Lord Luck

She was dressed in simple white dresspants and a frilly blouse- all servants seemed to be in white- as was Ethir’s mother. And Ethirdil himself often wore white too. It was, of course, the family colour.

“it is so nice you brought something from home August,” mother praised with a smile as she looked out over the pond and cooed at the crocodile. It had the colour of lapis lazuli and moved a bit when addressed but seemed more interested in lazing around in the sun.

Ethirdil took a seat as he stretched, relaxing already in the familiar home. “Mom, when is dad home?” he asked her as he reached out to the table and grabbed a few of the sugary treats, offering one to August before popping one into his own mouth and sucking on the candy. “He has a concert tonight right? Is he coming home?”

“Oh, honey, he will be home tomorrow. Tonight it is just the four of us. He is making time to meet you properly August. We have all seen you in passing of course since you’ve been a friend of our Etti- but this is different right. You’re about to become part of the family.” she smiled warmly at the man and went over as she looked the other deep in the eyes and her dark eyes scanned the other. “I think you need some hot tea, to soothe the soul too. Do you take it with sugar love? Well, no matter. You do now.” And with that his mother stalked off.

Ethir cleared his throat as he looked at August apologetic. “I should’ve warned you, mom is a soul reader. That’s also why she is so good with animals and a terrible and terrific mom at the same time. Keeping secrets was a nightmare when I was younger.” he laughed and got up again as he wrapped an arm around the other, pressing a kiss against Gus’ cheek.

“I am so happy you’re here, now come on we still have an hour or so before lunch. Let’s change and clean up.” he led the other to his room, up two stairs and then to the right- his room was large with a mirrorwall on one side and a huge balcony on the other. letting loads of sunlight in. Like the rest of the house everything was white- the walk-in wardrobe was filled to the brim and there were some remainders of hobbies on a desk in the corner. A few sheets of origami paper and some pencils.

There were barely any books in the room, Ethir did not like reading after all, but there was a large TV and a game console. It was a bit dusty though, not used in a while. “If you want to borrow clothing feel free.” Ethir offered as he took off his own shirt and threw it in the corner as he went into the walk-in and picked out a golden shirt that shimmered in the sunlight.

“Did you pack enough sunscreen? If not we need to get some from the city when we go there tomorrow.” Tugging on the other’s hand as he walked towards the large mansion that they had been dropped off at. Their driver was on a holiday so they needed to get a taxi. Because of all the animals that roamed at the Ji household’s estate it wasn’t responsible to let a taxi drive all the way up to the mansion. So they had to walk with their suitcases up the slightly elevated estate.

“It’s not too far,” he said as they started their walk and the trees, green fields and marble fountains came into the view before there was a good look on the huge mansion with white and blue details. The gates closed behind them. “Dad has some stalkers,” Ethirdil added as an explanation walking up and looking around for animals. There were a few large birds- turkey-sized but looking more elegant in the trees. The birds observed them curiously. “They’re pseudo-phoenixes,” Ethir explained “Mom bred them through a lot of generations, since real phoenixes are rare and usually owned by the royal households she wanted to introduce a kind of phoenix to the general public.”

The birds narrowed their eyes at the couple before continuing their chirping. Ethirdil’s whisp was fully visible here and danced around before shooting off. While it usually stayed close to the elf- here it seemed to feel more free.

“HellooooooOOOO” Ethir called out as they were close to the mansion and a few maids came to say hello and took their belongings. Then his mother came outside- she was a beautiful woman but definitely sturdy looking. Shorter than her son and her long silver hair in a ponytail. Ears large and pointy- eyes dark like that of a night elf.

“Sons,” she welcomed them. Wearing clean, white overalls. Somehow she made them look classy as she spread her arms and kissed Ethir on the cheek and then did the same with August. “It is good to see you again Ethir, you haven’t been home enough. I was afraid you were too angry at us because of the…” she gestured at the two of them and then shrugged. She obviously did not think an arranged marriage was a big deal- nor did she worry too much about her son. After all, he always was lucky.

“You will have to join me for lunch. I had the servants prepare the South-backyard for it. I thought it would be nice to look at the crocodiles while we eat, come come,” she led them through the mansion. It was luxurious but everywhere there were pictures of Ethirdil and his sister. Clearly loved and taken care of. “How is Aurae?” Ethir asked as they went into one of the backyards that looked out over a huge pond. Nothing seemed to be living there- until a blue beast stirred slightly.

The supposed ‘Crocodile’.

“Ah well, you know, same as always.” His mother said and there was obvious pain in her voice. A testament to the mental state of his sister. “Now August, what do you like on your toast? I have all kinds of meat, spreads and cheeses but if you want something else let me know and we will have it made, okay? I am so excited you decided to come visit. Honestly, Ethir has spoken about you in the past so it feels like we already know you.”

“Uh-huh, I think it might be nice, you can come see the stables and all the animals my mom is training right now. It’s been a while since I visited home so it would be nice to see everyone again.” It had been a while since he had been able to travel to his realm and it would be extra nice with his fiancé slash boyfriend.

He held the other extra tight and pulled him even closer than humanly possible as the blanket was pulled up over them in the small cottage. “I’ll protect you,” Ethirdil whispered to the other and added then

The what then would be solved when they got to that point. One way or another he would make sure to save the other- even when it was from himself. It was okay. Ethir had faced bigger problems- greater challenges in his life. He knew what he had to do. He would when it happened. And if not- his powers would help him.

“And that is just how I like it, because I am one too…” A yelp escaped him as he was pushed back into the bed and laughed as he looked up- kissing back and running one hand through the other’s hair, massaging the man’s scalp.

“I look forward to everything with you,” he teased as he hit the air in front of August and then with a more serious tone. “We will figure this out Gus, one way or another, I promise you I will do everything I can to be a good… boyfriend- do you want to be my boyfriend?” He grinned “I know we are already engaged but I never asked you to be my boyfriend as well, you know, aside from the engagement thing.”

How would they do this? Ethirdil wondered as they were both so similar in a lot of things- which was why they were friends. But in some things so different, especially with the family part. His family was so loving, so secure.

“Slap you when you start to not make sense anymore, get it.” Ethirdil did not get it at all and wondered how this even started and why the other needed this. There had to be more healthy ways to cope with these kind of thoughts- surely there was something else he could do for Gus? Right now he couldn’t think of something one, two, three but there had to be something for sure???

He let the other move him around as he kept his eyes on August- even if the other did not look at the other all the time. That was fine, Ethirdil liked it when there were eyes on him but he did not need it all the time. He knew he was the centre of Augusts’ attention anyway. “Whatever it takes?” Now that he did not like- the insinuation that he needed to do more than slap the other.

“I mean, it is a talent to be this hot, confident and irresistible” it was a joke of course but he was glad the other could joke a bit too. Maybe he did know himself better than August knew himself- it was something he took pride in. Knowing his own limitations and being aware of what he could do best. Not that he accepted everything he wasn’t good at- the smarts thing was a big one. He remembered being at the teacher’s mercy at the academy. The Professor had tried so hard and he got a little better but he still had the numbers and letters dancing over the papers when he looked at it too long.

August replied to the drugs thing, in the best way. Ethirdil smirked. “Now, don’t threaten me with a good time.” Now in the new context he knew he would have a good time with the other- he imagined it for a second. A needy August- now his actual lover as he wanted to be close and touch. The mental image made the elf let out a deep sigh- steadying himself. Serious, Ethirdil.

“Whatever you want,” Odd. He meant that as he said it. Ew. The request was- odd. “Roughhousing?” he asked in response. Unsure. “Roughhouse, how?” The next question as he looked at the other and then his eyes flickered to his own arms. Built, trained, but not as strong as some people. Still- they would be evenly matched.

“What do I do? How do I know you are at that point?” He thought back, the evening after their announced engagement the other had been rough. Drugs had been involved, he remembered hard kisses and tears. The night was fuzzy to him. He did not recall the details- only the emotions of wanting things to be alright. Of wanting Gus to be alright.

“Do I need to hurt you? --- -   -  ” the silence after hung in the air as the reflective silver eyes stared at August with something akin to fear. “I will, if it helps you!” he added hastily, not wanting August to feel like a weirdo (even if they both were absolute weirdos).

“I haven’t,” he said as an admission and shrugged “Since we planned the wedding, you know at your family home. When I promised you elephants and foxes, I kissed a few boys in the club but I haven’t been with anyone and the past months I haven’t even kissed anyone.” He pressed his lips together and frowned “But I did,” he promised as he shifted a little closer “I did find someone I want to spend the rest of my life with. He is funny and hot and he is a bit insecure for my taste but we can work on that.” The elf nudged the other’s chin up so he could look at him. Cheeks red “and he is a lot smarter than me, but not in like, people skills. But that is also okay since I make up for that and I am dumb as a brick otherwise.”

Shifting even closer he sat knee to knee with the other. “Then you better start thinking about it pretty, pretty boy. And I will do that too and we are going to have to talk a lot about these things,” he sighed as he pressed his forehead against August’s. “I want to know everything you want and need and we are going to have to do this together Gus, only then we have a chance of this - us - working. ”Kinda wish I brought some drugs,“ he murmured before pulling the other into another kiss and melting right back into it.

“You tried to sleep with a cop?” Ethir hissed and then laughed, it was loud and he heard a few birds fly away. “I am impressed that you tried that, and it is also kinda gross to sleep with a cop. Not that I wouldn’t, was he hot?” he teased and then his voice became serious again as the other spoke again. “Does it bother you so much that I might’ve slept with someone else?” Ethir asked softly and his heart ached at that. He knew what commitment was on paper but to work on it in real life was an entirely different beast. “I’m sorry it hurt you that much,” he tucked a lock of hair behind the other’s ear and then sighed.

What this means. Oh, he got those instincts to run away now but instead he walked with August inside and nodded. Taking his own shoes off too and walking to the bed with the other and mimicked the other’s position as he watched the other curious.

“Well, we don’t need to worry about proposals, we got our parents to thank for that part.” he joked and then leaned back against the bed as he watched the other. “What do you want this to mean, Gus? We had agreements right, we could do what and whoever we want, but I think it is obvious you’re not comfortable with that.” his eyes were soft but also apprehensive. Ethirdil did not know what he could do.

The kiss was warm and soft- it made him wonder whether he had a heart big enough for all the love he felt and he realised, too late, just how terribly in love he had fallen with his best friend. It had been a marriage against their will and he had been sceptical but now he wondered how he had gotten so blessed (and lucky). A thousand butterflies seemed to be flying around in his chest as he kissed the other and when it was over, it felt like they all fell down into the pit of his stomach. Looking up and looking for an answer to the question he didn’t ask.

“Where else would I be, if not with you?” the elf asked as he pulled August back into another kiss- hands in the other’s hair as he pressed closer and tried to convey just how stupid he was. For once it was not something sexual or lust-filled but something else. He just wanted to be close before pulling away and looking at the other- his silver mirror-like eyes on the other as he smiled, almost shy.

“Try?” the word hung in the air as Ethirdil repeated it and blinked a few times faster as he tried to put things into place. Surely he misunderstood. His dumb brain that mixed up letters and numbers, his dumb dumb brain that was bad at homework and anything that adults did. Though he knew what the other had said, he knew but he was also so sure that the other had said something else.

“It was the plan to just get married and act like nothing had happened, it was the easiest thing given the circumstances.” the elf spoke slowly as he kept watching August for any change in the other’s demeanour. “it would be the easiest, Gus, to act like nothing has changed…” another pause,

“Even if it has.” at least for him and he felt such an overwhelming urge to kiss the other and worship the ground where the other stood- and at the same time he had no one he felt as comfortable with as the other man. And yet so uncomfortable now. “it would be ridiculous to try to actually be married, with everything that comes with it.” Ethir took a step closer as he swallowed and wondered if his luck had taken a piss. Maybe this was unlucky- maybe this was the luckiest he had ever been in his entire life and he had taken the other’s love for someone else all for himself. And would that be so bad? What if Gus liked him even a little too?

“I cheated on the only serious boyfriend I’ve ever had, you know this. I hurt him terribly and then when he returned he tried to marry me. Made me meet his parents and I fled again. I am terrible at monogamy and I can be such a fucking cunt.” Was he reading the room wrong? Just like his textbooks?

“I really suck at school, I am the original nepo-baby and I am really fucking dumb,” he said as he closed in on August- “so even though this is a really stupid idea, I might just be dim enough to want to try,”

He parted from August as he looked around and then found some pegs and opened the door to go hang the fabrics outside before turning on his heels to face the other. “Why wouldn’t I?” he asked unsure. There was a hint of hurt in his voice as the other questioned whether they would live together- For Ethir it had been logical. No doubt. They would have a house together, houses really. Several. He was sure.

August was, yet again, in doubt and it hurt. He frowned as he put the fabrics on the chair near the door and turned towards his fiance. “Why are you thinking we wouldn’t?” he asks- wanting to hear it. He needed to know why, he had thoughts but the insecurities that plagued him in secret did not just disappear. Maybe he thinks I am dumb. Stupid. Can’t even read right. He cleared his throat as he pushed those thoughts away. They were stupid anyway.

“Of course we live together, and we will have several houses- you can escape me when you get tired of me.” A wink and he picked up the stuff again and went outside to put them on the clotheslines with the pegs as he tried to steady his shaking hands.

“Maybe a baby elephant,” he mused out loud as the other said it wouldn’t be comfortable. As much as he did not care for the comfort of Baek, he did care for the comfort of the creatures he was potentially bringing here. An elephant or two, foxes, capybaras and everything that was cute and would make his lover smile. “What have you heard about raging elephants? Did you see that news article about the elephant that went to a lady’s funeral and stomped on her grave because she had been mean to it?” he had enjoyed that news. It was amusing to the elf who thought the elephant had been in the right- just by assuming the humans were the evil ones in any possible setting.

“Really, you don’t have a dad?” he asked as he eyed Baek oddly. Wondering about how the birds and bees worked with his friend’s species. No sex? That sounded rather dull- he hummed a bit. “Luck, huh.” Ethir smirked at that since luck was his power. There was something in what the other said that tickled his fancy but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it. Something interesting…

Whatever it was. It was fleeting and disappeared again- Ethirdil shrugged to himself and focused back on what was really important: himself.

“Yes, of course,” and it was odd because Ethirdil hated chores and housework but he genuinely wanted to do this- he wanted to share this with August and he had a feeling he knew why but he did not want to admit that quite yet. Instead, with flushed cheeks, he picked up the blankets and a few pillows and walked outside to look around and found some old lines used for laundry. “Perfect” he said as he put the blankets over the lines and the pillows- he did not see any clothes pegs around. “Yah, Gus where are the clothes pegs?” he called inside as he put the pillows on a few tree stumps for now and walked back inside.

Finding August still inside he walked over and repeated his question before stopping and looking around. The golden light shone into the cabin and it made everything look even more like an old photograph.

“I think it is pretty, right? Would his family think that I am threatening them with death? I mean I am but is there… plausible deniability?” He laughed- the sound was a bit too loud for where they were but Ethir did not seem to sense danger as others did (his friends might say he lacked the braincells for it). “I think Gus is way too paranoid about upsetting his parents, you know, he always is up in arms about it and I don’t know…” the elf shrugged as he watched the other and looked for some sense of what the other thought.

“What’s your family like anyway?” he took a right and looked at a beautiful open space surrounded by trees and in the back the museum building stood- it was an older building. It showed in the way it was built- but it was well kept and the love people had for the building showed through. “Mine doesn’t care much- or well my mother cares a lot but dad doesn’t. He just wants to keep his fans happy that is about it. But the family of my fiance- they care a lot, like a lot lot.”

He paused as he stared at the museum, eyes following the lines of the building. He wondered what the parents of August would think about the building- he could not imagine they would approve of a place like this. Probably wanted something cold and corporate, but this was his wedding and that of August.