Chapter Text
Phainon’s home is always more cozy compared to his. Sitting in the living room, he could see random meaningful trinkets on the shelves, the slightly off center chair, the slowly wilting flowers he gave. It screams Phainon. Mydei likes it.
The first time Mydei went to the deliverer’s home, he assumed it would be as barren as his own home. Seeing as the deliverer is out running around Okhema all day long, he just assumed he only used his home for sleep. Well… he was wrong. The home felt welcoming, it felt warm… like phainon.
Mydei stopped his train of thought before it went into uncharted territory, after all, said man is sitting right next to him.
The white haired man took another drink out of his glass, unaware of mydei’s internal dialogue. “Haha, for how scary you look, it seems kiddish that you don’t drink wine.”
Mydei rolled his eyes at the comment. If it was any other saying those words, a single punch would send them to the netherrealm. “Wine is too bitter for me,” he said as he swirled his own goblet in his hand.
Phainon tilted closer to Mydei, wanting to see the pink drink in the goblet. “So wine is not good enough for the prince but pomegranate juice and milk is….”
“Yes.”
There was a moment of silence before the man next to him burst out in laughter. “Hahah that’s even more kiddish! If only the other kremnoans knew about this.”
Mydei smack the back of his hand against the deliverer’s waist. The touch sent the man dramatically falling back against the couch. “Ah!”
He rolled his eyes for the second time today, “stop being dramatic Deliverer.”
Phainon tried to settle down, taking a gulp from his glass of wine.
It was a rare day for the two. Aglaea had no errands or missions for them, and no one seems to be needing the Deliverer’s help, leaving the both of them to be free.
They did their usual routine, sparring on the rooftop, baths, having lunch, you know, the usual. During their detour to the market, Phainon bought a bottle of wine for them to share. Well, using the word share is not quite the right word. Since Mydei has his own distaste for wine, Phainon offered to drink it himself.
This is where they are now, rid of their armor, and laying on the couch in Phainon’s home, drinking wine and pomegranate juice. This gave some time for Mydei to relax. The amount of people hovering around Phainon everyday was doing numbers on him. Taking another sip from his goblet, he contently listens to the deliverer’s voice, knowing that no one will ever be in his position.
As the night (day?) continues, Mydei was becoming slightly distracted by his own mind. Seeing Phainon stripped of his usual armor, a carefree smile on his face as he slowly drinks the wine is doing something to Mydei. The red tint painting his pale face from the wine was so beautiful in the view of golden eyes.
Stopping his story midway, Phainon reached for his glass, taking another gulp of wine. Golden eyes noticed the way the iconic sunmark peaking under the deliverer’s shirt.
As Phainon settles the glass back down on the table, Mydei notices the almost empty bottle. The next time the Deliverer went to pour more into his glass, the prince quickly took the bottle away.
“What! Mydei!”
“You’ve had too much.”
“I have not.” Phainon leaned towards Mydei, trying to grab the bottle out of the prince's hand.
Mydei pulled his hand back, away from Phainon’s reach. “You’re drunk, you have no idea how much you have drunk.”
“But I’ve only had small sips, plus, I only poured a bit in my glass.”
Mydei looked at the white hair man like he just heard the stupidest thing ever said. “Don’t lie to me, I’ve seen you gulp it down, not to mention you poured more wine like five times.” He swirls the little liquid left inside, “you see, there's only a quarter in there at most.”
Unable to refute the facts, Phainon paused as he stares at the bottle. “But it tastes so gooood…cmon Mydeimos.”
“You're slurring your own words, you are clearly drunk.”
“Nuh uh.”
Mydei sighs. This man will be the end of him.
Eventually, Phainon gave up, sulking like a child as he sank into the couch. Mydei took the empty glass and headed to the kitchen sink. “And he calls me kiddish,” he whispered to himself.
Washing the dishes, Mydei heads back to the couch, only to find the sulking man asleep.
Getting closer to the sleeping man, Mydei took a moment to admire the beauty before him. The soft snores, the peaceful expression, Mydei had to force his eyes away.
Some days, he wonders why he’s doing all of this, chasing away hovering men, feeling jealousy towards anyone who talks to the deliverer, but looking at the man now, he is reminded why. Despite the deliverer’s obliviousness, the fact that he is able to be asleep and vulnerable around Mydei, it makes the prince’s heart warm.
“Deliverer?” He tapped the man in his shoulder, only to get no response. “I told you you’re drunk,” he whispered to himself.
Making sure the man is asleep, he carefully hooks his arms under Phainon’s back and knees. Lifting him up, Phainon immediately snuggled into his hold. Mydei made sure his neck was neatly tucked on his shoulder before walking to the bedroom.
Spotting the slightly messy bed, Mydei settled Phainon. He pulled the blanket over the deliverer’s shoulders and went to find a bin in case he threw up the next day. He was about to leave but before he could reach the door, he paused for a moment.
Will Phainon be alright tomorrow? He doesn’t look like he knows how to take care of himself. He offered to let me stay a few times, I don’t think he minds if I do. Hmm, I’ll stay, just for the night.
Convinced that he was staying to ‘look after’ the man, he returned back to Phainon’s side, combining his white locks with his fingers.
Phainon turned in his sleep, arms blindly reaching for Mydei as unfocused blue eyes slowly opened, “mmm stay.”
Mydei offered his arm for Phainon’s to hug. Hearing no response, Phainon tried again, “Mydei…stay.”
Said man let out a small smile. “Of course I will.”
Satisfied with the answer, Phainon shifted closer to the edge, giving room for Mydei to rest on the bed. Once he felt the bed dip under the new weight, he closed his eyes, succumbing to sleep.
Mydei continued combing through the white locks, proud that no one will ever be in his position. It is just him. No. One. Else.
The next morning, Phainon woke up to the worst, yet best feeling ever. Everything felt dizzy and yucky, nausea and a headache was already creeping by. But at the same time, he felt so warm and safe. As more of his senses returned, he realized the warmth was coming from something around him. Feeling a weight on his waist, he used his arms to feel what it was. “Mmm?”
“Morning princess.”
Phainon winced at the seemingly loud voice above him. It took a moment for his brain to realize that the voice belonged to the one and only prince of Castrum Kremnos. With his hair messy, cheek pressed against the pillow, a relaxed expression.
Feeling the headache getting worse, he merely groaned in response.
“What? Speechless now?”
Phainon groaned again, turning to squeeze his head onto the pillow.
Considerate of the Deliverer’s growing headache, Mydei softened his voice,“I told you you were drunk.”
“Mmmm.”
Feeling a shift in the bed, Phainon looked up to see what was happening. Mydei sat up and reached for a glass of water on the bedside table. It was at this moment that Phainon realized the prince was shirtless. Of course, he doesn’t think before he speaks, his voice hoarse when he does, “you sleep shirtless too? Do you hate shirts or do you just don’t own one?”
Mydei helped Phainon sit up before handing him the glass. “Titans you sound horrible.”
Phainon glared at the prince, taking a gulp of water.
“I own shirts, but they are all thin with short or no sleeves. I don’t own any thick coats like you. Unlike you, I hate wearing all those layers, I’ll never understand why you do it, especially in Okhema’s heat. I prefer not overheating or sweating in layers of fabric. It’s also a hindrance in combat.”
“Mmmm.”
Feeling bad for his Deliverer’s situation, he let the deliverer lay back down on the bed, himself following soon. Both wrapped under the blanket, Mydei opened his arms, letting Phainon curl up against his body. With the white haired man’s head resting against his chest, Mydei combed through his hair again, feeling the other relax under the touch, his action similar to a cat.
They spent the rest of the morning like that, under the blanket, curled up against one and another, safe in their own little world.
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“Tell me if you need to throw up. I placed a bin next to your side of the bed just for it.”
Phainon”s face scrunched up in disgust, “mmmmmm. If you mention it again I’ll throw up on you instead.”