yur

One day, your dog managed to grab some important-looking documents to bring over to you.

Safe to say that you weren't too happy with his gifts this time!

"You!" You look at your dog in exasperation, a small headache forming from what he brought this time

"What did you manage to find this time??" You look at your overly excited dog disapprovingly, hands on your hips, in disbelief at the contents in the fur critter's mouth.

"Woof." Your dog drops the files on the ground, his tail wagging excitedly for praise.

Looking at the dropped contents from your dog's mouth, you bent over to pick them up. And what met you had your eyes widening in shock. 

Smack-dab in the middle of the files was a warning written in bold red colors.

'CONFIDENTIAL: DISPOSE IMMEDIATELY WHEN READ.'

"G-GIZMO..." you exclaim, anger and fear tightening your voice as your heart sinks. Your hands shake as you stare at the potentially dangerous files in front of you, uncertainty rushing through you.

What information could be so dangerous that they have glaringly obvious warning signs in front of it?!

And where did Gizmo even manage to find these?!

"Gizmo..." you mutter, casting a worried glance at your clueless dog, his oblivious excitement clashing with your building anxiety as you process what just happened.

"Where did you find these?" A menacing smile made its way on your face, but it had no effect on Gizmo, whose tail was still wagging happily.

"Arf!" Gizmo runs to the front door, eager to show you where he got the suspicious files in your hand... 

Following your furry companion, you slip on your shoes and put your hoodie on. Wait, no, you look even more suspicious with sunglasses and your hoodie on...

Stepping outside of your house, you follow Gizmo throughout the neighborhood, your hands sweating more and more at the thought of the owner's wrath when they find out super confidential papers were stolen...

As you made your way through, Gizmo makes a beeline to the house at the end of the neighborhood, a really, really nice house...

Great, so the owner of these files is a bigshot too...

"Fuck..." you mutter in exasperation as you see your dog easily hop the fence. You can't just hop the fence like Gizmo... You have to shamefully press the ring doorbell at the gate. Just ring the bell. Apologize. And get it over with... What if they'll call the cops on you the instant they see the folder in your hand..?!

As you press the ring doorbell and the familiar sound comes on, you feel your nervousness spiking.

What if they think I'm a burglar?!

"What's your business here?" A smooth voice comes out from the doorbell, making you flinch in surprise. 

"U-Um! Hi? I'm your neighbor... And uh.. My dog brought me this..." You hold out the confidential folder for the camera to see.

"And I assure you that this wasn't intentional!! I came here to return it immediately when my dog brought me it!" you nervously exclaim, your hands probably left sweat marks on the folder by now...

"Ah, I see. Come in then." 

The gates in front of you start to open, and you swear that he had a tinge of amusement in his voice when he said that. As you nervously make your way to the door, your dog beats you to it, rushing to the door and pounding on it.

"Gizmo!" You yell out frantically, your stomach dropping at the sight of the critter's muddy paws staining the white door. You quickly rush over to Gizmo, trying to stop his barrage of "attacks" on the poor front door.

Is he trying to give you a heart attack?!

And as you're struggling with stopping Gizmo's attack on the clean white door, it swings open, and you instantly freeze up.

"So you're the little thief who keeps sneaking in to steal my stuff, huh?" the owner of the voice says, clearly directed to Gizmo.

You slowly look up in nervousness, and what met your sight made your voice hitch in your throat. 

And there the owner of the files stood. He's leaning against the doorframe, an amused expression on his face. His eyes sweep over you, and then to the folder you were holding.

A slow, dangerously charming smile spreads across his face, and in his hand, he was holding a similar folder to the one you were holding. 

Stunned by the appearance of your neighbor, you quickly hand him the folder and bow your head apologetically.

"I am so sorry for the inconvenience!" You bow, glaring at Gizmo, who was now running around in circles in your neighbor's yard. 

He takes a step toward you, and you can feel the embarrassment radiating off your face from Gizmo's tomfoolery in his yard.

"Was he the one who stole my pen? And my sunglasses, and the glove for my right hand?" He chuckles, while you internally scream at the memories of Gizmo bringing random items to you.

"The IPC takes their belongings very seriously," he remarks, a dangerous glint in his eyes forming. You gulp, he's not sending you to jail... Is he...?

"But... Your little critter surprisingly managed to bypass the security I had in this house," He remarks, a small smile forming. 

His hand reaches out towards you, leaving you confused at the gesture.

"How about we train him to become a spy?"

You blink, completely thrown off guard at his request. 

"I... I'm sorry, what?" you say, flabbergasted, still grabbing his hand.

"Think about it, he's clearly got the skills. Stealth, determination, and an eye for valuable items. Wasting that talent on fetching sticks would be a crime almost as great as, well, the one he just committed," he laughs.

Uhh... What..?

Your brain is struggling to catch up. One second, you were facing a potential lawsuit and jail time from Gizmo's tomfoolery, and the next second, you're being recruited into a doggy spy initiative. 

"So... you're not going to call the cops on us?" You eye your neighbor warily.

"Call security on an investment? Erase the thought." He shakes your hand that he was holding on to. "Aventurine. Senior Manager of the Strategic Investment Department. And you are...?"

You shake his hand warily, still flabbergasted by his offer. "(name). And this is Gizmo, the... um. aspiring doggy spy..."

---

Sunday

you're a small time streamer who meets a puzzle master

You're a relatively small-time streamer, known for your notoriously terrible skills in puzzle games... 

Tonight, you were playing Dreamscape 2000, a game infamous for its beautiful in-game landscape. You've been stuck in a particular stage for about 30 minutes. The solution is supposedly hidden in plain sight. However, with your horrendous puzzle-solving skills, it proved to be a difficult stage...

"HOW DO YOU EVEN SOLVE THIS?!" You bang your head on the monitor in frustration, taking a huge sip of your water bottle. Tapping multiple spots of the screen vigorously, you sigh in frustration. 

"How is it in plain sight... WHEN I LITERALLY CLICKED EVERYTHING!!" you exclaim, your hand still clicking random spots of the screen.

[Pepsidood24]: look harder im creying....

[vrains]: it's right there I'm actually going to tweak out

Looking over at your chat, you make a baffled expression at what your viewers were saying. Like, what do you mean it's right there??

"I'm the one that's going to tweak out!!" you retort, still clicking random spots in the screen.

[Sandwich444]: the solution is not in the object, but in what it conceals. look at the pattern its shadow creates on the wall adjacent to it.

You blink at the message sent by a random viewer. It's so specific... But it wouldn't hurt to try!

As you change your perspective to look at the shadow, a pattern suddenly reveals itself. On the adjacent wall where it meets the shadow, the mere change in perspective showed the shadow forming into a figure of a flower.

"WHAT THE- It was true!!" you exclaim in shock, pumping your fist in solving the ridiculously hard puzzle.

[Pepsidood24]: SEE

[vrains]: SEE YOU DIDN'T NEED TO CLICK ALL OVER THE SCREEN

It wasn't Sandwich444's only instance of helping you out during your playthrough of Dreamscape 2000. They actually helped you all the time, multiple times during your gameplay! One moment you're on the verge of tearing your hair out, and the next second you feel instant gratefulness for the wise words of Sandwich444.

As the new frequent commenter was abundant in your streams, your viewers started to become interested in them too.

[vrains]: sandwich at it again with the life changing advice LOL

[BobaButt30]: ikr, might as well make them the streamer atp LOLL

"I'm right here, you know!" You look at the messages, irked. The audacity!

The help from the mysterious sandwich fellow continued until you were done with Dreamscape 2000. They've become such a regular on your streams you don't know how to feel bidding goodbye, I mean, they only started watching when you started Lightning 2000...

With a bang of your confetti popper, you excitedly exclaim, "thank you guys for following me through Dreamscape 2000!!" 

"I couldn't have finished it without you guys!!" you laugh, looking at all the supportive comments from your viewers. 

[Sandwich444]: check your dms

[Bobabutt30]: she don't want u bro

Your eyes pan up at the notification that popped up on your computer screen. It was a dm from the wise master sandwich themself.

"Well, see you guys!! Thank you so much for joining me!" you exclaim, your mouse quickly opening the dm, yet your chat was in a flurry of responses. 

[vrains]: THEY'RE ACTUALLY CHECKING THE DM LOLLL

[Pepsidood24]: BROS EATING THE SANDWICH IM DEAD

As you end your stream and finally read what the benefactor that's guided you through Penacony 2000 said your eyes widened in surprise, a heat rises up to your neck, and you feel your breath hitch.

[Sandwich444]: congratulations on the clear. although I never intended my game to be that difficult to players, I still enjoyed watching your streams. :) I'd love to get coffee with you to hear your feedback on my game.

Your mind blanks out, relieving every dramatic, agony and hate driven moment you had with the game. You stare at sandwich's dm, a heat rising to your cheeks at the embarrassing situation. The game you banged your head over way too many times to count was created by the dude who made you sane enough to continue playing. You knew they weren't lying when their profile showed a link for the numerous games they created... Now you couldn't stop thinking about all the times you expressed your hate for the puzzles...

[username]: "my game" ????!!!

[Sandwich444]: yes!

[username]: so... you're the cause of my suffering for the past weeks? AND NOW YOU WANT COFFEE TOGETHER?!

[username]: ...ur lucky the game was good... sure I'll get coffee with you... but you'll have to listen to my complaints without interrupting!!

His reply comes instantly when you sent the message.

[Sandwich444]: i'd never interrupt you

The simple promise was enough to have you bang your head on your desk, not with frustration, but with embarrassment. You steady yourself, taking in a deep breath to ask the crucial question you've always been wondering.

[username]: also,,, why sandwich...?

[Sandwich444]: sandwich. sunday. san. sun. sandwich?

You stare at the screen, your eyes blinking at what he said, before a breathless laugh comes out of you. A smile makes its way on your face as you quickly type back a response.

[username]: when do you want coffee?

---

Mydei

you see mydei everyday at the dog park

You were convinced the guy at the dog park you frequent either had the biggest rbf or he's being forced to walk a litter of small shih tzus everyday. 

He was massive, all muscle under a tight black compression shirt, covered in intricate red tattoos. He looked stern, and he was staring intently at the pack of loud shih tzus he was walking. He looked like he could beat you up easily...

Just then, he made eye contact with you, causing you to quickly whip your head back to the leash, a heat rising towards your neck.

He caught me looking.. how embarrassing..

Yet, you had no time to worry about the incident since the dark skies overhead signaled an incoming downpour. And a heavy torrential downpour did happen! but there was a major problem. You didn't have an umbrella...

Desperate to find cover, you quickly snatched up your corgi and looked around frantically for a sanctuary from the rain. Yet, the only cover you can see is the massive trees. But everyone knows trees make the raindrops bigger! 

As you stare down the trees, wondering if you should take cover under them, you notice that the raindrops hitting your face have ceased. 

Did the rain stop...?

Your eyes pan up, and you’re met with a soft pink umbrella protecting you and your corgi from the rain. Your eyes moved to the owner of the umbrella, and you were met with a familiar face.

It was the buff guy with a ton of shih tzus!

You stare at him again, a small smile forming on your lips when you see him carrying two shih tzus on one arm, along with a single one perched on top of his shoulder. It was a strong contrast: three cute shih tzus with the most intimidating guy you've seen.

"Thank you." You smile warmly at him, appreciative of the kind gesture.

"You're welcome," He said, his ears turning a soft shade of pink.

"Could you hold this?" He requests, extending the pink umbrella to you.

"Of course?" you obliged, although a bit confused about what he's gonna do next. Taking the pink umbrella from him, your fingers briefly brushed against his, and they were surprisingly warm.

With his free hand, he gently takes the shih tzu perched atop his shoulder to prevent the little dog from potentially falling. You gaze at the sight in front of you, he looked...

"Like a walking dog whisperer?" he finished, and you couldn't help but burst into laughter. 

"I think that's a great title!" you grin, teasing him.

He clears his throat at the comment, "mm, I guess," a faint shade of pink casted on the tips of his ears. 

"Mydei" 

"Hm?" you tilt your head in confusion.

"My name." 

"Oh! I'm (name)!" you reply, a grin forming on your lips.

As the rain continued its downpour around you both. The only sounds around are drops hitting the pink umbrella and the soft pants of the shih tzus, along with your corgi's patient breathing. You stood close enough to feel the warmth radiating from him, the faint smell of pomegranates and lilies hitting your nose. He smelled really good... and now you were acutely aware of the close proximity between you and Mydei.

---

Phainon

in which the campus's golden boy wants to fake date

Student council president, star of the debate team, and arguably one of the cutest guys on campus. Phainon was insanely popular, with snow-white hair and sky blue eyes; he had features that can stop a person in their tracks with one look.

In contrast, you transferred in mid-semester, you had a small, tight-knit circle of friends, and you weren't particularly well-known. You weren't completely up to date with campus news and gossip; hell, you just got here! The library on campus is where you spend most of your day, studying, napping, and just sitting around before your class starts. 

It was a typical day for you, commuting to your campus, getting coffee, and then heading straight to the library to either review or catch up on sleep. For today, you decided to catch up on some sleep.

You find an empty booth in the corner of your campus’s spacious library, you take your backpack off, setting it aside beside you, and your head goes straight to slumping on the desk. 

Yet, your ears perk up at voices nearby your booth, "Phainon, why do you not want to go out with me?!" the voice yells, making you even more conscious of your surroundings.

Why can't you get any extra sleep???

"I'm sorry, I already have someone." Another voice, this time, yet it was closer to your booth.

"Who?!-" the shrill voice from earlier screams in rage, yeah, you aren't gonna get any sleep at this point. You slowly rise up from your position, might as well get some work done, and not waste time.

As you were about to dig in your backpack for your notebook, a guy rushed over to your booth, sitting down promptly next to you.

???

You whip your head to the side, looking at the unwanted intruder to your booth, snow-white hair and sky blue eyes.. but just before you can respond, hands wrapped around you, with the stranger mouthing 'I'm sorry' 

"See! my partner was waiting for me, I didn't keep you waiting long, right...?" 

"Uh-" you stare at him, dumbfounded.

"Oh, I see..." The source of the shrill voice from earlier looked at both of you with a dejected look.

The moment they were out of sight, his arm quickly retracted from you. He scoots a few inches away on the seat, and his hands go straight to his face. 

"I am so, so sorry," he breathes out, "That was so rude of me. I'm so sorry."

You sit there, still dumbfounded by whatever the hell just happened....

He runs a hand through his hair, making it even more disheveled. "I couldn't think of another way to get them to back off that wouldn't cause a bigger scene right here in the library."

"So um.... Your solution was to use the nearest sleeping student as a human meat shield?" you say, dumbfounded.

"A-Augh! No!" his face flushes in embarrassment.

"Oh, uh. Okay," you reply, staring at him.

You were still speechless from the whole situation. From taking your usual nap, to eavesdropping on a failed confession, and then to becoming this random hot guy's partner. 

Was this even real??

"Look, I'm so sorry, and I don't want to trouble you any further, but..." he says sheepishly, his hand scratching the back of his neck. "Since it's already come to this... Will you fake date me?" 

"HUH???" you point a finger to yourself, your shock only reaching new levels that you yourself didn't even know was possible.

---

The Deliverer

The Blazing Sun

Fate's Chosen Child

The deliverer was known by many names in your documents, but you yourself liked to call him by his name,

Phainon

---

As the last archivist from Janusopolis, Aglaea wasted no time in taking you under her wing to preserve the history made by the Chrysos heirs for future generations. 

At first, you only maintained the records and documents in Okhema, occasionally organizing more documents that came from lost cities. 

"Wow! How do you handle all these records every day?" Trianne asks, popping up next to you. 

You look down to see the first demigod of Amphoreus, her vivid red hair blazing against the muted browns and beiges of the library. Her expression combined with awe and surprise.

"I know, right?" another voice pops up from behind you. It was Tribbie, and she was carrying a box full of books and documents.

"Another campaign?" you ask, looking at the box full of text. 

You were used to getting more and more documents each day after Aglaea hired you. Preserving Amphoreus' history was crucial for humanity as well as the flamechase journey.

"Agy wanted to see you after you were done sorting all this stuff," Trinnon says while also holding a box full of documents.

Before you could even protest, you were being pulled along by Trianne and Trinnon, cheerful grins etched on their faces, with Tribbie leading the way in a fit of giggles.

The doors of the library burst open, and Okhema's shining sun blared down on you, the rays producing a comforting warmth after your time inside the cold library. You were dragged across Okhema, the fits of giggles surrounding you as the three girls led you to the bathhouse.

You see Aglaea in the distance, a small smile gracing her lips when she sees you approaching.

"Hello, (name)," she greets, while the three little demigods scatter to their respective duties.

"What did you need me for?" you ask curiously, your hands on your knees, catching your breath after a marathon across Okhema. 

A warm and polite voice cuts in.

"So this is the archivist you wanted to assign me with, huh?"

You look up, your breath caught in your throat. 

Before you stood the Deliverer. His hair reminiscent to the color of the first snowfall. His eyes akin to the bright blue color of the sky. He looked at you with curiosity, a smile etched on his face.

"Yes, this is (name)," Aglaea says smoothly, introduing you to the famed hero of Amphoreus.

"What I want is not a history documented through exaggerated tales and ballads," Aglaea says with a soft smile.

"But one that's closely documented by genuine records and no biases."

Aglaea pauses, letting the weight of her words settle. Phainon's smile remains polite, but a subtle tension now lines his jaw. 

He knows what's coming.

"Therefore," Aglaea continues, her voice leaving no room for argument, "(name), your primary assignment is to shadow Phainon. You will document the flamechase not from a distance, but from its very heart. the strategies, the decisions, the human cost,"

"all of it."

Phainon lets out a soft sigh. one that wasn't of annoyance, but of resignation. The smile he gives you now is different; it didn't reach his eyes, but it was soft with a hint of weariness.

"So an observer," he says, and his tone was still polite, but there was an underlying tone hidden beneath it.

"I hope you have a strong stomach, archivist," Phainon chuckles, his sky blue eyes reaching yours, "the flamechase journey isn't exactly as exciting as the epics describe them."

And for a split second, you swore you saw a hint of sadness within those bright blue eyes of his.

"I'm not here to tell epic tales and battles, deliverer," you look up at him with determination, a hint of surprise meeting his eyes.

I'm here to document the truth," you say, a steadfast courage forming in you.

---

The black tide was quickly encroaching on an abandoned city that you and Phainon went to search for to bring any survivors to Ohkema.

The air was sickeningly damp, and the heat clung to you uncomfortably. Your hand was slick with sweat. The horrors of the black tide documented in the papers of Okhema's library paled in comparison to the real thing. 

The black tide wasn't a wave of water; it was something incomprehensible. The pen you clutched halted, not knowing how to even describe the phenomenon.

“Stay close to me,” Phainon said, his voice low and devoid of its usual warmth. 

The sounds around you dissolved into a nightmare of noise and the sounds of the tide. The ballads spoke of glorious battles against the creatures of the black tide. But they never spoke of the words those "creatures" made.

"i̴̠͐t̶͙̊ ̷͖̓h̷̠͐u̴͉̓r̶͎͠ṭ̸́s̸̛̯"

"h̵͔̍-̵̤̉ḥ̸̍ẹ̵̀l̴͇̀ṕ̵̪"

"p̸̥̓a̷̦͝i̶̠͊n̴̫͒"

Then you saw Phainon.

He didn't shout. 

He didn't say a word. 

The only sounds he made were the measured rush of his breath and the sharp thuds and cracks of his sword striking the tide's creatures.

The wounds he sustained dripped a golden ichor, staining his clothes with unnatural shine and gold.

The carnage in front of you didn't stop your duty to document the flame chase, but it did leave you with no choice but to take short notes and expand on them after both of you were safe.

‘The Deliverer’s cloak is torn. A gash on his left arm. He doesn’t seem to notice.’

'The Black Tide consumes everything in its path'

'Creatures used to be living organisms'

'Creatures were previously human'

As the last of the creatures dissipated into smoke, Phainon stood for a moment, his chest heaving from the hefty battle. He drops to his knees, his head lowered, sword in front of him. 

It wasn't the pose of a victorious hero. 

He had the position of a man in mourning.

In that moment, you realized you weren't just looking at the deliverer for humanity. 

You were looking at Phainon.

a young man burdened with the prophecy of worldbearing.

Your hand shook as you wrote, at the bottom of the page, below the sketches of monsters, the numbers of survivors, Phainon's assault against the black tide. You wrote a single line.

‘He did not cry. But for a moment, I think he wanted to.’

---

The search for survivors continued, and over the next months, you slowly saw the cracks in Phainon’s facade.

It was in the small things. When Phainon thought no one was looking, his left hand would curl into a fist, the knuckles turning the palms of his skin white from the pressure, before releasing it. 

You found him one evening staring at the wooden soldier he'd carved during his childhood in Aedes Elysiae. His expression was empty, his eyes void. His eyes fixated on the wooden soldier. He didn't notice you for a full minute, and when he did, the smile he offered was so thin and so fake.

During a search in the outskirts of Okhema, a young child, no more than five, had been hiding in a root cellar, the only survivor of a farm devastated by the black tide's creeping destruction to Okhema. She was holding a knitted plush of a horse tightly.

A soldier, trying to soothe her, gestured to Phainon. "See? The deliverer is here. You're safe now."

The child looked up. 

She didn't see the Blazing Sun, nor the Deliverer. 

In her eyes, she saw a tall, armored man, spattered with dirt, with wounds showing dripping golden ichor. 

Her face crumpled. burrying it in the soldier's shoulder, a tiny, terrified wail escaping her.

Phainon stilled, his breath hitched at the sight of the crying child.

"Don't worry, you're safe now," Phainon says cheerfully, his signature smile making its way on his face. 

Yet, despite his cheerful demeanor, you picked out the slight tremble of his voice and how his hand reached out to pat the child, but instead fell to his side.

---

The walk back through the streets of Okhema was, of course, met with constant admiration.

You walked beside Phainon. Everywhere you went, it was the same. 

A man emerged from his bakery, wiping flour-coated hands on his apron, his face lighting up with hope at the sight of Phainon. 

"Deliverer! Free bread for your service!" Phainon paused, smiled that brilliant, effortless smile he always gave to everyone, and took the freshly baked loaf. 

"Thank you, kind sir," Phainon said, his voice as warm as the sun.

As he's about to take a step away from the bakery, an old woman grabbed his cloak, her expression filled with worry, yet his smile never wavered.

"My son, he fights with the chrysos heirs against the black tide… you'll bring him home, won't you?" the woman says, her voice filled with desperation and hope.

"I will try my best, ma'am. I swear to Kephale." He replied, his voice a blend of confidence and comfort, placing a hand on the woman's shaky ones to comfort her.

A child pointed, and he winked, making her giggle.

But you saw the cost with all the expectations placed on him. 

You saw the way his shoulders grew tighter with each interaction. You saw the split delay of his neutral expression before his signature smile clicked into place, a fraction of a second where his face was just… tired. 

Empty.

The golden ichor from a barely-healed wound on his neck shimmered in the sun, a sharp reminder of the price he paid to shield the last people of Amphoreus.

He was a well, and the entire city was drinking from him, and no one noticed the water level dropping.

He finally stopped at a quiet overlook, his back to the bustling streets, his hands gripping the stone railing. His cheerful facade vanished, replaced with an empty expression. 

He was carrying the hopes of all mankind, and in this moment, the weight was visibly crushing him, even with his prophecy of world-bearing.

And in that moment, you stepped beside him.

"You know," you said, the words feeling both dangerous and necessary, 

"You don't always have to be strong for everyone."

Paimon clenched his fist, and he didn't look at you. But you could see the pained expression he was making. He let out a soft laugh.

"It's my purpose," he whispered, 

"It's what I'm for."

You held your ground, your gaze fixed on his side profile, the tension in his jaw, his sky blue eyes carrying a weight far too heavy, and his slightly trembling lips. 

"Then who's strong for you?"

Phainon went still. The careful smile he showed to everyone instantly vaporized, leaving behind an exaggerated smile. 

Phainon didn't cry,

He can't.

But his breath hitched, and he finally turned to look at you. Slowly, he leaned his head against your shoulder tiredly. 

"Just… stay with me. Please." Phainon pauses, the world seemed to still as well, with the birds no longer chirping, and rustle of leaves stopping.

"The silence is too loud."

---

Entry ▅

'I was in the archives, transcribing the events of Phainon's search for survivors into a formal report, and I didn't notice Phainon's presence in the room.

He didn't speak. He simply stood in the doorway until I looked up..

Without a word, he went next to me and sat on the floor, his back against the leg of the desk I was transcribing events on.

He pulled out a block of wood and his carving knife. And he just stayed...'

Entry ▅

'We shared dinner at a small restaurant.

Phainon would give me pieces of food from his plate onto mine, or fill my cup when it was half-empty. He would try to feed me too.

I declined of course!

But I realized the genuine smile he gives can't compare to the ones he does out of politeness.'

Entry ▅

'He came to me tonight after a meeting with The Council of Elders. He did not speak of what happened during the meeting.

He simply walked to where I sat reading, layed his head in my lap, and closed his eyes. I placed a hand on his snowy white hair. For a full hour, the only sound was our breathing and the sound of pages turning from my other hand.

He was not sleeping, just resting on my lap.'

Entry ▅

'Phainon is learning a new purpose.

He doesn't need to be strong for everyone.

He needs to be strong with someone.

And in doing so, Phainon the Deliverer is becoming more human.'

---

"Did you just cross out my name?!" Phainon remarks, a feigned expression of hurt on his face, a small pout gracing his lips.

"This isn't a personal diary!" you reply sternly, smacking his forehead lightly with the book.

"But you wrote my name multiple times already (name)!" Phainon argues with a smirk.

"...You're right, I've gotten used to writing your name in my entries." You say sheepishly.

Entry ▅

'Phainon is learning a new purpose.

He doesn't need to be strong for everyone.

He needs to be strong with someone.

Kinich always wished for freedom. It was an escape from the wars in his household, the violent voice of his father ringing through the walls, and the arguments that plagued his home every week.

He hated his father.

He hated how his family fell apart because of his violent outbursts, hated how he always yelled at his mom and hated how he chased his mom away. He longed to get away from his father, to be free from the negativity that consumed his life, he wished for freedom.

On his seventh birthday, he got what he wished for.

"Dad, do you know where mom went?"

Kinich looked up at his dad expectantly, the smell of alcohol hitting his nose. It was his birthday today, usually, he wouldn't ask for anything but the curiosity of where his mother is ran through his mind often.

But he came to regret his words for years to come, the moment he mentioned his mother, his dad was instantly enraged.

"You little brat!"

The giant figure above him looked at Kinich with stricken eyes, the sight filling the young boy with dread. That wasn't his father anymore.

That was the monster who ruined his family.

With the looming figure's hands raising to hit the boy, he fled. The figure chasing him in pursuit. It was terrifying for a boy his age. He ran through the highest cliffs in Natlan, the sight of the monster behind him pervading him with the sense to flee.

"You wretch! Come here-"

As the man yelled at him he lost his footing due to the steep terrain, plummeting down the cliff. Only when Kinich's adrenaline wore out, did the realization hit him. He stared at the body of his father down the cliff. Kinich slowly crawls down the steep terrain, his palms and knees getting abrase from the rocks.

"Dad."

"Dad."

"Dad!"

"Dad?"

Kinich can only yell for the prospect of his father responding. Any response, whether it'd be a movement of his hand, the utterance of a groan, anything that could show that he's still alive, but there was nothing. The only thing that in his hearing is his own voice, one that's growing wearier and wearier. Yet the only thing in his sight was his dad's lifeless body.

Kinich's father was dead.

His father, the man he lived with for years, the man who frequently yelled at him, and his mom, the man he detested was dead.

Kinich's stomach churned, and the sight of the lifeless body overwhelmed the young boy. He could only stare in a daze before tears threatened to spill out of his amber-green eyes.

The only thing he could do was squeeze his eyes shut, scrunched his nose, twisting his face to prevent any tears from spilling. His lips pressed shut, preventing the whimpers that threatened to come out.

He hated his father, but he was still his father at the end of the day.

It's absurd how you remember a person's greatest qualities, even if they were a terrible person once they're gone.

Kinich could only bury the times when his father would spoil him with sweets, how heroic he looked when he would secretly watch him use his grabbling hook, and how he would always hug him when his mother was still around.

Kinich gained his wish for freedom, yet the only thing he truly gained was solitude.

───

After the departure of his father, Kinich became adept at living alone. He never sought help from anyone, and he didn't trust anyone.

Thoughts of his old life often plagued his mind. He questioned why he still kept the old alcohol bottles from his dad, why images of his family frequently haunt him in his dreams, and why he would ever ask about his mother on his seventh birthday.

All of this was witnessed by Elder Leik, the individual responsible for the children's education in the Scions of Canopy.

So when Kinich visited the market he was approached by the elder. The young boy was offered education in return for courier services. Yet, Kinich refused, and he bid goodbye to the elder before returning to do business at the tribal market.

But that wasn't the last time he'd see the elder.

Every time Kinich visited the market, he'd be met with the familiar face time and time again with the offer of an education. So after months of the elder's insistent offers, he finally relented.

───

Curious stares permeated Kinich's figure, yet the intense looks from peers his age didn't bother him. All he needed to do right now was listen and leave after to do more substantial activities anyway.

"Kinich have a seat anywhere you like!" Elder Lief exclaims with a big smile, happy to see Kinich attending a class.

Without any word, he heads away from the circle of kids, before a hand pulls him down. Catching him off guard, he looks to the owner of the hand, a young kid his age.

"Sit next to me!" You give him a toothy smile, patting the space next to you, "okay," Kinich obliges, not wanting to bring any more attention to himself if he sat away from the other kids.

"I'm (name)! What's your name?" you whisper to him, and he turns to look at you with an inexplicable look, "Kinich."

"Hi Kinich!" you stretch your hand towards him. He hesitates for a bit before grabbing your hand and shaking it.

"Ahem, now children, settle down," Elder Leif coughs, beckoning the kids to quiet down, "Today we'll talk about our honored heroes and their stories, with each of them deserving to be remembered by their contributions and their self-sacrifice for the nation of Natlan!"

Kinich raises his hand, "Why would they want to sacrifice themselves?" he looks at the Elder inquisitively, to which he responds by gently smiling at him, "It's not a question of why, it's simply a virtue innate for heroes to do whatever they can to help those they love."

"And what did their self-sacrifice get them?" Kinich asks again,

"Virtue is a priceless trait, those with it gain the highest rewards"

"The highest rewards? Like fame or mora? "

"Haha, those are part of the rewards," the elder chuckled, "But that wasn't the reward they obtained. They gained and maintained their virtue, they stayed a hero due to their unchanging morals." The elder gave him a sincere smile.

Kinich didn't really understand how a trait could be the greatest reward for self-sacrifice. Would the forest boar be filled with virtue as they relieved his hunger? And would the river water be a hero since it relieved his thirst?

If anything, he wanted to become a hero to gain the reward of mora.

"Hah! Of course, a dirty kid like you would only think of mora!" a little boy shouted, laughing, "Just leave if you're just a money-grubbing monkey!"

"Children! Mind your words!" Elder Leif scolds them, not noticing Kinich already heading out.

"Wait!" you stood up, grabbing his wrist, "Don't take their words to heart, they're only self-projecting!" you whisper to Kinich, "In fact! I heard them talking about how they don't even need to be a hero since they're well-off already! Ugh! Selfish jerks right?" you give him a reassuring smile.

Kinich stares at you, "oh," he pulls something out of his pocket, "Here, this herb can help you heal your scrape." He looks down at your scraped knee, handing you the herb.

"Wow! Thank you so much!" you reply, waving goodbye to him as he leaves the Learning Lodge.

Although he declared that he only wanted to be a hero due to the prospect of mora. You knew deep down that wasn't the case.

Why else would he look down at your scraped knee with a slight furrow of his brows and the apologetic look he gave Elder Leif when he left without informing him?

───

As the years grew, so did Kinich's reputation. He was incredibly skilled, and more and more people started coming to him for dangerous commissions. Kinich also grew closer to the old man he once found annoying, Elder Lief. The old scholar guided him throughout the years, giving him invaluable lessons that would help him for years to come. Yet the only thing the Elder wanted in return for his teachings was the promise with Kinich to learn what it truly meant to be a hero during his journeys.

He also grew closer to you, the first person who gave him words of reassurance ever since his mother's departure.

You were the complete opposite of him, you had a bright personality, always helping others freely. Yet, you were his best friend, even though he was different from you like night and day, You never judged him for his demeanor, you encouraged it.

"Let the people get mad! I mean, you're only making sure they aren't scamming you right?" You exclaim to him, "Mhm, I'm simply making sure I get paid adequately," he smiles at you amused by your unrelenting support for him.

"Yeah! So keep doing what you're doing." You throw your arm around him, "Don't think about those old geezers complaining," you flash him an earnest look. "Let's buy some Saurus Crackers once you're done for today!" you give him a grin.

"I'll pay using those old geezers' money." Kinich gives you a smirk.

And when you give the smile you frequently flash, he finds himself getting dragged into your world every time.

He didn't understand what it meant to be a hero.

But if he had to pick who would be fit to be a hero,

It would be you.

───

Kinich was still the same old Kinich even when he gained an ancient name and a 'pet' dragon. So when he emerged victorious in the Pilgrimage and threw himself into the Night Warden Wars with no hesitation it wasn't a surprise to everyone. Yet, only one person was surprised, it was Kinich.

You were participating in the Night Warden Wars along with him.

"Worried to see your little partner participating? Heh." The dragon beside him said in an irritating voice, causing him to smack it.

"Hey!" the dragon growls.

He knew how strong you were, and that you could easily fend for yourself. But he had an inexplicable feeling in this gut, one he couldn't identify.

As Kinich's team headed into the Night Kingdom and began fighting off the abyss his gut feeling became stronger.

There was something wrong with this place.

"Kinich!" A yell from his left direction catches his attention, "T-There's something wrong with this place! The creatures they can mask as your─" yet before his comrade could relay the news, he was ambushed by a creature of the abyss.

The creatures were disguising themselves as their loved ones.

The warriors that emerged from the pilgrimage were faced with the vile tricks of the abyss. The faces of their loved ones appeared before them, which caused them to hesitate to draw their weapons.

And that hesitance proved to be deadly.

One by one, many warriors that came down to fight in the Night Kingdom were ambushed. Only a few remaining comrades prevailed through the harsh conditions.

"Kinich?"

A familiar voice called out to him, one he thought he had long forgotten. He turns around, seeing his 'mother', who he hadn't seen for years.

The figure opens her arms to hug him, yet, the instincts and reflexes he honed over the years caused him to swing his weapon.

With one swift movement of his claymore, he cut through his 'mother's' body.

"Wow. Heartless." Ajaw laughed heartily.

"Hah..." Kinich wipes the sweat off his forehead. The situation was getting dire, more and more abyssal creatures were flooding near him. Yet, he didn't relent, one by one he slayed every creature that came near him, each making his heart and body fatigued. Once he was done with all the abyssal creatures in his area he looked around, yet he could only see the wretched landscape of the abyss, with no sight of his comrades in sight.

The continuous fighting made him lethargic, but he had to prevail so his fallen comrades could come back again. He looks up, checking the crack in the sky. It was getting smaller, he needed to find his comrades soon, he needed to find you soon. As he drags his tired body to the other areas of the Night Kingdom, a deep pit of worry fills his stomach.

Is (name) okay?

As he scans his surroundings again he spots you lying on the ground, seemingly lifeless. A feeling of dread washed over him.

"(name)!" Kinich runs over to you with a worried expression. His eyes were quivering, a sense of relief washing over him once he saw you breathing.

You were still alive.

"Kinich! I'm okay, just catching my breath!" You reassure him, giving a tired smile, "No, your arm is gashed," he says breathlessly. With his hands trembling he holds your arm before taking out the gauze in his pocket.

He wraps the gauze around your injury tightly, yet the hold on your arm is gentle, careful even.

Looking at you with concern he shoves a herb in your mouth. Which you immediately spat out in response, you give him a disgusted look, "Kinich! You know I hate that herb!"

"But you gratefully accepted it back when we first met, didn't you?" Kinich laughs before stretching his hand towards you, "That's cause I didn't need to eat it!" You grab his hand and he hoists you up.

"We need to go, the opening is going to close soon." He looks up, the crack in the sky getting smaller and smaller.

"Mm. Let's hurry, you nod in response.

The two warriors run to the crack in the sky with hordes of abyssal monsters pursuing them. It was getting smaller and smaller, they needed to be quick. He made sure you were in front of him, it's okay if he didn't make it back. At least one of you needed to return the Ode of Resurrection, and he wanted it to be you.

He didn't want you to experience the feeling of death.

"Kinich!" You yell, spotting a rift hound that caught up to him. The sight of it preparing to attack Kinich made you act without thinking.

Kinich has a better chance of going back.

Without having the time to react, Kinich finds himself pushed onto the ground. You get slashed by the rift hound but you put it down with the last of your strength.

"(name)!" Kinich yells out your name in horror.

Deep gashes painted your abdomen, causing you to wince in pain. You press on your stomach, trying to stop the bleeding but it barely does anything to no avail. Kinich runs over to you, his eyes quivering, lips pursed together.

"(name). (name). (name). Please." he supports your limp body in his arms. Fumbling in his pockets for any gauze, medicine, herbs, anything to keep you alive.

He couldn't lose you.

He was fine losing everything but you.

He sets you down on the ground, hastily wrapping the scarce gauze he had left on your stomach.

"Kinich," you look up at him, giving him an apologetic smile, "Go without me." His hands stop momentarily, before going back to bandaging your abdomen.

A brief moment of anger flashes in Kinich's mind

"Are you serious?" Kinich looks at you in disbelief. He quickly finishes wrapping your abdomen. He hoists you up, the feeling of your limpening body causing panic to bubble in him.

He should've been the one who got slashed.

Why did you go out of your way to save him?

You cough, before putting a hand on his cheek, "You know you're stronger than me, if anyone was getting out alive, it'd be you." you give a weak smile.

"No, you're making it out. You're gonna be okay (name). Please," his hold on you tightened, "Please don't leave me." he looked at you in distraught, his voice trembling. "(name). Please, please don't leave me."

"I should be the one saying that." you laugh at him weakly, causing Kinich to glare at you, "Go without me Kinich. I'm quite heavy." Your hand falls down from his cheek, your eyes slowly shutting close.

"I really need a good sleep too."

Kinich's eyes quivered, his hold on your limp body weakening.

"(name)."

He calls out to you.

"(name)."

This time he shakes your shoulders.

"(name)!"

This time he yells out your name.

He looks at your face, it looks peaceful even with the amount of wounds that littered your body. He strokes your head, fixing any stray hairs and clearing the hair from your face.

He takes in a deep breath.

He doesn't linger any longer, he stands up and starts heading to the crack again.

He squeezed his eyes shut again, he scrunched his nose again, and his face twisted to prevent any tears from falling again.

The bright light seeping from the crack created a stark contrast compared to the dark environment.

He looks back to the direction where you last stood before the light took him back.

He truly believed that the noblest of characters were the ones hailing from nature.

Until he experienced you.

───

a/n: guys don't worry ode of resurrection magic

kinich is infamous for his utilitarian approach to life. he only does commissions when the reward is satisfactory. but when he does accept a commission, he does it pretty damn well. so when a traveling journalist from fontaine heard about this pragmatic individual he wanted to write a report about him! for some miracle, the renowned kinich actually agreed to his report, albeit, he had to pay a hefty price in exchange.

Step 1: find a commission worth taking. 5/14

"usually i calculate how long the commission would take and what resources i need to put into it," kinich says to the reporter, crossing his arms while scanning the commission board for any worth taking. "i see! what happens if the one who posts the commission can't pay?" the reporter asks, writing down kinich's words rapidly.

"well-"

"you don't want to know! haha!" kinich's companion, ajaw exclaims loudly.

"oh um- i see!" the journalist sweats at his words.

shooing away ajaw, kinich turns to the journalist, "don't mind him, most people can pay since they need a deposit to post a commission."

"that's great! the adventurer's guild knows how to make a profit, haha." the journalist laughs while kinich was observing the board.

"hm, it seems like there aren't any commissions worth taking today." kinich faces the fontainian again. "do you mind finishing your report tomorrow?"

"aw man! well if there isn't a commission that isn't piquing your interest i'll meet you at the commission board tomorrow." the journalist sighs dramatically before walking away to find more people to write about.

"are all fontainians that dramatic?" ajaw clicks his tongue, seeing the journalist bothering other people.

"probably."

━━

Step 1: find a commission worth taking. 5/15

as kinich scans the board again a small sigh escapes his mouth. "sorry, the commissions here aren't that great today either."

"ah, that's fine." the journalist thinks for a moment before coming up with an idea, "actually, do you just want to write down what you do in a commission? you can keep it brief." seeing kinich's unamused expression he adds on, "I'll pay extra."

"deal."

━━

Step 1: find a commission worth taking. 5/16

"are you serious?!" ajaw yells angrily at kinich. which he only glares at the dragon in response.

"I'm telling you, we'll have to come back another day."

looking at kinich in shock, ajaw's face turns red in an instant, "UGHHHHHH!! just take a random commission!" ajaw cries, rolling around in the air in frustration.

"no, I don't want to waste my time." he waves off ajaw before walking away.

━━

Step 1: find a commission worth taking. 5/17

"..." the amber-eyed man stares at the board in disappointment once again.

kinich was a bit irked.

I mean, I guess he has an unofficial vacation going on because of the lack of worthwhile commissions. but that journalist did pay him a good amount of mora for a report on how he does commissions, so he'll make sure that fontainian is so satisfied he'll start getting commissions from fontaine.

"oh, no commissions again? that's so saaadd!" ajaw yells dramatically, sighing very loudly.

and he thought fontainians were dramatic.

━━

Step 1: find a fucking commission worth taking. 5/18

as kinich scans the commission board, one catches his eye.

WAYOB MANIFESTATION SPOTTED NEAR AMELYALCO WATERS.

REWARD: 50,000 MORA

oh? this one's worth taking.

kinich reaches to grab the flyer, yet a hand rips it out from the board before he can even touch it. he turns to the owner of hand, who's smiling happily at the commission in their hands.

"hey you," kinich gives you a tap on the shoulder, causing you to whip your head at him in confusion.

"so you're the one getting my commissions." he chuckles, yet it doesn't sound like it was evoked from amusement.

it sounded like it was due to annoyance.

"uh? your commissions??" you stare at him baffled. he stretches his hand towards you, motioning you to hand over the flyer.

"i need that," he states in a matter-of-fact tone. causing you to instantly whip your hand up high-

like that'll do anything...

kinich deadpans at you, "wow, it's so high maybe you should have it after all."

"y-yeah! it's mine okay?!" you exclaim, flustered over the stupid act you pulled before trying to rush out.

"hold on," he grabs your hand, "you're not going anywhere."

"well i am going somewhere!" you try yanking your hand but to avail, it doesn't budge.

"I'll pay you 5,000 mora if you give me that commission," he responds.

"nuh uh! I don't need money!" you exclaim, shaking your head profusely.

"10,000."

"NO!"

"15,000."

"NO! aren't you gonna lose profit??" you look at him, baffled by the increasing price points.

"mm, you're right. but look," he lets go of your hand, "I'll pay you the reward money for that commission and you give it to me." kinich says, with ajaw nodding profusely in the back.

'HUUUH?! but I wanna fight!" you cried, "it's not about the money it's for the love of the game!"

kinich stares at you with the same, but the twitch of his hand shows the effects of your proclamation.

"hmph. fine, keep it." he gives you a strange look before walking away.

━━

Step 1: find a commission worth taking. 5/19

as kinich heads over to the commission board once again, he spots a familiar figure.

it was you, holding a flyer in hand, pacing around the board for no reason. but after you spot him you instantly perk up.

"oh, you! random stranger from yesterday!" you run over to kinich, flyer in hand, "so um, i felt kinda bad about yesterday.. so here." you hand over the flyer to kinich.

"thank you, but," he walks closer to you, the distance between you two getting smaller and smaller, "if you're sorry then do this commission with me." he smacks the flyer lightly on your forehead.

"really?!" you look at him in surprise.

"yes really, this is the only time i'm ever going to do a joint commission, so do you want to go or not?" kinich crosses his arms, looking at you expectantly.

"I'll go!"

Note: sometimes commissions can be done by two to maximize profits.

but kinich wouldn't admit he proposed the idea of a joint commission since he found your determination cute.

k'uhul ajaw is a "mighty" and "feared" dragon, but one thing is hindering him from world domination.

it's his servant kinich!

but the fearsome ajaw has a perfect plan to make him kick the bucket. it's to utilize that one human that's been making him act up so much.

ajaw can vividly remember what's been happening the past few months. how his contractor has been staring off into space ever so often. how he seems to talk you more compared to other people. how he always lets his gaze linger on your form before you bid goodbye to him.

k'uhul ajaw has a hunch that his servant is lovesick.

and he'll use that perfect opportunity to finally make that arrogant human pay!

but the problem is, he can only come into contact with you when your near kinich since he can't stray far from his contractor.. well that's easier said than done since you guys have been "accidentally" been bumping into each other all the time. kinich is soooooo obvious about his feelings towards you ajaw finds it unbelievable that you haven't noticed yet! he almost feels bad for kinich. why can't you notice how lovestruck his servant is?! as ajaw is stuck in his thoughts a familiar voice calls out from a distance, one he can distinctly recognize.

"hi kinich! hi ajaw!" the voice, which came from you instantly made ajaw whip his head to his servant. archons, he can already see hearts in the fool's eyes.

"good morning." greeted kinich, he walked over to you and that's when k'uhul ajaw was going to put his plan into action.

"psst... psst... human..." ajaw quietly whispered to you, evoking a strange look from kinich. noticing kinich's suspicious look ajaw rushes to you. "look, i need your help. you'll be honored to help the great dragon k'uhul ajaw, yes? make kinich all mushy an-"

"GWAAK" ajaw is suddenly lunged backwards by kinich, his tail spiking up, face turning red.

"what do you think you're doing?" kinich eyes the little dragon suspiciously, "sorry if he said anything weird," he sends you an apologetic look before turning back to ajaw again. "now tell me, what did you tell them? i won't hesitate in putting you into time-out again." the yellow dragon quickly interjected, "NO! i never even said anything weird! and plus you never hesitate in putting me into time-out so i know that's a lie!" ajaw growls at kinich before quickly looking over to you.

catching ajaw's look you devised a plan to get a conversation with the small dragon without kinich getting suspicious, "yeah! ajaw didn't say anything bad. oh! are those grain fruit over there?" you point to the patch of grain fruit growing at a reasonable distance away from where you're currently at.

"oh? i'll get some for you if you want." kinich looks over to you, waiting for your approval.

"sure! we can share once you get a good amount!" you flash him a smile, "okay then," he gives you a gentle smile back before heading over to the patch of grainfruit. after the coast was clear you quickly turned to ajaw, giving him a confused look.

"so... what do you mean make kinich all mushy?"

"it's exactly what it means!" ajaw yells in annoyance, "he gets all mushy, his ears turn red, and he-" you quickly interject him, as you exclaim in surprise, "you mean i make him sick?!" you looked at the little lizard (dragon) worriedly. you figured he only talked to you out of obligation, but you didn't think he'd be sick of your presence! was he faking his kindness towards you the whole time?! then shouldn't you just start staying out of his way..?

no!

you always felt comfortable talking to him, you like (as a friend of course...) him for archons sake!!

"yes! you make him so (love) sick! how come you didn't notice yet?!" ajaw says, sighing in exasperation. geez, throughout every century humans seem to act the same, being stupidly in love. "anyways, I have a plan that'll help the both of us," ajaw looks at you with fierce determination, "I need you to be by his side as much as you can!"

huh?

"wouldn't that make him sicker of me?!" gasping, you look at the dragon in shock. if kinich already felt sick seeing you, why would you try to be near him all the time?! it's like basically saying 'im so annoying the only way to get rid of me is kicking me'

"that's the point! I need you to make him so mushy over you that when his guard is eventually down I can strike him down and initiate my plans for world domination!!" the little dragon laughs menacingly.

"err... and why do i need to comply with you?" you look at ajaw confused, "don't you like kinich? if you follow my plan it'll eventually get you two together!!" the little dragon looks at you, annoyed. "why should i trust you?! and what do you mean i like kinich??" you remark, eyeing ajaw suspiciously.

"you obviously like kinich! this'll help you both!" he starts outright screaming, turning red in frustration. you stare at him confused, you do like kinich, you wanna be with him all the time, but didn't kinich like you too? like as a friend of course!

but what does ajaw mean by making him all "mushy???" like... do you just... turn him into slime?

after much thinking of ajaw's words you feel a spark in your head.

wait, like mushy in the way you can't think of anyone but them?? like you can only focus on a person despite everything happening around you?? was that it?

a scream breaks you out of your thoughts.

"AAACCKKKK!!"

you look over your left and see kinich with a handful of grain fruit. your heart skips a beat.

huh? your heart skipped a beat?

focus!

you look at him, suddenly self-aware of everything around you. geez, why do you suddenly feel sweat forming on your hands?? why does he look extra shinier today?!

"are you okay?" he looks at you concerned. the gentle tone of his voice startling you out of your daze. you make eye contact with him, his amber-green eyes focusing on you intently. "yeah," you look away nervously, cursing yourself for acting nervous for no reason, "i'm okay," giving him a smile to reassure him.

"look, i know you're faking. are you sick?" he walks closer to you, "may i?" he hovers his hand over your forehead, and you can only hum and nod in response.

your heart kept beating quickly, did your heart always beat like this around him before? why were you suddenly so self aware of him when ajaw said that you liked him?!

as he gets your approval, his hand brushes the hair away from your face. your senses going into overdrive by the stimulation.

his face leans in closer.

you suddenly panic, closing your eyes.

wait are you even panicking?!

the sight of nothing leaves your senses heightened, you suddenly feel the humidity of natlan's weather, his hand against your cheek, the smell of his clothes permeating your senses, and the brushing of his hair against your face. you feel a sensation on your forehead, opening your eyes slowly you're instantly met with green and yellow hues, the shades of kinich's eyes leaving you mesmerized. his eyes have always been the focal point of his features, the way his eyes were akin to luscious greenery, and how his pupils were shaped like diamonds. they were beautiful. as you were staring at his eyes in a daze you were snapped out of your thoughts, as kinich mutters, you notice a look of concern painting his features, "your forehead's hot, are you sure you're okay?" his face dangerously close to yours.

"i-i am! it's just it's been hot lately!!" you exclaim, fanning your face, trying hard not to look away from kinich. yet, he doesn't buy your excuse, "eat this for now," he shoves a piece of grainfruit in your mouth.

"i'll walk you home." he sticks his hand towards you. "thank you..." you grab his hand, failing to notice the yellow dragon behind you, "i said make kinich mushy, not you." ajaw whispers menacingly behind you, while you glare at him.

what did he mean you're getting mushy?!

and since when did you ever agree to his proclamation??

turning your attention back to kinich, you notice he's still holding your hand. causing him to cough awkwardly and apologize.

"sorry." he lets go, awkwardly scratching the back of his head, "oh, it's okay!" you exclaim, quickly grabbing hold of his hand again. he gives you a small look of surprise before intertwining his fingers with you, causing ajaw to burst out laughing.

"HAHAHAHA!! you loveb-" as the small dragon gloats over his success the snap of kinich's fingers causes him to disappear.

thank goodness! wait.

did you just grab kinich's hand?! you were holding hands with kinich. do friends hold hands while feeling nervous about them?? no they don't... but what if some do?! do friends do this..?

as he walks you to your house you engage in small talk with him. but the topic of ajaw's deal that he made.

"he said he wanted me to make you all mushy, told me how your ears supposedly turn 'red' ." you recall ajaw's words to kinich, "oh, i see. don't mind him." his hand twitches, triggering you to look up at him.

what met your eyes shocked you.

his ears were red. his free hand covering his face, a tinge of pink painting his cheeks. is this what ajaw meant by mushy?

he's cute.

friends don't feel 'mushiness' around each other. people experience that when they like one another.

you like kinich, and you were burying your feelings in fear of ruining your relationship with him, but witnessing his reaction towards you firsthand gave you the push of confidence you needed to stop the denial in your heart.

you tug on his hand, "wait, kinich."

he turns to face you, the look of fondness in his eyes evident after you realize his feelings. "kinich, can we go to the mountain where we first met?" you look at him, hands slightly trembling. "are you sure? I don't want you to exert yourself too much if you're sick," his hand tightens.

you smile, "don't worry I'm not sick!"

──

you met kinich after he accepted your commission. you knew the people from the scions of canopy were adept with harsh terrain, so you were relieved when kinich accepted your commission.

your commission was simple, it was obtaining various herbs that grow in the sides of mountains, but you did offer a high mora award to anyone who accepted it!

"here you go." kinich hands over a basket full of herbs to you, "thank you so much!" you exclaim, smiling at him.

and now you're back on the same mountain again but for a different reason.

"the breeze here feels so nice!" you run around swinging your arms out, "kinich come here!" you motion him to get closer to you, which he immediately complies with.

you take in a deep breath.

this was it.

it was now or never.

"kinich i have something to tell you." you look at him, your voice trembling, "look, i've liked you for a while, i just realized recently, i don't want to make you uncomfortable so we can still be friends-"

"no." kinich interjects, grabbing your hand.

your eyes widen.

"i like you too." he says, his ears red, "so," he brings your hand to his lips, "i want to be with you," he says before pressing a kiss on the back of your hand.

without the both of you realizing, ajaw was out of timeout, the first person he spotted being you, realizing the opportunity he quickly yells, pointing at you,

"puny human! i order you to date my servant!"

but what he didn't notice was the flustered expression on you, along with kinich's glare directed towards him. realizing his mistake ajaw panics, "w-wait!! i didn't mean to-" the little dragon was cut off as he was sent to time out once again.

after the disturbance was gonekinich turns to face you, his hand still holding yours, "well," he gives you an amused smile, "i guess this was the first time i agreed with ajaw's commands." in response you smile back at him.

"i guess we should thank him when he's out of timeout!" you laugh before intertwining your fingers with his.

──────────────────────

"I'M DODGING I'M DODGING!!" you yell over the call, hastily pressing multiple keys and moving your mouse quickly. it's been a while since you played with your friend, almightydragonlord, yes, cheesy username. but still, you enjoyed playing with him as he makes everything easier, really, EVERYTHING easier. he helped you with your builds the first time you met him, albeit much to your refusal (felt insulted when his so-called lizard, 'ajaw' called your characters trash) (it was actually ajaw but you refuse to believe how a lizard can somehow spell out the words l o s e r).

anyways!

the only response you can hear from the other side of the call is loud typing, followed by a brief. "mhm" from the almightydragonlord. he's quiet, the only time he really speaks to you is when he's giving you constructive criticism or the rare times he chuckles when you die during boss fights. which you respond by angrily yelling at him.

"toots, behind you." snapping out of your thinking, you quickly dodge the incoming attack hurled behind your character by the boss you both were fighting. with one more quick setup from the almightydragonlord it was instantly over, the huge numbers brought by his characters becoming more and more like a regular sight for you. welp! at least your daily boss fighting is done for the day.

"dragonlord I'm gonna go now! i'll see you later?"

"mhm, see you"

"as curt as ever i see! bye!!"

and with that, you ended the call. pulling off your headphones and doing your daily routine to hang out with one of your friends later in the day.

───

"hi mualani!" you waved enthusiastically to your friend who was at a distance. she also waved back with the signature smile that she boasts.

as you make your way towards her you feel a sense of suspicion by the seemingly mischievous smile on her face.

"guess what we're doing today!"

"what?"

"rock climbing!" mualani says, clapping her hands together eagerly.

"we're going rock climbing?!" you cried, quickly whipping your head to look over at the outfit you wore today, which was clearly not appropriate for some activity. furthermore, you've never rock-climbed before except for that time in elementary in the local playground.

wait.

you did have some experience in rock climbing. maybe you should just rely on your memories from your elementary school days! but that was years ago.. and your outfit might hinder you from movements that are essential for climbing.

"don't worry. i got some extra clothes in the back of my car." mualani winks upon seeing your worried demeanor "also it's indoors! so we won't be climbing on real rocks! haha!" she pats your back reassuringly.

upon hearing that you breath a sigh of relief. "oh thank goodness" you say dramatically clasping your hands together. you knew you'd actually be fried if it really was real rock climbing. after the brief chat you both share you quickly make your way to her car door, quickly sitting down and buckling up before the car starts.

always. remember. to. buckle. up.

was the mantra you always repeated before getting into a car when you were young. nowadays putting on the seatbelt was just muscle memory for you. whenever you get into a car you put on your seatbelt without thinking. a necessary habit honestly.

the ride was short, it only took a few minutes to arrive at the indoor climbing gym. funny enough you saw a car with the plate "drgnlrd" parked near the gym. who the hell names their license plate like that?! it's also the same name as the username your friend online has.

well, it's probably just a coincidence!

as you both head into the gym with no expectations whatsoever you were instantly baffled by the sheer height of the

fake rock climbing thingy?

you don't know what it's called but you do know you'll be able to conquer it. i mean, you weren't called the ruler of the playground for nothing! you were dubbed "sonic" by your peers back in elementary for climbing super fast on the rock climbing part in the local playground near your house.

it's safe to say you might be the best (worst) one in the room!

as you head your way to the changing rooms in the gym you notice a familiar figure high up on the rock.

"his arms look really meaty..."

"what are you looking at? let's go so we can climb sooner!" a voice from behind you quickly snaps you out of your thoughts.

oh my god. why were you even thinking about how some random dude's muscles look tasty?? get a grip!

as the both of you head inside you remember the time when almightydragonlord sent a video of him skydiving. yes skydiving, falling out of a helicopter type of skydiving. the area he was skydiving at looked really familiar too!

wait.

familiar?

as you retrace back to the video he sent you, the feeling of dread forms in the pit of your stomach.

lush green trees, tall hilltops, and the distinctive sight of saurians.

lush green trees...

tall hilltops.

SAURIANS?!

NATIVE TO NATLAN SAURIANS?!

HE LIVES IN NATLAN?!?

BUT YOU LIVE IN NATLAN TOO??

ugh! you even shouldn't be thinking about him when your supposed to be conquering the climbing wall soon!

"ugh.. let's not think about this today..." you grumble, quickly putting on the clothes mualani handed you earlier. as you make your way outside the room mualani is already there waiting for you,

"hi!! ready partner?" she smirks at you, dragging you to the rock wall (which looks even more intimidating close up) that you have to conquer.

gulp.

NO!! you can do this. you weren't called the ruler of the playground for nothing. you can conquer this. maybe think of it as a necessary level to beat! plus you have a harness attached to you right now! so you won't wall to your death if you fall. and! if the harness fails you know who to sue to get money.

with one more final nervous gulp, you start conquering (climbing) the wall. when you look up you already see mualani way ahead of you. oh dear, looks like you have a time limit to this level.

"wait!!" you cried, starting to climb the wall, with ease actually, this was way easier than you thought!

"heh. I might actually be the ruler of the climbing gym now!" as you smirk to yourself you notice some weird white powder on mualani's hands? "mualani, what's that stuff on your hands?" you yell out above, "oh! this is climbing chalk, it helps strengthen the grip of your hands if they usually sweat." she yells back.

sweat

sweat

sweat

you know that feeling when you're suddenly aware of how your hands produce sweat and it sweats right after? yeah, it's sweating right now when you realize your hands have the function to sweat.

"oh uh! that's fun" you reply nervously, the word 'sweat echoing throughout your head, the feeling of your sudoriferous (sweat) glands activating within your hands right now, it isn't mandatory to lather that white stuff when you're climbing, so it should be fine...

right?

yeah no, it's not fine you can feel your hands sweating right now, loosening your grip, BUT,

it's not mandatory to lather that stuff so...

"hellloooo!! up from above! hurry up!" mualani's voice snaps you out of your thoughts once again as you look up in response, "we're almost to the top y'know!" she yells making you realize that you were really high up.

and that makes you sweat even more.

but you prevail! you grab onto the next wall hold, and the next, but the feeling of your grip getting weaker every second was not concerning at all! (lie) but you were almost there! you're about to beat mualani and claim the title of the ruler of the climbing gym!

"watch i'm going to win," you say confidently, but in that moment your grip was already weak, weak enough to make your hand slip.

the last thing you see is mualani's shocked expression, followed by one of relief and confusion..?

...

..

.

a hand quickly snakes around your waist, making sure you don't fall to your inevitable doom.

"you good?"

a familiar voice brushes against your ear, your stomach dropping. a foreign feeling of heat rushing to your face due to embarrassment.

as you look at the person who saved you, you are instantly dumbified.

a beautiful mixture of green and orange meets your eyes, with long, thick, dark lashes that compliment the brightness of his orbs, creating a stark contrast that makes it difficult to look away.

wait.

beautiful amber green eyes with dark fluffy hair.

no way.

is he..?

"almightydragonlord?" you say breathlessly, staring at his face shamelessly.

"oh?" his arm unconsciously tightens around your waist, a look of surprise painting his face with the utterance of his online username. in a few seconds his face begins light up as he realizes your identity, "sparklingtoots?" a subconscious smile making it's way to his features, which in turn causes you to gawk even more at him.

oh dear. that smile is deadly.

"t-thank you?" you say confused, blinded by his smile. gosh, he was cuter in person, instead of falling to your death maybe you'll die by the brightness of that smile instead.

wait.

shouldn't you be falling right now?

you slowly look down at your waist.

a hand.

his hand.

the hand you complimented earlier without realizing it was him.

snaked around your waist to prevent you from falling, the proximity between you two was worse, your left side touching his right, his fingers gripping your waist tightly to secure you onto him, the feeling of his forearm around your stomach firm.

oh archons, he's built too?

"u-um, aren't you tired?! shouldn't you let go?! uh! I have a harness don't worry! and I must be heavy!" you say nervously, the close proximity between you two was not helping your conversational skills whatsoever!

"oh sorry, it was on instinct, I'll let go if you want to" he slowly releases his hold on you, careful to not make you drop unexpectedly.

wait, wait, wait, wait.

you're still really high up! you might actually faint if you start free-falling!

you instantly grab his hand, positioning it back on your waist again. "wait! actually please keep holding on, i think it'll be terrifying once i start swinging down." you look up at him, eyes that basically read, 'please don't drop me or else I might actually pass out.'

"you think i'd drop you without any warnings?" he looks at you confused, his hand keeping a firm grip on you once again to prevent you from falling. "i mean... you're carrying a full-grown person right now, so you might claim that you won't drop me on purpose but i don't know if your hand is gonna agree!" you say worriedly in response.

"don't worry i'm strong." he replies, trying to reassure your worries "do you see my pocket? there's some climbing chalk in it, use your hand to get some."

"uh, which pocket?! the front or back?"

"any."

you hesitantly reach into the front pocket of his pants, grabbing a handful of chalk which you quickly lather all over your hands. "now use one of your hands to grab onto one of the holds closest to you" he instructs, which you quickly follow. as you grab onto a yellow hold and then grab onto another one until you are free from his hold, you realize just how much your grip has improved, that you should've just slathered on some climbing chalk before you started climbing to prevent this whole fiasco from happening...

"thank you! um, almigh-"

"kinich."

"oh! thank you the almighty dragon lord kinich!" you tease. in response, he lets out a brief chuckle that you've always heard on the calls you had together.

"i didn't know you lived in natlan!" you exclaim, slowly making your way down the wall. "i thought you knew?" he replies confused, keeping watch of you to make sure he'll catch you before you fall again. "shhh.. i know you sent me that skydiving video months ago but i just realized until today! also, do you do that stuff often..? i mean... you had no hesitation jumping off the helicopter!" you ask him in curiosity, it's strange! most people would hesitate for a bit before jumping off! but this dude didn't even look worried at all!

"oh yeah, i do a lot of stuff like that, like bungee jumping, mountain climbing, sky di-"

"HUH?!" you look at him in disbelief. is he one of those adrenaline junkies?!

"i know most people are shocked, but I find extreme sports enjoyable." he says, looking at you with a gentle smile.

oh dear, you don't think you'll get used to that smile anytime soon.

as you both make your way down, you learn more about the almightydra- kinich, how his lizard ajaw was really the one who made the nasty comments about your characters (which you still don't believe), and how many extreme sports he does, which was a lot. and mualani also descended down quickly to make sure you were okay! as you near the start of the climbing wall you swear you're gonna kiss the ground once you make it back down.

"oh my archons." you collapse on the floor, heaving a sigh of relief, at least you know now to make sure you have emergency climbing chalk in your pockets... you really should invest in some if you're planning to climb more in the future...

as you are laying down on the strangely comforting gym floor you feel a cold object against your forehead. "are you free after this?" a voice above you says as you look up to see kinich leaning over you, water bottle in hand, pressing it against you. just as you were about to respond you were quickly cut off by another voice above you. "yeah she's free!" mualani chirps above you, giving a thumbs up to kinich which she then looks down to wink at you. "I'll be going now. make sure to tell me everything after," who then looks down to whisper at you, giving you a mischievous grin before walking away.

kinich then drops down beside you, turning his head to face you.

"lunch with me today?" he asks, which in turn you grin, "are you asking out on a date? the almighty dragon lord kinich! asking me out on a date! can you believe it?!" you tease,

"and what if i was?" he responds, his amber-green eyes meeting with yours.

"h-huh? actually?" you say surprised, taken aback by his forwardness. you knew he was curt but you didn't expect it to translate over to real life! "yeah, actually." he stands up, offering his hand to you. you grab his hand as he helps you stand up before facing him.

"also, don't worry, i don't do extreme sports with my car." he flashes you a grin.

──────────────────────

"your builds are lackluster, I suggest using these artifacts for better damage" you read, gritting your teeth, about to smash the computer screen right in front of you.

It's been about 5 minutes since you started beefing with this random dude off the internet for apparently no reason. (you started it) about the builds of characters that you showcase.

"my builds aren't your business!" typing harshly on your keyboard, it's noises loud. almost instantly you get a respond back. "well, you posted saying you wanted an opinion on how good your character is. I just gave you the input you asked for." the reply reads.

"but you badiaccly worded it in a way that Impliees my builf is trash!" you type hastily, not bothering to fix the spelling mistakes. to be fair, you were overreacting a bit (a lot.) but you had a bad day today! and some random dude off the internet is making it worse.

"my apologies." he replies.

"..." you stare at the computer screen in front of you for a moment, wondering what to do. either you continue the petty fight you have or accept his apology right now. either way, it's your decision.

and somehow you choose to continue fighting the random stranger online!

almost instantly you type back a response, the clicks of your keyboard filling the room. "my apologies? MY APOLOGIES?! my apologies my ass. that wasn't genuine at all!" you type before hitting send. after a few seconds you see a reply pop up, "friend me, i'll help you build your character correctly."

THE AUDAC-

wait. if you did accept his offer, you can flex your newfound damage to your friends...

...

..

.

never mind!

"no!"

right after the reply you sent, a notification quickly popped up.

"have fun with your trash characters then, loser."

HUH?!

almost instantly you start typing a response the moment you saw those words on the computer screen.

"TRASH CHARACTERS?! TRASH?? CHARACTERS?? why are you even beefing with some stranger online. GET A LIFE!!"

"sorry that was my pet lizard."

.

PET LIZARD?? DOES HE THINK IM STUPID??

"you're kidding me. pet lizard?? you think I'd believe that?? you're just trying to find an excuse."

"no, I'm serious, that really was my lizard. his name is ajaw."

your eye twitched, is he really going to keep up with the 'my pet dog ate my homework' type of shit?? you sigh, maybe it was time to just let him go, i mean... he really used his lizard as an excuse... so you quickly type out a response, expecting the argument to be over. (no) "geez. just stop... go outside! this is actually really sad."

"I do go outside, I go out a lot actually"

man. now he's (you) dragging it out.

"i doubt that. proof?" you respond, closing your computer for the day, not expecting a reply. after a bad day, you really needed a good afternoon nap.

----

RING RIIINGGG RINGGG RINGGG

RINGGG RIIIIIINGGGG

loud ringing could be heard from your phone, instantly waking you up, delirious on whether it was the next day or in the middle of the night. you grab your phone lazily, the sound of ringing feeding you feelings of annoyance. as you look at your screen your alarm clock asking you to snooze more or stop the alarm.

obviously you would've chosen to snooze more. but you were feeling a bit more productive today! (spending all your time on games)

so you got up, turning your computer on getting ready to have another late night gaming session, when you something at the corner of your eye.

1 new message from almightydragonlord!

oh it was that rude fellow from earlier...

but of course you clicked on the notification, not expecting to see anything grand.

but your jaw instantly drops.

because in the video you see.

is a cute ass boy with dark hair and green eyes.

"hi sparklingtoots, I do go outside, as for this video, ajaw insisted on giving you hard concrete proof, I didn't really want to. but here you go."

as the video pans out you can see inside a helicopter..?

oh he's jumping out

wait.

HE'S JUMPING OUT?!

and when the camera pans outside the helicopter, the figure of the almightydragonlord was getting smaller and smaller as he falls down. with the video ending right when he pulls his parachute.

"what the fuck." was all you could say.

you stare off into space, what the hell did you just see? some cute dude skydiving off a helicopter? a really. really. cute dude skydiving off a helicopter? the cute dude you were beefing with a few hours ago?

and suddenly a notification popped up, your eyes almost bulging out of your sockets on what you see.

"see, i told you i do go outside."

and it follows up with something that makes you scream internally.

"accept my friend request too."