Damian remained on his knees after the bushes grew, ignoring the swarm of birds as his vision swam in front of him. His hands were both clenched in the dirt as he panted for air. Quintus swung his large head around, whinnying softly and nudging the prince with his head.
Catori slid off of Asterin and hurried over, crouching next to him. "Damian, are you okay?"
“Exhausted.” Damian wasn’t a fan of being honest with someone he hardly knew, but he was on the brink of losing consciousness and something in his gut told him Catori was a safe outlet for this. He allowed himself to lean against her to rest. “We need to keep going. I just need a moment.”
"I don't like this at all." She shook her head, but stayed otherwise still, so as not to disturb him. "It's worrying, to say the least."
“I assure you I will be alright. I fear more for what my brothers may do if we delay.” Damian didn’t seem very interested in moving. Catori was warm and comforting as far as he was concerned.
"Hmph." Catori tentatively wrapped an arm around him. She wasn't sure if that was too much, but it might be a bit more comfortable.
Damian instinctively leaned into her touch, cuddling right up to her as his eyelids fluttered shut. Copper landed on his knee with a disapproving squawk of ”Faker!”
"Copper, shush." Catori scolded, relaxing at Damian's acceptance.
“We need to get moving.” Damian murmured quietly, not moving a muscle to follow his own instructions. Catori smelled like woodsmoke, reminding him of the nights he’d spent with ambassadors encamped in the woods on their way to subkingdoms so he could learn how to be a diplomat. Peaceful nights away from his brothers and the chaos of the castle.
Copper stared at Catori, expecting her silence to be bridged with a cracker.
Catori fished another cracker out, careful not to upset Damian, and held it out for Copper. She really didn't want to move, and she was glad it didn't appear Damian actually did either.
It only took another minute or so before Damian was completely out cold. The events of the day, stress of dealing with Fletcher, and Catori’s warmth was too powerful a combination for the prince to combat.
Copper took the cracker and nestled herself in Damian’s lap to eat it.
"I know it would," Pine agreed quietly, glowering icily through the windows of the carriage as they passed far too many excited crowds for him to be comfortable. "These nobles are so worked up because my father told everyone me and my brothers were leaving. We're not exactly popular."
Victor looked back and decided his companions could handle a long ride. "You want to see the country before we start to freeze?" he yelled, turning around in the saddle.
"I see," Lotus looked out the window to see the crowds, "Are you quite sure this was the best way to leave the city?"
Catori hummed softly, watching creatures skitter through the forest around them peacefully. It must really drain him, to fall asleep so easily.
Alexia nodded, a grin on her face as she rode. It had been a while since she'd been able to ride like this and not worry about her father yelling at her for being gone. "Absolutely, just as long as it doesn't get to hot." She yelled back, urging Poe to go a little faster.
For all his icy behavior, Damian tends to cuddle when he’s asleep. Being the source of warmth closest to him, the prince wrapped both of his arms around Catori, holding the princess close.
Pine looked back. "Not quite, but I thought you'd want to see where my brothers grew up. Do you want to skip it?"
"It won't!" Victor shouted. Charming veered hard to the side, away from the city and hurtling toward a dense forest. Vic grinned, eyes alight.
Lotus shrugged, she had already explored the city before heading to the palace, "I see no problem with doing that."
((I'M SCREAMING
Catori looked down at Damian, internally screaming, and externally blushing fiercely. Really really tired.
((You’ve summoned Damian’s soft side lmao))
Copper fluttered onto Damian’s shoulder, pecking a bit at the prince. Damian woke up a little, mumbling something incoherently.
Catori shot a look at her, shaking her head. They probably should get going, but Damian needed rest.
“Tori?” Damian’s eyes remained shut, but he seemed to be trying to pull himself into the waking world again.
"Yeah?" She looked down at him, smiling softly. He's peaceful when he's sleeping..
“Are we at Sana yet?” His voice was hardly above a whisper. Copper flitted to Damian’s chest, tucking herself underneath Damian’s chin.
"Not quite." Maybe we should move to the carriage, so he can keep sleeping.. "We're still in the woods."