Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The day started out dark as thick, heavy, dark grey clouds loomed overhead threatening to unleash the several feet of snow they contained. The wind whipped through the streets with biting cold and freezing numbness. People hurried either home or to their destinations in hopes of beating the pending snowstorm. It looked like it was just awful outside. Debating on whether to close up early or not, a strawberry blonde man dressed in a loose black sweater, tight black pants, a red jacket tied around his waist, black leather boots with dark red laces, his hazel ambered eyes scanning the streets then the sky again.

The current time was right around when the majority of university students were done with their classes for the day as he glanced at the wall clock. He would stay open just until after he knew all the kids were taken care of if they came in at all. He moved away from the floor to ceiling window he had been standing by, returning to his place closer to the front but not exactly at the front desk. He glanced around at all the tall shelves packed with books, all meticulously categorized and sections organized to perfection. He owned this library, which happened to be the largest library in Castrum Kremnos and was said to be even larger than Okhema's.

It was strange. As he climbed one of the ladder's he had been perched on, he thought back to time now long gone. Castrum Kremnos had been not even a shell of its former glory, abandoned and decaying, the once splendorous city had once laid in complete ruins. Look at it now. A wonder what stopping the black tide had done. Too bad...

"Oh thank the GODS he's still open!" Ah there they are, right on time. University students poured in, all in various states of distress, something that did not come as a surprise to him anymore.

"Mr. Mydeimos! Mr. Mydeimos we have an emergency!"

"Mr. Mydei, help! I can't find the amphibian section!!"

"Mr. Mydeimos! Please help! I have to make a compelling argumentative research paper on-"

"Alright, alright, alright! Everyone settle down, I'm only one man. Let's start with the ones looking for specific books or sections first." Needless to say, Mydei found himself incredibly busy for a lot longer than he anticipated. By the time he was finished, the last student was stumbling out the double doors, arms full of books shouting their thanks and gratitude to the now very tired former Crown Prince. He chuckled. If those kids only knew.

Sighing, Mydei pushed himself off the front desk where he had been leaning on. The library wasn't going to straighten itself out. Thankfully, the students knew better than to leave his library a mess, so they did a damn good decent job cleaning it up before they departed. He still had to pull the trash cans, run the vacuum, check the bathrooms...

"I still can't believe you are here, still running this old ass library. Do you get tired of waiting Mydei?" A familiar voice cut through the quiet of the library but it did not elicit the response the person was gunning for.

"Lady Cipher, if you are going to be here either to bother me or to warm up, at least help." Mydei turned, facing a short, silver haired young woman with cat ears and tail to match. Her playful gaze turned sour as Mydei held up a bucket with cleaning supplies in one hand and the vacuum with a feather duster in the other.

"I'll take the cleaning supplies Mydei." A soft spoken voice piped up from the entrance of the library, catching both Mydei's and Cipher's attention.

"Oh, Castorice, what brings you here?" Mydei smiled down at his long time friend as she grabbed the bucket out of his hand. Cipher sulkily grabbed the vacuum, her tail already puffed.

"I heard the weather in Castrum Kremnos was going to be bad for a couple days. I figured you could use the company. I already dropped off groceries to the back." Castorice smiled up at him as he returned it in full.

"Thank you, Castorice. It is always great to see you. Closing up will be--" The sound of the library door opening and closing cut him off.

"Um... Excuse me, are you still open?" A familiar voice attached to an equally familiar face caused Mydei, Castorice and even Cipher to still in their places. "Oh, you are in the process of closing up. Apologies, what time do you open tomorrow?" They just stood there, staring at the poor  man at the door.

But who could blame them? Tall, pale, eyes as blue as the sky but as deep as the ocean, soft features, snow white hair, stance as well as body build were all so familiar to them. Although he wore a simple white button up shirt, black pants and boots, they all could see who he once was in their mind's eye. Their Deliverer. Their Phainon. Castorice was the first to jolt herself in motion, slapping on her normal gentle, kind smile that always put everyone at ease.

"We are just trying to get ahead of the game before the storm hits. Is there anything specific you are looking for? I'm sure Lor— Mr. Mydei here can help you, he is the owner and curator of this library." Her voice was soft, smooth and sweet, accomplishing in driving out the tension that had rested in the shoulders of this man who looked so much like their Phainon, but painfully obvious he did not remember them in the slightest. Mydei snapped out of it at the mention of his name as well as when that snow haired stranger shifted his gaze to meets Mydei's.

"As long as you say it's alright and you're not actually closing up right now." He sounded so uncertain. Worry and concern bled into his eyes, making it easy to see what he was feeling. Some traits are hard to get rid of it seems.

"We are sure. What is it you need?" Mydei reassured him as he gave him a rather fond, tender smile that seemed to be drenched in nostalgia. Oh how he missed this man so much his heart never stopped aching.

"Um...okay... Well, I just recently moved here to run the Agricultural Department at the Kremnoan University as well as one of the cooking instructors for their cooking course in the Culinary Arts Department. I researched local libraries and bookstores outside of the university to hopefully give some good recommendations to students after they return from winter break. The university library is great but it does not have everything. I'm looking for a place that has more variety to it than just heavily Castrum Kremnos. They need to learn what else there is outside these walls." Mydei's smile softened, yes this was his Phainon but also at the same time he very much wasn't.

"Well then, you are just in luck!" Cipher chimed in, grinning as if she just finished returning from her latest heist.

#######

"That was... Unexpected..." Castorice stared at the double doors of the library, hand clenched into a fist over her heart that ached painfully, she continued to stare forlornly.

"How long has it been? We have not seen hide nor hair of him for so long and look now, he just walked right in like it was a normal day." Cipher sat on the edge of one of the tables, watching Mydei lock up finally.

"It may just be a normal day for him. He gave no indication of knowing us or even remembering who we are." Mydei's voice was quiet, his eyes a bit downcast but both Cipher and Castorice could tell he was hurting.

"We should at least get a hold of Aglaea." Castorice pulled out her phone, staring at Mydei, waiting for approval.

"Do what you will." He sounded so tired with heartbreak and sadness tingeing the edges. "I'm feeling tired. When you are done, I'll be making dinner." Mydei then made his way to the back of the library to a door with a sign on it that read 'Off Limits' and as he disappeared behind the door, Cipher looked to Castorice.

"Go on, call her. She needs to know. If you're lucky, Lady Tribios will be with her." Cipher gave her best reassuring smile as Castorice took a deep breath before hitting the call button under Aglaea's name.

Chapter Text

The days blend together. Mid-term exams were at an end, the last vestiges of the school days were spent finishing last minute assignments, printing and binding thesis’, endless apologies for asking over a million questions to their beloved librarian, and wrapping up group projects. Mydei spent his days checking out books, helping students locate the research material they needed, proofreading multiple papers, giving thoughts, opinions, personal experiences that students only thought came out of some old history book he had read. He did not do all this alone. In the days that followed seeing 'Phainon' , he was visited by Tribios, her long red hair, bubbly personality, cheery disposition, and knack for teaching proved to be of great help.

Then there was Aglaea, who stayed for more than a day, catching a glimpse of 'Phainon' on her second day of visiting and feeling the ache of loss for the first time in years. Her gaze lingered on him for a while until he crossed the street, she then entered the library afterwards. Anaxa took time out of his schedule at the university over at The Grove. He spent his time either helping Mydei or doing research on what seemed to be the reincarnation of their dear friend and his best pupil. Castorice stayed the longest and has yet to leave. The other Chrysos Heirs took turns coming to visit, keeping him company, making sure never to leave him alone.

Mydei didn't mind. Once upon a time, he would have been annoyed, angry even, at the increase of attention. Not now. Decades had bled into centuries, his soul had become so old, ancient even, that once annoyance became grateful appreciation. Besides, he never got over losing Phainon. He had died before it happened. Waking up upon the red crystal throne he swore he had died upon, wounds fully healed, and the black tide gone. It wasn't until they had all met up again in Okhema, those that should have been dead were alive and well, confused and lost. Tribbie had become Tribios once more, regaining her original form, Aglaea had regained use of her threads as well as regaining her very life.

Anaxa had expressed the same growing unease and weariness. Cipher was visibly shaken, something that had never been seen until that very moment. Then, standing before them with solemn faces, were the Nameless and Castorice. They spoke of what happened, the final battle, and ultimately Phainon's sacrifice for not only Amphoreus, but for all of them. They could not say what had happened to Phainon, just that he may or may not appear again but it would be centuries before he did so if he were to reappear. So it was done. Amphoreus was saved. The people cheered while the Chrysos Heirs mourned and Mydei returned to Castrum Kremnos, thunder shaking the skies as he screamed out his loss.

Things are different now. They were not necessarily needed anymore, but the curse of immortality still clung to them. So they lived out their never ending days either amongst humanity or not. This very moment found Mydei, for the first time in several weeks, actually alone in the library. Winter break had officially begun, snow fell steadily, and patrons were sparse. He considered closing early when the library doors swung open. A string of colorful curses, both Okheman and Kremnoan, reached his ears as a snow covered figure staggered inside, turning around, then struggling to close the doors. The stranger slipped, hitting the floor with a thud before Mydei could reach them. Reaching out, Mydei grabbed the doors and slammed them closed, noting how the wind had gotten stronger but he had been so preoccupied with his thoughts that he did not notice. Sighing in relief as the doors held against the onslaught outside, Mydei switched the sign to closed before turning around to help the stranger up. His eyes fell on snow white hair, flushed pale skin, and a pair of grateful looking blue eyes.

"I'm sorry, I was on my way to the university when it began to actually storm suddenly. I'll help clean up." The man sounded sheepish as he took Mydei's hand to be helped up. Both slipped, clutched onto each other for stability, stared into each other's eyes as their faces were mere centimeters apart, laughed, then carefully made their way to the carpet.

"Allow me to get you a towel." Mydei disappeared, leaving the snow haired man standing awkwardly by the entrance until his return. Mydei handed him the towel while putting down the mop bucket, but before he could begin mopping up the now melted snow, his visitor snatched the mop from him.

"I said I would help clean up." He proceeded to begin mopping which only made Mydei chuckle at him. "What?"

"How can you get the floor clean when you yourself are dripping wet?" Mydei pointed at the growing puddle around the man's feet. He heard the exasperated sigh before watching the man step back onto the roll up carpet by the entrance door. Mydei took the mop back and continued cleaning while the man tried to dry himself off. "You know, on your last visit here you told me your position at the university, but not once did you introduce yourself."

"Oh!" The snow haired man blushed as he scuffed the tip of his shoe against the carpet as he scratched the back of his head through the towel which had become wrapped around his hand. "Apologies, hah. Let me remedy that. My name is Phainon, I hail from Aedes Elysiae." Phainon extended a hand out to shake making Mydei outright laugh as it was the hand that was wrapped in a towel. "Ugh... Sorry..." Phainon sheepishly spoke, removing the towel allowing Mydei to finally shake his hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Phainon." Although I already know you. Mydei kept that thought hidden in his mind. "It does not look like it will let up anytime soon. Might as well stay here. Come, I already closed for the day, so there's no need to be out here." Mydei motioned Phainon to follow him after making sure the library entrance doors were locked and properly secured, leading him to the far back of the library to a door with a sign duck taped to it that read Do Not Enter. Mydei pulled his keys out, unlocked it, opening it up and stepping inside, holding it open for Phainon to continue following him. "It'll lock on its own once it closes."

"Ah." Phainon's answer was a bit absentminded as he took in the entire house that was tucked away behind the library like a well kept secret. It was wonderful. The architecture looked to be that in the old Kremnoan style with a high ceiling and large windows. The main room was spacious, decorated warmly in rich reds, ambers, and black with accents of gold here and there. A variety of vine-like plants decorated ledges and wooden beams with the majority being flowering vines, filling the place with a delicate, soothing scent. The floor was a worn but polished marble with islands of rugs scattered about. Phainon snapped out of it long enough to remember to remove his shoes before entering further, shivering a bit when his soaked, socked feet met the coldness of the marble floor.

"Right, you're still wet. Come this way." Mydei led Phainon to a staircase that spiraled upwards, instructing him to remove his wet socks before venturing up, Phainon did what was instructed, following Mydei up the staircase. The view it allotted was stunning and Phainon could not help but stop for a moment to look at the floor below. There was a kitchen not far off to the side of the staircase, large enough to house a good party of people. A kitchen island sat in the middle with a few chairs sitting to one side of it, away from the pathway in front of the stove and sink. A long table off to the side in an open area, in front of a large window that faced a snow covered garden, that he assumed was the dining area.

Realizing that Mydei had already reached the landing, Phainon took one more glance around before continuing up, reaching the landing himself. He resisted the urge to gasp because the second floor was vastly different. While the rest of the first floor was in Old Kremnoan, the second floor which looked to be an open bedroom with a door that leads to a large bathroom, was decorated not only in the same style as downstairs but also in... The style of his hometown of Aedes Elysiae. Rich reds, ambers and black married well with white, sapphire blue, creams, with dark brown and accents of gold. The headboard of the large bed was made of a hardwood only found in Aedes Elysiae and intricately hand carved, but Phainon could not quite see what. One side of the bed faced a window that was wide as it was tall, the curtains were drawn back, offering a view over the rooftop of part of the library and over a good part of the city. A strange sense of longing filled him, making him feel as if he was forgetting something.

"Here." Phainon snapped out of his stupor, but the faint longing did not dispel. Trying to push it to the back of his mind, Phainon turned to Mydei who was handing him a dry towel and a change of clothes. "We look to be about the same build, so they should fit, if not a little loose. There's soap in there, feel free to use what you want. When you're done, bring your wet clothes downstairs so I can put them to wash and dry. I'll be in the kitchen." Mydei motioned to the open door to the bathroom, patted Phainon on the shoulder, then made his descent back to the first floor. Phainon walked over to the railing, looking over it and down, watching as Mydei walked into the kitchen.

"I guess I should get to washing up..." Phainon muttered to himself, feeling a bit embarrassed as he moved from the railing and stepped into the bathroom, closing the door behind him quietly. He's never had to do this before and with a stranger at that! A sharp pang shot through his chest, right in the heart at the thought of considering Mydei a stranger, it hurt. The pain flourished, spreading until he felt absolutely numb, dropping him to his knees as tears streaked his face. A voice, far off sounding, echoed as if the person was in the bathroom but at the same time wasn't. 'Have you forgotten me already?... Deliverer...' Phainon gasped, his vision filling with the sight of tall, white walls, a well worn dirt path beneath him, with large long necked purple creatures. Then as fast as it came, it faded away and Phainon found himself kneeling on the bathroom floor.

~*~*~*~*~*~*

Mydei had sat a bowl of hot stew down on the kitchen island next to an old looking goblet when Phainon stepped onto the first floor, wet clothes in hand. Mydei took them from Phainon, motioning over to the waiting food.

"Go ahead and start eating. I'll get these taken care of. Are you okay?" Mydei took a good look at Phainon, seeing how much paler he looked.

"Huh? Oh... uh... Yeah, I just... Don't feel so good. Thank you though, I haven't eaten all day, so that might be it." Phainon gave Mydei his best smile in hopes that it would placate the other man. Mydei gave him a wary look, glancing Phainon up and down before relenting, walking off towards where the washer and dryer were. Phainon watched him disappear down a hallway, then sighed heavily. That... Vision? Hallucination? Whatever it was, was haunting him still. He felt like he could still hear everything from it no matter how much he tried to push it out of his mind. Then there was... No, he'll have to stop thinking about it entirely. It's bad enough he has nightmares from time to time but this was something else entirely.

Sitting down at the kitchen island, Phainon scooped up his first bite of stew, blowing on it to cool it down some so he didn't burn his mouth, then popped the spoon into his mouth. He hummed happily, his eyes sliding closed as he savored what was the best beef stew he ever had. Taking a swig from the goblet, Phainon froze for a moment. Pomegranate juice? Shrugging he took another gulp. Now disregarding that it was still piping hot, Phainon proceeded to shovel spoonful after spoonful of stew into his mouth, eating ravenously. He blinked a few times, each time his surroundings changed.

['Deliverer, eat up. You are not well. Lady Tribios said you refused to take shelter during the rainstorm when escorting more refugees to Okhema. You barely made it back conscious. When I was summoned to the Hero's bath it was to collect you. Lady Aglaea said you were freezing cold to the touch and required careful tending to, so I took up the task. Now eat. It's taken quite a bit of time to get your body temperature back up to a suitable level to wake you up and you have not eaten in days according to Lady Tribios.']

Phainon sat slack jawed as he found himself no longer sitting in Mydei's kitchen but instead at a wooden table the same size as the kitchen island he had been sitting at. The marble flooring was pristine and polished, no signs of wear to be seen. The walls were painted in vibrant rich red, cream, and black with golden accents. Rings of garlic hung from the low ceiling alongside a variety of other herbs and root vegetables.

Large slabs of salted meat were placed on a wrack to cure while a variety of breads sat resting nearby, waiting to be baked. A basket of fresh, warm rolls sat before him completely slathered in melted garlic and herb butter. His stomach rumbled as his eyes fell on his empty bowl where remnants of the stew he had just devoured were. A deep chuckle caught his attention, as his eyes slid upwards from the bowl to the source of the voice, his vision filled with red and black robes, but the next blink filled his vision with an amused looking Mydei, amber eyes soft and endearing.

"You were hungry and by the sounds of your stomach, you still are. Here, let me get you another serving. Have some bread in the meantime." Mydei pushed the basket towards Phainon as he took the other man's bowl, moving towards the stove where a large pot sat. Phainon watched as Mydei ladled more stew into the bowl as he took a bite of a garlic herb buttered roll. His head perked up as the flavor burst into his mouth and he had scarfed down five rolls by the time Mydei returned with his bowl making the strawberry blonde laugh.

"Apologies." Phainon said around a mouthful of bread, a blush painting his cheeks. He finished what he had in his mouth as Mydei placed the bowl back in front of him, Phainon's mouth watered at the sight of the full bowl. "It's just your food is so tasty! It's the best I've ever had!" With that, Phainon tore into his second bowl of stew, but this time he took a bit more care in savoring it and using the rolls to mop up the juices once he ate all the meat and vegetables.

"I'm glad you like it." Mydei smiled fondly at him as he refilled the goblet with more pomegranate juice, making Phainon feel like they've been like this before, except he's never met Mydei before. Or has he? There was that sense of longing again. Shaking the feeling off, Phainon set about polishing off his plate as Mydei left the kitchen to go back to the living room. With a bowl that looked like he washed it and not just wiped it clean with a chunk of roll and goblet completely empty of juice, Phainon got up and washed his dishes before making his way to find Mydei. He found him in the living room, the couch had been pulled out to a large bed and set with thick blankets and a soft, fur quilt on top.

"The weather report states we are in for quite the snowstorm, going out is a no go as all public transportation has been cancelled. This place is rather old, so the chill sets in still regardless of how warm I keep it. You can sleep here." Mydei straightened up from setting the bed, glancing over at Phainon.

"Thanks! I know this isn't really ideal but I can't thank you enough for everything you have done for me." Phainon was feeling a bit bashful, a light blush on his cheeks. "Especially for someone you don't even know.”

'But I do know you.' Is what Mydei wanted to say but he kept it in his thoughts instead, quietly mourning. "Well, it's not late, we can remedy being strangers in the meantime and talk until it's time for bed." Mydei shuffled over to the kitchen with Phainon following not far behind. "Just let me eat something real quick and you can help me make dessert."

Chapter Text

[[“Hello! I am Phainon from Aedes Elysiae. May I ask your name?” Another dream that felt all too real, Phainon knew this part so well already, he would introduce himself to someone and their partial features would come into view, they would make movements as if they were talking, but no sound could be heard.

“Heh, Phainon…” Except this was different. The person talking back had a voice, a familiar male voice. The man before him was almost in full view, his facial features shrouded in darkness but the rest of him was in sharp display. Aside from half his chest being exposed, the man’s garments were in shades of red and black with a design of flames coming from the bottom up. His armor was gold as well, greaves stopping at the top of his thighs and gauntlets that ended in claws. “And for what reason do we owe such a warm welcome party?”

Phainon recognizes it as a taunt. Naturally, he would debunk it, defuse the situation and try to find a more peaceful and viable way to continue.

“It is in good manners and etiquette for one to introduce themselves after another person has done an introduction. Although, I don’t think you were raised with any manners and you probably do not know what the word etiquette means. I must say, your mother has done a rather poor job.” Apparently Phainon is cursed to be forced to watch what he knows as his past self make a fool of himself and make already delicate situations spiral out of control. He can tell that wasn’t the right thing to say by how the soldiers that had been standing around this unknown man take several steps back, shuffling quickly away giving a rather wide berth between them and him. All he can do is sigh in exasperation and watch the scene to continue to unfold.

“You know nothing of me nor my mother. Keep her out of your filthy mouth or --” The growled like a beast and looked like a lion, albeit faceless, ready to rampage. Phainon sighed.

“Or what? You are correct, I know nothing of your mother nor you just like you know nothing of mine and myself. Here’s the real kicker, the difference between you and I is that I at least act civilized while you are still just a brute.” The fight that ensued was one that Phainon could say he saw coming. Days in the dream realm always passed by quickly but by the time he heard the tell tale sound of his alarm on his phone going off, his dream (memory?) self was still fighting the man. Odd.]]

Phainon awakened with a groan, reaching out to grab his phone to turn it off. He blinked his eyes open, his vision blurry with sleep as he yawned, stretching out on the bed he realized wasn’t his own. It took him a few moments to piece together what happened and finally remembering he had spent the night on Mydei’s fold out bed. The view that greeted him was absolutely beautiful. When he had opened his eyes, vision cleared to the sight of it still snowing outside. Everything was under a blanket of snow with fresh snow gently falling. Even though the sun was blocked by thick gray clouds, its attempt to illuminate it all with small rays bursting through the clouds, making a very pretty shimmering effect as the snow fell.

Then a wonderful smell caught up to him, finally rousing him from the warmth of the bed. As he sat up, he noticed he was covered in a thick, black fur blanket on top of the handmade quilt he originally was covered in. He racked a hand through the long hairs of the fur, realizing it was very much real. Phainon ran his other hand through it, enjoying the softness until he began to pay attention to the delicious smell that filled Mydei’s home. Looking over to where the kitchen was, Phainon spied Mydei bustling around cooking, humming a song Phainon found familiar somehow with his hair pulled back in a low ponytail.

Phainon drew up his legs, still covered in the soft fur blanket, resting his head on top of them, tilting his head as he continued to watch Mydei move around the kitchen until the other man finally took notice. The smile of soft, tender fondness was something Phainon was not expecting as he felt like there were butterflies in his stomach.

[[‘Awake Phainon? You slept well, not a single night terror. I didn’t have the heart to wake you.’]]

“Awake already? You were sleeping so well, I didn’t have the heart to wake you earlier.” Both voices from the past and present spoke at once, making Phainon clutch his head as a sharp pain became overwhelming, bringing with it the sensation of feeling like his head was going to explode.

[[‘Phainon? What’s wrong?’]]

“Phainon? What’s wrong?” It happened again. His vision was starting to blur, his breathing became labored, his head was pounding, a sharp screaming noise filled his head as he clutched at it, his fingernails scraping across his scalp almost drawing blood. “Phainon!”

[[‘Haikus… You’re running a fever. Why didn’t you say anything? Lady Hyacinthia will be here soon. Until then… I’ll try to help break your fever… Deliverer, are you awake? Deli…ve… Ph…ai…n…’ Phainon felt like he was floating, his head felt fuzzy, his eyelids felt so heavy, they refused to lift to open his eyes to view his surroundings. He also felt incredibly warm, hot actually, he could feel sweat rolling down his forehead but his awareness kinda ends there. It is as if his consciousness is split between here and…]]

“Haikus!….” What a familiar voice but where has he heard it before? “Damn… You are burning up. I need to get a hold of…” It seems so very familiar but at the same time not. Will he remember this ‘dream’ when he wakes up? A memory of long ago that he feels should stay locked away forever as they bring him nothing but pain and a deafening blow of loneliness. “A fever… Yes… Understood.” A fever? Didn’t they just establish he had one? Or was that the ‘dream’? Phainon couldn’t tell anymore, his head felt like it was swimming but full of cotton at the same time.

[[‘He won’t wake up, what should we do?’ What? He is here again?

‘Do not worry, Dei, I will get him feeling better soon.’ Who was this? The voice was definitely female, familiar, light, sweet sounding. He felt soothed the moment he heard her.

‘Hyacine…’ Why did that voice sound so…]]

“I need to break your fever.” Mydei’s voice was quiet, soft, uncertain as he pulled the covers off Phainon. Phainon’s gaze remained unblinking and empty, flecks of gold could be seen weaving through the blue. “Oh no you don’t, you stay buried where you belong. There’s no need for you anymore. Rest, you deserve it.” The gold receded but Phainon’s fever did not. “Well at least one thing is cooperating at the moment. Let’s get that fever taken care of.”

Mydei swiftly lifted Phainon out of bed, paying no heed to how he was nothing but dead weight at the moment and ascending the stairs to his room and bathroom on the second floor. The whole thing was playing out so familiarly that Mydei almost lost himself inside a memory he thought long since forgotten. Re-centering himself, he got to work setting Phainon down on his bed before running a lukewarm bath. Fever now, everything else later.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Hyacine can’t remember the last time she left The Grove as fast as she had when Mydei called her, his voice was thick with worry. She had flashbacks from the last time Phainon was sick, he was in such a bad way and had very little regard for himself or how his recklessness concerning his health would affect those that cared for him. He had said, in a fever induced rambling, that no one would truly mourn him, that there was probably someone far more perfect to fit the role of ‘Deliverer’. Needless to say, they all had a long talk while Phainon rested and recovered. When he had become well enough, they then gathered around him, talking him through everything, letting him know that he meant more to them than the prophesied Deliverer.

Now though, it is obviously rather different but she could not shake off that there was something more to this because it usually took quite a lot to shake Mydei. She was grateful she had been visiting Anaxa, at least the travel wasn’t so much. Regardless of how long she has been with the powers of the sky, she still could not quite get used to using them to ‘fast travel’. Sighing as she stepped gracefully in Mydei’s snow covered garden, Hyacine watched as Mydei quickly unlatched the door and let her in.

“Sorry Dei! I was aiming for the library entrance!” Hyacine quickly walked inside, shaking the snow off beforehand. She wasn’t a fan of the cold, she much preferred the more spring and summer filled days.

“It is quite alright. I know you rarely ever use your power. Besides, you were close.” Mydei chuckled as he caught her slight eye roll, he took her coat as her attention immediately locked onto the snow haired man laying on the mattress of the pull out couch.

“It’s… It’s him…” Hyacine’s voice was soft, quiet, her eyes watered as she carefully walked towards where Phainon rested uneasily. She took in the familiar face before promptly wiping the stray tears that did fall. “No time for getting emotional, I have a job to do.” With that she set about looking over Phainon, checking his vitals, writing down notes before pulling out her prescription pad.

“You still use those?” Mydei huffed a laugh as he dodged her swatting at him with it.

“Of course! Especially since none of us use human pharmacies. You know this is more for dosage instructions anyways. I’ll have the medicine delivered tonight, until then give him this. I brought it with me after you told me the symptoms and what happened.” She pulled a corked bottle out of her bag, the glass was dark in color, making it impossible to distinguish the color of the fluid inside. Well, for anyone else. “Give him three spoonfuls of the syrup. After you receive the medicine drop the dosage down to one spoonful to help supplement the medicine as well as strengthen his immune system. Oh and take some yourself, I’ll send over a few more bottles.”

“Thank you Hyacine. To be honest, your elderberry syrup alone would more than likely do the trick, but I’ll do as you instruct. It never failed me last time.” Mydei gave her a warm smile which she happily returned.

[[“Come now Snowy, I promise the syrup tastes good and you’ll get better. Mydei is here to take care of you, so you don’t have to worry. You’re not alone. Come visit the Grove when you get better, Professor Anaxa is worried but you know how he is.” Who was this? Her voice sounded familiar but he couldn’t see her face. She had cotton candy pink hair tied in two pigtails with pretty bright teal at the ends. He wished he could see her face.

“Deliverer, what’s the matter?” Another familiar voice except when he looked to see who it was, it wasn’t another faceless person, it was Mydei.

“Mydei?” He reached out, he still felt hot all over, his eyes burned, his throat hurt, his chest felt heavy, and it was hard to breathe. What was he doing here? In every dream, all the people he comes across are faceless. The man who wears the clothes Mydei is currently wearing is always faceless as well. A wave of heat washed over him, his head felt even more cloudy and his temples began to throb painfully.

“I need to get going, make sure you follow the prescriptions as written－”

“Hyacine…wait…” He reached out for her as she turned to leave. He didn’t understand why, but he felt that he would lose her if she walked out through those doors.]]

“Hyacine…wait…” Bleary eyed, delirious, Phainon reached out to Hyacine who stood rooted to where she stood, eyes wide, watching as exhaustion finally won out making Phainon fall back asleep.

“Mydei…” Her voice trembled as she stepped toward Phainon. “Lord Mydei…” She took one more step before Mydei grabbed her, pulled her close as she coughed out a choked sob. She allowed herself a good cry for a bit before taking several deep breaths, accepting the handkerchief Mydei offered to whip her eyes and face. “I’m sorry, Mydei. I know he doesn’t remember anyone but… He called out to me and we haven’t met in this life. I’ll let Professor Anaxa know when I return to the Grove.”

Mydei helped Hyacine on her way out. When he entered again he took a long look at Phainon, sighing before grabbing a spoon from a drawer in the kitchen and a corkscrew. He uncorked the bottle of elderberry syrup, sitting down next to Phainon, he slowly fed him the three spoonfuls of syrup. He gently wiped Phainon’s lips, noticing how they were beginning to chap, but as he got up to grab a small tin of beeswax lip balm, Phainon muttered something that made Mydei’s blood run cold.

“What did you say?” Leaning in closer, Mydei took in the state of distress Phainon was in and it was steadily getting worse.

“... Reaver…” Phainon groaned, his head turning from one side to the other, sweat soaking his brow. “Ngh… Reaver… Mydei…” Phainon’s body twisted underneath the blankets, seemingly struggling.

“Phainon－” But Mydei was interrupted by the sight of tears escaping from underneath Phainon’s tightly clenched eye lids.

“Lady… Trianne… I… failed….” A sob came soon after. Mydei sat back down, brushing aside the hair that stuck to Phainon’s forehead from sweat before placing a kiss upon it.

“Oh my dear Phainon… You foolish tender hearted fool…” Mydei placed his forehead against his beloved’s for a moment, humming a soothing, old Kremnoan lullaby, keenly watching as Phainon finally settled down into a peaceful sleep.

Chapter Text

[[The sounds of flames crackling, screams echoing from around him. There were strange monsters everywhere. He watched as the people around him were either devoured by them or cut down by a man in black wielding a broken looking sword.

“Sleep and dream

Of seas and skies

Of wheat fields and light

Don't wake to see

The flames of war”

A voice, soft but strong, cut through the din of chaos around him. Shaking, he looks around, the monsters slowly fading away, the swordsman also fading away, and the song persisted through.

“Close your eyes to sweet dreams

Let sleep take you home

You travelled far

You left me behind

I await for your return”

He listened to the song, his eyes feeling heavy. Heeding it, he closed his eyes and fell ‘asleep’. The sounds of fire went away, the echoes of screams became non-existent. In its place was the feeling of rough, calloused fingers combing through his hair, a soft but strong voice singing, and when he opened his eyes, he found himself not at the burning ruins of his home, but laying on the lap of the only person in his dreams, in these fragmented memories that he could never tell if they were his own or someone else’s, that he can see completely.

“Forgotten we have become

Sleep to remember in dreams

Don’t cry

Don’t mourn

We will be one once more

No matter how long

I have found you

Once more”

It was soothing, calming, whoever was singing. Although they sounded so sad, tired, and wary, the song was still beautiful. The voice sounded so familiar too. He couldn’t place it. There is one thing he does know, the nightmares had ceased and before him was the image of a man with strawberry blonde hair with tips as red as blood, wearing a deep maroon chiton, sitting with Phainon’s head upon his lap. Phainon was staring up into warm golden amber eyes, feeling like his heart was soaring. A face Phainon knew so well now. Mydei stared back into Phainon’s blue eyes that rivaled the clearest blue seas, a soft smile on his face, fingers that usually were covered by gauntlets were bare and carding through the snow white strands of Phainon’s hair.

Phainon blinked, seeing the Mydei before him, blinked again, and saw the Mydei he knew from the library. Phainon was confused, there was very little difference between the two. As he blinked, his vision flickered between the two as they both opened their mouths and began to sing. The song from before filling Phainon’s ears, the voice once familiar now rang in his head as belonging to Mydei. Except the sounds were now wrong. While the Mydei of his past sang with a voice clear, soft, and loving, lyrics not matching the ones the Mydei he knew outside his dreams had sung. That Mydei seemed to sing a little louder than the Mydei in his dreams, his voice filled with sorrow, mourning, pain, he sounded so tired and wary. Phainon’s heart ached as his head pounded in pain.]]

“Hey, you’re awake. How do you feel?” Mydei lightly thumbed across the top of Phainon’s cheeks, tracing over the bone that sat beneath sweat soaked skin. Phainon blinked a few more times, his eyes shifting focus each and every time. “Come now, Deliverer, come out of that dream. There are no flames of war here. Just peace.” Mydei stroked his hair again, marvelling at how soft it still very much feels.

“What… What did you… Call me?” Phainon’s eyes slowly cleared and Mydei’s eyes widened as he realized his mistake. “What…” Phainon struggled to get up, Mydei tried to help him but he was pushed away by Phainon whose eyes now bore into Mydei’s with an emotion the former Strife Demigod never thought he would see Phainon have, betrayal.

“You’re still feverish.” Mydei immediately took note how Phainon had begun to sweat again, placing the back of his hand against the snow haired man’s forehead and feeling the climbing temperature. “The medicine just got here, let me － ”

“No.” Phainon backed away, head shaking slowly as his chest began to feel tight, his head swimming as thoughts swirled around wildly. “Answer… Me.” He struggled to talk and he didn’t understand why. He felt hot all over it was suffocating, sweat now stuck to his skin, soaking the clothes he was wearing and traveling down in small rivulets as his fever spiked.

“Phainon, you are not well right now. Please, your fever is spiking badly. I’ll…” Mydei bit his bottom lip for a moment, then sighed in resignation. “I’ll answer anything you ask of me, but only after you take the medicine.” Mydei sat perfectly still, watching Phainon who was staring at him like an oryx would when cornered by a lion.

“Swear…” Phainon began panting, his whole body shaking but he did not waver in staring Mydei down. “Swear it…” He warily watched as Mydei got up from where he sat on the bed, to then kneel beside it closer to Phainon.

“I swear it.” Mydei watched as Phainon relaxed, then nodded, allowing the blonde to get up swiftly and go down the stairs. Wait. Stairs?

Phainon shakily looked around, noticing he was in Mydei’s bedroom instead of the pull out bed downstairs. He wasn’t sure when he had been moved up here, but the cooler air felt wonderful on his fevered skin. Speaking of which. Phainon stripped off the shorts he wore, noting how it wasn’t his along with the shorts as well. Then he realized quite quickly he wore nothing underneath those shorts. His cheeks stained red in embarrassment as more thoughts slammed into his already muddled head.

Regardless, he was already feeling much better. It was made even better when he heard Mydei coming back up, his footsteps quick but still confident. Phainon looked over at the landing just in time to see Mydei go completely still, eyes widening as he took in Phainon’s naked state. Phainon watched as the other man swallowed, golden amber gliding across his bare form making a shiver run through his body. That shiver seemed to snap Mydei out of it, his feet finally moving but Phainon could blatantly see that he was unable to not stare. Mydei cleared his throat, then handed Phainon a bowl filled with some strange dark liquid.

“I am aware it looks… Rather unpleasant, but Hyacine’s medicine never fails. Don’t worry, it won’t make you drowsy.” Mydei watched as Phainon eyed the contents in the bowl uneasily.

“In a… Bowl?” Phainon quirked an eyebrow as he swirled the medicinal soup with the ceramic spoon, noting how thick it was. He now stared at it horrified.

“We’re… Old fashioned.” Mydei supplied, biting back a chuckle at the look Phainon threw him. “It would not be so thick, if you had not been so sick. She doubled the dosage because that fever you have is something fierce. At least it works fast.” Phainon took a deep breath before finally downing the entire bowl in one go.

Mydei’s eyes widened the moment he realized that Phainon had yet to swallow. Vividly remembering how Phainon, in the past, was capable of completely sliding Mydei down his throat without so much as a slight gag. Then, once the contents of the bowl had emptied fully, Phainon swallowed whatever was left behind in his mouth. Mydei shifted uncomfortably as Phainon handed him the bowl back.

“That tastes… Familiar…” Phainon grimaced. “Bleh…” He stuck his tongue out. He felt like a little kid but he couldn’t help it. “It’s worse than the time I got sick from being out in the rain” The moment the words left his mouth, his head began to hurt, the pain seared through turning his vision white. He clutched the side of his head in one hand as the other one clenched the bed sheets.

“Phainon?” Mydei moved to sit next to Phainon as the pain passed as quickly as it came.

“Honestly, who am I?” Phainon turned his head to look at Mydei, a lost look in his eyes. “And who are you? Why are you so familiar to me? If I tell you the ones I see in my dreams, will you tell me if they’re real? If they are, why can’t I see their faces?” Phainon’s voice cracked, tears clinging to his eyelashes. Mydei reached over, untangling Phainon’s hand from the sheets. “Why do I feel so damn exhausted…”

“I did promise to answer your questions, but you are still very much sick. How about this, get some more rest. When you awaken, depending on how you are feeling, we will discuss everything you want to know.” Mydei lifted Phainon’s hand to his lips, placing a gentle kiss to the back of it, making the snow haired man blush.

“Answer me this. What were we?” Phainon fought to keep his eyes open, exhaustion steadily winning out. Mydei gave him a smile, one Phainon noted, looked sad as his eyes slowly closed and the last thing he heard was Mydei’s reply.

“We were married.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

[[This dream was… different. He noticed it the moment he blinked his eyes open to the sight of Mydei looming over him. He felt impossibly and overwhelmingly full, the realization that they were having sex hit him the moment he felt Mydei pull out and slam back in, pulling a startled moan from him. He gasped as Mydei pulled out once more, slamming right back in again, setting a rather slow pace accented with hard thrusts.

“I leave for a few months and look at what you have reduced yourself to. How pathetic. Come now, Deliverer, you’re better than this.” Mydei’s voice was gruff, thick with arousal as he continued to slam into him, meanwhile Phainon was having difficulty trying to grasp the situation at hand.

“My apologies…” He heard his past self whimper out, a moan following right after when Mydei slammed into him with just a bit more force. “My…dei…please － ” He could feel himself arch into Mydei’s hold, the sensation of Mydei’s teeth scraping across his collar bones, sinking in to suck a mark into the pale skin.

“Oh no, you’re not getting out of this. Speak, Phainon, why did you neglect yourself, why did you close yourself off to everyone after I left. My departure should not have left you in such a state.” Mydei slowed his thrusts to a stop, garnering a panicked whine from Phainon but he remained unmoved. Phainon sniffled, eyes welling with tears as he finally spoke.

“Although it was such a short time we had together. The moment you departed, it felt as if a large part of me left with you. I didn’t know what to think or even how to handle such vast emptiness. So I allowed myself to shut myself away until I figured it out but unfortunately all I managed to do is hurt everyone around me.” He felt the warmth of tears as they stained his cheeks, tired eyes stared into the fierce gaze of the Kremnoan prince he had fallen for.

“I see. Good thing I felt the same albeit I could not dwell on it. The moment my personal mission was done, I took notice of it, and found myself anxious to return to you. Just promise me you will not allow yourself to fall into such a state again.” Mydei planted a soft kiss to Phainon’s lips, moving his hips as they shared a tender kiss.

“I promise.” Phainon whispered between them, his lips brushing against Mydei’s, their foreheads pressing together.

“Take our duel as a form of proposal, allow me to spill inside you to make you mine, once everything is settled following my father’s death, we will marry.” Phainon couldn’t answer as Mydei began thrusting again but this time the pace was fast but the thrusts were harder than before.]]

Phainon startled awake, warmth spread across his cheeks as his mind drifted back to the memory he had in his dreams. It wasn’t when they married but it was when he assumed he became engaged to Mydei in the past. Taking a deep breath, Phainon moved to get up and he immediately noticed a few things. One: he wasn’t in the living room but instead in Mydei’s bed. Two: He had a rather painful erection that needed tending to and a venture to the bathroom was needed. Three: Mydei was sleeping next to him, pressed into his back. And four… Mydei seemed to be just as hard as Phainon if what he felt being pressed against his ass was any indication. Phainon shifted again, trying to slip from Mydei’s hold only to manage rubbing his butt against Mydei’s crotch, making the other man moan in his sleep. Phainon swallowed, trying to detangle himself from Mydei only to be pulled back, pushed to lay completely down as Mydei now loomed over him.

“Mydei… I － ” Phainon didn’t finish as Mydei dipped down, pressing his lips against Phainon’s, stealing his breath away. A nip to his bottom lip had Phainon gasping, allowing Mydei access to his mouth, his tongue delving in as he moaned at the taste of Phainon. Mydei’s hands slide down his sides, finding the hem of the shirt he was wearing, and slipping underneath. Phainon felt those rough hands move across his abdomen back up his chest, rough thumbs flicked over his nipples. He arched into the touch, a high pitched moan tearing from him but was swallowed up by the devouring kiss he was still locked in with Mydei. When they finally parted, Phainon was panting hard, flushed down to his chest, harder now than he was when he woke up.

“Forgive me, I dreamed of the day I returned to Okhema and lay claim to you.” Mydei whispered as he placed a gentle kiss on Phainon's cheek.

“It seems we had the same dream.” Phainon flushed darker, his blue eyes were flecked with gold, his legs open allowing Mydei to nestle between them, his chest rising and falling with each pant.

“I see. Have you remembered anything else?” Mydei planted a kiss to the bridge of his nose before trailing more across his cheek and along his jaw.

“Bits and pieces. I was hoping to remember our wedding. What it was like, but I would be happy just having a recreation of when you returned. Experiencing something like that in real life is far better than watching it happen in my dreams.” Phainon tilted his head back, allowing Mydei better access to his neck. Mydei sucked several marks on his neck before pulling away just slightly.

“Then I shall give you first hand experience.”