a marvelous time ruining everything

     “He’s not human, but he’s mortal.” Raz was talking as if they were describing the weather, not talking about someone dear to their oneiroi sibling. It was nice to know they had someone to make them happy, but they trusted werewolves less than anyone else. They would not see Anemos hurt, whether directly by this Rafael guy or by this death. But they also couldn’t stop them from making their own mistakes, it seemed. “The world holds plenty of horrors. I just hope he will be as fine as you say he will.” That was all they said, lips pressing together as they pulled their legs closer and into a cross legged position. “Yes? Amazing.” Raz clapped their hands together, a wide grin spreading over their lips. “It will be a wonderful time.”

She put her wallet back into her pocket, knowing all too well that the gesture on her end had been thin at best— they were nearing the end of the month and funds were growing more scarce for her, Sydney was sure that the next week would consist of classes and evenings full of portering meals back and forth for those too lazy to cook. She offered Grace a smile to show that she was grateful, and carded some hair back behind her ear. “Yeah,” she said lamely, shooting an apologetic look to the girl behind the counter, struggling to put together an order that was far too complex for what it cost. “I don’t really like too much in my coffee, I used to be a barista back home, remember?” Syd brought her cup to the creamer station, mixing in her sugar. “I just like to keep it easy.” She gestured to the seating outside of the cafe. “Should we sit out there? It’s nice out today.” It also put Grace far enough away from the staff that if she had any complaints about her drink when she received it, it wouldn’t likely reach their ears.

+

“Right,” Anemos nods their head along easily, brushing over the small fact. They hadn’t known that, but confidence is enough to carry the spirit out of any small misstep. They learnt long ago that so long as they don’t call attention to it, most humans are willing to ignore something right in front of their face in favor of what they think they already know. “Ugh, that could never be me. I need my enhancements or else it’s undrinkable.” They make a show of throwing their head back in a display of dramatics, as if a black coffee is truly the worst thing in the world they could be subjected to. Anemos allows Sydney to lead them both to an outside table, taking a seat and crossing Grace’s long slender legs at the knee, foot kicking freely in the open air. “Greek weather is almost always nice, it’s one of the best things about this place. Great for pictures and sun tanning.” 

    “I am aware of the chances.” After all he had outlived at least one of his younger sisters — it wasn’t supposed to be like that, but it still happened. And there was more. They had agreed they never wanted to be without one another, but would it still be the same way in a century? In five? He had hopes for his life, and this moment was probably the best one to bring them up. Because if they could not agree on any of these things, maybe it would be better to part ways now. “Are you sure that is what you want, love? An eternity with me? Because I do not want to spend an eternity like this. Down the road, I want more. I want us to live together, in the same place. I want to get married. And I want a family of my own. I want children.” It was the first time Rafael admitted it out loud, but again it seemed like now or never. “I am unsure what Hippolyta and you think about these steps in life. So if you don’t want any of these things, maybe it is better I remain mortal, so you can move on without me one day.”

    “Of course you are.” Rafael was quick to reply, taking another step forward so that there was barely any space left between their bodies. The look in his eyes was sincere, and he leaned his forehead against theirs. “I don’t want to be without you. But Filiz and Yusuf are also my family. My sister is, and the pack. And I have survived too many family members already. My parents, my brother, my sister… the thought of watching the others die is not one I can handle easily.” His head shook slightly, and he pulled his head back again to be able to look at Anemos. In Rafael’s opinion, channeling fate by getting knowledge about your future you shouldn’t have was never a bad idea. “What if I don’t see the future we want? What if I answer Hippolyta’s riddle incorrectly? I don’t want to be the reason the three of us go through even more pain.”

     “And you’re sure you want to go there with me?”, Noah called from the bedroom where he slipped into an outfit that was a lot more appropriate for going outside. He wasn’t entirely feeling it, even if he technically knew that he looked good. Resting his hands on his hips, he looked at Anemos and arched a brow. “I’m not exactly fun and vibrant company right now if that’s what you’re looking for. Maybe you should go to your partners for that.”

There wasn’t much she felt couldn’t impress her about Anemos. The comfort she felt within them felt much like being home in Sparta with the right person. Or the right spirit, she guessed she could say. It had been several centuries where she had been alone, the only memory of a relationship being the one she had been given on a silver platter. It hadn’t been hard to believe she was worth something more in a place like Sparta. In her place, she was to be a priestess, but she always knew there was more for her. The fact that she couldn’t get that was enough for her to build enough walls up between her and anyone who wanted to get to know her. Unfortunately, for her, she let people in far too easily. Friendships were easier for her to come by than anything else though. But her insecurities seemed to fade away so often around Anemos and Rafael that it seemed like they had been handmade for her. The two of them had been given to her on a silver platter and had given her words that made her feel like she was worth so much more than she gave her credit for. Hippolyta was always someone that put up a front that she was better than those around her, but it was never how she truly felt. She wished it was, but it hadn’t always been that way. And she hadn’t wanted to be the kind of person that depended on someone else to make her feel something, but she couldn’t help it when she was constantly telling herself otherwise. “I wish you could clear my thoughts like that every single day,” she said as her head tilted upwards to them, a small smile reaching her lips. Then they reach their chin, her mouth pulling away a moment later. “I wish I had you sooner.”

The story should not have excited Ørjan as much as it did, he liked to think that he’d learned something of morality and goodness from the years he’d spent in Selene’s company. She was good, a hero and proof that just because the world caste you a monster did not mean you had to fit that mould. “Would you tell me more of this man? The one who kept you captive.” Insanity was a gift when there was so much worse that could be done to him, he was clearly a fool and one who’d failed to understand the depth of their power. “If my talisman is in someone’s possession they aren’t using it,” Ørjan pointed out, “truthfully I would rather be powerless and free than a powerful servant to someone’s will.”

+

Thinking of Caracalla is not something Anemos does with relish, but for Eros, they are willing to indulge the other oneiroi’s curiosity. There is little that they think themselves capable of denying when it comes to their family. “I was staying in Rome at the time, a guest of the Emperor. He was a wise man, wiser than any of his sons, and knew to court my favor. But I became careless, and too content. I did not stay on my guard, and lost my talisman as a result.” They would never make such a mistake again, now they protect the talisman as if it is their lifeline — because it is. Never again will they fall under the servitude of another. “He was a fool, but a dangerous fool. Hungry for power and glory, and used my magic to achieve it for himself. And so I took his desires and used them to twist him into a monster the entire world would recognize, until one of his own became responsible for his demise.” Not a single night of his sleep had been free of terror and manipulations, from the moment he held Anemos’s talisman. “Even so, we will find it. No matter how long it takes, we do not stop until it is in your hands again, and only yours.”

      Rafael had not been aware that other options existed, and so he had never thought about it. He didn’t mind being a werewolf like some other people did. He was born like this, he had grown into this, and he sort of even enjoyed it, except the full moon aspect of it maybe. But becoming immortal… the first thought that came to mind was that he would survive the rest of his still living family members. And merely thinking about that ripped his heart into pieces. Though the idea of Anemos and Hippolyta going on without him had the same effect. “My family isn’t immortal,” he said quietly, if only to explain to them why this was not a decision made easily within a second. At least not for him. “I don’t want to lose you ever again. The first time killed me, and I hope it stays the only time. But… becoming immortal is a big step, Anemos. I don’t expect you to understand that because you have always been. But I have grown up knowing I will die one day. And it does not sound easy. Do you even know one of these options?”

     Rafael had about a century left – he wasn’t sure why they were talking about this now. A century was a long time, at least in his opinion. But he saw the look on Anemos’ face, and heard the tone of their voice, and he realized that was not how they viewed this. They seemed to be in deep despair, and that in turn tugged painfully at his own heartstrings. “Change?”, he echoed, a confused look taking over his features. He pulled them closer in an attempt to offer them some sort of physical comfort, but he had no idea what they were talking about. “I am already a werewolf, love. I don’t think that is an option for me.”

     Rafael had not been prepared for this argument. Anemos dropped the word forever, and something lit up in his brain. A light bulb maybe, one that was put on by him putting together small puzzle pieces. Oh. It was true, he did not have forever. He was not immortal. And knowing they would live on after him, without him, was not a thought he liked to entertain. Which was why he had simply chosen not to think about it. “Love, there is nothing we can do about that,” he said gently, brushing his thumb against Anemos’ cheek. “And you knew that when you chose a mortal. I have already seen you die. And one day you will have to watch me die.”

     “That’s an insult”, Noah mumbled, but he stood up and made his way towards his bedroom to put on some nice clothes. “And I did leave my apartment in the past month.” Mostly just because of work and to sleep on Winter’s couch. But it still counted, didn’t it? Noah put on some tight jeans and a loose printed button up shirt before brushing his hair. “Going out, as in to a bar?” The thought of seeing men had his stomach twisting — he wasn’t entirely sure if he was ready for that.

    Rafael’s attempt to make light of the situation didn’t seem to be working, and he was confused as to why that was the case. Nothing bad had happened, so why was Anemos acting as if this was the end of the world? “Hey.” His voice grew softer as he brushed his hand against their cheek, a frown settling on his features as he tried to figure out what was going on. Was someone after them? Did he have to fear getting hurt on purpose? Or was this about something else? „What do you mean? What’s going on, love?”

For the first time since Selene was here Ørjan felt a safety in another’s hands, she had held him like this at times. Told him that everything would be alright, that they would find his talisman and punish those responsible for taking it. He wanted to believe them but it had been so long that it sounded more like a dream than anything, oneiroi were gifted dreamers, they couldn’t have their own so they took their time weaving the fabric of others. Even if Ørjan didn’t believe that he’d ever find his talisman again he could let himself believe the lie that someday they might.  “Family.” Ørjan repeated, his smile was short, maybe that would be enough for him. The spirit could live vicariously through the others if need be. “I’ve never had one of those.” Not truly, not one that lasted, anyways. “I like the sound of it thought. I don’t know where to begin searching for it, its been so long. Whomever has it- I want to make them suffer.” 

+

“You have one now, with us. Always, no matter what comes.” Themselves, Phobetos, Peirasmos, even Patroclus. Nemesis and Epiales too, though they are far away right now. But all of them together fit like pieces of a puzzle, not quite whole without the others, and Eros isn’t any less part of the picture just because their talisman is lost. “Most of us have been in this position before, our magic kept captive by the machinations of greedy men. A cruel and terrible man once held mine for years, and so I drove him to insanity, until one of his own soldiers stuck him with a blade.” Their only regret is that his death had not been longer, more drawn out. But Anemos had been eager to get their talisman back as quickly as possible, and in the end, vengeance mattered little in the face of freedom. “We’ll make sure they bleed and scream for so long, they’ll wish for death long before the mercy of it comes. That I swear to you.”

     “Time?” The oneiroi arched their brows, because they thought that was a funny thing to say, considering the town they found themselves in. From what they had heard there was no time in this place, because one chaos haunted the next. No one was safe here, at least not the mortals. “That’s quite optimistic, don’t you think? I’ve only heard the stories of what happened here, but they didn’t sound like someone mortal should put a bet on time.” They stretched their arms up over their head before letting them fall to their sides, leaning forward towards Anemos. “How about a boat trip? Just us, no one else.”

“Oh, is it?” He looked at them, eyes pinging their frame for a moment before focusing back on their eyes. He had never actually met an oneiroi before, but Ignacio found them intriguing. There was something they had in common at least. They were both playing a game with each other though. Who would falter first? It certainly wouldn’t be him. He had never been one to back down from anything that easily. “Oh, I’m from real far away. I wouldn’t want people to focus more on me than you if you tag me. Thank you for that opportunity though.” He squinted his eyes. “Where are you from?”