Chapter Text
The boy couldn't breathe. His lungs desperately sought air but only water responded to his cries. He coughed out all the water until his throat began to feel sore. His small, slender arms flung around wildly, looking for anything to hold onto amid the turbulent waters. Yet, nothing—nobody—reached out to his pleading hands. When hope seemed to be out of reach and staying alive only chipped away at his spirit, the boy yielded to the sweet calling of Death. Yet, Death never came; such is a mockery of fate.
For what seemed to be like an eternity, the boy drifted along the River of Souls. Forever being pushed around by Life and Death until he could no longer tell whether he was still alive or dead.
Mydeimos, my child… The sun of my universe… My world has been robbed off all its sunrises and sunsets. All that remains is a long, long pitch-black night.
Mother?
May my letters and prayers reach you wherever you are.
Mother, I’m right here…
I would’ve offered my life to spare yours, but your father won't allow me. Forgive me, Mydeimos. Forgive us! I shall carry this guilt and despair with me forever. Until fate reunites us again—under Thanatos’ embrace.
No! Mother, I’m here!
“Mydei. Oi, Mydei!”
Mydei jolted awake from what seemed to be a bad dream. It didn't take long for him to collect himself and realize that he had dozed off at the Chrysos Heir Bathhouse. He also remembered someone else being in the pool with him.
“Phainon.”
“Are you okay?” Phainon asked. “You were making weird noises in your nap earlier. A bad dream?”
Mydei crossed his arms over his chest and readjusted his back against the poolside.
“The essential oil. It's starting to give me a headache, making me feel drowsy and unpleasant,” he added with sharp accusation in his tone, “A result of your clumsiness.”
Phainon could only managed a sheepish laugh. After all, it was his fault that forced them to take an urgent bath in the first place.
A few hours ago…
“You want me to help you look for her parents?” Mydei asked. His eyes flitted between Phainon and the little girl hiding behind Phainon’s legs. She was practically the same height as his knees.
She seemed to be wary of Mydei, which he didn't find surprising at all. He was aware of his no-nonsense demeanor, after hearing comments from Phainon and other Chrysos Heirs. Not that he cares anyway.
“She told me her family just arrived here a few days ago,” Phainon said ruefully. “I think she's among the batch of refugees that we evacuated to Okhema recently. No wonder she doesn't know her way around.”
Mydei turned his gaze from the little girl to Phainon—and instantly regretted his action. Phainon was flashing his puppy face at him; a sly attempt to wheedle Mydei into helping him out.
“Fine. I would've helped her myself if I was the one who found her instead of you.” Mydei regarded Phainon's appreciative grin with disdain. “It simply hurts my pride knowing a fellow Chrysos Heir unable to do such a trivial task on his own and having to seek my help.”
Phainon let out a heavy sigh. “It can't be helped. The girl can barely speak. She's still very young. The only details that I could get from her were her full name and her parents’ hair colours.”
An idea popped up in Mydei’s head. “Have you try consulting with Aglaea? Surely her golden threads could easily locate any nervous couple milling about in the city looking for a missing child.”
“I tried to contact her but she never answered. My guess is she's either occupied in a meeting with the elders or a shitload of paperwork.”
And so, fate obliged the two heroes to accomplish the mission. Eventually, they succeeded in reuniting the lost child with her parents, who were spotted looking for her at the market area. The parents wanted to reward the two heroes, but the latter declined respectfully, claiming that helping troubled citizens is a part of their duty as Chrysos Heirs. The parents kept trying to pay them anyway.
“But our carelessness had costed you plenty of your precious time and energy. We ought to reward our heroes,” the father insisted.
Mydei kept silent while Phainon did most of the talking.
“Rather than rewarding us, we would prefer you keep your money to ease your family settling in this city.”
Phainon instinctively stepped back from the family but his attention was too focused on dismissing them to notice a man walking behind him. In the man’s arms were several vases of essential oils. When Phainon bumped into the man's arms, the vases toppled and the scented liquid spilled onto his and Mydei's clothes.
Fast forward to the present…
“I’m sorry, alright,” Phainon repeated apologetically. “Let's look on the bright side: It's just scented oils, not smelly things like dirt, mud or food.”
“Apologize to me with a duel, Phainon,” Mydei demanded.
A new interest flickered on Phainon's face, replacing the guilt he expressed earlier. “So you want to settle this with a duel, huh?”
Mydei snickered. “Why, are you scared?”
Phainon scooted over until his arm went around the poolside behind Mydei's shoulders.
“After witnessing the way you gently handled a kid? Who would be scared?” His blue eyes glinted with humor upon catching Mydei's dissatisfied glare. “On the contrary, one would've been impressed. The strong and hot-blooded crown prince of Kremnos carries a little girl on his shoulders because he took pity on her when she got tired from walking.”
“One more word and I will carry you on my shoulders, then throw you out of this bathhouse like a cannonball.”
Phainon laughed. “Relax, Mydeimos. Aglaea would kick us out of this sacred bathhouse if we conduct ourselves in an unheroic way.”
“I might commit something unheroic if you don't shut up now,” Mydei muttered, almost to himself.
“Oh, what is it?”
Mydei broke off with a low grunt, refusing to say another word.
The humor in Phainon's eyes softened into something affectionate as he observed his solemn friend.
“You know, you look unusually charming when you go easy on others.”
Mydei's first instinct was to retort an insult but he was too stunned to speak. In spite of his serious expression, his heart actually skipped a beat upon Phainon describing him as charming.
Phainon went on, “You said you didn't care, but you quietly watched over the child.” Mydei gave him a questioning side eye. “What? You think I didn't notice it while I was busy asking around at the market? She became anxious and confused over time; you offered her words of reassurance. She got tired from walking; you carried her on your shoulders. She held your hands; you let her be.”
“God forbids a man be kind toward a poor lost child,” Mydei muttered sardonically.
Phainon snorted. “It was a rare sight, you know? You always look serious with that eagle-sharp eyes of yours. Not to mention your Kremnoan pride sticking out like a sore thumb.”
Mydei took offense at his words. “Is there something weird with my Kremnoan blood?”
“No. In fact, I was actually relieved to see that you are capable of love and loyalty. You love Kremnos and its people more than anything in Amphoreus. And now I found out that you are also capable of being gentle on others. But still…” Phainon's tone dropped to a mock sadness. “You're always so serious with me. You shrug off my attempts at starting a friendly conversation with you.”
Mydei ignored his complaint and proceeded to rinse water all over his body.
“Enough chiding from you, Phainon.” He stopped short when he felt something was wrong with the water. “Strange. I feel warmer than before? Is it the water?”
It suddenly occurred to Phainon that he also felt like the water had become a bit warmer, but as he splashed water on the back of his neck, it felt just as cold and refreshing as when they first dropped in earlier.
It was not the water, he realized. It was the essential oils. Whoever sniff those will have an odd reaction where their body heated up in stimulation toward the wearer.
Mydei stood up, already lost interest in bathing. His lean and muscular figure was a spectacular sight under the sunlight illuminating the bathhouse. Trails of water and golden liquid shimmered over his body, adding an irresistible wet sheen to it. His bathing attire clung tightly to his wet skin, threatening to expose the fullness of his body shape.
He was about to leave the pool when something caught his wrist. He glanced down to see Phainon's hand clasped on his. Their eyes met. For a moment, they remained unmoving, as if they were awestruck with each other. An unfamiliar warmth radiated under their joined hands, then shot up to Mydei's heart and the lower part of his stomach. He was aware of his growing nervousness, much to his chagrin. He wished Phainon didn't notice his quickening heartbeat from the touch.
The first person to break the silence was Phainon as he deliberately stood up and closed the distance between them.
His voice sounded strained as he mumbled to himself, “May the Gods conceal my next actions from the Goldweaver.”
“What do you mean—” Mydei froze in alarm when Phainon leaned toward him, so close that he could feel Phainon's breath tickling his neck.
“You smell so nice,” Phainon whispered to his ear. “Seems like you still have some of those essential oils on your skin.”
Throughout Mydei's life, he had fought countless life-and-death battles, challenged so many soldiers and warriors to duels. He had no fear throwing himself into combat, no matter how brutal it was. And every single time, he emerged as the champion. The people of Kremnos sung his name in glory, acknowledged him as the strongest warrior in Castrum Kremnos. The fearless, invincible crown prince of Kremnos.
But right now he was fearing this one battle that he never asked for. Phainon's closeness appeared to be a huge challenge for Mydei as he struggled to stay calm.
Alas, his shaky voice betrayed him, “Same goes for you, Deliverer.”
Phainon hummed in contemplation. “I guess none of us can leave the bath yet. Not until these scents wash off completely, unless you want every single person in Okhema to follow you like bees attracted to an exotic flower.”
“You call me an exotic flower?” Mydei recoiled from what he had just heard. His distaste lasted only for a second before Phainon grabbed his waist and pulled him closer.
“Why not? You smell like one right now, Mydei. Very enticing. I wonder what the nectar tastes like...”
Phainon licked the water on Mydei's shoulder and neck. Mydei's body tensed up gingerly. Phainon tightened his grip, sliding his other hand on Mydei's back to keep him in place. He felt Mydei's solid muscles flexing in his embrace; the stimulus awakened something low in his stomach. Aroused, his licking intensified into sucking and nuzzling. His mouth continued exploring Mydei's neck until he heard Mydei gasped against his hair. Bingo. He pressed a triumphant smile into that sensitive spot, kissed it, licked it and sucked it. Mydei couldn't help but arched his neck in pleasure, as if wanting Phainon's mouth to stay there forever.
“Sweet and succulent nectar,” Phainon whispered. He smiled again when he heard Mydei groaned softly in his ear.
Mydei tried to come up with a witty response but his head was clouded with pleasure to think. He grabbed Phainon's arms, unsure whether to push him away or pull him closer.
Phainon answered Mydei's hesitation by lifting his face to meet Mydei's eyes again. Then, they kissed. Phainon held their lips together in a long, stiff kiss. There was a sensual promise in the way he ended the kiss with a soft nudge of his lips. His eyes lingered on Mydei's lips for a while before he went for it again, this time brushing his lips against his teasingly. He stroked Mydei's lower lip once with the tip of his tongue. Groaning, Mydei responded by pulling him into another kiss with a force that parted their lips. Phainon welcomed the invitation, reaching for the inner depths of Mydei's mouth. He searched deeply with aggressive thrusts of his tongue. Mydei released a throaty growl, answering Phainon's demands with his own tongue. They kissed again and again; some were gentle and lingering, some were hard and desperate. Their erotic noises blended with the sounds of flowing water and echoed through the Chrysos Heir Bathhouse.
Phainon stepped up the game by bringing both his hands to Mydei's bottom, urging him against his hard erection. Mydei jerked at the sudden movement, panting hard. Phainon softened his kiss to absorb all the sounds that Mydei made in his throat. Their hips rubbed in a lazy, deliberate rhythm, building up sensation in each other.
“Wait.” Mydei interrupted, his voice a hoarse whisper. “We should leave the bath. It's too slippery here.”
Phainon considered Mydei’s words with a dazed expression.
“No. We're just getting to the best part.” he said, locking his grip on Mydei's bottom. “Besides, I like it when both of us are wet and slick. Makes us easier to move, don't you think?”
“I knew you'd say something like that, Deliverer.” Mydei broke out of Phainon's hold, dragged him by the arms as they got out of the pool until he found one of those floor sofas arranged in random corners of the bathhouse.
Phainon simply chuckled, letting Mydei led him wherever he desired.
Mydei took off his bathing clothes. Phainon did the same with his. As soon as Phainon finished undressing, Mydei lunged at him like an impatient lion, laid him on the floor sofa and straddled him. Their faces were just a few inches from kissing.
“You want to take over?” Phainon asked playfully, one hand hooked on Mydei's hip.
“Huh?” Mydei responded with his usual indignant note. “Are you implying that you won't finish what you started, Deliverer? Coward.”
In the blink of an eye, a swift movement flashed before Mydei's eyes, followed by a soft thud. He discovered, much to his enthusiasm, that they had swapped positions. He was now lying on the sofa while Phainon on top of him. He felt his legs being pushed upward by Phainon's thighs as Phainon bent down to his lips. Mydei moaned helplessly at his deeply stirring kiss, his hands wrapped around the back of Phainon's shoulders. His moans caused Phainon to moan as well. Soon, they were both drowning in wet, moaning kisses. None of them could tell who was ravaging who. Their lips sought each other so hungrily, tongues caressing and conquering each other's mouths.
Phainon's fingers artfully skimmed over Mydei's body. Starting from his neck, down towards his collarbone, his chest, his abdomen, the masculine curves of his ribs. And he stopped at a jutting, hard length between his legs. Mydei instantly writhed at the touch, his movement sparked an erotic friction against Phainon's skin that made his length became hard and aroused too.
He brought his erection against Mydei's, rubbing and nudging softly. Mydei arched upward and let out a muffled cry, his body eager to welcome Phainon inside him. Phainon kissed him again while his hand crawled down until he found a wet patch of warm moisture. His fingers struck the hole, delicately stroking and molding to make it wetter. Mydei squirmed at every flick of Phainon's fingers, lewd noises slipping out of his mouth in a rush of desire. Phainon savored all his sweet pleas with his mouth.
After what seemed to be ages, Phainon finally tore his mouth and groping hand from Mydei. He rested his forehead on Mydei's, allowing both of them to catch a breath while basking in each other's longing gaze.
When Mydei felt his legs being pushed apart, he knew that the moment of respite was ending. Once again, he wrapped his arms around Phainon's shoulders readily. Phainon's weight finally descended, heralding a silken pressure on Mydei's most vulnerable opening. He felt something impaled him with a hard, burning force that he moaned sharply at the sudden pain.
Phainon pushed deeper, taking full possession of him. Then he went still with great relish, except for the rising and falling of his chest. He needed a second to silently feel their joining—and Mydei's flushed face. He chuckled quietly, kissing Mydei one last time before he buried his face in the curvy spot between Mydei's neck and shoulder. He started thrusting—long, deep thrusts—and Mydei threw back his head in ecstasy. Phainon took advantage of the opening to shower Mydei's neck with sucking and biting kisses. They both moved according to Phainon's rhythm, sharing a wild pleasure that transcended both physical and spiritual boundaries. Their moans and cries merged as one, their body reactions evoking delight within each other. Phainon's thrusts made Mydei writhed in mindless excitement, Mydei's writhing made Phainon thrusted in mindless excitement.
By the time both of them gained their release, they had no more energy to steady themselves. Mydei unhooked his arms from Phainon’s shoulders, letting them plop wearily on the floor sofa. Phainon cradled Mydei's head and pulled him into a hug, holding him tightly despite his trembling arms.
“Shall we leave now?” Phainon asked.
“Yeah, before Aglaea kicks us out of here,” Mydei replied.
Yet, none of them made the first move. The next thing they started all over again; their bodies tangled up and moving with carnal desire, their voices reverberated through the walls of the private bath. When delirious fatigue finally consumed them, they laid down next to each other on the floor sofa, staring blankly at the ceiling while discussing warfare and how to defeat Nikador.
None of them seemed to be aware—or pretending to be unaware—of their loosely-intertwined fingers at each other's side.