurance on his shoulder.

"You can finally get some rest now," he said, his tone kind and understanding.

Fafnir turned toward him and spoke to him with sincere appreciation. "Thank you."

The medic simply dipped his head slightly in acknowledgement, smiling kindly once more as he removed his hand from Fafnir's shoulder. He then turned to regard Flavio, and though he was still smiling, there was a slight sense of maternal sternness in his gaze. "You won't be exploring for the next few days. You need to rest, and recover. No arguments."

Honestly, Flavio felt as though he could sleep for the next three or four days.

"We truly appreciate your help, Sir Lynus," Arianna said, gaining the medic's attention.

"No, it's what I'm here for," the orange-haired medic who's name must be Lynus returned with a slight chuckle, sounding as if he was somewhat embarrassed about being called 'sir'. "However, don't hesitate to ask for my assistance again should anything untoward happen again."

Hopefully, Flavio was past his days of being a sacrificial lamb.

Turning his attention back to Flavio once more, Lynus gently reached out to place one hand against his forehead while the other touched the inside of his wrist, checking his pulse and temperature. He seemed satisfied when he pulled back after a silent moment.

"You're going to be fine," he said in a very comforting and calming manner. "I'll leave you in your guildmates' hands. And I'll take my leave now."

"T-thanks," Flavio murmured, feeling a small sense of embarrassment.

Lynus simply chuckled softly before he walked out of the room, leaving the door slightly ajar behind him, leaving Flavio alone with his concerned guildmates.

"Thank you for coming so late, love," Hanna was heard saying just outside the room.

"Oh, it's no problem," Lynus replied without hesitation once again. "He's been through quite an ordeal, but he will be fine. After some food and rest, he'll be back to his old self in no time. But if you feel as if anything is wrong, please don't hesitate to ask for me. Please tell Quinoa that as well."

"You're always an absolute delight, love!" Hanna chortled with delight.

"I better get going now," Lynus said, his voice slowly fading, as if he was walking away. "I can't keep, er, my bodyguards waiting, can I?"

Hanna could be heard chortling as she escorted him to the foyer of the inn. They got along well, don't they? He seemed really nice.

As the voices faded away, Flavio promptly found himself the centre of everyone's attention. It wasn't something he was used to, but he was glad to see that they were also ok. That they hadn't been harmed by the Blizzard King either. It was a huge relief.

Arianna, Bertrand, and Chloe huddled around his bed, but did not venture any closer. They were being cautious, as if they were afraid to touch him. Not because he was tainted with something, but because they didn't want to cause him further pain or discomfort. He could tell in their body language; the wringing of hands, the shuffling of feet, the internal struggle against the urge to at least poke him to see if he was real.

"Sir Flavio," Arianna was the one to break the silence with a gentle voice. "How are you feeling?"

Flavio took a moment to mentally assess himself and he knew that he had to answer honestly. "Like I want to do nothing more than to sleep for the next three or four days."

"You suffered from hypothermia," Chloe said as she pushed upon her glasses as an unexpected look of guilt appeared on her face. "Magic couldn't help..."

Flavio gave the young war magus a reassuring smile, silently telling her that he didn't hold any fault against her. "How long have I been out of it?" he asked instead, his eyes flickering to the pitch black window.

"Only about a day," Bertrand answered as he folded his arms across his chest, a somewhat lopsided but knowing grin appearing on his lips. "Fafnir here hadn't slept since then either."

Flavio glanced over at Fafnir and noticed that his friend made no attempt to rebuke the protector. He didn't see the need if it was true. And he couldn't help but smile, simultaneously feeling appreciative and guilty.

"Do you know why they targeted you?" Bertrand ended up being the one to ask him with a deep frown on his lips. "Did they say anything?"

Flavio shook his head regretfully as he sighed. He honestly didn't want to talk about...about that at the moment. He honestly wanted to forget the whole thing and pretend that it didn't happen. But that would be irrational.

"I don't know much," he answered honestly. "Just that they've been wandering from town to town looking for mazes that could occupy dragons. They're after scales for a ritual of some kind. They've retrieved two already. One here, the blizzard scale, and the other from the great dragon in Etria. That's all they would tell me."

Looking upon his teammates' faces, Flavio immediately noticed that they all looked troubled as they lapsed into a contemplative silence. He couldn't blame them. After he learnt that they've already faced down the Great Dragon before trying for the Blizzard King he was greatly distressed, too. It proved how crazy they were to willingly face down two dragons while making plans for a third. Absolutely crazy!

Or...maybe they were desperate?

No. He didn't care what their motives were or what their true agenda was – they used him as a sacrificial bait to lure out a dangerous dragon. How many people could they have killed if that thing went on a rampage? Killing him was one thing, but to risk the lives of Fafnir, Arianna, Bertrand, and Chloe was unforgiveable!

Shaking his head slightly to rid himself of those thoughts, Flavio focused his attention on Fafnir, his childhood friend who was sitting on a chair next to his bed. Although Fafnir's expression remained impassive to an outsider, Flavio knew better. He was angry. Furious. Almost vengeful.

"Fafnir, no," Flavio said.

"What do you mean no?" Fafnir returned, immediately knew what he was referring to. "Flavio, they-"

"I know exactly what they did, Fafnir," Flavio said, cutting him off. "And I have absolutely no empathy for them whatsoever. It's...we've got more important things to think about." He then reached out to weakly hit the middle of Fafnir's chest with the back of his hand, his eyes softening. "Like, getting you back to normal."

He knew what Fafnir wanted to do and he understood the desire to do so; Flavio would do the exact same thing if they had been reversed. Which was why he was saying no. Because Fafnir came first. After...after everything was over, after they had found the Overlord and defeated the Calamity, then they could go out in search of Ascott and his team, to find out what they were trying to do. And let Fafnir beat the shit out of them for nearly killing them all.

When they...returned to the Midgard Library together.

"And the kid is looking pale," Bertrand suddenly said, quickly reminding Flavio that it wasn't just him and Fafnir in the room and he flushed slightly. "We should continue this later."

"Yes, of course," Arianna immediately agreed. "You should rest now, Sir Flavio. We can speak more on this matter in the morning."

Now that Bertrand mentioned it, he did feel rather drained and tired all of a sudden. The adrenaline of seeing that Fafnir and the others were safe and unharmed must have worn off.

"Appreciate it," Flavio muttered as he tried to hold back a yawn.

"Make sure you get plenty of sleep," Chloe went on to say as Bertrand ushered her and Arianna from the room. "If you feel dizzy, drink the medicine Mr Medic left behind, ok?"

"I'll stay here tonight," Fafnir said for reassurance.

The moment the door closed with a soft click, Fafnir shifted from the chair and sat on the bed next to Flavio. He then suddenly, but carefully, wrapped his arms around him. For a short moment, Flavio was startled, but he made no attempt to push the other away. How could he when the embrace was important to him as well? Instead, he wrapped his arms around Fafnir as well and pressed his face against his shoulder.

After a few minutes of silently embracing, Fafnir pulled back slight to gently touch the side of Flavio's face with his hand, gazing straight into his eyes. "What did they do to you?" he asked, his voice strained, subtle anger just beneath the surface.

The anger wasn't directed as him, though. It was directed toward the events that had happened, toward the people who put him through said events and by the fact that he...wasn't able to prevent it all from happening.

"Nothing, really," Flavio answered tiredly as he pressed his cheek against Fafnir's palm, his eyes falling close. "Just starved me for about for a few hours for some reason. That's all."

"That's all?" Fafnir questioned, wanting to believe him, but still protective regardless.

Flavio nodded his head. "That's all."

"You'd tell me if something did, right?"

Again, Flavio nodded. "Yeah."

Unexpectedly, Fafnir's arm around him tightened as he slipped his fingers of the hand that was pressed against his cheek through his hair. "Then care to explain why you've been looking so heartbroken lately?"

Flavio tensed and snapped his eyes open to stare at Fafnir is surprise. He then felt a distinct heated feeling spread across his cheeks. He was blushing. "W-what do you mean?" he feebly asked.

Fafnir kept his arms tight around him. "You think I wouldn't notice?" he asked him in return, giving him a lightly exasperated look.

Flavio's blush deepened, feeling foolish and skittish. He quickly glanced off to the side, trying to focus his gaze on something other than Fafnir himself. However, after a few silent moments of skittishly looking around, he sighed and then thumped his head against Fafnir's shoulder. He didn't have the energy or the will-power to deny him anymore.

"I'm scared," Flavio murmured.

"Of what?" Fafnir asked as he pulled Flavio onto his lap, wrapping one arm around his shoulders to keep him close against his chest, the other over his legs, his fingers curling underneath his knee in order to keep him firmly, and safely, in place.

Resting his head against Fafnir's shoulder, Flavio reached up to place his hand over Fafnir's, the one that bore the Fafnir Knight marking, the one that was resting against his shoulder. "I don't want to lose you. To anyone or anything. I...I can't. Not again."

Fafnir sighed before pressing his lips against the top of his head. "Just talk," he said as he interlocked their fingers together. "Let it all out."

Blinking back the tears that were already forming, Flavio just talked. He talked about whatever he could think of, about what he feared and hated, about what he hoped and prayed for – anything and everything. The curse of the Fafnir Knight, the Grail of Kings, the Calamity; it was too much. And that Blizzard King. There were just too many events into play that could take Fafnir away from him for good.

He almost lost him once. He couldn't face it again.

And Fafnir listened. Even as Flavio exhausted himself, resting completely against him as he mumbled, tears rolling unimpeded down his cheeks.

"I don't know what the future holds for us," Fafnir said as he removed his hand from Flavio's knee to slip a finger under his chin, gently tilting his head back so that he could look up at him. "I know one thing is certain, though."

"Y-yeah?"

Fafnir didn't say anything. He just leaned forward and...kissed him.

Flavio's eyes widen in surprise when he realised that, yes, Fafnir had his lips against his. It wasn't a dream, was it? No. Fafnir's lips were honestly pressed softly against his, but he was sincerely, honestly, kissing him.

All too soon, though, he pulled away, leaving Flavio feeling somewhat winded. Dazedly, he gently touched his lips with his fingertips and stared at Fafnir in utter confusion. "B-but, I thought, I mean, Arianna and-"

Fafnir simply shook his head no.

"O-oh," Flavio breathed as he lowered his hand from his lips, letting it rest against his chest. He felt...relieved, yet foolish. It was silly to think that Fafnir would simply leave him, after everything they've been through, right? "I'm an idiot, aren't I?"

The corners of Fafnir's mouth twitched, threatening to break out into a grin as he nodded his head yes.

"You didn't need to agree to that, you jerk," Flavio said with a light laugh, one that was half from amusement, the other from relief.

Reaching up, Flavio placed his hand against the curve of Fafnir's neck, gently tugging him toward him wanting, needing for him to kiss him again. Fafnir readily obliged, leaning forward to press his lips against his once again. And Flavio pressed back, closing his eyes, allowing for his lips to move gently, instinctively, against Fafnir's.

The Blizzard King. His kidnapping. That ritual. None of that mattered anymore.

The kiss only ended when Flavio pulled back, losing the battle against the urge to yawn, suddenly remembering how tired he felt. Keeping his arms around him, Fafnir lowered them both onto the bed, loosening his grip for only a moment in order to pull the blankets over the both of them.

"I love you," Fafnir whispered to him as he laid down next to him.

Hearing those words made Flavio's heart skip a beat out of pure happiness and he found himself blinking back the urge to shed a few tears. Instead he gently touched the side of Fafnir's face and looked into his eyes. "I love you, too," he returned.

Fafnir quickly pulled him into another somewhat lazy kiss before pulling back and settling against the bed, the two of them still weary from both the physical and emotional strain of their forced separation.

Closing his eyes, Flavio rested against Fafnir's chest, listening to his heart beat, strong and true. He never imagined that he would find himself like this, in Fafnir's arms, Fafnir holding him so tightly. Never dreamed that it would be possible.

"Whatever happens, whatever the future holds, I love you," Fafnir murmured to him softly. "Nothing will change that."

Flavio nodded his head with a smile on his lips as he snuggled closer. "Yeah. Me too."

"You know," Fafnir unexpectedly drawled. "When I get my hands on that bastard, I'm going to beat the living shit out of him, right?"

Flavio chuckled. "Wouldn't have it any other way."

... ... ... ... ...

Three days had passed since Flavio's traumatic ordeal and he had spent the majority of that time recuperating at the inn. The after effects of hypothermia were more of a hindrance and annoyance than first thought. He felt achy and as if he was suffering from a cold. And tired. He had been assured, though, that there would be no lasting effects. He just needed to wait it out.

His teammates had taken this time to prepare for the next time they entered the labyrinth. Fafnir was, of course, figuratively attached to his side. Arianna was busying herself coming to and from the Regent Café, updating Regina on what was happening and returning with warm food for him to eat. Bertrand appeared to be loitering around the inn, but Flavio was certain that he was low-key looking for information on Ascott and his crew, working intermittently with Hrothgar as the red-haired protector was the one who had unwittingly retrieved the ransom note for them. And Chloe had taken up an interest in the many different types of environmental oddities that the labyrinth held, seemingly prompted by the talk she had with Mr Medic about hypothermia.

Speaking of Mr Medic, Lynus had popped by a couple of times to check up on him, pleased with his progress. Flavio found him extremely easy to speak to. He was sincerely nice and friendly as he first appeared. So much so that Flavio made the silent vow not to tell him that Ascott was first planning on using him for the ritual instead. Then again, telling the red-haired landsknecht that often accompanied Lynus around the town about Ascott would ensure that that asshole gunner never stepped foot inside of High Lagaard again.

Currently left to his own devices (Fafnir having slipped out real quick to visit the weapon shop for something), Flavio decided to go for a walk, to keep himself busy rather than lying around and remembering that...that towering dragon.

He had been allowed to walk around the inn by himself. But stepping outside was another matter. Fafnir had always been protective of him and after that ordeal, he had only gotten worst. Not to say that Flavio was annoyed by it. Honestly, Fafnir fussing over him was actually something he enjoyed.

"Ah, Flavio sweetie, going for a walk?"

Upon hearing Hanna's voice, Flavio smiled and turned his attention to the inn-keeper, nodding his head slightly at her question. "Just getting the ol' joints moving again."

Hanna nodded her head in understanding before an expression of realisation appeared on her face and she placed her hand into the pocket of her apron. "Oh, that's right, there's a letter for you," she said as she pulled out a white envelope.

"A letter?" Flavio muttered, somewhat surprised as he retrieved the letter from Hanna.

From the Midgard Library, perhaps? Who else would be sending him letter?

Thanking the inn keeper, Flavio continued with his mindless stroll as he turned his attention upon the letter. The envelope was thin and rather small. He didn't recognise the handwriting and there was no return address. Still, he opened it.

And immediately felt a cold chill race down his spine as he read the greeting at the very top of the letter.

Hey, Beautiful.

Reading those words, Flavio immediately had the urge to crumble the letter up into a tight ball and then burn it. His heartrate had rapidly increased and he felt skittish, as if he was being watched. Ascott called him that. He referred to him as if it was his name. He should destroy it. He didn't want that bastard to taunt him further.

But, for some reason, he kept reading, his eyes skirting over the words quickly.

Just sending you a letter to thank you for your co-operation.

Flavio could sense the patronizing, sarcastic tone through the letter easily and he physically bristled. Bastard.

Now, before you or that guard dog of yours crumble this letter up in a vow of bloody vengeance, let me ask you one quick question.

What lengths would you go to; to save the one you love?

Think about it.

Kind regards,

Ascott.

The anger mixed with fear unexpectedly subsided slightly and Flavio allowed a feeling of confusion to wash over him. The letter was short, the words scribbled seemingly hastily. It was a taunt. Pure and simple. And yet...

Still feeling annoyed, Flavio crumbled the letter in his hands as he walked toward the tea room where a roaring fire was warding off the evening chill. He stood in front of the fire place, unexpectedly hesitating for a moment before throwing the crumpled note into the flames.

He was fairly certain that Ascott was just messing with him. Sending him one (hopefully) last letter just to mess with his head. However, that question...It was surprisingly chilling. Was that...was that his motive? Was he going to such extremes for someone he and those with him cared deeply for? Or was he just being a dick?

...What lengths would you go to; to save the one you love?

That jerk. How could he ask him that?

...What lengths wouldn't he go to for the one he loved?

Flavio was startled from his thoughts when a pair of strong arms wrapped around him from behind, pulling him against a taut chest. He soon relaxed, though, when he recognised the embrace and leaned back into it, unwittingly releasing a sigh of relief past his lips.

"Flavio?" Fafnir murmured as he pressed his lips against the side of Flavio's head. "Are you all right?"

"Yeah, Faf," Flavio said as he curled into Fafnir's arms, leaning against his chest to find protection and security. "It's nothing."

-

AN: It also appears that I am incredibly bias toward Lynus. I will slip a small reference of him in any chaptered fic I do in this fandom, it seems. Pfft, I totally want to write a oneshot with Flavio and Lynus interacting now.