This is The Truth.

Nicholas was getting better at this. Throwing a snowball was no different from throwing a pitch and with Jaeho’s help, the demigod has been improving a little every day. Sports were the only thing he was not good at and although he was embarrassed to admit it was, at the same time, nice to have something to work on and occupy his head. Well, there were things that he could occupy his head with, like, showing up to classes or stopping by his step-father’s company but why waste his time with that when he could be perfecting what could be his signature movement, once he becomes a professional baseball player? He snorted at his own train of thoughts, kind of surprised with the fact that he had some sense of humour within him.

“Eat this, you old bat!” And a snowball was thrown at Jaeho’s direction. If there was one thing that Nicholas was proud of, among many others, that is, was his aim. If he didn’t know better, he’d say he’s a son of Apollo instead of Athena’s. But his blond air and grey eyes left no room for doubts. He laughed when the ball hit the man in the head, leaving him slightly stunned.

Jaeho was in no shape to fight back against Nicholas either, and he stumbled around at the ball striking his head, letting out a slight titter of laughter as he casually scraped some snow off the ground. “I hope you’re ready!” he yelled, shaping the snowball in his left hand- once it was firm and round, he traded the snowball to his other hand and hurled it, only falling somewhat short of Nicholas but with deadly accuracy. He laughed at this, puffs of cold air emerging from his mouth as his eyes seemed to disappear at this gesture: it was obvious he hadn’t enjoyed himself like this in a very long time.

“Well, I’m doing alright, you know me I’m always working hard,” he said, his smile bright as he seemed quite happy to see his friend again after such a long time. “Things are going quite well.”

It snowed that morning and the streets were covered by a white blanket. Nicholas liked snow. The snowflakes carried more memories within them than the journal he’d write on every sleepless night. But today was different. Right now was different. “I don’t need your help,” the demigod hissed, a strong candidate for the Medusa role if there was one. Nicholas had a strained relationship with his parents: Athena, his biological father and his adoptive one. He never met the goddess but if she fell in love with his biological dad, he doubted she was as intelligent as mythology painted her; on the other side, his adoptive father was a cunning man, more attracted to Nicholas’ wits than the kid himself, and saw his potential. A stone he still could polish. “I don’t need another parent,” another disappointment, Nicholas thought, “Leave me alone.” He threw another pitch against the wall, turning his back on Jaeho and on the black car parking by the court’s limits, the reason why Nicholas did not want to go home that night already walking in his direction.

“Hyung! Wow it’s been forever, I was wondering where you got to…”

To say that Sanggil barely had time to exist these days would probably be the understatement of the century. With schedules piling up, from an album release to the Mama awards and a charity concert as well – it was way too much at once and to say that the soloist was burn out would be the understatement of the century. Returning once again late to his apartment he kicked off his shoes into the corner and deposited his coat on the rack, not even bothering it to hang it up in the actual closet. As he walked into his apartment he was surprised to find people on the couch. And not just any people, some of his closest friends that he hadn’t seen in so long. “Jaeho!” He exclaimed happily, bag dropping onto the arm chair as he all but threw himself into the older male’s arms. “Holy hell man, I’ve missed you!”

“No problem. I figured you don’t eat a lot, but the lady at the food truck was so nice that I couldn’t say no to her.” Ah, the tale of how Nicholas spent almost twenty bucks on food that was not meant for him. Well, not all of it, at least. There were some things that he bought for himself so he could eat while in the company of the old baseball coach. Since his dad was on a business trip and he got out before the maid could go to his room to wake him up and tell him what there was for breakfast, Nicholas had already gone out for some sweet hotteok deliciousness. He put the bags on the table and soon enough he was taking the containers out. “I still have time until classes start so I thought it would be a good idea to get something to eat with my favourite baseball.” Also known as his only coach of any kind. “So let’s get down to business.” And defeat the buns.

“The Kia Tigers and the Samsung Lions? That sounds awesome!” And yet Eunice had no clue what he was talking about until she caught a glimpse of the word ‘baseball’ somewhere in the tickets. It made sense. The illustrator couldn’t picture Ra-Il anywhere else or go to a game that was not a baseball’s and honestly she felt silly for a second. But on the next one, she was back to her normal self. And that regular self was not a sports’ enthusiastic. Eunice knew the minimum so she wouldn’t embarrass her brother during P. E. classes ( courtesy of yours truly, Eden ) and got excited as everyone else when the Red Devils, or any Korean athlete, made it to the championships. But actually turning the tv on and watching a match? Not her thing. If there was a soccer match, Eunice would be more interested in the grass. Its colour, texture and way of moving were all elements that she could use in her artwork. “You and your dad should definitely go.” She nodded, a smile dancing on her lips as for a split of a second Eunice imagined his dad as one of the pirates from the Flying Dutchman; part of the crew, part of the ship. Part of the house, part of the furniture. “Thank you for thinking of me but I would be a terrible company. I know nothing about baseball other than they have a bat, a glove and a bat they use to hit on the ball.”

Nicholas loved houses. He loved the ideas behind them, how were they built and the logic behind the foundations. But loving houses and buildings was different from liking spending time inside them. Not that he was claustrophobic. Not at all! But the demigod of Athena didn’t feel comfortable being in a place that was not his. Hence why he didn’t even feel at home at his own home. Well, his dad’s home. Living at the orphanage felt better than living at a penthouse but, well, who was he to be complaining? He was just a kid who was lucky enough that a rich and childless man took an interest in him and brought him home. But enough with this! Nicholas didn’t come all the way to Jaeho’s place so he could induce himself into a self-pitying coma, no! He came here so they could have something to eat before another one-hour baseball practice. “So, um, I got breakfast!” And just in case the older man’s sight failed on him, Nicholas shook the two plastic bags he brought with him. Not exactly the breakfast cooking some people wish for, but still enough food to feed a platoon. “I didn’t know what you liked, so I bought a little of everything.”

“Certainly not a change of heart about your way of speaking.” Eunice put down the pencil and turned around on her seat so Ra-Il could have her utterly and undivided attention. “You don’t want to do this. You know I’m terrible at guessing, so you might as well tell me what’s going on.” Unless he had time and preferred to spend the evening trying to have her guess the motive for such commotion. If that was the case, this would be the perfect moment to tell him that she had to be home for dinner. Otherwise, they would have to deal with two annoyed parents. “Come on, don’t keep me waiting. The suspense is killing me!” She laughed, reaching her hand to pat his arm.

He blinked in surprise, straightening a little in response to the directness of his brother’s statement. Maybe it was for the best that he was a “horrible liar” - being a liar wasn’t exactly something to be proud of - but it nonetheless felt like an insult. “I can’t believe you would imply such a thing,” he answered, for he was nothing if not dedicated to his persona, even if it was one that everyone seemed to see through by now. “I did indeed simply happen upon this.” In his house. In the pile of mail. Because he had ordered it especially for Jaeho. “I know you don’t like it when people make a fuss over you, but am I not allowed to simply surprise my brother with a gift every now and again?”