Multitude

“You know that their ancestors would view us as Gods-” he muttered, eyeing the other through his long lashes and a dangerous curl to his smirk let the other know how much Dover would have loved to be seen as a God. There were Gods of course but he would have liked a shrine of his own- or two. All kneel down for the mighty Dover. Ah!

He let his friend enjoy their tofu in peace for a moment and wondered how their friendship had survived these differences on the moral level. Maybe because they did not hang out around humans that much. He preferred the supernatural world more, even if he worked in many human-owned kitchens.

“I have some money,” Dover defended as he frowned and wondered how much an epi-pen was. They weren’t in America after all. “Fine, make your stupid thing- wait join you?” he looked up from his sake and frowned “Why would I possibly want to join you? I have a job,” but he saw the other’s look and so…

A few hours later…

“I really wanted to take a cab, you know.” he commented as he thought on the train ride and how many humans had been around them, the bad food and the windows that did not open. Ah well, they were outside now and all he could think of was the call of the ocean- he side-eyed the water and then Mito.

Friendship was important too- he sighed. Gave up the need to be obnoxious for a second and then looked at his friend for guidance. “I did not pay attention, no.” the admission was given easily and should not come as a surprise. “Cave spelunking it is.”

The merman kicked off his boots and jogged over to the caves Mito had pointed out. The callus on his feet thick enough to shield him and as soon as his toes touched the still water near the caves a shiver ran up through his spine- it was as if he could feel his fins and tail. Even in this humanoid form. “How are shells going to help?” he asked as his voice echoed through the cave, looking at his friend while picking up some of the seaweed they needed and sniffing it. “Not exactly fresh- but does that matter?” he asked as he put the seaweed in the bucket the other was carrying.

The wrath would be felt later for sure- glaring at Jongin as the fox escaped and the Cupid sighed before following to the apartment and felt a familiar excited twinge to see his little brother again. “I do think we could just kidnap Aster and keep him in a dungeon,” Cupid did not enjoy Aster very much- this much was clear. While it was definitely not deserved towards the elder brother he did not care. They had hurt his Chiwoo and that was bad enough- worst even. Deserved death, and such, but that would not go over well with a number of people (including Chi) so he wouldn’t commit murder.

For now.

“You sound like a teenager-” he teased as he added a knock to the door “I’m here too Chi, open the door.” he called out and shrugged at the you did tell him we were coming, right? comment as he waited for the other to open the door. There was some shuffling heard and he smiled at that.

The door opened and revealed Chi, wearing old clothes and obviously an ‘indoor’ outfit rather than an outside one. Cupid did not hesitate and pushed himself inside as he gave Chi a big kiss on the forehead and then darted over to the kitchen to make themselves tea- as if it was his home.

“Hi Kai,” Chi greeted as he watched his brother hurry over to his kitchen and blinked a few times confused at it.

“I don’t think eating curses is a thing, I think you’re making fun of me. It is quite sexy when you’re like this Mito, mon Amore.” he purred at the other and chuckled. Eating a curse, it was funny. Reminded him of… “Alice in Wonderland, that human fairytale where she drinks a potion and eats a cookie and she becomes small and then really big? Is it like that, these eating curses of you?” He teased as he poked the other’s cheek.

“You know that their ancestors would view us as Gods-” he muttered, eyeing the other through his long lashes and a dangerous curl to his smirk let the other know how much Dover would have loved to be seen as a God. There were Gods of course but he would have liked a shrine of his own- or two. All kneel down for the mighty Dover. Ah!

He let his friend enjoy their tofu in peace for a moment and wondered how their friendship had survived these differences on the moral level. Maybe because they did not hang out around humans that much. He preferred the supernatural world more, even if he worked in many human-owned kitchens.

“I have some money,” Dover defended as he frowned and wondered how much an epi-pen was. They weren’t in America after all. “Fine, make your stupid thing- wait join you?” he looked up from his sake and frowned “Why would I possibly want to join you? I have a job,” but he saw the other’s look and so…

A few hours later…

“But if you are fine and I am fine then who cares?” He know the other cared- like a lot. How did he end up with all these righteous friends? Maybe it was Poseidon’s way of punishing him for being more attractive than the God of the Ocean. “Thank you, and I learned not to serve fish that actively curse me out. Like, in ancient tongues. I wonder where that fish came from anyway. It is rare to find anything from the old ocean magic- let alone something alive.” He looked at Mito’s stomach pointedly- there was the evidence.

He took another piece of tuna and chewed on it while he pretended to think. Instead he was looking at the pretty redhead across the room. She was quite the looker even with her five eyes. He wondered what else she had multiples of. “Spread? It was an angry fish not a virus. How could that spread? When they either pass the substance or die it will just be gone.” He shrugged as he returned his gaze to his friend.

“Besides there are so many humans, who is gonna miss one… or twenty.” Dover’s distaste for humans was well-known amongst his friends. Hating what humans had done to the oceans and still did to this day. If he could get away with serving human sashimi on Earth he would- or well, that was one of the rumours that went around.

“You’re way too pretty to worry about this, it doesn’t look good on you.”

“I don’t think eating curses is a thing, I think you’re making fun of me. It is quite sexy when you’re like this Mito, mon Amore.” he purred at the other and chuckled. Eating a curse, it was funny. Reminded him of… “Alice in Wonderland, that human fairytale where she drinks a potion and eats a cookie and she becomes small and then really big? Is it like that, these eating curses of you?” He teased as he poked the other’s cheek.

“This feels a bit like fucking on a confession stand- you ordering tofu.” Dover added as he leaned forward to look Mito in the eyes. “What is the worst that can happen?” he asks- pondering the worst and he already made sure that the worst wouldn’t happen. “We made sure- well, I did, that none of the people know anymore that I was the one who made the sushi. So my reputation is golden.” which was, of course, the most important thing for Dover. Luckily, he had friends in higher places- or higher energies who were so kind to perform a spell or two.

Reputation: saved.  Consequences: for Dover, none (as far as he was aware). “How much did you eat from it exactly?” The merman narrowed his eyes at the other. “Shouldn’t you be like, resistant, to poison from the oceans?” then again that fish had looked kinda funny- and kinda like he was cursing Dover while he was working on it. Dover did not believe there were fish-witches though so it should be fine.

“It won’t kill you,” he muttered as he inspected his chopsticks (again). “Hopefully.”

“But if you are fine and I am fine then who cares?” He know the other cared- like a lot. How did he end up with all these righteous friends? Maybe it was Poseidon’s way of punishing him for being more attractive than the God of the Ocean. “Thank you, and I learned not to serve fish that actively curse me out. Like, in ancient tongues. I wonder where that fish came from anyway. It is rare to find anything from the old ocean magic- let alone something alive.” He looked at Mito’s stomach pointedly- there was the evidence.

He took another piece of tuna and chewed on it while he pretended to think. Instead he was looking at the pretty redhead across the room. She was quite the looker even with her five eyes. He wondered what else she had multiples of. “Spread? It was an angry fish not a virus. How could that spread? When they either pass the substance or die it will just be gone.” He shrugged as he returned his gaze to his friend.

“Besides there are so many humans, who is gonna miss one… or twenty.” Dover’s distaste for humans was well-known amongst his friends. Hating what humans had done to the oceans and still did to this day. If he could get away with serving human sashimi on Earth he would- or well, that was one of the rumours that went around.

“You’re way too pretty to worry about this, it doesn’t look good on you.”

"Ah... no, I'll go with the tofu option, thank you." Mito smiled at the waiter before he took off with their orders. The prawn sounded delicious... prawns were not fish... but even he felt as though he should avoid any seafood for a while, at least till they had a better handle on this incident.

“This feels a bit like fucking on a confession stand- you ordering tofu.” Dover added as he leaned forward to look Mito in the eyes. “What is the worst that can happen?” he asks- pondering the worst and he already made sure that the worst wouldn’t happen. “We made sure- well, I did, that none of the people know anymore that I was the one who made the sushi. So my reputation is golden.” which was, of course, the most important thing for Dover. Luckily, he had friends in higher places- or higher energies who were so kind to perform a spell or two.

Reputation: saved.  Consequences: for Dover, none (as far as he was aware). “How much did you eat from it exactly?” The merman narrowed his eyes at the other. “Shouldn’t you be like, resistant, to poison from the oceans?” then again that fish had looked kinda funny- and kinda like he was cursing Dover while he was working on it. Dover did not believe there were fish-witches though so it should be fine.

“It won’t kill you,” he muttered as he inspected his chopsticks (again). “Hopefully.”

“Close.” he repeated as his eyes darted down to Aster’s lips and then back up again. Cheeks flushed even more now as he put a hand on the man’s leg and swallowed. He followed the other as he leaned back and did not let Aster leave his aura as he nodded “me too, I really want to kiss you too-” he said- quick as if he realised that he sort-of almost rejected the one thing he had wanted as long as he could remember and quickly moved to push himself up a little to capture the other’s lips. Almost too quick, clumsy even as he felt their lips connect and he realised what he had done and pulled back again. Eyes wide- waiting for a slap. That he was dumb and that it was all a joke; that no, his brother was not in love with him like he was with him.

That everything was just a lie- a joke. Another reason to hate Chi for the world.

The way to where he was taken was long- or short, but it felt long as he muttered to himself. He wanted to be free and he tried to escape in the shadows of the blindfold but it wasn’t enough and he was too weak. Frustrated the creature sat there with balled fists. Angry- so angry.

The room where he was led was horrid. Ignoring what the other said but mentally laughing at the idea of rewards he waited till the other was gone and then took off the blindfold but hissing and quickly putting it back on again.

It was taken from him almost immediately after the tall man had left and a lot of other people came in. Labcoats- smart people he assumed. Older people who took the only comforts he had and made the light a little brighter- he was sitting in the corner of the room and after the first 24 hours he got thirsty- his physical body needing sustenance and not getting it. Though he would rather die on the spot than admit that he needed something from these people.

The first 24 hours were not so bad, the second 24 hours were. He felt feverish in the light and he had opted to sit with his eyes against his knees as he waited for something to happen. He had tried to cast a shadow with his own body and escape but he had only gotten as far as moving one finger into the other realm before he failed- and almost lost a digit.

The last 24 hours were torture and Ares just sat there, he wanted his mother and he wanted something small to hide in. As small as the room might be to others it felt large to him- too big. He needed somewhere smaller to hide.

He had shrunk a few centimetres as well. Making him look even tinier. As the room opened again he looked up- eyes an even bluer blue- but that was only because his skin was even paler in contrast.

“yes, Sannie- he is so cute.” The cupid answered as he wiggled out of Kai’s arms and got to his feet. “Chi likes…” he came out blank with what the youngest would like that was an outside activity. “Maybe we can go to an art gallery or something? Something to do with art- paint pottery?” he suggested and eyed his lover for some sort of opinion on this plan.

“Aster is a dick,” Cupid muttered as he looked at his nails and pulled a nailfile from somewhere in his pockets as he started to shine his nails. He eyed the other with a small smirk “-maybe something a bit more subtle than a cabin in the woods, besides there needs to be a day-activity too.” Lotte world would be cute, they could dress up but- “No crop-tops in Lotte world, that is a no-go.” he decided as he tugged on Kai’s shirt. No need to corrupt the youth.

The other was looking at him weirdly so he just took some meat and rolled it in greenery before adding some kimchi to it and stuffing his face with it. Chewing was a good thing- he could not talk when he was chewing and thus not say anything dumb. Instead he frowned at Aster who was now petting him and it was all a lot.

He swallowed and then took a breath as he glared art the other. “You’re being weird,” he observed now getting even more concerned about the other’s behaviour and wondering if Aster had a heatstroke- surely not, it had not been that warm. “I love you too,” he repeated almost on instinct as the other spoke and then the other did not stop talking but rather continued- and oh BOY.

“I’m sorry,” he replied as he blinked rapidly at Aster and then the other asked for a proper kiss and he choked on his own spit- coughing as he moved away from Aster. Not because of the kiss request but because he was currently choking on his own spit and that kind of took over everything as he gasped for air and grabbed the napkin to cough into it as he curled up to the other side as he saw the eight layers of hell flash before his eyes before coming up again and staring at Aster.

Red, flustered, and with a slightly raw throat from near-death. “I’m sorry, what?” he asked again and he stared at his big brother, unbelieving but not moving away or running off- instead, he looked at the corners of the establishment. Looking for some sort of hidden cameras. As if this was one big joke- it could be right? He shuddered.

Changmin's chiding voice filled her head with his mantra when she was feeling stabby as the Angel seemed to plant herself yet again and at this point Jieun was certain the only way she would be rid of the girl was murder. Did this new batch of angels have no flight or flight system among their senses?

"Your help isn't needed." She shrugged a shoulder, eyes rolling at the mention of blessings. Angels seemed to think they were the only beings capable of doing good. "They've lived this long without blessings, I'm sure they'll survive my hand a while longer."

“I did not mean to insult your care and love for the living things,” she said softly as her eyes lingered on the woman’s long black hair and how it seemed like silk- so soft.

“Okay,” the angel got up and walked over to the rosebushes, inspecting them with a small frown as she touched the weeds with the tips of her fingers and moved them to the side- sighing when they would not budge and then started to pull the weeds out. “It is nice to garden, it is something I love about Earth, at home I don’t get to do much gardening. They say I don’t have the hands for it.” she babbled as she worked and looking over her shoulders at the dark angel. “The bees like you,” she noted “Usually they do not like your kind, right? Or is that a myth?”

“I like guns, that’s about all the hobbies I need,” he mused, trying to think of something he could do for his brother…that would end up in an argument between them. Even if he never took arguments as actual arguments, he didn’t want to upset Chiwoo either. Taking a bite of rice and beef, he listened to the younger hybrid, focused but allowing his mind to wander slightly as he explained what he wanted. Glancing to the side to see his expression, Aster smiled at the blush and took another sip of his drink, leaning back onto one of his palms just behind the two of them, leaving them closer than before.

“Let me spoil you,” he had a hint of a whine in his voice, not using the word help because he knew that’d get his little brother up in arms and defensive. Another pause from the eldest and he sighed into his cup, knowing the answer before it was given, of course. “I know. I don’t really, either,” he admitted, missing his mother and Chiwoo, but their father…well. He saw him on missions and training, but he’d hoped the man would lighten up over time. Never happened.

“I think you’d be a good roommate, I don’t see why not,” even if he was grumpy, when Chiwoo got comfortable around someone, he was sweet and loyal. But maybe that was just because Aster was…well, Aster.

“I can pay for a place for one year–even just six months, enough time for you to find a good job,” he began carefully, setting his glass down onto the table. “Well–we can talk about it later,” he didn’t want to ruin the mood by upsetting his brother, who had already gotten some shitty looks from people. But as he took another drink of the mixed alcohol, something made him pause, staring forward at the grill as the meat popped and sizzled. Oh–well…

Should he even humor what his future-sight of sorts told him? He hadn’t expected it–maybe it was the alcohol. It was one power he’d been working on honing in on things, finding it useful for his work, of course, and 'checking’ on the family…As he looked back to Chiwoo, he noted his expression and closed eyes, making Aster bite the inside of his cheek slightly. What a weird vision. And even weirder feelings that creeped over him.

“Hey,” Aster started softly, using the chopsticks to push the meat to the edges of the grill so it wouldn’t burn. He set the chopsticks down and straightened up, turning just enough to face the younger a little better. Lifting his hands, he gently caressed his brother’s cheeks, using his thumbs to stroke just beneath his pretty–but sharpened–eyes. Aster probably didn’t know the full amount of hurt the other felt, despite trying to understand…and the more negative tone from Chiwoo had him worried, but again, he didn’t want to push anything too far and upset him.

Taking a stab in the dark, Aster leaned closer so he could press a soft kiss to the corner of his baby brother’s lips, both of his hands still gently holding his cheeks as he did so. Was he drunk? Not really, tipsy maybe, but thinking clearly. Leaning back, the oldest then brushed his thumb over Chiwoo’s lower lip, smiling at him affectionately. “I love you. So much. We’ll talk about that stuff later–let’s just enjoy each other’s company for now, okay?” They both needed breaks from the stressful lives they were living. And Aster wanted Chiwoo to forget as many stressors as possible while they were away from the village.

They were close and if Chiwoo closed his eyes he could just imagine for a second that they were not related and this was an actual date- he let out a small sigh. Life would be so pretty if he had not fallen in love with Aster, but then again then the other would not have been here with him. There was no way that Aster would even notice Chi if they had not been raised in the same house. “Pay for me- that is too much, yah, there is no reason for you to do that for me. I need to find a job myself and go from there…” His voice wandered off as he poked at the meat on his plate- he did not remember that he had put it there. The youngest shot a suspicious look at Aster.

He noticed that the other looked weird at him, and the half-blood returned the look, looking confused and searching for the reason why the other looked so puzzled. Then the other was suddenly close and touching him- which threw the youngest off as his eyes widened and then turned more suspicious again. Wanting to say something snarky about not wanting the other’s money or whatnot. Instead words got stuck in his throat as the love of his life leaned in and kissed his cheek- almost his lips. Everything in him screamed as his cheeks reddened into a deep red and his eyes widened to the size of plates.

“I love you too-” he muttered and remembered how to breathe as he inhaled deeply when Aster leaned back again and he swallowed. Pinching the bridge of his nose as he tried to not get a heart attack and telling himself that the other just… miss kissed him. That was a thing, right? The other just, moved a little too much to the left and then there was an accidental brush of their lips.

As Chi was having a meltdown- the other continued talking and he looked up through his lashes as he nodded about enjoying eachother’s comnpany and then the other continued. I saw something.  

Time to panic. Chi suddenly felt like he had to go, but instead he kept seated and stared at the other. “You… have always been seeing things,” Chi said unsure as the other seemed so… nervous? What the fuck had the other seen and what did he not mind?

There was no way that- No, not that. Absolutely not, then again why was Aster acting so weird?

He growled at the voice. It was a deep voice and it sent a shiver down his spine as he laid on the ground and cowered but the darkness he longed for was promised. He quieted down, he was touched and nausea came over him. The creature felt sick as the darkness surrounded him- though he knew his body was still bathed in light. He felt it, it hurt- like how skin hurts when it is sunburned and you go outside again.

It hurt.

Again that voice- he huffed at it. Turning his head away from the voice, as to ignore the other but he kept silent. He was scared but he did not want to show it- already feeling shame for how he reacted to the lights. Shameful he thought and he heard his own voice echoing from his realm. A knot in his stomach- he wanted to go to his won realm and he couldn’t here. Not without shadows, not blindfolded.

A cold sweat broke out on him as he was moved and he stepped unsure- this was worse than just being blind. He was blinded and he was in the hands of his enemy. If this was how he was going to die- it was a sucky way to die. Ares groaned again as he walked into some kind of box- he felt the presence of walls. He relaxed a little, wanting to be in an even smaller space. He heard people leave but the man with the deep voice remained and Ares focused on them- feeling all kinds of twisted emotions but having a tough time getting a read on the emotions clearly. He had caught that the other was afraid of the dark earlier but that had been when the other was scared- weak, vulnerable, prey. Now the man was in charge and Ares was caught. Weak, vulnerable, prey.

He couldn’t identify the sound of something falling to the ground- it did not sound like chains that he had assumed were wrapped around him.

Curious.

Living in an area where gossip was easy to come by was definitely a problem. Who knew that liuxing loved to gossip so much? It was a pain in the ass, that’s what it was. Aster never understood the appeal of spreading rumors, true or otherwise. Even in school he’d been pretty quiet, more studious than social.

But he knew how his brother hurt over where he came from, the incident and just…being different. Aster hated that he couldn’t help him more. All he could really do was show him that he himself didn’t care if he was half or full–brother or liuxing. Others should get over themselves as well, especially over the circumstances of their mother’s pregnancy…

Pushing the thoughts aside, he smiled at the younger man, happy to see him happy. “Just tell me when, and I’ll be there,” if only he could get him out of there now, since it was evident that things at home were strained. He hadn’t really noted the tension around the subject of school, or the lack of socializing with others at the school…or if he did, he didn’t mention it. Did he get bullied in university, of all places? Ridiculous.

“Of course not,” he cooed playfully, still liking to call him his baby brother because it was just…affectionate, and while he missed him being an adorable toddler at times, seeing him grow was a highlight of Aster’s own life.

“I have savings,” he said blatantly, as if he didn’t think Chiwoo would be horrified at the idea of Aster getting him an apartment. He knew his brother well, but that didn’t mean he didn’t hope that he’d just…let him spoil him some. “I don’t really have a lot of hobbies to spend money on,” he chuckled, taking another mouthful of the mix, setting the glass down as he looked over the food that was still being brought out to them.

Aster had a feeling that Chiwoo wanted to move away. Hell, even he himself had moved away, kind of. His ‘cabin in the woods’ was a home away from home, but it gave him freedom to do mostly as he pleased, besides working. “Where do you think there are good jobs for you?” He asked, looking to Chiwoo curiously, truly wanting to know what and where the other would like to live.

“You should get hobbies,” he pointed out, wanting the other to have a good time and what-not. The man was too serious.

Jobs. “Somewhere in Seoul probably, or Busan.” he shrugged, naming two bigger cities since he knew there were some illustration and art studios. “But really, in the future I want to move to Japan.” he admitted with another shrug. His cheeks heated up some. “Want to learn more from the mangaka’s there.” he added and felt like a massive dweeb as he spoke. Though it was a faraway dream; moving to Japan. He was already an outcast here, how would it be in Japan? Couldn’t be much worse there, right? Who knew, he was suspicious of people now.

Moving away from their parents was a good thing too, in Japan he would have a literal ocean between them. But also between him and Aster, which would suck. Being so far apart from the other ached his heart. Another thing he wouldn’t admit out loud. There were a lot of ‘inside thoughts’ it seemed.

Cheeks reddened at the kiss as he looked at his brother with big, round eyes. Resembling tapioca pearls as his pupils blew up. “I-” What did one even say at that? “I don’t like home.” he finished and shrugged as if to say ‘it is what it is’. He had given up the ideas for a better tomorrow; he knew that if he worked hard maybe he would be able to land a job after uni. Make some money and then move away, it was a multiple-year plan.