Archive of Our Own

Mydei slowly removed his gauntlets from his arms and methodically stretched his fingers one by one. Weariness tugged at his bones, but not one that came from an exhilarating fight. It was one that prickled at the edge of his consciousness, dragging his thoughts under like wading through mud.

The month of Joy was upon them, with fertile soils and flourishing lands cultivating a bountiful harvest. The market was bustling with people excited for the upcoming festival, with faces more relaxed and voices light with anticipation. Jaded soldiers who had returned from expeditions and laborers who worked tirelessly throughout the months could finally relax in this bright atmosphere, drinking and laughing away their worries like a spring tide. 

Mydei had been specifically invited by Aglaea as a consultant for the festival a week ago. This event, which would be held for three days, was going to involve a plethora of different cultures — some of which have a poor reputation, mainly the Kremnoans. Since this was going to be the first festival that the Kremnoans would experience after departing from their homeland, it was important to make sure that they had a taste of home to enjoy and to feel represented. 

Thankfully, the proceedings haven't been met with any complications. The workload, on the other hand, was more overwhelming than any tide of monsters Mydei had ever faced. His days were full of meetings and coordinating with various people, and while Mydei could hold a conversation, he wasn’t exactly as well versed as a certain golden hero whose tongue was as slippery as a serpent.

After Mydei undressed from all of his armor and changed into night clothes, he laid on his bed while letting out a heavy sigh. It was well past Curtain-Fall hour, and he couldn’t waste any more time ruminating on his thoughts when he had to wake up early tomorrow yet again. There was still so much to do with just one more week until the festival officially began.

But despite rolling around in his bed for a while, sleep continued to evade him. Mydei had so desperately tried to ignore it because he was a man of habit and he knew how important sleep was, but something was gnawing in the depths of his stomach: a familiar heat whose name was just as known on his tongue.

Another deep sigh, now one full of heat. The flickering embers flared up with longing, refusing to calm down.

He misses Phainon. He really misses him, and now he can’t get his stupid boyfriend out of his mind and feels ready to explode from pent-up lust. His body was giving a familiar reminder that he hasn’t seen his lover in a month and now it was craving for his touch. 

A month of no physical contact wasn’t something unusual for the two. It was normal for them to not see each other for a long time, especially considering the roles that they had. As Chrysos Heirs, it was their duty to eradicate the remnants of the Dark Tide that leeched on the corners of Amphoreus. They were a guiding light in a growingly decadent world, and they had to be unwavering in their role, steady in the eyes of the people. The fact that their destinies were tied to the Flame-Chase Journey was something that they both acknowledged and wholly accepted without hesitation.  

But still, there was a small part of Mydei that longed to spend time with his boyfriend. To want to feel his presence as he sinks his body further in the other’s embrace, feeling his heart beat in tandem with his own. To feel wandering hands on sensitive skin, to feel his tongue leave trails of mind numbing desire in its path. Just remembering those feverish moments made Mydei’s head spin.

The prince was never this reactive to these types of sensations before. While traveling with the Kremnoan Detachment, which consisted of only soldiers with too much energy to spare in a close proximity, physical touches and contact was to be expected. An arm over his shoulder, hands brushing past each other while grabbing food, limbs thrown every which way while huddled up in their camps. It was a daily occurrence that held no real importance, especially in a culture that was never prudent about showing off their bodies.

Most of the physical touches Mydei encountered in his life was cloaked in violence and bloodlust. Up ‘til the point he had escaped the Styx River at the tender age of nine, Mydei had only known battle. He had fought, died, revived, and drowned thousands of times in his childhood. The ghosts of love and affection only existed when he dreamed of a mother’s touch stroking his head. Even this too, wasn’t real in the end, not in the way the teeth that tore his flesh apart was. Pain was a constant companion in his turbulent life.

But with Phainon, it all changed. Now even feeling Phainon’s breath on his body made his nerves spark with anticipation. Phainon had managed to carve out his presence in Mydei’s body, leaving phantom sensations that would make his breath hitch.

It wasn’t until Mydei fell in love that he realized touches could be so gentle. Unwavering in its pursuit of pleasure, reverent in its deliverance, adoring, loving, encompassing; so many things conveyed through every touch. 

So this is what it felt like to love, Mydei would think in Phainon’s embrace. To be loved so ardently and shown physically in ways that his body would remember. 

It was different. It was addicting. 

Mydei felt another pulse of heat, and he couldn’t help but curse Phainon in his mind. It wasn’t like Mydei was prudent, as he would always take care of his bodily needs when it was required. But after sharing his body with Phainon, he could never satiate his need for mindless pleasure without being reminded of how much better Phainon was at it. It was maddening. Whenever they were both present in Okhema, they would regularly have sex. Multiple rounds, in fact. 

But now that Phainon had been away for a while, all of his pent up energy was building up.

He couldn’t sleep like this. 

Mydei slipped his hand under the waistband of his clothes letting it curl around his aching length. As he brought himself to release, all he could think about was how he longed for Phainon’s hands and that comfortable heat.

The dawn device was still as bright and ever-present as ever, with the rays sending gentle warmth on the holy city below.  It was the beginning of entry hour, where people were still amidst their daydreams as they woke up one by one. It was quiet, and there were only a scant number of people wandering about amidst the streets. 

Mydei, who was a natural early riser, stood on top of the rooftop at his usual spot in the middle of the quiet market. He scoured the streets that were slowly being adorned with more decoration as whispers of activity continued buzzing in the air. It was one of the first festivals being held in a long time and the excitement was immensely palpable in the city. Everything was slowly making its place, and Mydei felt the tension in his shoulders ease away a bit.

If only this peace could last forever.

“Mydei!” 

The prince felt his body lurch forward as a pair of arms wrapped around his waist. With a grunt, Mydei stabilized himself and sent a glare over his shoulder at the idiotic perpetrator, who was the only person in all of Amphoreus who would have the audacity to invade his personal space like this, when he paused at the sight of the other’s expression. 

Haggard couldn’t even begin to describe Phainon’s appearance. His hair was in disarray, with sweaty strands sticking to his forehead. His clothes, which were blessed by the hands of the Gold Weaver herself, was unkept and dirtied with a foul stench, with even the edges of his cape singed from fire. The normally flawless and handsome savior was nowhere to be seen, replaced by a beggar who had escaped from the dredges. If Mydei didn’t know any better, it would be as if Phainon was the one who had surface from the Styx River instead of himself.

Whatever Phainon experienced on this seemingly routine expedition was a mystery that Mydei couldn’t even begin to fathom, nor did he want to. Wasn’t the expedition supposed to end in another week’s time? Why did he suddenly appear now, looking worse for wear?

When Mydei tried to readjust his position to get a better grasp at Phainon’s dreadful appearance, the other’s grip on him tightened, preventing any movement. It was as if Mydei was the last rope keeping his bearings together, with the way Phainon held him so close their bodies could practically fuse into one. Mydei grimaced at the sticky feeling, pushing his lover back in response.

“Deliverer, what is with your sad, pathetic appearance? Don’t get close to me.”

Phainon, who didn’t even register his words — or more accurately, didn’t even bother replying — tried to further cozy up with Mydei, much to the latter's disgust. In another attempt to get the leech off him, Mydei tried prying away the other’s hands from his waist, but the other man would smack his hands away as if he were a pesky fly. It wasn’t long until they were swatting at each other with their hands in an odd, childish way, not unlike how little toddlers would fight. 

“Did you damage your ears along with that empty head of yours? Let go of me!” Another tug, but his boyfriend’s arms refused to budge.

“No, I missed you! I haven’t seen you in so long, so won’t you let me have this one thing?”

“I’m busy, so stop clinging to me.”

“Busy being your typical brooding self on top of a rooftop like a gargoyle? You didn’t seem that busy when I was watching you.”

Tired of his nonsense, Mydei finally stopped pandering to the other’s antics and turned around to fully face the other man. Though the moment he did, he frowned.

“Tell me what happened.”

Phainon grinned, his smile so glaringly bright and painful that it seemed to hurt just watching him. “What do you mean?”

“Stop acting like you’re fine. Where are you injured?”

The edges of Phainon’s perfectly crafted smile — one that was so beloved by the people around them— began chipping off at the edges, revealing a resigned expression. He began sagging just a bit, leaning his weight towards Mydei’s chest as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Exhaustion was washing over his features now.

“I really can’t hide anything from you, can I? It's just that I encountered a lot more black tide creatures than I expected while traveling back here, and now I'm a bit tired. It's a little embarrassing, admitting it out loud…”

“What’s there to be embarrassed about? It already happened, so there's nothing you can do to change it. All you need to focus on now is recovering."

“But still, I didn't want to show you such an uncool side of myself." Phainon admitted, petulant. "I already look like this, I couldn't show you how weak I felt too. It's normal to want to impress your lover after all."

Mydei quirked his eyebrow, unmoved. "Considering the amount of times you've already embarrassed yourself in front of me, I'm surprised that you're still worried about your image. There isn't much that I haven't already seen. Some mishap isn't going to make me change my opinion of you so easily."

Before Phainon could say anything further, Mydei placed his index finger on Phainon’s lips. Phainon could only blankly stare at the other, feeling the cold press of metal against his mouth. Mydei’s voice was stern, leaving no room for argument. “As much as I would like to continue consoling your pride, there are other things to address first. Traveling a long distance naturally puts a strain on one’s body and mind. Go to Hyacine and take care of it, I’ll send a message to Aglaea on your behalf.”

Phainon, with great reluctance, finally nodded under Mydei’s unrelenting stare. “Fine.” The two strands of hair on his head seemed to droop with him, which Mydei found a little funny. But he was thankful Phainon was safe and in his arms.

“Thank you, Mydei. Since you so graciously asked, I'l listen to your order.” Phainon opened his mouth and teasingly bit his metal covered finger, before taking a step back with a wave of his hand. “You better be ready for me when I come get you later. I’m not taking no for an answer.”

Mydei watched his retreating back in silence with a faint hue of red dusting his cheeks. A residual heat prickled at his finger, an invisible mark of claim that was so lovingly presented to him. Feigning normalcy, he took out his teleslate and sent a quick message to Aglaea explaining the situation, which was met with a short response of acknowledgement. She had probably gauged the situation already, but it wouldn't hurt to message her directly. 

Putting away his teleslate, Mydei began descending down from the rooftop. It was time to start working, and even if he was joyous to see his boyfriend again, he still had to follow through with his proceeding plans. They would meet again soon enough.

Not even an hour later after their brief reunion, Mydei’s teleslate was bombarded with crying emotes from Phainon and a series of rapid-fire complaints that Mydei could hardly catch up with.

As expected, Hyacine was less than pleased when she saw the state of Phainon when he meandered his way in her office, and immediately ordered him to sit down on the examination table. After assessing and bandaging his wounds, she had given a thorough lecture and forbidden him from doing anything strenuous for the next week.

Phainon had tried to persuade her, saying that it had been only mild injuries, but she remained resolute in her decision. Apparently, in trying to hasten the expedition and return home to Mydei as fast as possible, he had overused his body to the point of exhaustion. Paired with the already pre-existing injuries on his body and the accumulation of stress, it was a miracle that he didn't pass out already. 

How idiotic of him. 

Mydei gave Phainon his own lecture through text, though he couldn't be fully mad at the other. The gesture was with good intentions, but it was still incredibly reckless. 

Now with Phainon being barred from participating in any strenuous activities for the past week; he would surely be sad and bored. And with this ban, that meant they had to put their nightly activities on hold.

Mydei walked to his next destination, thoughtful. What should he do to cheer up his boyfriend?

It wasn’t until Curtain-Fall hour that he’d see Phainon again. 

Like the previous day, Mydei had finished all his duties well late into the night. He had wanted to take a quick bath before falling asleep, but before he could even get his thoughts in order, he had felt an intimately familiar hand tug him towards the Mamoreal Palace. 

Before he could process the string of events, he was already sitting down in the Hero's Bath, clad with only a towel wrapped around his waist. His equally scantily clothed kidnapper, Phainon of Aedes Elysiae, wore a satisfied expression on his face while sitting to his right.

Mydei closed his eyes and exhaled, letting the breath rumble out his chest along with his disbelief.

Even when supposedly recuperating, he just had to force Mydei to take a bath together. Not that it was any surprise, really. Nothing could stop the Deliverer when he made a promise; the moment it was spoken into existence, he will always fulfill it. He just didn’t expect it to be on the same day he came back.

“Finally, I get to see you again.” Like in the morning, Phainon leaned against Mydei’s right shoulder. His voice was light and airy, almost drowned out by the sound of flowing water. His damp hair tickled Mydei’s chin, emanating a faint scent of cedar and amber. He no longer looked like he rolled around in a pile of ash, now back to the proper handsome man that everyone was familiar with.

Mydei leveled the other with an unimpressed stare. ”You should be in bed by now, Deliverer. Why did you stay up so late when you were supposed to be recuperating? Taking care of your body is essential as a warrior.”

“I was waiting for you, obviously,” Phainon pouted. “You know that we have to go to the baths together twice a day. I would’ve taken you out earlier, but you were still busy by then, so I just rested until you were free. I already have most of my energy back, see?" Phainon dipped his head and placed a kiss on the center of Mydei’s chest, right on the crimson sigil mark.

Mydei subtly shifted at the warm, moist feeling, "I find that rather hard to believe."

"It's true. When I'm with you, I don't even feel tired at all." Phainon trailed his lips up towards the prince's collarbone, sliding past the divot of carved muscles and strokes of vibrant red that led up his neck. He then playfully nibbled at Mydei’s jaw, teeth scraping against skin before pulling away. 

Mydei shuddered, feeling his heart beat against his rib cage. "Well that's unfortunate. My schedule won’t be free for another six days, at least. You will just have to make do by then.”

“Six days…” Phainon murmured, contemplative. It wasn’t long until Phainon spoke again, seemingly having concluded something in his mind. “Well, you’ll still have time for me at night, won’t you?” 

Mydei’s answer was immediate. “No.”

“Eh? No?” Phainon stared at Mydei in disbelief, voice trembling. “But it’s been a month since we last had sex!”

Mydei brows furrowed as he admonished him, “Don’t say such crude things out loud.” Even if they were currently the only ones in the baths right now, it did not mean that their words were private. It wasn’t like their relationship was a secret from the public, but he didn’t want the other to shout out the explicit details so openly.

Phainon, as per usual, ignored his words. His gaze trailed from Mydei’s face to the rest of his body soaking under the water, back and forth in a whirl of obsessive deliberation. His heavy, repressed emotions spilled out of his lips without pause.

“Do you hate having sex with me? Is it not satisfactory? Did you find someone better? Who is it? I’ll find them and—”

“Stop jumping to conclusions, I said no such thing,” Mydei interrupted. He had no idea why Phainon had even thought such things, but he knew that his boyfriend could be a bit anxious at times. “You just got back. And need I remind you what Miss Hyacine said? You are forbidden from doing any strenuous activities for a week — and that includes in bed.”

Phainon eyes watered at the blunt and merciless refusal, heartbroken. It seemed as if he had experienced some unspeakable transgression, the way that he seemed to be drowning in anguish. “This can’t be… It’s been so long since I last touched you. I won’t overexert myself this time I promise, so let’s just do it once.”

A blatant lie if Mydei’s ever heard one. The prince’s voice was deadpan. “A useless attempt to fool me. You have never ended with just one round in all the times we’ve been together. I know what you’re like, Deliverer, and that’s why I’m forbidding you from entering my room for the next six days.” He knew that if he let the other in his room that it would quickly spiral out of control. Considering how long their sex lasted and how violent they’d get; it would be counterproductive to Phainon’s recovery.

Absolute despair clouded Phainon’s features. He sagged down against Mydei’s chest, akin to a fatally wounded soldier in battle, back curled up and face ashen. Mydei could even hear faint sniffles coming from the man below. Unbelievable.

“So… no sex for the next few days?”

“None. Don’t even think about sneaking into my room.”

Phainon tsked, “Damn.” 

The sheer audacity of this man.

“So what am I supposed to do? Touching you like this isn’t enough."

“I only said that sex was off the table. I never said that for anything else.” Mydei's implication hung heavily in the air. Phainon perked up, no longer moping against his chest.

“So, that means… I can do anything to you as long as it’s not sex?”

Mydei didn’t need to look at Phainon to know that all types of plans were brewing in his boyfriend's shrewd mind. Nonetheless, he agreed. “Only once per day, until the festival starts. Think of it as a reward for your hard work, Deliverer. I’m being quite generous with you right now. ” 

“Really? So I can take you anytime, anywhere?”

“What, surprised? It isn’t like we haven’t done this kind of thing before.” The location has never stopped them before in the past. Their time with each other was limited; whenever an opportunity presented itself, they quickly seized it. Whether it be on the dirt floor after a spar or on the rooftops, not a single surfaced was spared from their coupling.

Phainon looked more than pleased with the arrangement. His smile could outshine Kephale's light at the moment. “Then you better prepare yourself, Mydeimos. I’m not gonna go easy on you.”

“Have I ever gone back on my word, Deliverer? You underestimate me.”

Without missing a beat, Phainon planted his lips onto the other. Mydei’s mouth opens up in response, and soon both find themselves drowning in each other's presence. The contact felt searing, hot, and hungry with pent up energy that thrummed through their veins. It makes electricity arc down Mydei’s spine, hyper aware of Phainon’s hold around his hips tighten, as if wanting to engrave his name on his skin through the touch of his fingers alone. Mydei burns this sensation into memory, giving himself over to Phainon wholly and completely.

Phainon kissed like how he fought: sly and quick-witted, full of confidence and fierceness. Mydei could feel his lips going numb from how Phainon would bite down on them playfully, sharp canines digging into flesh. Phainon’s tongue was molten, licking up each drop of ichor that spilled from the cracks.

They were never more than an inch apart. Whenever one would back away to catch a breath, the other would soon follow in pursuit. Before long, their kissing grew increasingly unrestrained. Water sloshed around with their frenzied movement, as the lewd sound of their lips smacking sloppily in every kiss rang like church bells in Mydei’s hazy brain as his hands searched for any purchase to grasp onto.

Phainon used his tongue to explore his mouth, soaking up all of the little, cute noises that his lover made. The prince himself was engrossed with all the sensations that Phainon so preciously presented to him, from their slick bodies grinding against each other to the way Phainon’s fingers left loving bruises in his skin. The supposedly single kiss had predictably turned into something more obscene. 

Though who could fault them when this was their first real physical contact in a month?

Mydei didn’t know how long they kissed for. He was growing delirious with the lack of oxygen, and after giving Phainon one last probing bite against his lower lip, he pulled away. When the Deliverer chased after him to continue, Mydei stopped his approach with a hand over his mouth.

“No more,” Mydei murmured, the sound raspy and weak. The prince frowned and coughed, readjusting his voice to sound more steady. He moved back, creating more distance between them. “That’s all you’re getting today.”

Phainon, with his wet hair mussed and puffy lips bitten raw, looked painfully dissatisfied at the interference. With his face flushed cherry red and eyes teary, he looked incredibly alluring at the moment, like a divine being who reached the pinnacle of otherworldly beauty. Mydei made no attempt to hide his hunger as his eyes roamed over every visible inch of his boyfriend, until it shifted lower and stopped at the noticeable bulge peeking from Phainon’s towel under the water.

Phainon scratched his cheek in mild embarrassment at the notice, but nonetheless scooted closer once again. “I couldn't help myself. Can you… help me?” 

Mydei refused without a second thought. “Remember, it's one reward per day. I already treated you well enough. Take care of that problem yourself, Deliverer.”

“Wait, wait—!”

Phainon could only stare in shock as Mydei stood up and sped away, so fast that he could only capture his afterimage. All that was left in the silent baths was a Deliverer with the worst case of blue balls he had encountered in his life. Mydei, who had quickly changed clothes and returned to his room, was faced with his own erection tenting his pants. He stared at it, silent.

It looked like he could only comfort himself this night as well. Well, it would change soon enough.

It was the day after Phainon returned to Okhema, that the competition between him and Mydei began in full. 

Although the Deliverer was on break from any vigorous activities, it did not deter him from helping around with the preparations for the festival. He hopped around from place to place giving aid to those in need, whether it be helping the citizens hang up the decorations on the streets to painting posters with children to display. Despite supposedly being in bed rest, the Deliverer was still as active and diligent as ever. 

Knowing the other man as well as he does though, Mydei expected that Phainon would seek him out soon enough.

His expectations were proven true in the afternoon when Phainon appeared right in front of him like a ghost as he was leaving the Mamoreal Palace. There were no words exchanged between them — they both knew what he came for. Mydei briefly wondered how Phainon could easily find him while he was being led away. 

Phainon had taken him into a nearby alcove hidden between two pillars, away from the public traffic on the main street. The space was shrouded in shadows, allowing the place to be almost completely unnoticeable unless one paid close attention. It was just enough for the two of them.

Mydei was gently pressed against the cold, coarse stone wall. Two muscular arms bracketed him on either side of his head caging him in. A mass of white, fluffy hair approached him, and Mydei could feel the other plant his face in the crook of his neck. It was then followed by the sound of intense breathing. The shuddering, heavy inhales Phainon gave had a taste of exhilaration.

Mydei let him do as he pleased, craning his head further to let the other have more access to the curve of his neck. His necklace chimed faintly in the air. “You have ten minutes to get everything out before I need to leave,” the prince reminded. He had to consult with Krateros for some advice, and he couldn’t leave his teacher waiting for too long lest he grow impatient.

Phainon hummed in acknowledgement before hurriedly sucking at his skin, his tongue lapping at the slight salt taste like it was dessert. Mydei let his own hands dip beneath Phainon’s shirt, tracing teasingly with his fingertips feeling up the tense muscles hidden underneath. 

“Already so desperate.’ Mydei huffed out a tease, letting his hands roam from Phainon’s sides to across the broad span of his back. He could feel his lover twitch at the feeling of cold metal on burning skin.

“Whose fault is that, leaving me to deal with a boner alone in the middle of last night,” Phainon quipped back, but there was no real heat in his words. He pressed his body closer, grinding his crotch harshly against Mydei’s, as they both let out a groan at the friction. “It’s not like you’re any better, anyway. You say to have decorum and yet here you are, playing along right with me. I thought you would know more about restraint, Mydeimos.”

Mydei started to move his hips in tandem, becoming lost in the thrill. His dick was positively leaking in his trousers, and he was sure that Phainon’s was fairing no better. They were like beasts in heat as they both tried to reach the peak of pleasure together.

“You talk too much. Just keep moving, Deliverer.”

Yes, if Mydei had more restraint, he wouldn’t be dry humping his boyfriend out in public. If he had more restraint, he wouldn’t be encouraging such behavior out in the open either. But Phainon had openly displayed his wants and needs in such a desperate act that Mydei had to respond in kind to such a generous offer. There was no such thing as backing away in the Kremnoan dictionary, after all. 

The pressure that Phainon applied along with the way they kept rutting against one another… Titans, it felt so good. They both were desperately horny for each other and knew it, but their packed schedule made it so they had to bide their time. With the type of relationship they had, it was inevitable that they would fall to such indecent tactics — after all, love and lust were luxuries in the Flame-Chase Journey. It was only when they were together could they indulge in such hedonistic desire.

“I’m close,” Phainon moaned, hips beginning to stutter in its rhythm. Mydei could feel the other drooling against his shoulder, adding to his own heightened urgency. ‘Just a bit more—”

Mydei could only endure the onslaught of pleasure, rutting against the other man more urgently to bring them to orgasm. Their breaths, the sweat beading down their forehead, the harsh shifting motions; it all culminated into a euphoric high. They could feel it approaching—

Snap!

They both froze at the sudden noise. Their feverish breaths and rustling of their clothes, which once sounded deafening, had disappeared like a wisp of smoke. The main street was still lively as ever, but now there was a noticeable pair of footsteps making its way through the alleyway and approaching their location. Neither of them let out a sound, as still as a statue, blending into the planes of their surroundings in a fruitless attempt to keep their dignity.

Kephale, he was so close. This wait was agonizing, and Mydei knew that his boyfriend was feeling something similar with the way his body twitched in need. He felt like he was boiling alive with nowhere to go, surrounded by his lover. He wanted to move. He wanted to cum.

Just a bit more until the stranger was gone.

The footsteps had disappeared just as suddenly as it came. When they both confirmed that they were the only ones in the area once again, they pounced on each other without hesitation. They continued to rut against each other with renewed vigor, intoxicated by the rush.

“That was so stupid,” Mydei moaned, more aroused than ever before. Phainon’s pervertedness must be rubbing off on him. “You’re stupid, you HKS.”

“You love me though,” Phainon laughed, his tone full of confidence. With them being so close to the edge already, it didn't take long before Phainon came in his pants, with Mydei following soon after. Myde’si head spun with a whirl of colors, overwhelmed. All he could do was lean against the wall, holding Phainon’s body as an anchor. The sharp edge of his gauntlets left claw marks on the other's back, as if wanting to carve into bone.

“Fuck,” Phainon cursed, catching his breath. He was still on the cusp of his high, his arms shaking from the aftershock and pain. He didn't even seem to register the way Mydei's gauntlets dug into his skin. They both stayed silent, trying to regain their bearings after that mind-altering orgasm.

Mydei leaned his head back against the wall, grimacing at the wet, sticky feeling on his crotch and shoulder. He didn’t even have to look in a mirror to know that he looked like a mess. He was going to have to clean himself up before he could meet Krateros like this.

After they had both calmed down, Mydei lifted his hands to lightly tap Phainon’s forearms, which were still caging him inside his grasp. Phainon, noticing this, lowered his arms to free Mydei. Time was up.

Mydei stepped away from the alcove, readjusting his disheveled clothes. “Are you satisfied, Deliverer?” 

Phainon wiped away the trail of saliva on the corner of his lips, eyes gleaming. “Not yet.”

It was the third day in which Phainon had returned to Okhema, and the third day of their challenge. 

Mydei was sitting alone in a conference room alone after ending a meeting with his advisors. While reading over the ledgers and compiling the notes he had written, he heard the door open. A familiar presence slipped in, their gait self-assured and confident, and Mydei could already tell that trouble was soon to follow. 

"You sure have been busy, haven't you," Phainon remarked. While drawing closer, there was an imperceptible pause in his footsteps before resuming.

Mydei spoke up without taking his eyes off the scroll in his hand. "And it looks like you haven't been busy enough, considering how many times you've bothered me. There are other ways to be productive while stimulating your mind, Deliverer."

“Not even a warm welcome to your faithful lover? You wound me." Phainon’s reply came out naturally, but there was a disconcerting edge in his voice. The sound of his heels clacking against the floor echoed in the large room as he approached Mydei’s seat, standing just over his shoulder. His shadow fell over Mydei like a warning. “You look different today. Did you do your hair yourself?”

Mydei's strawberry blond hair, which was normally let down, was now put up into a messy bun alongside his braid. The prince lifted his hand to touch his hair, so gently as if afraid he would ruin it. His eyes softened considerably at the brief memory. “No, it was Laby Tribbie who wanted to try it on me. She insisted on wanting to dress me up, and did this for practice. I’m still not used to other people doing my hair for me. I thought I looked quite odd in it.”

Phainon stared, dazed, before hurriedly shaking his head. “No! It looks nice. Really nice, actually.” From this angle, Phainon could see the expanse of Mydei’s nape. Seeing that small strip of skin, which was normally covered, so exposed gave a sense of sensuality and grace that he couldn’t put his finger on.

Phainon was once again reminded of Mydei’s breathtaking beauty.

It was no surprise to anyone that twelve minutes later, Phainon was jerking himself off to the sight of Mydei face down on the table with his pants shoved to his knees, ass bare for the other man to appreciate. The prince's chiton had been thrown off, leaving only his jewelry to decorate his flushed upper body. The sight of Mydei bent over. barely clothed compared to his own neatly dressed appearance standing over him, was enough to bring Phainon to the edge. Mydei fared no better, sneaking his own hand down to pleasure himself as well. 

“Just stay like that, Mydeimos,” Phainon gritted his teeth, his hand stroking his own cock faster. The sound of his hand jerking up and down, slathered in precum, felt incredibly lewd alongside Mydei's own actions. Phainon's other hand gripped Mydei's hips to ground himself, so hot that it seemed to scorch his skin. 

Moments later, Phainon’s eyes rolled to the back of his head as his body tensed. His hand pumped once, then twice, before a rush of hot cum spurted out of his dick, landing onto Mydei’s asscheeks and the arched crevice of his lower back. His guttural moans sounded like it was being physically torn out of him, his voice utterly wrecked and raw. Mydei himself looked back with tears streaming down his face, his own fist gently holding onto his spent cock. The feeling of Phainon marking him with his cum was embarrassingly hot. 

“You HKS,” Mydei hissed, body limp against the table. A few strands of hair had fallen down from his bun. The forgotten ledgers were crumpled under his body, and his own cum was dripping onto the floor — a decadent evidence of their affair.

Day five was upon them, just one more day until the festival could officially begin and until the restriction was lifted. 

Currently, Mydei was standing beneath a man-made stage in the middle of the plaza with his arms crossed. Castorice, another fellow Chrysos Heir, stood a few paces away from him while appearing as if a weight was lifted from her shoulders. The actors, who had just finished their final rehearsal on stage, were laughing amongst themselves while putting away the stage props.

“Thank you again for coming so suddenly,” Castorice bowed, unable to meet Mydei’s gaze. “I honestly should’ve asked you sooner, but I knew how busy you were and I didn't want to intrude. I just thought that since you were a judge from the Okhema drama festival and indulged in the arts regularly, that you would be able to bring a fresh perspective on my script. It’s the first time I’ve written something like this before, so I was worried about how others would receive it…”

Mydei shook his head, “There is no need to apologize. The play was wonderful. Despite this being the first time as a playwright, the dialogue and emotions you wrote were translated beautifully upon the stage. I’m sure many people who’ll watch the performance tomorrow will love it.” 

Castorice straightened her back and showed a small, genuine smile at the praise. Her eyes crinkled with unmistakable joy. “Hearing that from you feels so reassuring, Lord Mydei. Thank you once again. I'll properly repay you next time once we're both free.”

“I'll look forward to that. Let me know if there’s anything else you need assistance with.”

Castorice shyly nodded. “Ah, actually I was wondering if you were going to attend the dinner tonight with the other Chrysos Heirs. I thought you might be a bit…well, busy later in the day…” Castorice stared at a certain spot on Mydei’s right shoulder with an unnatural burning intensity, and the latter followed her gaze. The space clearly revealed a human bite mark, ingrained so deep that it looked as if it was trying to tear flesh apart.

Mydei tsked. He had told Phainon countless times before not to be so heavy handed with his biting since it wouldn't disappear as quickly, but it seemed that Phainon couldn’t resist. It looks like he’ll have to force the reminder into that thick, dense skull of his.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be there,” Mydei confirmed.

Later in the evening, no one commented when a sheepish Phainon appeared at the restaurant with a large bite mark on his left cheek.

The festival had officially started, and celebrations were long underway. The streets were packed with waves of people, surrounded by various vendors and peddlers selling their wares. Mydei himself was nursing a drink in a private booth, tucked away in the corner of a tavern. All of the other guests who were present prior decided to drink outside to join the festivities, stumbling out the doorway and leaving Mydei alone in the building.

Mydei sipped from his chalice, letting the familiar tastes of pomegranates and milk soak on his tongue.

“Mydei.”

A hand pushed away the curtain that shielded his booth. Mydei’s eyes lifted, meeting a familiar pair of blue dappled in sunlight.

“Deliverer.”

The famed Deliverer, Phainon, stepped inside and sat down on the edge of the seat, scooting next to him in the booth. There was plenty of room to sit at, but of course he just had to be in Mydei’s personal space all the way in the back corner of the booth. He always did that; crowding around Mydei’s space, demanding his attention as if it was his right. “I was wondering what you were doing alone. Not gonna go out and celebrate with others?”

Mydei shook his head, “You already know that kind of environment is not really my thing.”

“Good thing I’m here to keep you company then,” Phainon grinned, eying the simple red chiton Mydei wore. The latter was no longer adorned with golden embellishments, shedding away his armor and opting to dress casually instead. 

Phainon licked his lips. It was more modest than what his boyfriend usually had on, but for some reason it made blood pool in his lower body. 

Mydei placed the chalice on the table and turned to face the other, teasing. “Like what you see, golden boy?”

“Is that even a question? Of course I do.” Phainon answered immediately. There was absolutely no debate about that question. “How is it that even when you’re covered up, you still look like that? Seriously, no matter how much I think about it, that body of yours is absurd.”

“... Are you insulting me?” Mydei questioned, voice low, subtly curling his right hand into a tight fist. Phainon hurriedly shook his head at the movement, before gesturing wildly in Mydei’s direction, as if that was supposed to explain everything for him. It only served to gain Mydei’s ire.

“No! In fact, it’s a compliment! I know that you basically show off your body everyday so it’s not new to me. But your muscles, Kephale, it amazes me every time I see them.”

Mydei, not knowing whether to be flattered or offended, decided to ignore the remark. “Your body is no different from mine."

While the Deliverer’s clothes hid his silhouette well, there was no doubt the muscles carved onto Phainon’s body were akin to that of a chiseled statue lovingly crafted by the hands of a devoted artist. No average person can lift a great sword with such apparent ease Phainon had, nor could they swing it around so swiftly without extensive training.

Phainon preened at the praise. Typical. “Well I am pretty built, but your chest specifically…” His voice trailed off, hands placed on Mydei’s waist. Encouraged by Mydei’s lack of refusal, Phainon slowly slipped Mydei’s robe off his upper body, revealing his bare torso. His hands, rough and calloused, slowly slid up until it was placed right beneath Mydei’s breasts in a cupping motion. 

Mydei recognized the heat in his eyes. That leering gaze, and the way his thumbs started to slowly rub circles around his areolas, teasing as if he wasn’t doing it on purpose. Goosebumps traveled down Mydei’s body, lighting his nerves on fire, and it took more effort than he’d like to admit to keep in his shuddering breaths.

“Why do you keep focusing on my pecs?” Mydei questioned, moaning when Phainon flicked and rubbed it between his fingers. It shouldn’t be sensitive, but all the times that Phainon played with them has left a permanent reminder on his body.

“Who wouldn’t be when it’s so full and soft like this? I can’t resist fondling them,” Phainon’s hands had never stopped moving, playing with Mydei’s nipples as he pleased, soaking up all the minuscule reactions that the other let out. He looked all too pleased with himself, and it was starting to piss Mydei off. 

He had been letting Phainon get his way for far too long. His pride wouldn’t allow him to suffer such a one-sided defeat like this. 

Having made up his mind, Mydei had placed his hands on Phainon’s chest, giving a small push. Phainon let Mydei push him down onto the banquette seat, confusion clouding his features as he lifted his head up, eyes wide as Mydei kneeled down between his thighs. It was a tight fit on the seat for two grown men, but it would have to do for now.

“Mydei…?

Without any hesitation, Mydei unfastened Phainon’s pants and rolled it down along with his briefs, until the other’s large cock sprang free from its restraint, pointing up towards stomach. It was hard and flushed dark red at its tip, with faint veins trailing along its length practically pulsing for attention. Mydei felt his saliva pool in his mouth at the sight. It was hot and deliciously thick in all the right places, easily reaching the places inside Mydei that would make him see stars. But right now he was focusing on something entirely different.

Phainon covered his face in shame as Mydei bent down, taking a deep whiff of that heavy odor emanating from his manhood. Phainon’s dick reeked of sweat and musk, but Mydei couldn’t get enough of it. The mixed smells of dried cum and earthy musk was as addicting as it was filthy. 

“Don’t sniff!” Phainon cried out. How ironic. ” We haven’t even gone to the baths yet—”

“As if that’s ever stopped you before,” Mydei bit back, rubbing his face against Phainon’s length. Precum dripped from Phainon’s urethra and smeared onto his cheek. “I thought you wanted this. And now you want to chicken out? This isn’t even the worst of what we’ve done before.” They have practically explored every inch of each other’s bodies already, so Mydei wasn’t sure why the other was getting embarrassed right here of all places. In fact, Phainon himself seemed to sniff him practically every time they were together, so why couldn’t the opposite happen.

“I—I know!” Phainon sounded affronted, like a damsel in distress. He looked back and forth from Mydei nuzzling his cock to the ceiling above, debating on whether to watch or not. The soft squishy feeling of Mydei’s cheek pressing against his hard cock seemed to make him glance down at his lover again. “It’s just that you’re so fucking hot, and I feel like I’m about to cum just from the sight of you.”

"I've sucked you off plenty of times like this before. This shouldn't be anything new."

"Okay, but have you even considered just how insanely attractive you are? Anything you do will have this effect on me!"

Mydei quirked an eyebrow. “Oh? But we haven't even gotten to the best part yet.”

“Huh? What—Woah!” Phainon yelped as Mydei grabbed his waist and lifted his lower body onto his own lap, becoming caged in between the Deliverer’s thighs Satisfied with the position, Mydei proceeded to duck down until Phainon’s cock rested on Mydei’s chest, right on his cleavage.

Phainon couldn’t believe his eyes. 

“You’re giving me a titjob?!” He wheezed out, nearly hysterical in lust. He lifted his hands in the air, unsure and excited and so hard he felt like his dick would explode at any second. The sight of it all was just so erotic — to his cock laying between Mydei’s beautiful, sizable pectoral muscles, to Mydei’s hands cupping his own breasts that threatened to spill from his fingertips, to Mydei’s hot breath brushing past his cockhead. Phainon’s mind etched all of these images into the back of his eyelids, making sure to memorize every detail of Mydei’s beautiful visage pleasing his cock as if he was made for it.

Mydei hummed, locking eyes with Phainon’s, his plump lips just hovering above his penis. “You don’t want to? I thought you’d like this.”

“No—Wait, yes! Do you know how many times I’ve dreamed of this exact moment?” Phainon’s voice was comically high-pitched, teetering onto the edge of insanity, and Mydei almost felt bad for him. Almost.

“You’re quite dirty minded.” Mydei reached out for his forgotten chalice on the table, still half full with juice. He picked up the cup, and under Phainon’s baffled stare, dripped the remaining liquid onto his own chest. A few drops splattered onto Phainon’s dick below, causing his body to jolt at the unfamiliar sensation. All the preparations were complete.

“Is this the west wind the prophecies were talking about?” Phainon muttered, dazed. He felt like he was going to die from lack of oxygen. He was sure all of his blood was in his dick at this very moment.

Once Phainon’s cock was wedged between his breasts, Mydei slowly moved up and down, trying to get into the rhythm of the motions. The red liquid provided less friction, making the slide easier. While Mydei was familiar with using his hands and mouth to bring Phainon to release, he had never used his own breasts before. This had always been haunting him in the back of his mind, considering the level of fixation Phainon had on his chest that even he couldn’t ignore. Mydei didn’t know why Phainon had an almost unnerving level of obsession towards his pecs specifically, but he wasn’t above using it to his advantage to one up the other. If Phainon wanted to get off, the prince would make sure it was one of the most unforgettable moments in his life.

After a few readjustments, Mydei started to speed up his own movements, intermittently squeezing his breasts together to massage Phainon’s cock. Each time, more precum trickled down Phainon’s length, mixing with the pomegranate juice. The sound of their coupling and Phainon’s pleased groans echoed in the air, so loud and erotic. Mydei felt like his head was being filled with lava with how much it burned. Shame, excitement, and lust all swirled together into something primal. It was stupidly arousing, seeing the contrast between Phainon’s youthful face to his large, exposed cock directly in his line of sight. No one had ever expected for the Savior of all people to indulge in his carnal desires in public like this while out celebrating. The immoral aspect of it all had only turned Mydei on even more.

Mydei’s own cock had tented his pants, announcing its presence, but he ignored that in favor of serving Phainon. The golden boy was currently crying and moaning unabashedly, stomach tense and legs wrapped around Mydei’s back. HIs eyes were wet with tears as the onslaught of overwhelming pleasure. 

“Oh Mydei, please more, please please please.”  Honey dripped from Phainon’s words, sickeningly sweet and needy. Mydei would’ve kissed him if he wasn’t so preoccupied at the moment, so he allowed himself the next best thing by placing a cute peck against the tip of Phainon’s twitching cock. A gentle contrast to the harsh treatment of fondling his tits around the other man’s hard-on.

How exhilarating to have the Deliverer be taken apart piece by piece like this. 

Mydei opened his mouth and licked the tip, closing his eyes as he used his tongue to swirl around the urethra. Up and down, he would alternate between lapping at his tip like a kitten to swallowing only his cockhead, never more. He kept kneading Phainon’s length between his breasts while letting his lips kiss his tip, slurping up the copious amount of precum that dribbled down along with the juice. It was like a broken faucet leaking without pause. 

Phainon has never been more turned on in his life. 

Mydei would never admit this out loud, but he adored this side of Phainon. When his practiced amicable smile broke down into something desperate, of a mortal man wanting. He knew of the heavy burden the other had to carry and the expectations that were forced upon him. He had to make sure that Phainon didn’t lose himself in those expectations by reminding him that he too could indulge in his own wants and needs. 

“Fuck, Mydei, don’t stop.” Phainon whined, rutting his hips along with Mydei’s movements. So hungry, chasing his own pleasure as if Mydei’s tits were the perfect cock sleeve made just for him. They didn’t even care that they were still in public at this point.

Mydei became even more determined, using his mouth to sink deeper onto Phainon’s dick as he lowered himself halfway through. He bobbed his head back and forth with hollowed cheeks, lashes trembling. The prince’s wet breasts, along with the familiar heat of his hot mouth deepthroating him in full, finally pushed Phainon to the brink of orgasm.

“Mydei, Mydei,” Phainon’s hands flew up to cradle Mydei’s head as an anchor, gripping his strands of hair tight enough that it hurt. “Mydeimos, I’m cumming! I’m—!”

Phainon’s cock throbbed, balls tightening before ropes of cum shot up from his slit into Mydei’s awaiting mouth. The prince closed his eyes as he felt the warm liquid coat his tongue, before lifting his mouth off with an audible pop, letting the rest of the cum splash onto his face and the tips of his hair. He stopped using his breasts and wrapped his own hands around Phainon’s dripping cock, leisurely stroking it to wring out every last drop as Phainon continued to orgasm. The moment Mydei milked out all of his sperm, Phainon’s grip on Mydei’s hair faltered and he let his head thump against the seat cushion, utterly blissed out in his afterglow.

Mydei gave one last cheeky stroke, earning a pained whine and trembling thighs from the other at the overstimulation, before letting go of Phainon’s now flaccid penis. He straightened his back, which ached from exertion, but it wasn’t something that he hated. He wiped his own mouth of the slobber before leaning back, letting himself finally take a proper breath. His own heat was still present, but it wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix.

After a few beats of them catching their breaths, Phainon seemed to realize the mess he had made and shot up from the seat, reaching towards his own cape to wipe the residue of his lust on the other’s face and chest. “Ah, sorry! Let me help clean it up.” Phainon cupped Mydei’s face with his left hand, holding it in place as he cleaned him up. Mydei let him do as he pleased, letting clarity wash in after the heat from impulsive and frankly stupid actions had ebbed away.

They were both sore, sweaty, half naked, and now there were all sorts of liquids covering Mydei’s whole upper body; not to mention their ruffled clothes soiled with bodily fluids and juice. It was quite a mess. Not even the roughest days during his expeditions compared to this feeling of uncleanliness. 

Mydei, ignoring Phainon’s constant worrying, used his own thumb to swipe the remnants of cum that hadn’t yet been removed into his awaiting lips. He let the cum roll onto his tongue before swallowing. It tasted salty, but it became diluted with the mix of the pomegranate juice. Not too bad.

Phainon stared at the sight, mouth agape, cock twitching to life once again and rearing its head. “... I really want to fuck you right now.”

Mydei let out a deep laugh, nuzzling his face into his lover’s hand, “What’s stopping you?”

They quickly returned to Mydei’s room after that.