Work Text:
1
When the people call you a god, then you are a god. If they call you crap, then you’re crap. You are whatever they said you were. It has always been thus.
He is called many names, most of them unkind. If he had a birth name, it’s lost to him now, lost in favor of insults.
His ‘family’ called him a monster.
One eerie red eye he knew could earn him beatings. That cursed eye was made even more frightening by his gaze, much too intense for a child his age.
He is harsh fists and sharp kicks, thrashing and fighting.
He is dirty bandages and dirtier hands.
Spit and bile and spite. He will die. He will kill.
His ‘family’ call him a monster. You are whatever they said you were. It has always been thus. So he is a monster.
2
When the people call you a god, then you are a god. If they call you crap, then you’re crap. You are whatever they said you were. It has always been thus.
He is called sweetly, wrapped in rumors that drown out unkind words. His name is a gentle thing, meaning mercy. He gives mercy as is befitting of his name.
His kingdom calls him the ‘Darling of the Heavens’.
Beauty is too light of a word for his form. He is a thing of grace and strength that leaves those who look upon him in awe.
He is firm hands, smoothly wielding a sword or tenderly plucking a flower.
He is fine silks and finer features.
Bravery and boldness and nobility. He will save. He will protect.
His kingdom calls him the ‘Darling of the Heavens’. You are whatever they said you were. It has always been thus. So he is the Darling of the Heavens.
7
In a broken down shrine, a monster pledges himself to a god. In a broken down shrine, a Demon King pledges himself to misfortune. In a broken down shrine, a lover confesses without the proper words.
Beloved. Beloved. Beloved. Beloved.
3
When the people call you a god, then you are a god. If they call you crap, then you’re crap. You are whatever they said you were. It has always been thus.
He is called many names, most of them fearful. If he had a birth name it’s long hidden now, but many know him by his monikers and titles.
The gods call him a demon. The ghosts call him a king.
One eerie red eye set into a silver hilt. That cursed eye forged into a bloody blade helps him make more names for himself.
He is harsh words and sharp slashes, burning and toying with his prey.
He is wild actions and wilder violence.
Spit and bile and spite. He has died. He will kill.
They call him a demon. They call him a king. You are whatever they said you were. It has always been thus. So he is a Demon King.
4
When the people call you a god, then you are a god. If they call you crap, then you’re crap. You are whatever they said you were. It has always been thus.
He is called venomously, wrapped in rumors that drown out kind deeds. His name is a mocking thing, meaning pity. Who would give pity to such a failure?
Those who remember him at all call him the God of Misfortune.
God is too kind of a word for his state. He is a thing of humility and death that leaves those who look upon him as unlucky as himself.
He is broken nobility, smoothly lowering his head or tenderly plowing fields.
He is deadly to others and deadlier to himself.
Foolishness and quietness and modesty. He will die. He will die.
Those who remember him at all call him the God of Misfortune. You are whatever they said you were. It has always been thus. So he is the God of Misfortune.
8
He did not give himself in small pieces but all at once. He did not give himself all at once but in small pieces until everything was given over completely.
You hold him in your arms and he is Holy. You hold him in your arms and he is Loved.
Husband. Husband. Husband. Husband. Husband. Husband. Husband. Husband. Husband.
5
When the people call you a god, then you are a god. If they call you crap, then you’re crap. You are whatever they said you were. It has always been thus.
What others see of him is carefully crafted, edges sharpened and smile vicious. Shifting forms and static arrogance. You will call him. He will not care.
He spreads rumors for the sake of it. If they wish to call him names, he will say them first.
He does not care what others say about him. Only one.
Take his life. Take his afterlife. Take it again. Only one.
He is too much. Too much for the people. He is enough for one. Only one.
Just one person is enough. Just one person has always been enough.
When his beloved calls him sweetly, then he is sweet. If he calls him strong, then he’s strong. He only wishes to be whatever his beloved says he is. It has always been thus.
6
When the people call you a god, then you are a god. If they call you crap, then you’re crap. You are whatever they said you were. It has always been thus.
What others see of him is carefully contained, edges softened and smile apologetic. Palletable forms and forgotten shame. You may call him. He will do his best to answer.
He does not listen to rumors of himself or others. If they wish to call him names, he knows they will no matter what he says.
He does not care what others say about him. Only one.
Take his life. Shatter his life. Kill him again. Everyone does.
He is not enough. Not enough for the people. He is enough for one. Only one.
Just one person is enough. Just one person has always been enough.
When his beloved calls him reverently, then he is something to be revered. If he calls him precious, then he’s precious. He only needs to live up to whatever his beloved says he is. He has always done thus.
9
When he calls your name it is not because he wants to assign you a new one, but because he knows you. He knows you. Fears and dreams. Strengths and weaknesses. Pain and happiness. You've let him in. He calls you not to make you, but to give name to what you always have been.
Beloved.
Too much. Not enough. Efforts are relative. He has always given his full self, why would he offer anything less? He has always sacrificed his everything, how could he stop at anything less?
Perfect, you are perfect, you are all he's dreamed of, red string, soft lips, hand in hand.
Do not separate them. Beloved. They are stronger together. Husband.
When he calls your name it is not because he is making you, but because he is understanding you. Happiness is simple, call him fondly and he will answer in turn. Stay the night and never leave. He will catch you if you fall. You will catch him if he falls. No one wants you but he does, he does. It has always been thus.