Chapter Text
Dawn in Okhema was rough today.
The titankins had somehow managed to infiltrate the city walls. This caused the Chrysos Heirs to instantly take action. While Tribbie and Aglaea handled the inner walls of the city, Phainon and Mydei were both in the frontline, defending the town from the monsters as they tried to keep its citizens at peace. Eventually, after what felt like eternity, all the Titankins vanished without a trace and peace was temporarily returned. Albeit, the battle is not something the heirs couldn’t handle—it was the usual battle with the creatures, Phainon could not remove the sudden pain and weariness of his body. As the day falls into evernight, exhaustion hits even further—gradually slowly yet steady, hunger and fatigue trickled to the Deliverer’s body.
Phainon tiredly sighed as he walked around the streets of the market, scouting for incoming danger. While most of the mobs were handled with, there can still be surprise attacks in the district. The Chrysos Heirs had enough problems on their hands, having an innocent bystander get injured would make things an extra hassle. Thus, the hero is still tasked with work to do, taking care of the hidden sprinkling of titankin around the eternal holy land. As he strolled by the place, he spotted Mydei in the corner of his eyes, it seemed he was also securing the area though he looked rather jaded than usual.
“Mydei!” The hero called out. The crowned prince gazed over to the man who had shouted his name. His eyes dilated a bit from cautiously watching his surroundings for unknown threats before turning back to normal once he saw the knight heading his direction.
“Deliverer, shouldn’t you be doing your work and not slacking off?” The blonde questioned as the latter walked closer to him.
“Aw, is a little small talk not allowed?” Phainon poked the other’s cheeks. Mydei lightly slapped his hand away earning a small hiss from the other.
“We warriors should not be relaxing in times of crisis,” Mydei said, exasperated, the male looked like he was having a tougher time today especially after the battle. Phainon chuckled softly before opening his mouth to reply.
“Well, you look highly unfocused just now,” He quipped back, “Are you perhaps starving, Mydeimos?”
The Deliverer knew that the prince tends to space out a bit more when he is hungry, he has witnessed it a couple of times after their spars—how his eyes squinted slightly and how he tends to be grumpier even so, his intuition as a soldier is still sharp despite the malnutrition.
“Huh? Of course n–”
As if the Gods were watching, the two men’s stomach grumbled at the same time. Both of the heirs’ facials felt heat, turning a slight color. They broke their eye contact for a split second. As mere moments passed, Phainon spoke first.
“So…” He coughed as his blush dissipated slowly, “Dinner time?” The male smugly smiled, earning an eye roll.
“Silence, Deliverer,” Mydei clicked his teeth before locking his gaze to the slightly taller man who was pouting as if someone kicked him. He groaned, unable to handle the soft doglike eyes, “Let’s go.”
As if a light switch had flickered, Phainon cheerily grinned like a puppy perking its ear up and wagging its tail. The two walked together side by side, searching for a place to ingest sustenance.
‘Feels like a date,’ The white haired man was about to say yet the sentence remained unspoken as it lay in the savior boy’s head before rapidly shrugging the idea off. Alternatively, he changed his wording to something else entirely yet similar.
“We haven't had a feast together in a while, haven’t we?” He prompted, not really expecting a response as Mydei deliberately ignored him. Instead, he gets another question, well, more like a demand.
“Let’s head to this new eatery,” The kremnoan pointed out.
Phainon hadn't noticed that there was a new restaurant downtown, he wasn’t keen on finding new places to eat anyway. Once they reached the place, he took a glance. The shop looked fairly neat with some miniature messes but you can tell it’s new since there were signs everywhere about its recent opening. A certain number of the posters pasted indicated the store’s speciality in honeycakes. The hero of Amphoreus wasn’t surprised one bit that his rival would want to dine in a location such as this. In fact, the white haired male took this as a chance to tease him about his food choices.
“Of course, you would enjoy eating in a place like this,” He mocked, eagerly trying to rile the man dressed in red, “I’m quite astonished that the prince of Castrum Kremnos would be a sweet tooth.”
Mydei again, pretended to not hear him.
“Are you not gonna say anything to that?” Phainon whined, lightly jabbing his back to get some sort of answer from the blonde.
“Was I supposed to reply?” The prince groaned.
“Yeah, it’s not entertaining if you don’t say anything,” The hero sulked, still brushing his fingers on Mydei’s back.
“Bear with it,” The kremoan said, then following it up with a question of his own, “Do you miss our bantering that much, Deliverer?” He raised an eyebrow at the other.
“Mayhaps,” The latter vaguely answered, not giving the prince a satisfactory response, “What are you going to do about it, Mydeimos?” The man’s annoying smirk plastered back on his pretty face, challenging the other warrior into a small jest between them.
A competition Phainon took it as, like everything else that they do. However, this time it was only in his mind, a quiet competitive dare of teasing. He did not need Mydeimos to accept his preposition, after all the fight had just begun.
First round started.
“You—” His statement unfinished.
While Mydei was about to retort back, the waitress of the restaurant opened its doors, welcoming the two heirs. A sweet fragrance encircles them, the scent of the sugar glazed pastries could be smelled from a mile away.
The two men stepped inside, disregarding the contest for now. The dining room was clean with no speck of dust in sight. There were only a few customers in the area, around seven people, including the two of them. The two walked in deeper, standing beside a table with two unoccupied seats. Mydei and Phainon both grabbed a chair on opposite ends of each other, sitting face to face. After a minute or two, the maid came to their desk, ready to carefully take their orders. She appeared to be heavily concentrated, afraid perhaps. After all, it was the Chrysos Heirs ordering from a recently established shop.
“S-so, Lord Mydei and Lord Phainon, what would you like to order?” The girl stuttered, shakingly taking her notepad out.
“I’d like to take the special Golden Honeycake,” Phainon charmingly ordered. The waitress swiftly wrote off his request in her pad.
“One Golden Honeycake for Lord Phainon,” She repeated, “What about you, Lord Mydei?”
“Do you have anything special?” Mydei asked as he flipped over the menu the eatery offered.
“Uh, as you both may know, we are a newly settled restaurant for just about a week–so we have a few discounts for our special honeycake flavor,” She said quite excitedly, “It’s called Buttermilk Honeycake, it’s made out of the best milk and butter in town, topped with the sweetest honey you would ever taste. It’s quite popular among our regulars here.”
“I’ll try one of those, thank you.” The young waiter nodded. She soon left their table after noting down their everything and then coming back to give them their drinks.
“For once you’re not getting your typical pomegranate juice,” The white haired man remarked, watching the other drink his strawberry juice.
“I would have but they didn’t have any so I went with their next best in the slot,” The latter answered, putting his glass down to the table, “While you, Deliverer, being as irresponsible as ever.”
“Oh c’mon now, you know I’m not a lightweight like you,” He taunted as he grabbed his wine from the table, taking a few sips from it.
“Hmph, I’m not a lightweight, I just personally dislike the taste of alcohol,” The other chimed in.
Before the hero could respond, the waitress suddenly came back to their table, setting down their honeycakes. The two thanked the woman before going back to their usual bickering.
“Pfft—right, because it’s too bitter for you,” Phainon commented, receiving a glare from the prince. It would’ve been threatening if it weren’t for the fact that the man in front of him was downing on his cake like a child who hasn’t eaten in decades, giving himself a generous bite of pancake each time. The knight snickered while Mydeimos did not say a word. The silence from the crowned prince was a signal that the ongoing back and forth had ended and Phainon knew Mydei lost to this small banter.
‘One point for me and zero points for Mydei,’ Phainon counted in his own head, smiling. A silent individual goal to win this one-sided rivalry.
“What’s with the face? Why are you looking giddy like that?” The person with the zero points questioned. The knight took a brief peek at his plate, half of it nearly devoured. Phainon snorted for a bit before replying.
“Nothing, your highness,” He sing-songed then ate a piece of his dessert. Mydei let out a frustrated exhale but didn’t comment on the Deliverer’s eccentric behavior. The prince continued salvaging his food while Phainon took secret glances at the man.
‘Cute, I’ll tease him a few more times,’ Phainon competitively said in the comfort of his mind.
Round ended.
‘Mydei, where are you?’ Phainon thought to himself, he had been searching for the kremnoan for the last hour–the man searched everywhere but to no avail.
Apparently, the crowned royal had to go do his ‘private shift’ of something or whatever the warrior called it, so the two didn’t meet much during dawn throughout the whole week. Meeting only in the dark of the chambers in the bathouse to say a speedy greeting before leaving off to their own private accommodation.
As much as it bothered him, Phainon refused to admit to himself that maybe he missed the other’s company a little too much. He has long accepted the fact that he found the other Chrysos Heir to be reasonably attractive—physically and personality wise, especially after denying it for an extensive period. But, even if he was a tiny fraction attracted to that barbarian with manners, Phainon rejected his heart, his deep desires. The idea that he would want to have something more than just what they are now is a terrifying conception. They were both formidable fighters and part of the Chrysos Heirs, each with their own strengths and flaws—as a result, they have responsibilities to accomplish, leaving no room for such trivial deeds such as romance.
Out of fear, the boy savior pushed that notion into the back of his brain, hoping it would soon be forgotten like a lost memory.
After what felt like forever, the hero finally found the person he was hunting for. He looked ahead to see the half-naked figure occupied with a bunch of.. kids? The knight rushed to Mydei, trying to see what he was up to but was shocked to see the man covered in pink ribbons and sparkly make-up splattered all over his face. The male’s eyes were tightly shut but gently fluttered open when the latter moved closer. Phainon looked at him as he tried his hardest to repress the laughter which was stuck in his throat. The royal glanced at him for a small moment then frowned, seemingly disappointed he had been caught in the act.
Second round has begun.
“Myd–”
“I know what you’re going to say, Deliverer,” He started, “Yes, I look ridiculous.” The man stood up, ignoring the complaints of the young children since they were not finished decorating his face with excessive glitter.
The white haired soldier blinked a few times, examining every inch of the blonde’s features before letting his screws loose. He laughed–the loudest it has ever been in a while. It was not lavish, wheezing and making odd sounds like dying dromases.
“Oh my God! This is—” Phainon couldn’t finish his sentence, his laughter quickly erupted blaringly once again.
If Mydeimos’s lips parted into a tender smile, Phainon did not notice.
“Hahah.. hah.. You—I didn’t know you’re a softie like this!” The Deliverer exclaimed, still letting out small breaths, “Dear Kephale, I should take a picture of you,” Phainon pulled out his telestates though he was too slow. Mydei in a flash took the device out of his fingertips.
“H-Hey!” Phainon yelled with a significant lack of venom in his tone, still trying to recover from his cackling fit, “Give it back!”
“Absolutely not,” He gritted his teeth, “You take a picture, I’ll break your telestates in half.”
“You wouldn’t dare!” The male giggled shortly before calming down, his body finally relaxing and his breath stabilizing.
“Do not try me, Deliverer.”
“Fine, fine, your majesty,” The hero relented, lifting his arms up as a sign of surrender, “I promise I won’t snap a photo.” Mydei looked at him, unfazed then sighed as he handed over his telestates to the rightful owner.
However, he was swiftly betrayed as Phainon broke his promise not even a minute after.
Snap!
“Phainon!” Mydei lunged at him, trying to grab the telestates from the marginally taller man, “You said you wouldn’t take a photo, liar!” He pulled the man’s cheeks–whether it was because of aggression, cuteness or both, only God knows.
“S-sorry!” He yelped, his facials still being stretched, “It was too cute and funny, I had to..”
“Delete it right now,” Mydei sternly commanded, letting go of his cheeks. They were truly acting like youthful teenagers as if nothing in the world mattered. That would be a wish.
“But..” He pouted, if he had dog ears, it would be drooping down.
“Now.” The prince glared like a rigorous lion.
“Mydeimos,” Phainon pleaded, “I won’t show it to anyone else, this time I truly promise.”
“Phainon, no.”
‘He used my name instead of ‘deliverer,’ looks like I need to try harder,’ Phainon thought as he inhaled a sufficient amount of air. He prepared himself for the next action he will take, using his charms to entice the latter.
“Please..” Phainon begged once again, this time using his big doe eyes to his advantage. The blonde’s eyes flickered a bit at the act, he saw Mydei hesitate whether he should allow the hero to keep the horrid picture of him or force him to remove it.
A minute or two later, the crowned prince gave in.
“Do as you please, Deliverer but keep your promise or else things won’t end nicely,” The last bits of the threat may sound hostile to a stranger but to Phainon, who was far from a stranger, it meant no harm. Phainon beamed, he was about to thank Mydei for his generosity however, he was interrupted.
“Brother Mydei?” A small child from his side peeked out.
“Hm?” The brother in question hummed.
“Will you now teach us the new fighting style?” He quietly voiced, eyes softly lighting up.
“Right… Meet me in the practice field, I’ll be there shortly,” Mydei told the young boy. The kid nodded happily, running to the open area the blonde asked him to go to.
“Also a teacher, huh?” Phainon smickered, “I learn many new things about you as more days pass by.”
“I thought you always knew.” The white haired man shrugged. Phainon does, he just enjoys flustering the other heir.
“Don’t get used to it though,” Mydei retorted, proceeding to take his leave.
“You’re getting increasingly endearing,” The hero blurted out. In turn, Mydei stared at him as if Phainon’s head had expanded double in size like it was going to explode.
“Whatever you say,” The prince decided to answer. A weak reply, this ensured that the knight won this round.
Mydei soon left but before so, he cleaned up his childish accessories that were everywhere on his visage. Later, when the man was seen again, the bows and face paint that haunted his appearance was nowhere to be seen.
‘Two to zero,’ The white haired man thought as he observed the royal from afar with a couple of junior soldiers.
Round ended.
“Mydei, let’s spar!”
The prince glanced at the sound of his name. He saw Phainon jogging towards him like a puppy catching up to its beloved owner. Mydei slowed down his steps so the other could catch up faster.
“Right now, Deliverer?” He questioned when the latter finally caught up to him.
“Yeah, I’ve finished all my tasks for now,” The hero said, “I’m currently having my little break.”
“Bother somebody else, I’m relaxing alone,” Mydei replied, looking away from the white haired male. Phainon slightly pouted for a second before setting his hands on his hips.
“Are you perhaps forfeiting today’s match, Mydeimos?” He smirked, knowing that this competitive jab would rile the blonde one, “What a shame, I was looking forward to it but look, I have won without trying.”
“No, I just don’t–” Mydei tried replying but then tiredly sighed, “You know what, I change my mind, let’s spar.”
“Really? You know you don’t ha–”
“Accept. Before I change my decision,” He rather harshly told, crossing his arms. Phainon smiled, he knew that this trick would always work against the man before him. Mydei was never easy to persuade yet with his antics towards the latter, it always seems to work. The hero always found it interesting how the kremnoan would easily give in to Phainon’s useless activities. But it only happens with him and nobody else. No matter, it makes things such as asking for a spar far simpler for the knight thus, he doesn’t complain.
“Alright,” Phainon said, “As usual, there will be stakes.”
“And what is that?”
“If I win, you have to treat me to anything I want for the whole day but if you win, I’ll treat you for the rest of the day, deal?” He suggested with a conceited smile. The prince thought of the punishment for a split second before answering.
“I accept it, deal,” The man agreed.
The two then strolled together to a nearby open field for their sparring session. Once they have located a decent place, Phainon got his greatsword ready and armed while Mydei ensured his metal claws were primed. Then both heirs got into their stances, ready to strike a hit on one another.
“Shall we begin, Deliverer?” The prince raised an eyebrow, his claws forming into a fist, red shards appearing around his gold gloves.
“Certainly,” Phainon chirped back, “Ready?” The hero’s weapon in hand changing into an offensive position. Mydei nodded, already in his attacking pose. Once he got the confirmation, Phainon started counting down.
“Three.”
“Two.”
“One.”
Both men dashed towards each other, loud jarring noises and hefty breathing could be heard at an astound distance. The two men fought like their lives depended on this quarrel, colliding together as if they were dancing with the stars that do not shine anymore. Instead, two passionate warriors, fenced and crossed blows, illuminated the entire world. Sounds that were produced were brutal yet musical.
Clang! Clash! Clack!
The fight lasted for a spectacular five hours. That is until the crowned prince hit a devastating strike at the perfect vessel of divinity. Phainon lost some part of his balance after the harsh blow. This created an opening for Mydei to launch another punch.
Crash!
A thump was heard, indicating the match had ended. Both heirs were panting harshly, adrenaline still coursing through their blood and veins. During their swift exchange of blows, Mydei had managed to pin Phainon to the ground using the hero’s blade he stole. The sword was stabbed just right beside the knight’s neck, close but not close enough to injure him.
The hero’s eyes gently flickered open. He saw the other man looming above him, gaze focused on him as his cheeks flushed and sweat dripped from his chin, panting heavily. Phainon could feel Mydei’s breathing right on his nose, their faces were so close that he could see the prince’s lashes in great detail.
Phainon’s heart oddly skipped a beat.
They stared longingly at each other with their chests still heaving heavily, trying to catch their breaths. After a minute or so, the crowned royal grinned in triumph. Phainon stared at him mindlessly then gulped, his cheeks slightly beginning to burn–be it from sweat or something else (his smile), Phainon doesn’t know.
After a few more seconds had elapsed, the winner of the spar was declared.
“Looks like I won, Deliverer,” The kremnoan smugly huffed out, “As I said, I would undoubtedly win,” He stood up and unpinned the man under him, letting go of the blade he held onto.
“Hah.. you just got lucky,” Phainon grumbled before getting up from the ground. He then tidied his attire that was covered in dirt before glancing to see the prince with a cocky smile.
“So?” The man who won uppishly smirked, “It’s time to pay up.”
“Pssh, okay okay,” The hero gave in, “What do you want, my lord?”
“A chalice of pomegranate juice.”
Phainon snorted in amusement. Why is he surprised? It’s Mydeimos after all.
Third Round Started.
“With the milk you always wanted, kitty?” He cooed, “Soft pastel pink, am I correct?”
“Do not call me such trivial names,” Mydei said, exasperated, “And I normally don’t use milk in my juice.”
“Is that so? You seem to like it more when it’s sweeter after battle,” Phainon teased then smirked, “Are you embarrassed because your weakness has been caught, kitty?”
“Tsk, shut up before I make you order five more chalices,” The prince voiced, his ears increasingly turning to the color of roses.
“Mhmm~ as the kitten demands,” Phainon hummed, earning a rough nudge on his stomach from the other, “Ow..! Kitty don’t be such a meanie!”
“Get me five–no, eight more chalices or I’m going to hit you harder.”
“Such hostility!” Phainon called out, chuckling while Mydei rolled his eyes but lips slightly curving upwards.
“Now get it for me, Deliverer,” He commanded the knight.
“As you please, your majesty,” The white haired joked, changing the nickname as to not piss off his rival as much but enough to irritate the other. The kremnoan gave up and let out a long aggravated sigh.
‘Three to zero,’ Phainon thought as the two headed out together to buy the prize for the winner.
Round ended.
“This stupid brat..” Mydei whispered softly as he brushed away some hair from the boy savior’s face who was laying in bed. Phainon grumbled in irritation as he moved his head away to cover it up with his arms. The other huffed, annoyed but let the intoxicated man be.
How did the hero of Okhema get into this mess? Well..
Today, Phainon was tasked by the demigod of romance to search for one of the laziest Chrysos Heirs, Cipher. Aglaea entrusted him to look for the mischievous cat. Though, she did not expect the man to get caught up in heavy alcohol by the end of the search. No one knew how the hero got into this mess because by the time he came back to the city, he was barely walking with his own two legs. Mydei caught him just in time before he crashed towards the ground. They brought him to a private room to rest for now since they couldn’t just barge into the knight’s home without permission.
Aglaea then assigned Mydei to watch Phainon from doing idiotic activities. The reason as to why she had asked him in the first place was because..
‘You know him the best,’ she calmly stated, which was vague to say the least.
Mydei originally was going to decline but after checking his mental schedule that he was quite free, he begrudgingly accepted (also because he’s worried for his crush). As time went on, it seemed he was actually the best suited person for this babysitting job. This is due to how the rivals had gone out consuming liquor together in the past—as a result, Mydei knew to an extent of Phainon’s bizarre alcohol-induced habits.
“How did you get into this mess, Deliverer..?” He questioned, receiving no response. The other heir was too dazed out of his mind to properly reply.
“Isn’t it quite unflattering for the boy savior to be drunk beyond repair?”
Phainon muffled something but the prince couldn’t catch on, his face buried deep into the pillows.
“Speak up, I can’t understand you if you’re blocking your face like that,” The blonde crossed his arms. Mydei leaned back a bit when he realized he was a bit too close to the Deliverer’s face.
“Urgh…” He groaned as he unburied his red colored visage. Phainon blinked a few times before locking his gaze to the other warrior sitting right next to him.
“I.. Where am I?” The drunk hero questioned, “..Who are you?”
Mydei was a bit taken back with how the man could not recognize him, “Hm, the hero of the eternal holy city does not recognize me? How amusing.”
“I.. I don’t know what you’re talking about but you’re very pretty like an angel,” The drunkard bluntly said then chuckled. Mydei was stunned from the sudden compliment, he could feel himself blushing slightly. From the many times he went out with the other, he usually isn’t this bold with his words, the knight must’ve been incredibly wasted right now.
“Pardon?” He coughed.
Fourth Round Started.
“I said what I said,” Phainon hiccuped as he tried getting up from the bed but was swiftly stopped by the prince. He held the intoxicated man’s shoulder, stopping him from moving even more. Phainon complied easily as he melted to the other’s touch.
“You’re not allowed to leave, Deliverer. You’re drunk,” He sighed, “Stay here, I’m going to grab you a drink.” As the blonde was about to stand up, his wrist was pulled back by Phainon who looked at him with blue starry eyes.
“Don’t leave me,” He clinged on Mydei, grip growing stronger when the prince tried to wrangle his hand away, “Stay, pretty angel.” Mydei sighed and sat back down to his seat beside the bed. Phainon grinned so brightly it could outshine the sun.
“Thank you, pretty angel,” Phainon whispered, his hand still grabbing the other’s wrist as if the ‘angel’ would fly away.
Mydei huffed, “Hah? Angel.. what a ridiculous description to say about me.”
“Are you not?” Phainon looked at the man with saddened droopy eyes. The more Mydei observed the hero, the more he resembled a lost pathetic dog.
“No, I’m not an angel,” He provoked the man, to get a reaction out of him.
“I don’t believe you,” The hero frowned and crossed his arms.
“Why is that?” He raised an eyebrow. Very drunk Phainon is quite a fascinating phenomenon. After all, when can Mydei see the perfect hero of Okhema ruined like this ever again? (Soon probably).
“Hmm.. I’m not sure but I think you’re amazing,” He complimented though dazed, it seems the alcohol inside his body won’t be departing soon instead, it’s tampering with his brain.
“How so?”
“Because you’re taking care of me right now. I think helping others is an amazing deed,” The white haired man explained, “I hope to be able to help everyone too since I’m just a nobody with nothing good despite what everyone says.” Mydei blinked once then twice, he doesn’t know where this conversation is going but he doesn’t want Phainon to disregard himself as incapable like that.
“You will,” Mydei replied, “Do not take no notice of your actions like that, you're the Deliverer for the world. You mustn't let fear control you.”
“Haha, dear angel, you are so sweet!” He chirped out, “Your words remind me of someone I am close to.”
“Mhm.. who is it?” The man asked even if he may already know the answer long before.
“My foe and friend, Mydeimos,” Phainon excitedly answered, “He’s someone I rely on a lot and someone I see as my equal. I admire him a lot.”
“Really?” He was amused. Mydei knew both he and Phainon see each other as equals and oftentimes acknowledge each other’s strengths but having it admitted out loud like this with no teasing is quite rare.
“Of course, he’s handsome, smart, charming, pretty, sweet and really adorable too..” The knight rambled, “Oh also, he has quite a nice body. Those big pecs and biceps are breathtaking. Did I also mention his length? I heard from many rumors that he has a really lar–” Mydei’s hand suddenly covered his mouth, his ears were going to catch on fire if he let the hero talk even further.
“Let's.. change.. topics for now,” The kremnoan uttered, his face reddening.
“Awh, I was going to tell you about him even more though,” Phainon muffled, whining like a child. It would have been rather cute if he didn’t say the next few carnal sentences, “He’s so muscular like God carved his body. I think he could crush me to pieces if I didn’t train my body to be on par with him. But to be fair, I wouldn’t mind. That'd be a dream, getting choked out by his pe– hn hmmph!” The prince tightened his hold, zipping his lips even further.
“That is enough, you are now going to bed, Deliverer,” Mydei tucked him into bed, ignoring the exaggerated whines from the drunk hero.
Four to zero. Although, Phainon did not realize he won nor did he remember.
Round ended.
Days have gone by since the last encounter, today, it was not much different. The light from Kephale still ignited Okhema, bright as ever.
Mydei and Phainon had gone out to the city to fix Phainon’s blade that was slightly chipped by a titankin. The two had reached out for help towards the best blacksmith, he told them to wait as it gets repaired. So here they are now, walking around the market together as they wait.
“You were careless, Deliverer.”
“It was once! I didn’t expect the titankin to bite off my sword like that,” Phainon sighed, “It never happened before, this was a first.”
“Excuses,” Mydei quipped back, “You were not paying attention if you focused, you would have seen the monster was behind you.”
“It was just an unfortunate mishap,” Phainon tried to back up, “Er, anyway, what about we do something else? I don’t really wanna hear you nagging me right now.”
“Tch, fine,” He grunted, “What is it you’d like to do?”
“Hmm.. how about we go around the city? I’m sure there’s many things to do.”
“So, slacking off again?”
“I’m not,” Phainon puffed, “But you’re here with me so you’re also ditching your work.”
“Incorrect. You told me to nurture my wounds thus, I have my reason,” Mydei replied, cunning with his response, “So you admitted, you’re ignoring your duties? What an amazing Deliverer of the world you are.”
“Hmph, I’m clearly taking a short break. You usually tell me to go take breaks if I need it and right now is the time.”
“Whatever you say. I’m just following your judgement.” Phainon sighed but ignored the glare from the man. Instead, he took his attention to a chimera in front of him.
“Hey, look at this cutie,” The hero leaned down and quickly started petting the furball. The animal purred softly into his touch before quickly licking his fingers. Phainon retracted his hand away, groaning slightly in disgust.
“Urm.. well..” The white haired man lifted his fingers that were currently covered in saliva from the creature.
“Do not touch me,” Mydei said, grossed out—while he does not hate chimeras or any animal for that matter, he does not want spit getting on him.
Fifth round started.
“Aw, it’s not that bad,” Phainon grimaced slightly as he stretched out his hand, creating a string of saliva.
“Have it your way,” The prince shrugged, “I don’t want you close to my proximity.”
“I’ll clean it up in a bit, relax,” The knight rolled his eyes, he gazed at the chimera who was pouting, begging to be pet, “Oh look, the little guy is sad now. Why don’t you pet it?”
“Why should I?”
“Because it’s sad! I can’t pet it right now, my hand is all sticky,” Phainon exclaimed, trying to make the other heir touch the little guy.
“Use your other hand then,” Mydei deadpanned as he crossed his arms.
“You’re no fun,” Phainon murmured. The chimera then got closer to them and started rubbing its body to Mydei’s legs, it’s like asking the prince to please touch it.
“See, it’s begging you to pet it. Would you still say no now?”
The man tiredly grumbled, Phainon giggled at the latter’s reaction. How cute.
“I.. guess it can’t be helped,” The kremnoan crouched, taking his hand out to softly pat the red furry. Mydeimos despite being a savage in war, is quite the kind-hearted man. Phainon always found his gapmoe very interesting but he knows better than anyone that this man is not to be fooled with.
“You are quite the softie, aren't you?” Phainon poked fun at him, “I wonder if many have seen this cutesy side of you.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Mydei opted to ignore.
“Do not purposely play dumb with me, Mydeimos,” Phainon muttered, “You know what I’m talking about.”
“Nope,” He said, popping the p, “What I do know is that you talk too much.”
“Pfft, that’s rude of you,” The hero looked at the chimera embracing onto Mydei’s touch then glanced at the blonde who was faintly smiling. Phainon adored that smile, the smile that could kill countless citizens but the prince barely ever grinned. How he wished Mydei smiled more, how he wished Mydeimos softly smiled at him. The knight quickly shook the thought out of his head, not willing to entertain it much further. To pay no heed to such thought, he choose to tease the man.
“Mhm, did you notice something, Mydei?”
“What?"
“The chimera looks like you.” Mydei, unbothered, just stared back at him.
“C’mon! Look at it, it’s a direct copy of you,” Phainon gazed back at the little creature, waving at it. The chimera wagged its tail, happy at the greeting. While the fluffy animal and Mydei have a strong resemblance, they act nothing alike except when Mydei’s loving lionheart breaks through its shackles.
“I’m not even gonna say anything,” He stood up, making the chimera pout at the sudden loss of warmness.
“Aw, poor thing,” Phainon cooed, “You should bring it with you, it’s your twin.”
“Did you hit your head on the wall, Deliverer?” Mydei slandered.
“I’m just saying!” He laughed lightly, “Your words are sharp like knives, you know?” The blonde paid no mind to the comment.
“I can’t bring the creature in. I’m too busy to take care of it,” He replied nonchalantly.
“Wow, you are really a sweetheart aren’t you?” The other man teased, “Not willing for the pet to be lonely, what an angel you are!” Mydei’s eyes widened.
“You–hmph, forget it, let’s go clean your hand up.”
“Huh? So sudden. Mhm, okay, whatever you want, your highness,” Phainon shrugged as he followed behind Mydei.
“Would you ever stop calling me that?”
“Never.”
Five to zero.
Well more of four to zero if Phainon counted it. (Remember, he doesn’t remember one of them).
Round ended.