Chapter 25

  The dining hall sat frozen, dozens of eyes fixed on a table no one dared admit they were watching—yet none could look away from.

  At that table sat the Minotaur, the hero foretold by prophecy, hunched across from his strange companion. Chided. Downtrodden. Unable to lift his gaze from his bowl of cold porridge.

  They had expected a leader—a warrior to rally them, to gather the Beast-kin under a singular flag, and to seize the land—carving out a home for their people. Instead they saw a pathetic figure, perhaps dangerous, obviously broken, and clearly unable to master even his own affairs.

  In this moment, the town’s hopes sank further. Yet no one stirred or looked away, for this was new. This was a spectacle. They clung to the silence, desperate to see how it would end, eager for the story they could later whisper to friends.

  Every sound seemed too loud in the hush: the scrape of a chair leg, the clatter of a spoon, each one cracking the air like thunder.

  And when at last the pair rose and departed, the hall exhaled as one. Then the silence splintered, blossoming into a storm of whispers and speculation.

  ***

  Once he was finally finished, Ben stood and looked at Fuku. The Tanuki’s eyes were hard, and he watched Ben as though expecting him to strike out or run away. He—of course—did neither. Ben simply nodded his head towards the rooms and offered a hand.

  Fuku looked at the offered hand, then hopped down from his chair. He placed a few silver coins on the table, then bounced past Ben's hand, pointedly staying ahead of him as they moved back towards their room.

  Fuku’s tail lashed behind him, betraying his irritation. Ben kept his head low, watching in silence but giving him space as they made their way down the hallway.

  Ben could hear the moment they left the dining area, as all the people still sitting there began to chatter at once. He just shook his head—knowing that this town had just gained a new set of rumors for the mill. That his reputation here had just lowered yet another rung.

  They made their way to the room. Ben opened the door for Fuku before stepping inside himself. He then closed the door behind them with a soft click.

  He stared at the door for a moment, gathering his thoughts and making sure he knew what to say… then he turned to Fuku.

  “I’m sorry,” were his first words. “I got embarrassed. Not because of you,” he said, bringing his hands up defensively, “but because I wasn’t prepared for this. I hadn’t considered the ramifications, didn’t realize how important it would be for you… and for that, I am truly sorry.”

  Fuku listened, then harrumphed and bounced up onto the bed. Ben had never heard him so quiet; he was normally a chatterbox. He moved and sat next to the Tanuki, gently resting a hand on his back.

  “You’re right… you didn’t think about me,” Fuku finally said. “But you’re also right that we hadn’t talked about it yet. I guess that was supposed to be last night… but I fell asleep. So—it’s not just your fault.”

  He paused, looking down at his paws, his ears drooping. “I think I might have dreamed about… us,” he said, the word heavy with unspoken intimacy. “It felt so real, I woke up and thought we had already… talked.”

  Ben wasn’t going to say a word. He’d had a suspicion, and Fuku’s admission proved it. But pointing that out would only work to ruin the moment.

  “So… I’m sorry, too,” Fuku said, then turned to look up at Ben. “I guess we really should talk. Which sucks. Because I was really looking forward to more kissing.”

  Ben chuckled and wrapped his other arm around Fuku, pulling him backward down onto the bed. “I think we can do both,” he said and pulled Fuku in close.

  ***

  After several minutes of affection and cuddling, Fuku withdrew slightly and asked, “So… are we partners, or boyfriends, or… just friends…?” He let the question remain open-ended.

  Ben didn’t answer right away. He wasn’t sure how to.

  “Fuku, before we decide that, I want to make sure you understand what you’re saying. This here,” he said, meaning their level of closeness, “this is all I can give to you. You know that my… that things don’t work like that for me anymore.”

  Fuku nodded, his eyes closed.

  “And these feelings… they might all just be the Keiyaku,” Ben continued. “That pact, its energy could be the thing that is bringing us close and we don’t even know it. Are you sure you want to stick with someone who might only like you because of that?”

  “But Ben… is that the only reason why?” Fuku asked softly. “Are you only here because you think some magical pact is making you be?”

  Ben opened his mouth to respond but had to think before he spoke.

  It was a genuine concern of his.

  He knew that only a few days ago, the thought of having an attachment to someone non-human had felt wrong. He’d been appreciative toward Fuku, but there was no attraction, no desire for a deeper relationship.

  But then he thought about all that had happened in that relatively short span of time.

  He thought about his dreams of death and destruction, and how Fuku had never left his side.

  He thought of how he’d tried to run away to keep Fuku safe, yet Fuku had called out to him, concerned only for Ben’s safety.

  It had been Fuku who had rescued him from losing himself to the curse. He paid for everything without question. He made sure Ben was fed, clothed, and had a place to sleep.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  ‘If that isn’t what builds a relationship, then what does?’ he finally thought to himself.

  He had been a part of the Arkadian brothers when he was human. His place within the group was with an elite squad. The five of them had done everything together: ate, shit, fought, and even slept together. In the end, they’d died together as well—seeking a bounty, and the power granted by the waters of a certain fountain at the heart of a Labyrinth.

  He’d loved them. They were his brothers in name and spirit. Their bond had been real because of their experiences, their sacrifice, and love for one another.

  These were difficult memories for Ben. His life from before becoming the Minotaur was clouded—yet the final battle—the deaths of his brothers—still stung deeply in his heart. Even though the details had long since faded.

  And yet, Fuku had sacrificed and saved him too. Fuku wasn’t anything like them, yet the experiences they’d shared already felt just as important. Just as he had trusted his brothers so long ago, he felt that same kind of trust building between him and Fuku now.

  Their relationship suddenly felt earned... it was forged in the same way. Trust, respect, and care.

  The realization settled in his chest, a quiet, solid warmth. The Keiyaku hadn't forced this; it had simply cleared the path for what was already there. Ben looked deep into Fuku’s eyes, the last of his doubt washing away. “No, Fuku. You’re right. That’s not it at all, is it?” he said, and he knew the words to be true.

  He watched as Fuku’s worried face softened.

  And then they kissed some more.

  “Peppermint was definitely the right call…”

  ***

  The next set of questions came up several minutes later.

  “You still didn’t answer my question. What are we?” Fuku asked.

  “We are whatever makes you happy, Fuku. I bow to your desires in this regard,” Ben said, closing his eyes and bowing his head just a little.

  “You aren’t going to make me make all the decisions, are you?” Fuku asked, looking suspiciously at Ben.

  Ben chuckled lightly. “No, just the important ones, like this one,” he replied.

  Fuku huffed a little. “Then I like ‘partners.’ I think we’re past the boyfriend stage, but not quite to the hubby stage. Does that sound okay?”

  Ben smiled. “That sounds perfect. Make sure to let me know when we get to the hubby stage, though. I don’t want a repeat of this morning.”

  That brought a small giggle from both of them.

  “So what’s next?” Ben asked. “I heard you mention Echidna’s Den. Is that really our next dungeon?”

  “Yeah. And now that we have plenty of food, water, and new clothes, I say we head there today.”

  “Can we make it there in one day? Will you use another leaf to fly us?” Ben asked.

  “No, it’s not that far. I’ll have to look at the map, but I think we can get close, then we can go in tomorrow,” Fuku replied.

  “Do you know what’s in there?” Ben asked.

  “I’m looking for something that doesn’t fit. The vine didn’t fit in your Labyrinth; that’s why I took it. Since Echidna was the Mother of Monsters in your time, then anything that doesn’t seem to fit in a monster’s den… that’s what I need to find.”

  Ben thought about that. “That’s not exactly what I meant, but it's good to know. I was thinking about what kinds of monsters and things are going to be in there. Isn’t that how these old dungeons work now?”

  “It is, but this dungeon doesn’t get many visitors. It’s apparently hard to find and not well known. The shopkeep in Phylios had heard of it, but didn’t know exactly where it was. I’m surprised I was able to get the map from that stinky old guy in Riverforge. Although I doubt he really knows where it is either, I’m sure we’ll have to search around for it for quite a while.”

  “So I don’t really have any details other than a general area of where it’s supposed to be,” Fuku said.

  “Hmm… and you’re sure they’ll be monsters, not people like me?” Ben asked.

  “In the other dungeons I’ve been able to explore, they’ve all been monsters. You’re the first who displayed anything other than instinctive violence. That’s why I saved you,” Fuku said and booped noses with Ben.

  “I see…” Ben said. “Then I am to fight them, correct?”

  Fuku took on a concerned look. “Yeah, that was the plan… but things have changed and… I don’t want you to get hurt. So maybe it’d be better if you stayed outside. I can sneak in and find what I’m looking for while you guard the entrance. That way you don’t get injured and don’t have to kill the monsters.”

  Ben looked at Fuku, his eyebrow raised. “Aren’t you forgetting about something?”

  Fuku squirmed a little. “—no—”

  Ben shook his head. “I have to stay by your side, or you by mine. Either way… that’s what keeps the curse’s rage away. So that plan isn’t going to work.”

  Fuku sighed. “I know… but it’s going to be dangerous.”

  Ben chuckled. “Yes, I’m sure it is. And how do you think I’d feel if you went in without me? I’d be worried the entire time.”

  Fuku looked up. “Yeah… I guess you’re right.” he sighed.

  “So it sounds like we should probably gear up a little more,” Ben said, his eyes glimmering with memories of his past. “If I’m going to be fighting monsters, then I should have a weapon. Perhaps a sword and shield, like I used to have.”

  “Really?” Fuku asked. “I thought you’d just use your hands and horns or something… you want a sword?”

  “Or an axe, or a spear. I was quite proficient with many weapons before gaining these hooves and horns,” Ben answered.

  “Yeah, I guess you would have had to have been. You beat the last Minotaur, didn’t you?” Fuku asked a little sheepishly, unsure if bringing up Ben’s past was taboo.

  “I… did, sort of. It was a tough fight, and it wasn’t just me… I was just the only one to—survive” Ben trailed off.

  “No. It’s okay. I get it,” Fuku said softly. “Things buried under a rock, right?”

  Ben smiled sadly at his new partner. “Yes. But if you want, I will talk about my past. It may even be helpful to get those things out. Though my memories are distant echoes, I really don’t remember much.”

  “Whenever you want to, I’ll be here to listen,” Fuku replied.

  That brought with it another round of quiet, comfortable affection.

  ***

  “So… this might be awkward to ask,” Ben started, “but for the more… interactive part… do you want the freedom to get that from someone else?”

  Fuku looked at Ben quizzically, not quite understanding.

  “I mean… if we are going to find me a weapon, then we’ll be going to a blacksmith, and I know you kind of have a thing for that type of guy,” he paused, fumbling for words. “So would you want to… you know… test out his hammer?” Ben looked away, feeling awkward for even bringing the subject up.

  Fuku kicked Ben in the stomach.

  “Oomph… what was that for?”

  “You think I am so shallow that I would go looking for playtime with someone else?” Fuku said. Then he moved up close, his snout above Ben’s so that their eyes were less than an inch apart. “Ben… there is more to a relationship than just physical stuff. Yes, it would be nice to have, but not from anyone else. Only from you.”

  Ben blinked, and he felt his long lashes brush against Fuku’s own.

  “I want you, Ben. That’s all. That’s all I need.”

  Ben felt like dung for even implying what he had. Looking into Fuku’s eyes, feeling him pressed against him, he knew the thought of someone else was the farthest thing from Fuku’s mind.

  “When we go to the blacksmith, it’ll be to get you a weapon, not to get hammered,” Fuku said with a crooked smile. He then slid down and tucked his head under Ben’s neck, snuggling into the patch of longer fur there.

  “But I guess we should visit one. That will probably set us back a day or two, unless they have a giant sword for you already made.”

  Ben wrapped his arms around Fuku. “I guess we’ll have to stay here again then. Another night on a soft bed with my partner in my arms? I don’t know—that might make me soft.”

  “You could stand to be a little softer,” Fuku mumbled. “We should see if we can find some good conditioner today. Ooo… and a bath!”

  And with that, they had their day planned.

  So about an hour later—the cuddling finally finished—they left their room, to go see a blacksmith about a sword.