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Yusuke’s airy dress flew by the wind as he played his carefully carved wooden oboe, his lungs becoming short of breath until he drew another one quickly. He was overly used to this, since it was his duty to provide the crowd with beautiful melodies, along with his 8 siblings.
The 9 Muses, they were called. Sons and daughters of god Zeus and Mnemosyne, they were borned at the Pierian mountains and still lived there. Their sole purpose was to provide entertainment to the other gods. They were the gods and goddesses of art, music and poetry.
Their ethereal beauty was extraordinary, a temptation to both mortals and gods. Yusuke didn’t allow that to litter his innocence though. His only concern being to play his music, that was where his passion lay.
And here he was, at this celebratory feast where every important individual was present, performing with his brothers and sisters. He couldn’t be more ecstatic than this.
They had won the war against the evil Kamoshida kingdom, after eons of conflict and death. The dark age of their time had come to an end, an age of hope and light taking over.
His happiness was so undemanding, and yet, it took him half of his lifetime to achieve it. To play music for such gods was his destiny, and nothing could possibly make him feel more ecstatic.
Or that’s what he thought, until he laid eyes on a stranger sitting by one of the gigantic sets of tables, his worldview came to an alternation. He was certain at that moment that his destiny had more in store for him than music.
Resting his eyes on him, his breath taken away, he observed as the man feasted. His face wasn’t familiar, which was an indication that he was probably human. Gods knew each other when they saw one. After a lifespan of an eternity, they had unavoidably met hundreds of times.
A god falling for a human. It was definitely frowned upon by the gods, but Yusuke was ready to disregard any kind of custom for this man just by looking at him.
His clothing was also proof of his mortality; a golden helmet resting on the table, a silver vest armor accompanying his broad chest, followed by a black skirt that reached his knees and black sandals. His most distracting feature though, was his shiny blonde hair, lighter even than the color of his helmet.
Gods didn’t need protective armor. They only wore the softest of materials, their clothing a token of fashion and power.
The man was talking to someone across from him and laughed, and everyone was undoubtedly very intoxicated this late into the feast and they sure wouldn’t notice him talking to the mortal.
He let the instrument in his hands float in the air, the melody continuing as it floated around and headed towards the table.
When he reached his destination, he stood still for a brief moment so as to make his presence known. His plan didn’t seem to succeed though, and he decided to speak up.
“Greetings.” he put his hand on the edge of the pointy chair.
“Hello.” the man greeted him, seemingly curious by his unexpected approach. They were strangers, after all.
“You are gorgeous.” he accidentally said what went on his thoughts. He forgot that humans didn’t tend to be so forward when it came to romance.
Proving his point, the other was blushing embarrassingly. “You’re talkin’ to me?”
Yusuke tried to suppress a chuckle. “Indeed I am. There is not another gorgeous person in this room as you, after all.”
Maybe he was committing a big mistake, but he couldn’t keep the compliments from leaving his mouth.
“Tha-Thank you. You’re real pretty too.” this time he didn’t suppress his laughter.
“There is no need for you to pay me a compliment back, dear.” he waved his hand as if he had heard something ridiculous.
“No, I mean it, really! You’re Yusuke, right? From the 9 muses.” he said matter of factly.
It was true that the Muses’ reputation was widely established, but he didn’t expect this human to be familiar with him.
“Oh, so you are aware of my identity. That comes as a surprise.” he admittedly was feeling a bit flattered at the fact.
“Course I’ve heard o’ you. They say your music is from another world.”
“How flattering. That is the best compliment anyone has ever paid me in my lifetime.”
“Really? In your whole lifetime? I doubt it.”
“But yes! I am being completely honest with you.” he decided now was the time to take the seat beside the man. “You know of me. Would you be kind enough to confess me your name as well?”
“Sure, uh, Ryuji Sakamoto.” he said smiling, his eyes closing at the act. “Nice to meet ya!”
Ryuji Sakamoto. Ryuji Sakamoto. Wait. “Ryuji Sakamoto, the legendary hero who fought in the war against the Kamoshida kingdom?!” he was unintentionally yelling a bit.
“Oh, seems like you’ve heard of me too then, heh.”
“How could I not? You are a celebrity among humans and gods! I can not believe I was so utterly smitten with the one and only Ryuji Sakamoto without even realizing it!”
“Utterly smi-smitten???” He looked at him with wide eyes.
“Oh, excuse my eagerness. It is not my intention to make you uncomfortable.”
“No, it’s alright. I was just surprised is all.”
“Oh but you should not be. Anyone would be enamored by such a charming looking man such as yourself.”
“Hah, thanks, once again.”
“Of course.” he said, putting his palm over the other’s hand.
Ryuji’s face was a lot redder than what would be considered normal.
“I’d love to hear your music sometime. I wonder if it’s as good as they say.”
“What a lovely offer. I shall play for you whenever you like. In fact, I was playing my oboe just now, before I came to talk to you.” he pointed towards his floaty instrument on the background, where the other Muses were performing.
“Oh, so that beautiful melody was coming from you?” his hand trembled a bit under the muse’s touch.
“Oh, you are making me blush! What a kind soul you possess.”
Ryuji had run out of thank you’s at this point, so he decided to just smile at the sentiment.
“Unfortunately, I have to tend back to playing my music, but it was lovely to meet you. I hope you enjoy my tunes and the rest of the feast.” he bent down and his lips gently touched the man’s cheekbone.
“See ya.” Ryuji uttered, his flustered face making a comeback.
They constantly made eye contact for the rest of the celebration, hearts fluttering and secret smiles exchanged.
Ryuji could not stop thinking about his encounter with the charming God after that feast. He wondered about contacting him again, but he didn’t know of a way. He was formally invited to the feast by Zeus himself, the God of the Gods.
Being an established hero to the entire earth had its privileges, but he was still eyed suspiciously by some Gods a week ago, their scrutiny agonizing to anyone that found themselves under it.
The sun was finally setting down, darkness replacing the ignited space, and so he held a pack of matches to light an almost completely used up candle, its wax having melted away after countless nights.
Rain picked up during midnight, the drizzle falling on the woody cabin, and Ryuji couldn’t sleep from the loudness of it. A bit of water was getting inside the tiny house, a flood forming casually, and Ryuji couldn’t help but pull the blanket to himself and turn his back to the sight.
The storm god was not kind to anyone apparently, not even well-known heroes. Not that he cared. Ryuji quite enjoyed the rain, and if that meant his house would get down poured with water, then so be it.
After what felt like an hour of heavy rain, the ceiling stopped dripping water, although he could still hear it quite clearly, along with scary thunders. Weird.
Deciding he couldn’t sit and suffer on his bed all night, he got up and headed outside, where he could investigate the mystery. As he opened the creaking door though, there was a greater mystery awaiting him there.
There was a man standing in front of him, back turned around. When the other heard of his noisiness though, he reversed his position, and they were both staring at each other. They both smiled.
“Ryuji.” said the God in a greeting manner.
“Yusuke!”
Ryuji pushed the door with his back, making space for the other to come inside.
“I hope I am welcome here, especially since I’ve arrived so late in the night.”
“It’s cool, no worries.” he said reassuringly, showing him the way inside.
And immediately after he stepped in, “You live here? That is absurd!”
“O-oh, ‘s fine really, just got a lil rain. Sorry it’s so wet in here.”
“No, I am sorry! I can not believe Ryuji Sakamoto is living under such terrible conditions.” he shook his head in disbelief.
“Yeah, I guess even after a war nothing’s changed back home.”
Yusuke’s face suddenly turned serious as he grabbed both of his hands in his and stared at his face keenly.
“Ryuji. Would you like to come live with me?” He tightened his grip.
Ryuji couldn’t believe his ears.
“Wha-? With you? Up in the mountains?” he tightened as well.
“Yes! It would be our little paradise. What do you say?”
“For real??”
“Yes. I mean it.”
“Are you- Are you sure about this?”
“I am absolutely certain. I want to spend my time being close to you.”
Ryuji was ecstatic. “Then yes.” he smiled and pecked a kiss on Yusuke’s cheek.
“Fantastic.”
It didn’t take long for Ryuji to get ready. There weren’t many things he needed to bring with him, and so they were off to his new home, Yusuke guiding him through the sky, their hands entangled.
A few months since that incident had passed, and the two lived happily together at the Pierian mountain with the Muses.
Yusuke stood outside on a balcony, his thoughts drifting off. He was enjoying a peaceful moment of silence, when he spotted on the horizon what looked like a bird. It was approaching him slowly but steadily, and when it arrived in front of him, it was none other than Hermes, his typical feathered sandals occupying his feet.
“Hermes. To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?”
“I’m afraid I’ve only come to deliver this to you. I’m rather busy right now, so I must go.”
The messenger was back on its birdy form as he flew away, leaving a clueless Yusuke, a folded papyrus on his hands.
When he unfurled the paper, he immediately recognized the neat handwriting.
My Dear Yusuke,
I’d like to talk to you about a pressing matter.
Please make your presence known as quickly as possible.
Yusuke hadn’t set foot on Mount Olympus for a very long time. It’s height was still holding high, the tip of it consisting of the home of the twelve great gods, his father on the top of the chain.
The fog surrounding it was a permanent characteristic that never ceased to exist, from Yusuke’s experience to visiting his father’s home all those centuries. A way to scare off mere mortals from approaching, while at the same time asserting their dominance all over the land. Yusuke thought it unnecessary, but to change the mind of the gods was an impossible deed.
Towards the eastern outskirts of the mountain lay his own home, Pieria, which he and the rest of the Muses occupied as their home. Of course, their mountains weren’t so uninviting; nature was thriving at their side of the map, the sun always blinding during the day, the moon shining at night.
A stunning place like that was particularly attractive, resulting in a swarm of travellers stopping by the beautiful land. Yusuke was quite proud of it. He and his siblings took explicit care of their home, and it always rewarded their nursing with mother nature’s beauty.
When Yusuke had finally arrived at the huge temple a chill ran down his spine as a thunderbolt made its way through the sky. Yusuke wondered if his father was trying to scare him as he stepped inside from the entrance.
The long, high marbles were intimidating as he walked. It would never get any less frightening to walk through these corridors, apparently.
Walking to Zeus’ room was time-consuming, considering the size of the temple and the distance he had to walk to reach his destination. It was like he was walking and walking for eternity, but the ground moved the opposite way of him, thus he remained at the same spot. When he did arrive though, there was no need to knock as he heard a “Come in” the moment he had stopped behind the closed curtain.
He reached out and pulled the heavy curtain, the room finally revealing itself. His father was sitting on his throne, which was bigger than the whole building itself. If he wasn’t in awe before, he definitely was now.
“Father.” the back of his neck would need to stay strong, twisting up like that. His figure was more than 40 feet tall, and he wasn’t even standing up yet. “You called for me.” He was intending to pose it as a question, but his sentence came out wrong.
“Indeed, my son. I couldn’t help but notice you were being different than your usual self, lately.” his voice echoed. Another thunderbolt.
“Is that necessary as we speak?” he said as he ignored his skin shuddering at the sudden noise.
“Absolutely.”
Yusuke sighed.
“Why am I here, father?”
“Eager as ever I see. Very well, let’s get right into the main dish.”
“We shall.”
“It has come to my attention that you’ve had some recurring encounters with a certain human.”
“That is correct. Ryuji Sakamoto. What about him?” he inquired.
Yusuke had his suspicions that this was the reason behind this meeting. He swallowed uncomfortably.
“What are your intentions with him?”
“My intentions? I just enjoy his company, is all. I do not have a higher motive.” his father eyed him suspiciously.
“Hm. So that’s it?”
“Well...there is something else as well.”
“Oh?”
“I am in love with him.”
“Ohohoho! In love, you say? Well in that case…” the pause was enough to end his long-running lifetime, “To show me you’re serious about this...love of yours, I want you to make a sacrifice.” he crossed his hands as he looked at his son intently.
Yusuke didn’t like the sound of that.
“A sacrifice?” he was starting to feel even more unsettled.
A nod. “Something you love, for something you love.”
Yusuke didn’t like where he was going with this.
“You would not dare!” his voice trembled, along with his body.
He was very well aware of how strict Zeus would be with his children, but this was going too far. Yusuke wasn’t doing anything spiteful. Did he really despise humans that much?
“Oh but I would. If you really love the mortal as you claim, you wouldn’t mind giving up your oboe...forever.”
Yusuke was utterly devastated. He almost stumbled upon his long dress as he approached closer to his giant of a father.
“My siblings...you have never treated them like this! Why do I deserve to be punished like this when I have committed no wrongdoings?” he shouted.
“I’m not punishing you, my son. I’m only asking for proof of the love you claim to possess. That’s all.” he said, not letting his calm demeanor change even for a split second.
“This is preposterous! You can not expect me to agree to such ridiculous terms!”
“Ridiculous? I see. So you wouldn’t mind if I took care of that hero of yours…”
“No!” He clenched his fists. “Very well. So be it. I shall never perform ever again.”
“Hmph! Interesting...this is a grave mistake you’re making, son. I hope you’ll come to terms with it sometime...but until then, I shall confiscate your instrument and keep it under my possession for eternity.”
Rage filled Yusuke’s brain at that moment, but he knew it was coverage for what he was really feeling; sorrow.
Not being able to utter another word he left, a part of his soul abandoned at the top of that mountain.
Great sorrow overtook Yusuke after the incident. Ryuji couldn’t help but notice how depressed the Muse had become, how his smiles always contained a sad undertone behind them and how he didn’t happily play his oboe anymore.
The mountain was now covered with snow and deadly cold hugged the atmosphere, which Ryuji believed to be a result of Yusuke’s sadness.
Travellers wouldn’t stop by anymore, the freezing air too threatening for any roaming tourist to visit. The greenery that decorated the land had disintegrated into the cold whiteness that was prevailing all over.
His heart was breaking at the sight of his love’s agony. He was so full of happiness when they had first met, his instrument always in hand along with a pretty smile that had made him fall in love instantly.
He hugged him intently when he shed tears, when he sighed his long melancholic sighs, when he stared into nothingness mumbling words to himself.
Ryuji would be here for Yusuke, to console him for as long as it took. He refused to sit and watch him suffer, though. He needed to take matters into his own hands. For his Yusuke.
For a brief moment, doubt filled his mind. What could a mere human do when a god was unable to achieve happiness? Is he capable of assisting his love, or is he just wasting his time?
No. He was the one to hit the last strike on the Kamoshida war, after all. If he had done that, he could achieve anything. He could certainly make the love of his life happy once again.
He wandered around the mountains, asking anything and anyone he could for advice. He asked the servants of the mountain, only to be met with a shake of the head, he asked the snow, only to be exposed to a chilling silence and he asked a passing crow, only to hear an oblivious kaw kaw before it flew away.
Lastly on his walk of search, he bumped into a soft voice up ahead. He tracked its source with his ears, his legs following the sound. He was met with the back of a woman, her arms outstretched towards the sky as she lectured her surroundings. She looked like a teacher, lecturing a class of land filled with snow.
Her flamy ginger hair melted the land encircling her, making room for some rare green spots on the otherwise white field. Ryuji sat crossed-legged at the green spot, not too close and not too far away, observing the Muse’s monologue.
When she was done reciting whatever it was that she was declaring, she turned to him and spoke. “Oh, it’s you. The mortal.”
“Hi. You’re one of Yusuke’s sisters, right?” he felt embarrassed to ask such a thing, but he wanted to be sure.
“That’s right. I’m Muse Futaba, goddess of History. My duty is to keep track of the past, the present and the future. And I don’t miss anything. So, beware!”
“Oh uh...cool?” he almost slapped himself.
“Cool? That’s not a way to speak to a goddess!” she said, offended.
Ryuji panicked. He didn’t want to upset Yusuke’s sister, especially while he was seeking her assistance.
“Sorry! I meant to say, how interesting!” he scratched the back of his neck as she disregarded his attempt to compliment her. “I actually wanted to talk to you about something.”
“Let me guess. Something about my brother, right?”
“Yusuke, right.” he said with a sigh.
“He has been unnaturally mopey lately. I do wonder what’s wrong with him. And I am really sick of all the snow, so, I’m all ears!” she said, playing with the golden olive branch cue on her head.
“Right, uh...I don’t really know what’s goin’ on with ‘im. Only that he’s sad all the time and he’s stopped playing his instrument.”
“He stopped playing his oboe? That’s odd. He never parts with it.” her expression turned serious, hand on her chin.
“So, that’s gotta be it, then. We gotta find the reason he stopped playin’.”
“But Yusuke is so passionate about his music. It doesn’t make any sense.” her dress grew longer all of a sudden, as if it elongated when the goddess was deep in thought.
Ryuji thought it odd, but decided that wasn’t important at the moment. Gods were weird.
“When was it that his emotions first changed? Do you remember?”
“Hmm…it was about the time when Zeus asked to speak with him I think…”
Futaba’s eyes widened.
“He what? Oh, oh no. I have to go.”
“Wait! What’s goin’ on? Did you figure somethin’ out?”
“I’ll contact you when I figure it out. I have to go visit him.” she said, before disappearing out of his sight.
Yep, gods are weird.
His confusion was interrupted though when the sky darkened significantly, black clouds taking over the gloomy sky. It didn’t take long until it was pouring, the snow disappearing in the presence of the forceful drops plummeting.
Yusuke , Ryuji thought. He needs me.
He started running towards the temple, the ground slippery and wet, when he noticed something peculiar. Despite the flooding rain that was falling down, he didn’t have a trace of moisture on him. It was as if an invincible umbrella braced over him, protecting him from the crying sky.
Is Yusuke protecting me? , he thought, his heart fluttering at the thought.
There was no time to sit around and figure this out, he raced to find Yusuke who was probably suffering right now. A painful sting went through his chest at the thought of that. He didn’t deserve to suffer.
When he reached his room, what he feared was now confirmed. Yusuke was grounded on the wet floor, tears flowing through his eyes. He noticed how the stream of tears were converted to clouds that disappeared upon the sky as they left his cheeks.
He was in distress, and Ryuji’s heart throbbed at the sight. He was thankful for his invincible umbrella now that he approached the god, who was soaking wet.
“Yusuke. I’m here. Everything’s okay.” he said with a soft voice as he proceeded to wrap his arms around him.
His sleeves were dripping wet, but Ryuji couldn’t care any less about getting himself soaked as well. He had his fantastical shield along with a concerned heart to keep him busy.
He ran his hand through his silky hair, delicately and slow. He held the other man in his arms for who knows how long, until his sobbing died out and the liquid miraculously drew out. He was now hugging him back affectionately, mumbling a low ‘thank you’ as he pressed his lips on his front.
“Don’t worry, Yusuke. I’ll figure this out and find a solution. You have me to count on.” he tried to reassure him, and for a brief second, he saw the clouds disappear, the sun’s rays coming through the horizon and blinding him so that he couldn’t keep his eyes open.
“Thank you, Ryuji. You are very kind to me. I am so deeply sorry for being so...weak.” he lowered his head so that it was buried on Ryuji’s neck.
“You? Weak? Gimme a break. You’re the strongest god I know. Who else would look at a worthless human’s way, huh? You’re so brave, Yusuke. Don’t forget that.”
“Worthless? Nonsense, Ryuji! You take that back this instance!”
“Only if you take the being weak part back too.” he stretched his arm, implying a handshake.
“Very well, it is a deal.” he took his hand.
And then they cuddled their way through the day.
“Futaba! I’ve been lookin’ for you for days! Where did you run off to last time?” he approached the goddess with an angry walk.
“Why if it isn’t the man who stole my brother’s heart. I come to you with information.” she said proudly.
“Finally. What did you find out?” he put his hands on his hips.
“It’s simple, really. I should have figured it out earlier, honestly.”
“Will you keep me waiting for much longer??” he burst out impatiently.
“Chill out, tiger! Sheesh, you must really care for my brother, huh?”
More than she could ever fathom.
“I do. So please get on with it.”
“Alright, so. I sneaked into my father's temple and saw he had Yusuke’s oboe.” she confessed.
“What was it doin’ in there?”
Why would he need an oboe? Why specifically Yusuke's oboe? He could probably have as many of these instruments he desired.
“Yeah, that’s the question. I have my suspicions though…”
“Well, speak up!” He was getting more and more impatient with every passing moment.
“I think he took it as a sacrifice from Yusuke.”
“A- what? But why?”
“You know, the gods are kinda weird when it comes to gods being in relationships with humans.” she looked at him pitifully.
“Wait, you don’t mean…” he was finally starting to realize what was going on.
“I think that’s exactly what I mean.”
“So Yusuke- he- he sacrificed his thingy to be with me?”
“It’s called an oboe. But yeah, that’s pretty much it.”
A pang of guilt shot threw Ryuji’s chest. If he knew that Yusuke had to make such a sacrifice in order to be with him...he’d never have agreed to it. Not when it meant he’d be deprived of such an important component of his life.
The fact that he chose him over his music made him feel loved, though. Deep down, he was glad for his choice. Should he be ashamed? Yusuke was obviously in pain, and he was happy? No, it wasn’t like that.
And he wouldn’t let Yusuke suffer no more. He was getting to Mount Olympus and he was going to talk to Zeus himself.
And that he did. With a bag over his shoulder he took off, walking slowly and steadily. The journey would be long and exhausting, but he was motivated by his unconditional love. He had infinite fuel to climb the highest mountain in the world.
And so he walked and he walked and he walked, days passing by like seconds, his legs tired and at the same time able to walk across the whole world. Winter and spring and summer passed in the passage of only a couple of days, he passed little villages and towns and kingdoms, until he finally found himself on the bottom of Mount Olympus.
Glancing up, the dark as the bottom of the ocean sky and shiny as the sun thunder would scare him off before, but not after he had crossed seas and lands to get here. He was here with a purpose, and there was no way he would give up.
That’s why when he climbed the mountain with his bare hands and feet, while the clouds were taking their rage out on him, slowing him down as much as possible, it was all in vain. There was no stopping him now, not after getting so close to getting back Yusuke’s happiness. He'd gladly take on any challenge that posed as an obstacle. Even a god.
After what might have been seconds, days, years or centuries, he found himself finally standing at the top of the mountain, his journey finally over. He paid no mind at the thunder directed at him, as his armor reflected the electricity coming his way.
He looked down at the silver vest he was wearing in surprise. He didn’t know it possessed lightning resistance abilities, but then again, he was never hit by lightning before. Or maybe it was Yusuke protecting him again.
The temple was unexpectedly deserted, even if he had never stopped by the twelve Gods’ house in his life.
He stepped inside and confidence got a hold of him. He didn’t let the swarming richness of the temple overwhelm him, as his gut instinct guided him deeper inside.
As he explored the temple with his eyes and legs, he reached what seemed to be his destination. A giant curtain, extending upwards with no end, fading among the fog in the sky, or at least that’s what it looked like to his two human eyes.
Ryuji wondered if there was a reverse fear of heights, because that would definitely explain what he was feeling right now, as he stared at this infinite curtain. Despite its height, he comfortably touched the fabric with his scratchy surfaced hands, pulling it so he was now exposed to the concealed room.
Inside, the view he faced was intimidating; Zeus sat on a throne made of ivory, gold, ebony and other precious stones. The throne was filled with paintings of animal imitations and sculptures of other majestic scenes. The roof above him was open to fit a lot of light, despite the hazy climate on the rest of the mountain. Not to mention his gigantic size, the most terrifying fact of all.
When he spoke, Ryuji almost jumped in surprise. “Impressive. No human has ever climbed the mountain before. Your skills are extraordinary.” his voice echoed in the room, despite there being no walls to bounce his voice off.
Ryuji said nothing, unable to reply at the moment.
“I suppose there is some kind of reason you travelled all the way here, am I correct?” he inquired.
Ryuji looked around, inspecting carefully. They both knew the answer to his question.
“That’s right. I’m here to get that.” he pointed towards the middle of the room, to where the oboe floated solitarily in the air.
He heard a laugh emit inside his ears, and then Zeus slapped his thighs with his palms in laughter and it was like a deadly earthquake shook the ground. Ryuji looked for the nearest thing he could hang onto.
“You make me laugh, mortal. Why would I hand this godly item to you?” he clobbered the staff (which had suddenly appeared out of nowhere) on the ground, and another tremble shook the earth.
“Don’t play dumb with me! You’re depriving your own son of his happiness. Why are you doin’ this?”
“Deprive him of happiness? Don’t be a fool. He was the one who chose his destiny. You should be happy he chose you.”
“I can’t believe I’m hearin’ this comin’ outta your mouth. What a load o’ shit.”
“Boy, are you aware who you’re speaking to?”
“Hell yeah I am. A fuckin’ asshole, apparently. And if you won’t give this to me, I’ll just take it on my own.” he said and headed towards the instrument’s location.
“Not if you value your short little life, you won’t!” he threatened, now getting up on his feet.
“Watch me!” he said, every step he took was more decisive than the previous one.
Once he got a hold of the oboe, he braced himself to be attacked, to feel some sort of conflict around him, but he was met with nothing. Silence.
He fearfully turned towards the god, every degree his body covered more frightening than the previous one. When he was face to face with the god, though, he realized there was no danger hiding behind him.
Zeus just stood there, his head too high up for Ryuji to decipher his expression, but if he had to guess he’d say it was a shocked one. He decided to wait until he got some kind of reaction.
He finally started to speak. “Up until now I thought your so-called love was nothing but mere excitement. I’ve only now realized though that I’ve made a grave mistake. I didn’t expect you to be willing to sacrifice your life for my son.” he sounded sincerely apologetic.
Was that all Ryuji had to do? Prove to the God of the Gods that he’d do anything for his son?
“Course I would. Don’t know what your problem is, pops.” Was he getting too familiar? He hoped this wasn’t going too far.
“Nothing. Not anymore.” he paused, a pensive look on his face. “Please, tell my son I’m sorry.” was the last thing he heard from him before he disappeared into thin air.
What was it with gods vanishing out of the blue?
Doesn’t matter , he thought and glanced at his hand. He was holding the oboe. He smiled. Time to get you back to Yusuke.
A week had passed, and thank the gods he didn’t need to walk all the way back to the Pierian Mountains, as he was miraculously teleported there, unbeknownst to him.
He passed through Futaba who possessed a knowing smile.
Yusuke was ecstatic. He threw himself all over him when he first saw him, claiming how much he had missed him and demanding he recounted his adventure to him. Ryuji did just that, and Yusuke just sat there, listening to his story with great enthusiasm.
Then Yusuke had played his instrument once again, the melody he produced was new and extraordinary. It was like a recount of their past events, a portrayal of their love, Yusuke’s sorrow, their struggles and their adventures all in one song.
Ryuji felt himself fall in love all over again at that very moment. He’d get Yusuke to play that melody for him for the rest of his life.
“It would be my pleasure, love.” he had replied when he suggested that to him.
There was no trace of snow left at the mountains, the natural world nearby flourishing along with Yusuke’s happiness.
Yusuke played his oboe every morning from then on, just like promised, and it was like a fairy tale when Ryuji sat and listened to the heavenly sounds it made. Yusuke’s passion for his music translated into the melody, and Ryuji was enamored with the both of them.
Relationships between Gods and Humans came to be more common than it used to be now that there was no resentment towards the two kinds associating with the other.
And so, Ryuji continued to live in the mountains along with his love and the rest of the Muses.
Yusuke was agitated that Ryuji had come to his life, and the days of his sadness already seemed so distant. They’d only grow more faraway with the passage of time, as it should.