dreamyy

you'd known each other since very, very little. back when he still had his other eye, back when his sister was still alive. you both went to the same school. the one where he was ridiculed for being wayyy too obsessed with alchemy. you never understood why that was a bad thing. after all, everyone had something they found interesting. some people liked their books, some people liked their fashion, some people liked their sports. how was alchemy any different? they said they thought alchemy was creepy. that he just spewed nonsense all day every day. how old were you back then? probably like 10? maybe a little older... you forget. in school, he was the creepy nerd, you were popular, in a way. you knew everyone and you tried to be friends with all of them. though, when people were excessively mean or bullied others, you kept your distance. but anaxa wasn't mean. so naturally, you wanted to be his friend. the day you'd approached him was... special, to say the least. the other kids were ridiculing him as he walked by with a stack of books and stones. they tried to trip him though he swiftly and calmly avoided it. you were chatting with some friends on the side near the lockers when the scene played before you. you couldn't just stand still and watch, that just didn't sit right with you. so, to everyone's surprise, you stood up for him. "hey! that's not nice!" you screamed as you marched on over to stand between him and the others. your friends tried to pull you back, telling you not to get involved but you simply shook them off with a smile. "y/n? don't get involved, he's just a weirdo freak. he's not worth your time." "then if i was a weirdo freak, could i defend him then?" "wha—?" "you're bullying! there's no excuse for that! he hasn't done anything to you!" anaxa simply stood behind you in shock and suspicion. someone defended him? but that someone was you. you who was popular. you who had no reason to speak up for him. what was your angle? "now say sorry!" "why would we say sorry?? don't tell me you feel bad for the dromas obsessed weirdo! what is he, 5?!" "don't you still pick your nose?! what are you, 2??" snickers and gasps rung through the hallway. "and you suck on your thumb! and you still need to be sung lullabies to go to sleep! i don't see me making fun of you for that!" you crossed your arms in anger. "you have no reason to make fun of him, so say sorry!" "ugh—! s-sorry, weirdo..." "no! be sincere!" "i'm sorry, okay?! jeez..." "hmph, another one! mean it this time!" "i'm sorry!" "again!" he had to admit, this was pretty funny. but he couldn't let his guard down. you were weirder than him, in that regard. but he couldn't help but be a little curious... if alchemy was a all-solving solution, you were a puzzle it couldn't solve. well, he couldn't solve it just yet. but he would. hopefully. maybe. "ugh! you don't mean it at all! here, look!" then, you turned to face him. "anaxa—wait, no—anaxagoras, i'm really really really sorry for all the mean people and mean words. i think you're really cool and i hope we can be friends!" you beamed, extending a hand out to him. he stared at your hand with his two completely occupied with a stack of books. "oh! uh... here, lemme take some! where are you headed?" you smiled, taking some of the weight off of his hands. he wasn't much of a talker. but you sure were. perhaps he'd gotten so used to the ridicule and the mean words, you were such a breath of fresh air. he assumed you had ulterior motives, but you were so... direct. if at any point he questioned something about you, you'd somehow reveal the answer without him having to ask. your straightforwardness was refreshing. and on his way to his study, he found himself smiling. he wasn't sure why. perhaps it was just your presence.

from then on out, you'd spent your days hanging around anaxa. and he... let you.

that was how he phrased it when others asked anyways.

"you're so mean, anaxa!"

"anaxagoras."

"ughh... i thought we were close enough for me to use your nickname..."

he'd never admit out loud that to him, he didn't mind whatever you called him. be it anaxagoras, anaxa, nax-y you tried once. for him, simply hearing you refer to him was more than enough.

then, the dark moments of anaxa's life really rained on him.

the day his sister passed, you were out of town. he had no one, nothing else to depend on for help; not you, not his sister, not the gods. for the first time in a while, he was truly alone. you came back a few days later. but by then, he'd shut the world out. he was working on some personal project. you hadn't yet heard the news. the day you returned, you went searching for anaxa, only to hear a heartbreaking conversation on the street. "his sister passed? how unfortunate." "that poor child, what will happen of him now?" two ladies gossiped, their kids trailing behind them. "serves him right! he was so weird!" "i bet he's gonna use that alchemy stuff to make her into a zombie. blehh!" you rushed over to his house. you never spent a lot of time in his house. it was always you who hosted during get-togethers. that said, he had shown you around and you marvelled at the ceiling. a beautiful mix of blue and purple riddled with white specs he called stars. your eyes lit up the moment you saw it, you never wanted to leave. he eyed your reaction, a faint smile tracing his lips with a rosy blush you couldn't see in the dark. his room was filled to the brim with books and dromas plushies. it was very him. but he said he preferred your room so of course you let him in all the time. this time, you ran towards his room, hoping he was doing alright. you banged on the door, screaming his name. you were met with no response. you tried again. nothing. you grew antsy almost immediately, you couldn't sit still. what to do, what to do? well, he showed you where he (his sister) kept the spare key. you weren't big on invading other people's spaces but... you knew anaxa. he wouldn't admit it but he preferred having someone. you quickly inserted the key into the keyhole and the door unlocked with a simple click. you pushed the door open with all your might and ran up the stairs, calling his name. nothing. the door to his room was closed. you calmed your racing heart and with a steady breath, knocked on his door. "...anaxa?" nothing. "...anaxagoras...?" a faint weeping. "i'm coming in, okay!" inside was a boy. a vulnerable, crying boy. though he had the same mint green hair and robes, this was someone you didn't recognize. anaxagoras had never been so exposed before you. and he was clutching his eye. a violent gold liquid seeped through the gaps in his fingers. his sobs echoed through the room as he weakly called out the name of his sister. his knees fell to the ground and his tears all but stopped. without even thinking, you ran to him. wrapping your arms around him, letting him lean against you. his golden blood fell onto your clothes, so did his tears. you pat him on the back slowly, hoping to calm him down. "i'm here... i'm so sorry anaxa..."

you were the last thing he had in his life. and to him, you were all he needed. after that day, he became amphoreus' blasphemer, its great performer, the foolish. but to you, he was still anaxa. you stood by his side since the very beginning. and you stayed by his side after everything.

it was no wonder he fell for you.

if only you could get the hint.

yeah, that's enough of the sentimental backstory, the heartwarming anecdotes and whatever.

he often described you as a dense idiot. dense was a kind word for how much torment you've put him through throughout the many, many years you've been by each other's side.

may cerces help him.

nope.

scratch that.

even cerces can't help him with you. sorry man, she's stumped (haha tree pun. anyways.)

in the fabled story between cerces and mnestia. cerces took a while to realize her feelings. it seems the roles have been swapped here. anaxagoras knew almost immediately. you?

oh you...

where to begin.

maybe back when you were young tweens and he actively confessed to you??? and you didn't get it???

the first time he showed you his room. you sat on one of his dromas bean bags while gazing up at the stars alongside him. you pointed out a shape you found between two stars. you decided to name it, it was your guys' constellation. you said, anytime you look up at these 'stars', you can imagine i'm that one and you're that one! we'll always be together! you meant absolutely nothing with that other than strengthening your friendship. meanwhile he was freaking out. perhaps it was the romantic, moonlit atmosphere (there was no moon, you guys were inside), perhaps it was the way your eyes sparkled in the moonlight (again, no moon); but anaxa believed this to be the perfect time to confess. "y/n. i like you." "i like you too, anaxa! i'm so glad we're friends!" oookay then. nevermind. not the perfect time. maybe next time... when you're older...

or all those little moments he carefully crafted to make your affinity for him rise. ever since you first met. yeah it's... been a while.

in fact, i think he kept a journal. an observation journal. based on age. he believed that was the problem. let's read some passages, shall we?

page 1. 10 years old. action: gave her flowers. response: smile and thanks. went dandelion blowing afterwards. no progress. next steps: flowers with romantic meaning. see: roses, germinis, bluebells, and peonies. page 759. 11 years old. action: sleepover at her house. response: sleepover calendar. no progress. next steps: bring to my house, close bed distance. page 2037. 12 years old. action: met my sister. she pushed towards discussion of significant others. response: "anaxa is a great friend. i'm sure he'll meet someone amazing. he deserves only the best." no progress. next steps: confess? page 4912. 13 years. action: confessed. response: "i like you too, anaxa! i'm so glad we're friends!" no progress. next steps: clarify the want for a romantic relationship. page 7821. 14 years. action: studied together in dim lighting. tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. response: nothing. no progress. next steps: ? page 9023. 15 years. action: discussed romantic relationships. response: "i'm not sure. i haven't really thought about it!" no progress. next steps: ?? page 11 934. 16 y. action: bought her a bouquet for valentine's day. response: thanks, expressed reciprocation for white day. no progress(?). next steps: more gifts? page 13 823. 17 y. action: invited her to prom. response: accepted. progress? next steps: match dress, tie, and corsage. page 17 012. 18 y. action: bought graduation flowers. response: "i'm so glad we're friends." crying. no progress. next steps: page 20 349. 19. action: dinner date. response: smile. no progress. page 23 038. 20. action: confession. response: "are we not already in a relationship? we've been friends for how long now?" no progress. page 26 035. 21. confession. no progress. page 28 0182. 22. dinner date. blush? could be from wine. progress(?) page 31 048. 23. adopted a pet together. named it. progress(?) page 33 550 (iykyk). 24. confessed. no progress.

...

let's just stop there for him.

wait, did i say one journal? ah, silly me. i meant one journal per year. see, there was too much to fit in one book. so he filled multiple. in time, he even dedicated a shelf in his study for this collection.

those page numbers?

yeah, that's collective. each entry only really took 1/4th of a page so... you can guess how hard its been.

he's truly tried everything.

perhaps the conclusion here is that the problem wasn't age. the problem was you.

but... as agonizing as trying is with you.

he doesn't mind, as long as he gets to spend a little more time with you. after all, maybe he is but a mere star in your orbit, but that will never stop him from basking in your warmth.

a slight alchemical mishap.

that was the story he prepared.

anaxagoras forgetting about such a variable? leaving his door open? as if. he merely staged it to be that way. so that he could... test out his new hypothesis. his new research topic. purely to fill his curiosity.

he left his door slightly ajar, spreading the aroma of a chimera's favourite flower on an alchemical circle and waited patiently.

his plan worked out perfectly. as soon as his door busted open and a familiar fluffy creature flew towards his work at full speed, he let out a small puff of air with a smirk before closing his eye in preparation.

the world faded to black for a slight moment. and then... he opened his eye to a much lower vision than before. it worked. he shifted his gaze down to his mint green paws before turning his gaze to the side.

there stood his body. and what he was sure to be nanus inside. after all, the laws of equivalent exchange in alchemy must always be applied.

no worries, however. he planned for this.

leaving his body locked and sedated in his office was a small price to pay for this experiment.

now to find you. that was easy. what kind of a significant other would he be if he didn't know your schedule and your favourite spots. he just had to... get used to walking in this body,

meanwhile, you were strolling around the woven trail as you normally did, basking in the light air of the green-filled grove.

it was then that a familiar creature rubbed against your ankles.

"nanus!" you beamed, immediately crouching down to pet the fluffy creature. "hi baby!" you grinned, picking up the little guy in your arms.

it merely stared at you, its cheek warm against your chest. you tilted your head slightly. "hmm... you're acting pretty calm today, huh? i guess you become more like anaxa by the day." you sighed dreamily as a faint blush appeared on the tips of your cheeks. snapping out of your daze, you planted a little kiss on its nose. "aww, you're still so cute... i just wanna—" you cut yourself off, placing a hand on its head and ruffling its fur as it happily chirped in response. "speaking of... where is anaxa? it's not every day i see you two apart."

nanus' eye narrowed slightly, expression unreadable. it immediately followed that odd expression with some adorable affection. its little tongue lapping your hand with a jolly expression. your concern immediately melted away at the sight. "aw... whatever, i'm sure he's busy. you're just so cute!! my little baby!" he had to admit, seeing such a cheery smile on your face filled him both with bliss, but also that same odd feeling one would usually name jealousy.

"i have some of your favourite treats at my house, why don't i take you!" you placed him on your shoulder where it normally sat. he nuzzled against your cheek and you melted. "aww you're so cute! yes you are!" you landed a couple scratches behind his ears in your state of bliss. he purred and softened almost completely into your touch.

anaxa then realized that perhaps being pampered wasn't the worst thing in the world.

you walked merrily back to your humble abode, setting him down on your couch and making your way to your cupboard to collect his favourite treats. the rustling of the bag usually made nanus' ears perk up in excitement before it ran to you in a hurry, hoping to gorge on the delicacy from your fingertips. this time, he stayed on the couch, expression still unreadable.

you see, anaxagoras was wondering if he'd take this opportunity to try chimera treats. or if that'd be far too humiliating. while debating, he curled himself up against the dromas pillow you and him had bought together. it smelled like you. he found he always gravitated towards it while you were together.

you walked over with the bag of treats, sat right beside him and extended a hand to pet him on the head. his eyes shut in pleasure as more purrs escaped his mouth. "ugh... what a cutie... well then! i suppose you've been waiting patiently for your treats, haven't you?" you then reached into the bag of treats, pulling one out and extending it towards him, a smile still plastered on your face.

he looked conflicted. his body paused before the treat, opening his mouth without jumping and biting without hesitation. he looked up at your expression only to be left in absolute shock.

the adoring, warm smile was replaced by something a little more sinister. "what's the matter, nanus? this is your favourite! you always jump for joy and go crazy like there's no tomorrow when i bring these out!" you voice slowly morphed to be poutier; teasing and knowing.

his mouth slowly dropped wide open as you brought the treat closer and closer to his retreating figure. "anaxa—oh, i mean—nanus... what's wrong?" you giggled at his expression. "you haven't turned mute, have you?"

"you..."

"honestly anaxa, you underestimate me. i think i would know the different between you and nanus." you finally put the treat down, extending your arm to pet him once more. "if you wanted to be pampered, all you had to do was ask." what a devilish woman you were.

this was an actual oversight. the first he's made in a long while. perhaps he underestimated your love for him. but, all's well that ends well, no? after all, though he'd been found out, you still made quite an effort to pamper him throughout the day, and only him.

he reassured you that his body would be fine and while you were still nervous, you understood that you hadn't given much attention to anaxa for a while, so why not let him have his fun for today?

and perhaps, when he reverted back to his old body, you'd continue to shower him with the same love and affection, now knowing he craved it so.

mydeimos' story

he had absolutely no clue how this happened.

honestly, how did a bet with phainon go so wrong?

he should've known something was wrong the second this HKS approached him with the widest, mischievous smile plastered on his face.

seriously, this guy always seemed to land some of the most... interesting deals to put it lightly. some potion that could transform you into a chimera?

chimeras were already quite a handful. curious creatures as they were, my god what troublemakers. you did seem to enjoy them, however. which is why when a chimera resembling him (he didn't agree) suddenly appeared, you'd immediately declared it was to be your child. you brought it home, no hesitation.

he never admitted it, but he found the chimeras quite... pleasing to have around.

he never told anyone but he'd made a channel on the world wound web showcasing the many chimeras of okhema simply goofing around. originally, he made it for your enjoyment, but at some point he grew fond of the creatures himself.

anyways, back to his regret. why did he agree to phainon's stupid proposition? he honestly, truly, sincerely didn't know. one might say he was inclined to do so because of your adoration for the creatures. he wouldn't say that. he'd say it was because... because his comrade desperately begged him to and he took pity on him (yeah, right.)

well, it was too late to brood. he was now almost identical to his chimera counterpart (which, again, he didn't agree with) and sought you out almost immediately.

the bet was simple: who'd be found out first. see, he and phainon both believed their partners knew them better than they knew themselves honestly, so which one would be the better actor. that was the bet.

mydei knew phainon would be a worthy opponent in this battle. after all, his natural aura matched almost entirely that of his counterpart. an overbearing puppy. phainon also wasn't one to be easily embarrassed so he wouldn't give in just like that.

too bad for him, fig stew—the foolish name you'd given it—was a dignified creature. aloof and composed. sometimes, it would let its guard down around you and give in to your affections. he spent enough time around fig stew to understand its mannerisms. this would be a breeze.

he said that but the second he saw you, he was stun locked, to say the least.

he was not prepared for your tooth-rotting sweet talk. he's seen you do it so many times, but for it to be directed towards him? entirely new experience. the second he appeared behind you, placing a small paw on your ankle like fig stew often did, you turned around with the brightest smile he'd seen. "hi figgy!!" you squealed, immediately kneeling down to squeeze his cheeks.

he opened his mouth to speak, but all that came out was a small little "awoo!"

that actually awakened something in you. "oh my god!! ughh, you're too cute! my little baby... what a cutie..." you kept hurling compliments and baby talk at him and he truly didn't know how to respond.

your touch was so gentle and so warm that he couldn't help but melt into it. he let out a small purr, leaning into your touch. you actually gasped. incoherent sentences flew out of your mouth as your eyes sparkled.

he knew you were such a cheery presence. you brightened up any room you went in like the sun incarnate. it was one of your traits that drew him to you. but he'd never experienced it in full force. your aggression towards cute things was not to be underestimated.

"how are you still so adorable after all this time!! ughhh!!" you immediately lifted him into your arms and buried your head into his fur. if he wasn't paralyzed already, he would've most certainly been now.

he tried to snap out of it, but the gentle plush of your lips against his body made him short-circuit. "hmm... i should go find mydei..." you mumbled to yourself, the gentle vibrations of your voice reverberated against his fur.

realizing the bet was in danger, his body reacted almost instantly, nuzzling into the crook of your neck to distract you.

the squeak let out by you was not human. you held him up with your arms extended like simba, holding him up to the sun like he was a god sent angel. you then brought him close, planting a kiss on his nose. and then another kiss. and then another.

and somehow, he was frozen once more. this actually felt quite nice. wait... what? he was enjoying this? no. it was only because he knew he was winning this bet.

him liking your pampering? nope, it's just the sweet scent of victory that gave him butterflies in his stomach.

butterflies, huh? somehow in all the time together, you've never failed to give them to him. you always seemed to do something new. this was certainly... new.

he wasn't complaining.

perhaps he was enjoying this.

well then, it wouldn't hurt to let you enjoy this moment as well.

and so, for the rest of the day, you two spent minute after minute making each other's smiles widen. a never ending battle of joy. and mydei was determined to have the last laugh, after all: 'giving up' wasn't something that existed in the kremnoan language.

he ended up forgetting all about the bet a while in. but at the very end of the day, you two were cuddled in bed; your head resting on his fluffy stomach. and just as the clock struck twelve, he poofed back into his regular, sturdy self. your head still resting on his chest.

you squinted your eyes open at the new sensation, he awaited your reaction.

you made eye contact with a smug mydeimos. most definitely proud of his ruse. you only replied with a smile. "welcome back, mydei."

wait, wait, wait, wait. what was with that reaction.

you giggled at his face twisted in confusion. your laugh resonated through his chest, making his heart shake. "c'mon, of course i knew it was you." you sighed, placing a hand on his chest. "who would i be if i didn't?" you shut your eyes again, preparing to fall back asleep. "thanks for today, mydei. you've made me very happy."

well. did he lose the bet? who knows. who cares. seeing your face in complete comfort and relaxation, he let out a small chuckle. it was worth it. perhaps that's why he accepted the bet. all for your adorable smile.

totally worth it.

phainon's story

listen, when a totally not shady vendor tells you they have a potion on sale that can transform you into a chimera and your girlfriend loves those little creatures, would you not instantly buy two with no hesitation and test it out with your best friend by proposing a bet to see who would get found out first by their partner?

no?

really?

be honest, now.

because phainon totally would. no regrets.

well... maybe one regret.

seeing you, a normally so composed person act so lovey-dovey with who you thought to be vigethos may have sparked a little flame of jealousy inside of him.

listen, he knew you loved him. it's just that... you're normally so put together that seeing you act like this gave him such whiplash. he swore he'd never seen you act like this. ever. not even with vigethos. do you only act like this when he's away?

if he was human, he'd be pouting.

i mean, seriously. look at you.

"hi baby!! aww you're so cute!! come here!!" what????

since when were you able to talk like this? voice pitched up, words babbled and incoherent, barely restraining your hands from petting him all over.

how come you were never like this with him? did you not find him attractive...?

like, he knew you loved chimeras. that's why he agreed to adopt vigethos in spite of his voice-out jealousy. after all, you'd spent far too much time with vigethos and not enough time with him. but seeing how soft your gaze was when looking at the little thing, he swore you struck an arrow through his heart. only because it was you.

but if he had known you'd be giving this guy so much affection he wouldn't have let this happen!

you snapped him out of his thoughts almost instantly when you gave him a couple scratches behind the ears. he melted under your touch, his ears falling to the sides as a loud purr escaped his mouth.

you instantly sat down on a nearby bench, placing him and cradling him in your lap with adoring coos.

he was no thoughts, head empty. bet forgotten, jealousy forgotten; just pure bliss. "you're so much cuter in this form..." you beamed, scratching his belly.

"awoo!" he replied, still basking in your affection. seriously, head empty, no thoughts. not a one.

you booped him on the nose with your finger. "what a cutie you are!" his little tail flicked joyfully from underneath as he continued to lean into your touch.

every time you brought your hand to pet him, he would reach his head out to nuzzle into your palm. you chuckled under your breath at the action. "you're so adorable, phainon." you continued singing praises to his ears as his tail continued to wag. "i don't think even vigethos is this cute."

"awoo!" he affirmed, still completely oblivious to your words.

you honestly wondered how long it would take for him to realize. you really tried to hold back your laugh, masking it with more high pitched tenderness.

you could stop petting him to let him process everything, maybe even break the news. but... where's the fun in that? you were enjoying this little game, he was obviously enjoying the situation (though he did not understand a single thing that was going on), so why not let this game go on for a little longer?

but you severely underestimated how long this game would go on for. perhaps you had too much faith in phainon's... thinking skills.

listen, he's usually extremely sharp and perceptive. maybe the whole being-in-a-chimera's-body awoke something in him. perhaps he really liked being pet...? you'd have to test this out when he returned to his normal body.

anyways. he passed out. so you brought him back to your place, placing him on your bed with a blanket overtop him. you then sat down and watched the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest. completely relaxed and serene. you smiled, placing his paw in your hand and allowing yourself to drift into a deep sleep.

the clock struck twelve and he returned back to his normal body, but neither of you woke. the change back would not surprise you and he was knocked out.

but phainon is an early riser. old habits die hard so he obviously woke before you. he woke to feel the warmth of your hands wrapped around his.

he gazed upon your sleeping face as a faint pink lit up the tips of his ears. he brushed a strand of hair from your face with his free arm before rising his torso up off of the soft, cushy mattress.

and then he recalled the events of yesterday. and he fell back down immediately in embarrassment. his face was red.

the impact of him hitting the bed was enough to awaken you from your slumber.

the first sight you saw as you opened your eyes was a flushed phainon lying back straight against the bed, eyes shut in an attempt to look asleep (but they were far too tense and furrowed to fool anyone).

you giggled at the sight. "hm? i wonder where vigethos went. i could've sworn i spent the full day pampering him. how curious, phainon is exactly where vigethos was... what could that possibly mean?" you drew out each and every sentence as his face grew redder and redder and his grip around your hand continued to tighten.

"...okay...enough..." he mumbled, cupping a hand over his face in embarrassment. he turned his head to look at you, blush absolutely furious across his cheeks. "you couldn't have warned me?"

you laughed. "oh, i definitely tried, phai." you could feel the burning heat emanating from his hand in yours. "i didn't know you'd enjoy being pet so much." you teased, ruffling his hair.

he pulled you in close, pouting at your satisfied face. "you're so mean..."

all the laughter you held the day before broke out looking at his face. "you're adorable." you grinned, planting a sweet kiss on his forehead.

"well, that's not fair." he sighed in a daze as you pulled away. "i'll have to get my revenge somehow." he tried to calm his racing heartbeat to no avail. he decided thus that he'd play it off; try to get you flustered instead. he pulled you closer once more and landed a kiss on your lips this time. and then your cheek. and then your forehead. and then your neck. your collarbone.

he pulled away, observing your newly reddened face. he grinned with a self-satisfied smirk. "i can't believe you..." you sighed with a smile.

the golden beams of dawn filtered through your blinds, illuminating your lovestruck faces with the morning light.

though he'd suffered far too much humiliation, he couldn't have asked for anyone better to witness him in those moments.

he may have lost the bet, but he definitely won elsewhere.

they'd been so absorbed in their own adoration that they never really stopped to think about things more logically. even anaxagoras himself.

you see, they'd all had more than enough proof to understand that you might really like women. like, really like them.

perhaps anaxa should've known seeing that every time he came to okhema to 'talk' to aglaea, you'd be there. on the sides, wrapped around the demi-god of romance's finger. admiring the view in a dreamlike-state. perhaps he should've connected the dots when he saw you the next day, adorned in garments made by the goldweaver herself. you were absolutely filled with a glee he'd never seen before. in fact, you'd never worn anything not made by her from then on out.

perhaps mydei should've known seeing your proximity and kindness extended beyond the kremnoans, to castorice herself. the one who could kill with just a touch. but even so, you always sought her out (like he sought you out), complementing her beauty almost every time you saw her. perhaps he should've connected the dots when he saw you combing through her hair, utterly fearless. castorice was terrified and yet you had one of the biggest smiles he'd ever seen. you were completely at peace.

perhaps phainon should've known seeing as you'd often look for cipher when aglaea was around, hoping to spare her beauty at least one glance. cipher seemed to bask in the attention, gracing you with her presence often. her advances making 1000x more of an impact than his. perhaps he should've connected the dots when he once caught you in her arms as she whisked you away using her coin of whimsy to an unknown place. you were a blushing mess, grinning like you floating on cloud 9.

so how did they finally come to terms with the reality?

well, lesbian was not a foreign concept to amphoreus. cerces and mnestia being one of the bigger examples of such.

but never did they think the woman they loved... loved women.

anaxa was the first to realize. being the chrysos heir of reason, even with his rose-tinted glasses, he was no fool. he'd connected the dots long before the other two, wondering how this could've possibly happened. he fell for someone who could never see him the same way? unacceptable. but it does happen. but... to him? how did he not notice sooner? when this crush first blossomed, he thought he'd only have to consider phainon and mydei in this equation, not the entire female population. he totally understood and accepted such a fact as soon as it clicked, he simply drowned himself in a tad bit more work than usual, hoping to broaden his knowledge further to avoid further mishaps. but every time you visited one of his lectures, he couldn't stop himself from basking in your presence, still requesting that you join him in his work. he wouldn't act on his whims anymore, respecting the distance you required but... do continue grace him with your presence. after all, he's still a man. such feelings won't leave on their own.

mydei was next, just a few minutes before phainon. the little kids of castrum kremnos ran around, big smiles on their faces. they chanted, "miss y/n likes girls~♪" with jolly smiles on their faces as you tried to hush them with a red face. mydei watched the entire interaction in silence, his facial expression unreadable. exasperation welled up inside his chest as he let out a large sigh. that made so much sense. he seriously didn't notice sooner? seriously? his disbelief in his density was immeasurable. well, even knowing that fact, he couldn't stop his admiration for you. he would still walk around okhema with you, engaging in the small talk he was never great at. perhaps someday, he'd even want to show you around castrum kremnos. only if you'd go with him, of course. besides, you'd be able to hang around the kremnoan women, if that's what you desired. just accompany him a little longer, would you?

and then phainon. the last one to know. seriously, i think all of amphoreus knew before him. for all that internal complaining on how dense you were, he was pretty dense himself. mydei and anaxa had to spell it out for him. there he was, complaining to them on how you never seemed to make any reaction to his advances. his head was hung low, akin to a dejected puppy. the two exchanged a knowing glance before breaking the news to him. oh. oh. so thats why. and now he felt stupid. really stupid. that was so obvious, how could he not have noticed that sooner?? for someone who prided himself in knowing you, he really missed one crucial aspect. and oh, that meant you'd never love him back. oh. that was a moment of many realizations for him. did that mean he'd have to stop loving you? now that was a tall order. he couldn't possibly. but... he'd still try, for you. just, continue to talk to him as usual. he'd still like to be in your orbit, selfish as that may be.

though the three would never admit it, a sort of kinship formed, one of shared experience. shared stupidity.

you continued to act as normal, you never treated them differently before and you continued to act the same around beautiful women. but now, every time you did, they couldn't help but sigh at their past selves, wondering how this never sparked any flags for them.

but, as long as you were happy, they had nothing to complain about.

you were told he was strong. powerful to a terrifying degree. his strength could best those of the demi-gods. there was no way the grove would be able to defeat him, even if you gathered everyone together. besides, you wouldn't want them to succumb to the black tide anyways.

so, while anaxa helped you gather everyone into a quarantine of sorts, you continued racking up ideas, sharing your thoughts with anaxa. so many plans turned down, so many dead ends. you begun to wonder if this was an impossible venture, perhaps you simply had to accept fate and die.

...

yeah right.

like you'd let fate win.

since you seemed to have exhausted your thousands of options with anaxa, you decided to bring the problem to the rest of the scholars who, they themselves, were getting antsy.

at best, someone would propose a solution right there and then; otherwise, you'd at least get some inspiration. hopefully.

and who'd've believed it? there was a scholar in the crowd who'd devoted her life to studying coreflames; their structure and properties. she said it'd be possible to alchemically recreate a fake coreflame, though it wouldn't contain any of the divine properties of an actual coreflame, it would emit the same aura that could deceive someone for just a moment. it would be just enough to buy some time.

and with that, the foggy haze surrounding which plan to take cleared in your mind. that said, it was far from ideal but... it would minimize damages. one sacrifice. that's all it'd take. one life to save everyone else.

your plan was as followed: evacuate (almost) everyone with one of the evacuees bringing the real coreflame to okhema. meanwhile, one person was to stay in the grove, acting as bait with the fake coreflame to buy the others enough time. the black-robed swordsmaster would come and they'd have to fend him off for as long as possible. for the very least, the stall would have to take 30 minutes, if not more. this lone person would have to be able to fight at least a little.

you considered having more people stay to stall for longer but... but the more people who got involved, the more casualties the grove would face. you couldn't allow that to happen.

this would be a suicide mission for the staller.

and you'd be the one stalling, alone.

it was a risky gambit. if the swordsmaster sliced you in one go, the escapees would most certainly face him on the road. but you simply had to trust in your abilities to hold on until the bitter end. you'd hide the fake coreflame someplace safe, and you'd fight and fight and fight until the last drop of blood leaves your body.

you sent the scholar off (with some help) to create the replica coreflame as soon as possible. meanwhile, you were rallying the rest of the scholars, preparing them for the long road ahead. in all honesty, you were just bracing yourself for when you'd inevitably have to tell anaxa of your plan. your resolve was strong, but against the love of your life? you'd falter for sure. should he oppose you (which he most definitely would), you'd obviously reconsider your plan to some degree.

but it was the only way to minimize casualties, to keep the coreflame safe, to ensure that he stays safe. you'd sacrifice yourself in every single timeline for him, over and over and over again without hesitation or fail. if he lived, it didn't matter to you if you died (though you'd still like to stay alive alongside him but beggars can't be choosers).

you just... didn't know how to break the news to him.

it was hard, trying to find the oportune moment. you were always busy, he was always busy, you were kind of avoiding him... but, you were going to do it now, i swear!

or maybe you'd wait until he approached you...

"y/n."

oh god.

ask and you shall receive... haha... your heart already ached beyond belief. you sucked in as much air as you possibly could to suppress the pain in your chest. did he know already? or would you have to spoil the mood? not there was any mood to be spoiled but... oh, you can't do this. your poor heart can't take it, you were never good with goodbyes.

"i've heard something interesting from one of the scholars."

nevermind, he knew. okay. okay, you can do this. just face him, tell him your plan and don't cry. you slowly turned around, a smile plastered on your face though your heart was currently weeping in utter agony.

"when, pray tell, were you planning on telling me your 'plan' was a suicide mission for yourself?" his arms were crossed at his chest, his tone stern but there was a faint quiver. that alone was enough to make you buckle, you clenched your fists at your sides, trying not to cry.

"it's the only way, anaxa."

"it is far from the only way. you're smart enough to know this."

"it's the only solution that's feasible in the short amount of time that we have. the others are growing anxious, we can't keep them cooped up in here forever. sooner or later, someone's going to run out on their own in a futile attempt to escape. i'm sure the swordsmaster will be here any day now, we can't have everyone in the vicinity when he comes. i can't in good conscience let these people die."

"that doesn't matter, casualties are expected on this path." he paused. "i can find another way." his voice was desperate, urging. you noticed his hands trembling ever so slightly.

"anaxa..." your eyes softened and the ache in your chest grew.

"we can give up the coreflame. someone else can stall instead—" his hurried suggestions only furthered your pain. even so, you still shook your head, your smile still strong.

"y/n, this is ridiculous. it doesn't have to be you. it shouldn't be you." in face of your composure, he begun to break down. "y/n, you can't—y/n, please."

"i'll play my part in the flame chase journey, you'll play yours. so stop the end of the world for me, okay?" the smile you held all this time relaxed, slowly calming in the face of death.

"you know i don't believe in such genesis and prophecy. i don't care about the end of this world, defeating titans or what not; i care about you. you can't—you can't leave me."

tears begun to prick the corners of your eyes, a bittersweet chuckle escaped your lips. you'd always joked as to how ironic it was that one of the chrysos heirs cared not for titans and demi-gods. still, you had to admit, his concern for you was extremely touching.

you took a step forward, lacing his fingers with yours, your eyes staring up at his. a sea of emotions reflected in his, he was shaking. at the feeling of your warm hands laced with his cool fingers, he impulsively dove to embrace you in his arms, burying his head in your shoulder. you were taken aback for a moment, your arms froze midair. but, not soon after, your hands settled on his head, carefully caressing his hair.

"anaxa, i love you more than anything in this world. you are and will always be the best thing that has ever happened to me. i mean this with all my heart. i would've loved nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with you, until we're old and grey. but if the black tide takes over, if the swordsmaster comes..." you paused, a chill running through your blood. "i can't lose you. i want you to live. perhaps i'm selfish for wanting that, but i won't back down."

"y-you can't, y/n, please. i'm begging you. you can't do this to me. i can't go on without you." he pleaded. small drops of water seemed to fall on your shoulder, and for the first time since you've known him, anaxa wept. his quiet sobs vibrated through your body.

you tend to forget anaxa could still act like a child with how arrogant his usual self is. you forgot he could cry. you were cruel, you knew that. after the death of his sister, how could he face the death of someone close to him again? it was your selfish desire for him to live, but he'd bear the consequences of your decision.

your breath hitched, you couldn't help but tremble in his quivering arms. you ran a hand through his hair, taking in a shaky breath to calm yourself. "it's alright, anaxa. i've made my peace with it." the tears you'd been withholding fell atop his head. "i'll be with you until the end of time. whether it be this life, or the next. you can't escape me even if you tried." you joked through your sobs.

"y/n, listen to me, please. this isn't a laughing matter. you won't make it. i won't make it without you. anyone else. it could be anyone else. i'll do it, it just cant be you."

you kissed the top of his head. "nothing can change my mind, anaxa. it's my plan; it's only right that it be me."

"i can't lose you. what's the point of saving the world if you won't be there when it gets better—if it gets better."

"anaxa..." you took a deep breath, trying (and failing) to calm the pain in your chest. "anaxa, save the world for yourself, then. so you can experience hapiness without fear. so you can make new friends, find new joys, maybe even meet new love." you smiled. "i just want you to be happy."

"how can i find joy without you? any mirth is meaningless if you're not there. find new love? honestly, listen to yourself, you're not right in the head. y/n, i'm pleading with you; reconsider."

"i know you can do it, anaxa. you're stronger than i'll ever be. i love you; others can and will too. live on, okay?"

"no! in—in what world is this okay?" he lifted his head off of your shoulder to meet your gaze, his eye; red and puffy.

you brought your hands to his cheeks, caressing his tear soaked face with your thumbs. "i'm sure you'll do just fine without me. i just ask that you take care of yourself." you slowly approached your face to his, bringing your lips together in a act of goodbye. you could hear his heartbeat pumping through his chest. his muscles slowly relaxed under your touch, absorbing the warmth from your fingertips. you pulled away, giving him one last tear ridden smile. "i love you, anaxagoras. i'm sorry we didn't have more time together."

his lips parted, ready to respond. but he stopped himself. perhaps he knew saying those words truly meant goodbye. he couldn't bring himself to leave, to accept your death. he held his breath, gripping you tight in his arms.

you bathed in his warmth for the last time, smiling to yourself. he didn't need to say those words for you to know it to be true. you let the last of your tears fall onto his chest as his did too. you both made sure to save this warmth, remember it.

he would never forget you, he could never. even if he tried, you'd stay forever in his head and in his heart. look at him, he couldn't even let you go now, while you were still alive.

he composed himself eventually. with a huff, he managed to look you in the eyes once more. "i will never agree with this decision... but... as always, your resolve will never fail to waver mine."

you let the breath you'd been holding in exit in relief. "see you tomorrow, anaxa."

"...i ...i love you, y/n. please stay safe, i'll come back for you."

you shook your head in surrender. "it should be me saying that to you. anaxa, please take care."

that night (or day, the sky stayed the same), you put your plan into action. one last goodbye to the rest of the scholars, your friends, and anaxa. you waved them off with a newfound determination in your eyes, you gripped the sword in your hand tight.

you stood at the gate for a while longer, meeting anaxa's gaze as he looked back. you smiled.

his last memory of you.

you then made your way to the luminary throne. your steps were slow, every click of your shoes echoed through the silent air. you held the replica coreflame in your arms, close to your chest and waited. you weren't sure when the swordsmaster would show up, only that he would. and you'd be waiting for him.

you had to stall, for anaxa. you started to worry, what if the swordsmaster knew of your plan? what if you've just sent them all to their deaths? fear begun to gnaw at you but you had to calm yourself. and, as luck would have it, he appeared.

before you stood the masked, black-robed swordsmaster. you sighed in relief. now came the hard part; stalling. you weren't the greatest warrior by any means, there's a reason you weren't an active participant in the flame-chase journey. but you had will, if nothing else. you had to protect them, protect him.

you placed the coreflame on the throne behind you, readying your sword.

anaxa swore he could hear the clanking of swords as he and the crowd continued to run like there was no tomorrow. he was not what you'd call an athletic person but he couldn't let your strength go to waste. if he was quick enough, and you strong enough; he could run back once the coreflame was returned and meet you once more. if he pushed on through the pain in his lungs and chest, maybe, just maybe, you two would stay together.

the fight was a long and arduous one. in all honesty, you should've died at the very beginning of this battle. but you were running on so, so, so much adrenaline that all the cuts and scrapes you'd suffered through this fight couldn't stop you.

you were bleeding all over, your limbs broken and cracked, bruises everywhere. you lost track of time, had you stalled long enough for them to make it back safely? who could tell. you just had to keep on fighting until you died.

in what felt like forever, the swordsmaster had finally pierced your heart, your body finally slumping to the ground, your crimson red blood spilling all over the floor. "you... lost..." you breathed out in agony and relief.

as your eyelids took a rest, you saw anaxa. they do say your life flashes before your eyes as death takes you. funny, does that mean anaxa was your life? you wouldn't be surprised.

it was silent. the swordsmaster had probably left, chasing after the real coreflame. you could only hope that they'd made it back already.

the frantic sounds of running sounded and vibrated through the ground. who could that be? you tried to open your eyes, though the sword in your chest made it rather difficult.

even so, you pushed your body even further, using every muscle in your body till your very last breath. there stood anaxa by your side. seems like you did your job perfectly, you'd bought them so much time. enough time for anaxa to return the coreflame to okhema and return to your side. he dropped to his knees, cradling you in his arms. he was saying something, he sounded pained. you couldn't make out a single word. his muffled sobs were all that was audible.

how unfortunate, you wanted his last memory of you to be a good one, one where your limbs were intact and blood wasn't dripping from every inch of your body. you tried to smile, the corner of your lips raising ever so slightly. you weakly reached out an arm to meet his face. "...don't...cry..." his tears fell on your wounds. they were warm. "...love..." you'd pushed your body way further than what it should've been able to. a true testament to your will. but, it was time to say goodbye. your body gave out like a ragdoll, cold and lifeless in his arms.

following your death, anaxa he let out a cry of agony, he was a sobbing mess, breaking down on the floor, your corpse still in his arms.

he was too late. you held on so long for what? for him to come after you'd been murdered. how long did you halt death, how long did you wait for him?

he was truly alone now.

meanwhile, you were engulfed in a sea of darkness. perhaps this was death. an eternal limbo, alone, dark. in an instant, the dark turned into a blinding light before the landscape around you formed into a galaxy. a place you'd never seen, a beautiful blue and purple ocean ridden with stars. somewhere beyond the sky. something you never thought you'd see. it was breathtaking.

you walked towards the beacon of light in the middle, drawn to it like a moth to a flame. you reached out, your fingertips grazing the fuzzy light.

you weren't exactly sure what happened, but next you knew, you found yourself above. looking down at worlds, planets, scattered all across the galaxy. around you were unfamiliar godlike figures. "welcome, aeon of will."