Archive of Our Own

She had no idea what the string was. She wanted to touch it, but it was always just out of reach. It looked warm though. She reached as high as she could and finally managed to touch it. She was right, it was warm and she didn’t want to let it go. The string got pulled out of her hand violently, like it didn’t want her touching it. She rushed to get it back, the string slipping between two of her fingers. She closed them tightly, desperate to keep the warmth. It snapped as her fingers met and her body was consumed by awful pain. It was like her entire body was engulfed in flame and she’d never survive it. She didn’t even know she was screaming.

Her father came running, she saw the string again, it was still connected. They held her tightly, but something felt off. Just behind him she saw the snapped string she’d played with. It filled her with a horrible dread. Her father rubbed her head and muttered calming words, but it felt hollow. Something was gone, she wasn’t sure she could get it back. When her father finally pulled away there was something about the way he looked at her. She couldn’t meet his eyes. She saw the other half of the string, on the ground. It looked like it came from her, but it was limp and seemed to be fading away.

Delphia sat up in fear. She looked for the string on the ground, almost begging that it was something happening to her. She knew better by now, it was a vision of the past. Someone with a strange gift that seemed to hurt them for being used. She jumped from bed, and slipped her cloak on. She had to go ask Vitus and Dabria about this. She tried to appear calm, smiling at the gods that were around right now. Things were tense in the mortal realm, a lot of them were there most of the time. She was glad they gave her a more direct route to their office after she came back.

“We can’t let her know,” Vitus said. She was just outside the door when his voice leaked out. Their voices carried more than either knew, but she was the only one who could hear them really. She knew she should tell them, but she had a feeling she’d need to be able to eavesdrop.

“We have to tell her Vitus, we can’t hide it,” Dabria argued. Delphia had a feeling they meant hiding something from her.

“What are we supposed to tell her? That someone like her might exist? We don’t even know for sure yet. Even if they are like her they may have lost more of themselves.”

“So we just never tell her there are other mortals who may have gifts and be unable to die?!”

Delphia ran after that, she couldn’t hear anymore. That vision, she must have been seeing when they learned of their power. The pain they experience and the aftermath of a bad choice. She needed to find them, help them. Even if they were different they didn’t deserve the pain she’d suffered. She could help them survive it. She nearly reached her door when her vision darkened.

She had to keep hiding. She didn’t have any strings anymore so she should be safe. She should have known that man wouldn’t keep protecting her. After the recent troubles in town straining relationships of course he’d blame her. It wasn’t like he was a father since she cut their string. Sometimes she wished she knew about protecting their existence back then, so she could have saved her family a lot of heartache.

“He’s there, he’s the cause!” someone shouted. She cursed as she ran down another alley hoping to lose them again. That wasn’t in the cards though, she ran straight into that man who should protect her. He glared at her with empty eyes, the same emptiness he’d had for years.  He held her tight, she wasn’t getting away.

“I’ve got him, let’s get this over with,” he called. She tried to bite his arm, but failed. “Keep his hands held tight, he can’t cause more trouble that way.”

She barely registered as she was grabbed and brought to the town center. The people she’d known forever were the same ones holding her down. They’d probably feel vindicated after this. She seethed from the joy she was sure they’d feel. She’d never forgive them for this, she’d wish for their strings all to sever. The wrathful god of love tearing their lives apart. She would be dead, but she’d rejoice for it anyway.

Her father approached with a knife. He glared at her, the child he couldn’t love. He had a sharp knife in his hand and approached her without hesitation. He held the knife up and  showed it off, like it was a show. She spit on his face and he kicked her stomach. The bad omen would die; he didn't care that she was his own flesh and blood. Bonds with people were meaningless.

“First we punish you for the sight you’ve used to torture us for so long,” he smirked. He held the knife over her eye. She felt her eyes go wide and tears fall, please not this. If she lost her sight she wouldn’t be able to avoid the strings anymore. He started to press down and she wailed.

Delphia fell to the ground, her hands searching her face for any wounds. She had to do something to help him. She needed to find him, but she didn’t have a clue to his whereabouts. She could start with visiting the town, but if this was someone like her he wouldn’t be there anymore. He had something to do with bonds…she could ask Rhys. No, that wasn’t safe she couldn’t involve them. She hadn’t let her connection become known again yet. She wanted to keep it that way. She entered her room and her world fell away again.

She should have expected as much, leaving would always cause this. She was sick of the church though. They weren’t devoted to anything. All they wanted was to make money. The amount of lives she’s destroyed for them had to be in the hundreds and she was sick of it. She’d get away or die trying. Even when they found her like last time she didn’t care. She would keep escaping now.

She still didn’t have a clear idea. Whoever this man was didn’t know where he was. She’d follow the feeling though. She grabbed the pendant, relieved they’d taken the tracking off, and left. The town she entered was far from her home, a place that she’d never expected to see. The others had warned her of the kingdoms where they wouldn’t give up the practices for the old gods. They claimed the new ones were false, their true gods would return. It was an awful place to be if you weren’t, well, normal.

The town was shockingly simple considering the church she could see. Villagers in some older styles of clothing happily wandering around. She could barely believe the atrocities the people here wouldn’t abandon. Her doubt fell away as she saw the altar in the center of town. A place to send sacrifices to the god of love, Rhys would be sick. She just had to find the man she’d seen, save him from this.

“Oh, oh miss!” a woman at a fruit stand called out. She approached with some hesitance, the people in this town made her nervous.

“Yes?” she asked. She hoped the new rumors about her didn’t get here.

“You seemed sad, miss. I know just the solution. There’s a man who works in the church, he can help you fall in love or point you to who you connect to. You look like a noble, you should be able to afford it.”

“He sees my connections?”

“Oh yes, they say he sees the strings that bind us together. You should have a go. It’s a young woman’s dream isn’t it?”

“Yes of course. Thank you for the advice ma'am.” She gave a bow before leaving. The church must have him then. She would save him. She made her way with an innocent smile, she had to appear foolish. The church was ornate, something she’d think feels more like something for Felix. Rhys would lose his mind here. She had to prepare herself for this putrid act she’d be putting on. Pushing the door open she tried to adopt a naive and innocent tone.

“Hello? I heard about the man who can help you fall in love?” she called out. The door shut heavily behind her. The place felt prepared for the wedding of a king, but empty of love. She had to focus on keeping her mind calm. A priest walked out with a wide smile. She could sense the greed hidden beneath it. He looked her over and she smiled at him. She would manage this.

“My dear, do you seek love?” he asked. He seemed dressed plainly. His clothes were a soft pink to match the colors of love. He approached and placed a hand on her shoulder. She had to stop herself from flinching.

“Y-yes, a woman in town suggested I could come here.” She saw his eyes light up, of course the woman worked with this sham of a church. She’d do something about this place later, stop the amount they use people.

“Follow me dear, our gifted one is down stairs.” He brought her to a place that was a well dressed dungeon door. She should know it wouldn’t be the first time she’d been to one. She tried to look nervous as they walked down, it wasn’t hard. She couldn’t see any locks to keep the man inside, how was he trapped? She’d probably need the plants to help her, they’d do it she was sure. “Oh Vincent, we have someone who wishes to experience your gifts. Oh before you head in my dear, we do need to discuss the matter of the fee. It is a risk to use the power he has when the gods are so vengeful.”

“Of course, of course.” She pulled out a coin pouch filled to the brim. She was almost convinced he drooled upon the sight. “Is this enough?”

“Oh why just enough my dear, please take your time with our gifted one.” He held open a door for her and she walked in. The door closed slowly and she took a seat in front of Vincent waiting for the door to shut. Once it finally clicked he took measured steps forward, finally out of the shadowed part of the room. His hair was a striking silver, a color she’d never thought to see on a mortal. He had one eye green like emeralds, the other purple like violets. Overall his features were striking, but she was drawn the scars over his eyes that stood out against his dark skin.

“What do you want?” he asked. He sounded angry, she wasn’t sure what she expected. 

“To get you out of here,” she dropped all her acting. She would get him to safety as soon as possible. He stood up and walked around to her, she leaned away as he approached. He bent forward, getting close to her face and staring into her eyes. He was definitely studying her, maybe he thought she was testing him. She stared back, she wouldn’t risk him thinking she lied. He stood back up and turned away from her and towards the door.

“Sure, let's go. You don’t have any of that creep’s strings. You’ll probably have a more fun prison than here.” He looked at her and waited. She stood quickly and grabbed one of his hands before grabbing the door knob. This would be a mess. He looked at her hand almost like it should burn him.

“Don’t let go of me. I’ll get us out of here.”

Vincent was sure this was another do-gooder who would back down when she heard of the danger he posed. The god of love had cursed him and his home. It would be fun to see how she reacted when they announced he couldn’t die. There hadn’t been a single person who thought he was worth saving after that. She had come in expecting she could buy him probably. She had a string starting toward him already, she formed attachments too quickly. It was almost sad.

She held his hand tightly as she rushed up the stairs. Did she think they’d lock her in here with him? She looked like a noble from another kingdom, they wouldn’t risk that. When she reached the top door she paused and looked back at him. She looked sad, maybe she already knew she’d fail. It didn’t matter, he was getting away on his own soon anyway. He’d kept his scissors sharp for that one reason. She pushed the door open and started running as it hit the wall.

He kept up easily, she was a good bit shorter than him. The priest saw him following behind her and he watched the sickening smirk grow on his face. He loved watching his hope of someone caring about him again falling. Sucked for the priest he gave up already. She was forming a bond, he wasn’t. She slowed as the priest came near to them, standing defensively in front of him. The image was sort of funny. She didn’t look like she could do much.

“Young miss, where are you taking our gifted one?” the priest’s annoyance was barely veiled. He couldn’t keep the latest noble he’d planned to bleed dry. 

“I’ll be taking Vincent to a place away from people like you,” she seethed. This girl was brave, she’d change her tune soon.

“My dear you are aware his powers could be frowned upon by the god of love? It would put you in danger.” The priest gave him a look. He was expecting him to fall apart after this one. He wasn’t foolish anymore.

“A god of love that kills for no reason seems like a god I don’t believe in.” He held back a laugh at the audacity. Of course the god existed, she was just trying to piss off the priest.

“My dear, regardless of your beliefs, taking such a risk is foolish. Besides, you would attract Lady Death’s attention as well. This young man doesn’t die.”

“Oh really.” She looked back at him and tightened her grip. He was confused now. “That’s funny…neither can I.”

The priest stumbled back, tripping over his feet. She ran again, Vincent was dumbfounded. She had to be kidding. There was no way anyone else in this damned world didn’t die. After all these years, there was another person who could understand. He saw a string snaking from him towards her. He could cut it later, a connection with someone desperate enough to lie for him wasn’t bad temporarily.

“Close your eyes and trust me, please,” she said. He thought about ripping his hand free, but it wasn’t worth it. At least this way he was away from these priests. 

“Why not?” he answered. He closed his eyes. He felt a strange wind and like the world around him stopped existing. The feeling was over in a minute and he slipped his eyes open, he was entering a glowing door behind the girl. There wasn’t enough time to see where they were going. When they came out they were at a modest home. “Where are we?”

She let go and whipped around to face him. She looked almost scared to face him now. Maybe she realized the stupid choice she made. She let go of his hand and hugged herself, like she expected him to be mad. She didn’t do anything wrong, he wasn’t going to hurt her. Well, not much just cut his own string that had managed to connect to hers. Bonds would only hurt him in the end.

“H-how long were your eyes open?” she asked. He studied her face, there was something about the expression she was making that made him want to lie. She was hiding something and he didn’t want to risk her using him too, but she said she couldn’t die. He’d wait until he knew the truth of that.

“I opened them as we went through that door and showed up here. Which, again, where are we?” he answered. She changed immediately to a large smile and seemed more open. She approached him with a hand held out. He raised an eyebrow to question it. 

“It’s somewhere safe, in your same kingdom though. No one else can get here but us, it’s a special set up. I’m Delphia, nice to officially meet you.” He glared at the hand, but she wasn’t pulling it away. He reluctantly grabbed the hand to return the greeting.

“Vincent, so what’s your plan now that I’m here? Am I your money maker now?”

“Of course not! I wanted to get you out of there. I can’t imagine it felt good doing anything to the strings you see. That first time you cut one hurt horribly right?” He narrowed his eyes. She knew too much. Just who was this Delphia, and what was her plan?

“How do you know so much?” She looked surprised, then upset? Just what was going on with this girl who appeared out of nowhere? He started to reach towards their connected string. It would be better to end this sooner rather than later.

“Oh..right. I guess I forgot to tell you what I can do. We’ll start with one I guess. I have visions, usually of the future now and then I see the past. This morning I woke up from the vision of a child who saw strings and when they cut one their body felt consumed by heat.” She started to wander away as she spoke. It made him almost more suspicious. “Then I saw that same person get killed, their eyes cut by someone who should have protected them. Then something I couldn’t quite understand, but they were going to die and thought they’d appear there again.”

Vincent approached the weird girl forcing her to look at him. She wouldn’t meet his eyes. She was hiding something, he had to know what it was. He could use the strings, manipulate her concern for him that formed the bond in the beginning, but she seemed genuine too. He would wait. At least a place that was supposed to be safe would be useful for a while. He let her go and started to walk towards the house. He looked back at her waiting.

“Well show me around I guess,” he said. She rushed up next to him, a smile on her face. He almost wanted to test if she really doesn’t die. She should just heal up in front of him, he doesn’t go far from his body when he dies. A single stab would work.

“You want to know if I really can’t die don’t you?” she asked. He looked at her with suspicion. She could read minds for all he knew. He wouldn’t fall for her easily. “I’ll prove it if you want. There are knives inside, a stab through the heart I should be back in less than a day I think. I’m still pretty bad about how long I’m down each time.”

He stopped and stared at her. She was casually willing to die just to prove it to him. This girl was insane. She'd get herself hurt, badly, if she kept up like this. She was still mumbling to herself as she walked into what must be the kitchen. There were a lot of weird things in there. A box full of food, but it was cold and a number of bowl things he’d never seen. He picked one up and found it to be completely metal. He looked at the girl, Delphia, and she’d picked up a large knife already positioning it over her heart. He ran over and ripped the knife from her.

“What the fuck are you doing?” he shouted. She looked at him with this innocent face he almost wanted to scream. She just furrowed her brow and stared up at him.

“I was going to prove to you I don’t die…” she said. She looked up at him like she was about to cry. “Oh…did you want to…uh?”

“Of course not, are you an idiot? Don’t go killing yourself to prove a point to people you’ve just met! What if I wanted your powers or something?” She tilted her head to the side. It was like the idea never occurred to her. He hated feeling a bond to someone he wanted to cut the string already. Cutting it would mean she was left with the others branching from her, which clearly those people weren’t helping her avoid stupid actions. He sighed, he couldn’t leave her like that.

“I guess I didn’t think of that. I’m pretty good at getting away from people like that and I have people who would come save me.” Her bright smile was almost blinding. This girl would kill him. He couldn’t bring himself to cut the string, but there were other ways to deal with it. He’d make her break it on her own. He dropped the knife into the basin he assumed was for cleaning.

“Look, why don’t you go back to your real home for today and I’ll just stay here for now. I bet by the time you come back I’ll be gone.” She looked like she had something she wanted to add. Instead she left, walking the way out of the weird home. He sighed, it was the first time he was alone in years. He stared at the string, the first he’d formed in a long time. Bonds just caused pain, but he wasn’t going to ignore everything that had happened.

First he’d eat something better than stale bread and water. He’d sleep and dress in better clothes than the rags the priest gave him. Once that was over he’d start visiting places to fix the bonds he changed. He made sure to tie off every severed string, he wouldn’t risk letting that emptiness take over someone else. Food didn't take long and he wandered the place. He realized he didn’t ask Delphia where he should sleep, it probably didn’t matter. He found a room on the first floor, it looked unused with a bed. He started to climb in, it was possibly the softest bed he’d ever used.

He woke up to banging on the door. He groaned, that damned priest never let him rest. He rolled over, refusing to wake up for him. The banging didn’t stop, it grew somewhat frantic. The priest freaking out was always funny to see. He opened his eyes and froze, this wasn’t the place he stayed. That meant he was really saved by that girl. He got up, feeling better than he had in years. The banging continued, but it wasn’t the door to the room he was in.

He left the room making his way slowly to the sound. It was the front door of the house someone was banging on, that could be a problem. He pulled his scissors from their place on his thigh ready to fight if it came to that. He took a stance somewhat off to the side then ripped the door open. Delphia tripped forward into the house and he stared dumbfounded. This was her home, she shouldn’t be banging on the door like this. This girl’s head makes no sense.

“You are still here,” she said, smiling up at him. “I was worried you left when you weren’t answering the door. I brought some stuff you might need, like clothes really just clothes.”

“Why didn’t you just walk in?” he asked. She looked away and he got concerned? That was it he was concerned, when was the last time he cared about someone enough to be concerned?

“Well you didn’t seem happy to have me around yesterday so I wanted to make sure you knew I wouldn’t just barge in.”

“It’s your house.”

“Not exactly, technically this is Felix’s house. He made it for me.” He raised an eyebrow, this guy made her a house. A house she seems to be giving away to a stranger. It would suck to be that Felix guy, Vincent couldn’t imagine how much this house would take to build. He sighed before looking out the door. It looked like she brought a whole store here. Is she actually rich?

“You brought an entire store and intend to give me a house. Do you have an in with the god of prosperity or something?”

“Wh-what n-no of course not, how would I have a connection to a god…” He narrowed his eyes at her. She was hiding something about the gods. She said she didn’t believe in the god of love, maybe she hates them too. He let it slide for now, going out to start collecting the things she brought. It took a few trips, but he was well stocked on clothes now. Delphia seemed to be almost nervous, maybe the gods were a touchy subject.

She looked around for a few more moments before darting off to part of the house. Honestly he didn’t care. He ignored her antics searching for some better clothes than the church rags. A simple black shirt and black pants, perfect. He returned to the room he claimed and changed quickly. The less he had to remember that place the better. He’d probably get caught by the gods now though. He left the room and Delphia was back sitting on a chair and drinking tea. She was like a bundle of energy he couldn’t understand.

“So what do you think the gods would do to us if they found us?” he asked. He saw her freeze, the strings attached to her seemed to respond too. That only happened when there was a connection to the ones he brought up. Her strings can’t be connected to the gods, they’re bound.

“I-I think they’d leave us alone. It’s not like we can do anything to them right?” She sounded nervous. If her strings are to them, she must have bonded and been misled. She was willing to kill herself; they must be using her. They could be using her to find others, he may not be the first she saved.

“Hmm. Well I think they’d probably kill us or trap us somewhere.” A reaction from the strings again. Reflecting the pain on her face. She could be devoted, but he’d never seen a religious zealot with strings like this. She could just be more devoted than anyone else he’d met. “Have you ever met anyone else like us? With the whole can’t die and weird power thing?”

“No, I didn’t think anyone else could be in all honesty. I thought I was the only one. I have people who care about me, they’ve been with me for most of my life too. I just never thought I’d have someone more like me to talk to. I’d like to at least visit now and again… If that’s ok.”

“May be rude but how long exactly is most of your life?” This would be the proof he needed. Either she told him the truth or she lied, he’d know both ways. There was some connection to the gods with those strings. She sighed, the nerves leaving her quickly. She seemed like a different person in seconds. She seemed older, more observant.

“It’s been pretty long. To be honest, I’m not sure anymore. I stopped aging at some point and here we are. I can understand if that makes you uncomfortable.” She hugged herself and he felt bad seeing her pain. She needed someone like he did back then. She might be the only good person in this world. “I actually can feel other people’s emotions. It gets blocked when my own are strong. I know you have something you want to ask me, will you ask it?”

He looked at her and tried to read her face. Surrounded by red strings and two golden ones. Two loves and a lot of bonds that feel like a family to her. She seemed lonely despite all the bonds surrounding her. It could be why their own string had been shifting to familial red. She cared so deeply about him even though they just met. It was hard not to follow her lead. She held this innocence that didn’t seem to match how much she knew and he didn’t want her to lose it.

“I was curious about your relationships. You just have a lot of strings, you must be loved by them a lot,” he said. She seemed to be over the moon by his comment. She started to talk about her family first. Vitus and Dabria, taught her a lot and guided her through hurdles when she was young. They gave her the freedom to explore so much more than anyone else had. Felix was part of this, he always liked to give her things and did his best to show he cared. Most of what she said was somewhat similar. Spending time doing something simple but he could see the strings glow brightly. She loved them so much. There were three she hadn’t touched on yet.

“There are three I’m really close to though. Rhys is like a brother, he gets how I’m feeling and steps in when he knows I’m overwhelmed. Ash is quiet and tries their best to make sure I know they care. They made flowers just for me once. Alessia would give anything to protect me. She’s so much more than just someone I love. Ash and Alessia feel like part of me, I don’t think I could live without them. Rhys is the only one I can talk to, really talk to, about the things that happen.”

“What do you mean things that happen?” He should focus on the gods. Find their motives for what they have with her. The feelings can’t be reciprocated, not fully. 

“Well, I die a lot. People kill me fairly often. I stay in a town too long and usually I die. Rhys stays calm and lets me talk about it. The others panic.” She dies, no she doesn’t die she gets killed. He was livid, people want to take someone like her from the world. How would they feel if she didn’t come back?

“Where’s the, uh, last place you were killed?” he asked. She looked confused, he tried to hide his anger. She could feel his emotions, he had to control them.

“It actually wasn’t far from here, the first town to the west. I wonder how they’re doing actually.” A town to the west, he could manage that. He’d punish them for what they did to her. She may give herself up like this, but he’d take away the things they tried to end.

“I’ll go check, I need some air.” She started to argue, he couldn’t have that. “I’ll come back, I promise. I’ll just make sure things are fine there.”

She looked concerned but nodded. He walked out quickly, grabbing a hat that was with the clothes. It would hide his hair, his scars and eyes were sadly harder. He knew he was faster than most other humans, he could probably reach that town in a few hours. Once he was outside he took off running. He’d get to the town and punish them. They’d have their strings cut with no knots added; they would feel the emptiness they tried to put into the world.

He was wrong, the town was only one hour away. Rest and good food changed his speed. He wandered carefully, cutting strings indiscriminately. His scissors made it quick and painless. The adults of the town would lose their loves, he wouldn’t ruin the children’s lives though. He’d known her for two days, but knew Delphia would be devastated at that. As he cut the string on a merchant he pocketed a notebook and pencil. He would take notes on the gods and determine if they were safe. She’d be protected, he wouldn’t let her lose her smile.

He was almost done when a string with a knot on the end caught his eye. Knots meant he cut them, the church made him. The two were still together, the bond still existing meant they could stand each other. He went up intending to undo the knots and send them into emptiness as well, but paused. The couple seemed to be trying to fix it, to restore the bond. He could see the strings buzzing trying to form again. He undid the knots and held them together. They were restored almost immediately. He’d leave them. He’d leave now, actually. He left the town running back to where Delphia would be waiting.

He slowed as he neared the house. He thought it would be gone honestly, that the whole thing was a dream. He was relieved he didn’t imagine such a weird girl. He made his way to the door, silently hoping he wouldn’t be waking up in the dungeon again. He had a reason to live again; he didn't want to lose it. Delphia was sitting there, reading a book and drinking tea. He smiled as he walked in, she looked up at him, but her face fell. He froze as he met her eyes, worry and concern covering her face.

“What did you do?” she asked. He was confused and went to scratch his head. The scissors were still in his hand, he was used to them he didn’t think to put them away. She looked terrified, he must be scaring her. That town got what it deserved.

“They were living happily. I just made sure they had the right connections.”

“Don’t do that, please. Don’t break bonds anymore. You don’t have to use your gift. I don’t want you to hurt yourself or others. Vincent please.”

“I’ll try my best.” He wasn’t lying. He planned to continue undoing the priest’s work. If he found a town that murdered Delphia, that was bonus. She didn’t trust him, but she let it die. He almost forgot about the notebook. He would start that the next time she visits. His actions in the town caused enough trouble for now. She’d thank him in the end. Bonds were nothing but trouble, she would get hurt. He’d make sure she wouldn’t suffer like he had.

Over the next few months she visited frequently. He took meticulous notes about every single mention of her ‘family’. It all sounded too good to be true. They were using her without a doubt. Constantly giving her things, helping her with her visions, trying to spend time with her doing simple things, it couldn’t be real. They could be using their powers to make her imagine all of this. He should cut the bonds, but he still hasn’t seen the other half. They could just share similarities to the gods.

He didn’t like how concerned she looked when he’d come back and the scissors were in his hands. The scissors made it almost painless, plus they were superficial. Bonds cut so easily, it didn’t mean anything to lose them. He wouldn’t let her know he was trying to undo the things the priests made him do. She would want to help and it would put them both at risk. He had to keep her out of this in case the gods found out.

He had to stop thinking about these things. She hadn’t come by in a few days, she’d be showing up soon. Delphia would be happy and talkative and the opposite of what he was. She’d probably fall asleep again, he’d take her to the room she said was hers and go back out. Their usual days when she would show up. It was nice, if only those strings weren’t always on his mind. 

He walked in the door planning to make some tea when his small world started to shatter. Delphia was here, earlier than he expected, and she had his notebook. It had too much information, she knew his plans. He could cut the strings now, maybe she’d still accept him. It would be easy a few steps and he could gather them all. He looked at their string, it should be darkening, the red that meant she cared fading. It would go black they’d be enemies. It didn’t though, the red almost seemed brighter, what was with her self preservation instincts?

“What is this, Vincent?” she asked. He could hear the hurt in her voice. He didn’t like it, especially not aimed at him. He just kept a neutral expression he wouldn’t answer until she took a guess. “You’ve been taking notes about what I say? And what’s with these comments, Felix would have to be last he made the house?! Vincent, are you planning to cut my strings?”

“I’ll answer you once you tell me something. Are the people you talk about as family the gods we’d both been warned against?” he asked. She looked hurt, like her world fell apart. She stood and stepped away. It was as though she thought he would do something. She wasn’t wrong, he wanted to cut those connections away.

“They aren’t the ones we were warned about. They are the gods though.”

“What the hell do you mean they aren’t who we were warned about?! It doesn’t matter what they tell you, they’ll still fucking kill you.”

“They saved me! I would be dead or trapped if it wasn’t for them. There was a war over me, I had to give up everything to stop it. They gave it back to me. They gave me a home and a family. They could do that for you!”

“Your view of this is completely warped, Delphia. They are using you. You’ll just wind up as their toy in the end. Just break the bonds yourself or I’ll do it for you!”

He watched her face drop. He started to walk towards her, but she jumped back. He tried to keep a neutral expression, her avoidance shouldn’t hurt. People always acted like this when they realized he could do something to them. She would finally start to hate him, at least he’d save her from the gods. She was backing up to the stairs, trapping herself, being foolish again. She stopped at the bottom of the stairs.

“Give me a few days, I’ll find a way to change your mind.” she said. He didn’t like this idea. She could leave and never come back. He could find her though, they were still connected.

“What will happen in a few days?” he asked. He took a few steps forward, this time she didn’t back away.

“I’ll discuss you cutting my bonds with an open mind. I won’t agree to let you right now, but we can talk about it.” She would consider him cutting her bonds? She was an insane girl, every time she acted things were crazier.

“Fine, I’ll wait. I’ll come find you in three days if you haven’t come back though.”

“Deal. I have to get going then. I am on a timer after all.” She gave him a big smile like she always did. It would just end up with the bonds to the gods cut, she couldn’t convince him otherwise. He looked down and noticed a new bond starting to form from him. He couldn’t cut it until the connection was formed, but he’d do his best to keep it from reaching its destination. He grabbed it and tied it off.

Delphia was pacing on Rhys’s desk. She didn’t have any idea how to handle this and she couldn’t let anyone else know about Vincent. He hated the gods so much, even more than she had. Ash was too intimidating and Alessia wasn’t the best at factoring how her size changed meetings with humans. The others weren’t great at empathy, Vitus and Dabria couldn’t leave here at all. Rhys at least could try explaining the god of love doesn’t hate him.

“Little sister, what are you doing here?” Rhys asked. She jumped, she kept forgetting he was silent when he walked now. He’d learned how to do it at some point while she was gone. In a way she missed the heavy, world shaking footsteps, but Ash’s were too much at times still.

He came over to her with those oddly silent steps and sat down. Even then she had to crane her neck to see his face, eyes a lavender and full of worry the color didn’t matter. He brought his hands close to her, a question without words. She nodded and huge fingers surrounded her before he gently gripped her. He lifted her slightly, placing her on his palm before pulling one arm back to rest his head on. She was now level with the giant eyes staring at her. She started to fidget with her cloak, he used his thumb to make her stop and waited.

“I…,”  she started. She’d have to just come out with it. “I met someone else like me and he can see bonds and cut them! Vitus and Dabria don’t know I know but I know he can’t die either and he hates the gods more than I ever did and wants to sever my bonds with all of you!”

“What? How can someone-” Rhys started to ask, but she made him pause with a look. She pulled her hands out from his thumb and placed them both on top of it. She just needed to convince Vincent they were fine.

“I don’t know, but he does. I never told him anything other than names and he knew you were gods. He’s from where the old god of love was worshiped and thinks you’re all vengeful and tricking me. He’s a good person…” She watched the tears falling onto her hands and Rhys’s thumb. He’s the only one who could do anything. “I don’t know who else to ask. I told him I’d come back in a few days with proof you’re all not going to do anything to hurt me. I… I need to go back today.”

“Why didn’t you want to tell anyone?” Rhys was giving her a look she hated. He knew a lot better how to read her since she came back. He knew what she wasn’t saying. “You’re afraid one of us might hurt him aren’t you?”

She bit her lip and refused to meet his eyes. She turned away and for the first time since he picked her up she started to squirm. She didn’t want to be here, going to Rhys was a bad idea. They were still trying to adjust since they found her. She had to find a way out of this. Rhys is the one who understands the most, but she still might have pushed him too far. Dabria and Vitus tried to hide him, maybe he wasn’t supposed to keep living. 

“I guess it’s still hard to trust us completely,” he said. “You know we wouldn’t hurt someone for no reason.”

“...what if he played with the bonds of others…” she murmured. She shouldn’t reveal him, she’ll leave again if she has to. It would be her fault anyway. “He sees strings that connect people, he can cut them and leave the person empty…”

“Well,” she braved meeting his eyes again. There was a look she didn’t recognize behind his eyes. The color was a deep blue and she had a panic strike her heart at the idea he was upset he’d have to do something to him. “That is technically my domain so it would be up to me on what happens to him. Why don’t we go see him?”

“What are you planning, Rhys?” He gave her a smile she’d seen more than once. It should reassure her, but where Vincent was concerned it filled her with dread. He righted himself and pulled the hand holding her close. He curled his fingers over her as he stood from his seat. “Rhys?!”

“Trust me little sister, let’s go see him.” She couldn’t calm her nerves as Rhys waved his other hand and a door appeared. He took a step and she grabbed the clothes he was wearing. This didn’t feel like her Rhys, but he wouldn’t hurt Vincent right? She couldn’t have made a mistake going to him.

It had been three days and that new thread just kept reaching towards somewhere. He’d tried cutting it down, but it seemed to grow faster each time. He didn’t like the multitude of colors either. It was like everything at once, including the gold of love. There were reactions to the thread he shared with Delphia, someone was asking about him and had his power. She wouldn’t sell him out, she cared too much. She could be misled though. He heard knocking on the door, seems like she’d really meant it about coming back.

“So you brought proof?” he asked as he opened the door. There was something wrong, she didn’t seem like herself. Nervous and fidgeting with her clothes. He narrowed his eyes, the threads from her were bound up he couldn’t follow them to their other end. “What’s wrong?”

“N-nothing!” she yelped. She almost seemed to force herself not to look away. He didn’t have a good feeling about any of this. “Come with me, I’ll show you…”

“What are you showing me, Delphia?” She seemed almost scared. There wasn’t anyone outside, at least as far as he can tell.

“My… proof?” She was asking him. She had no idea what she was showing him. He folded his arms over his chest. This wasn’t something she wanted, the gods might have finally betrayed her.

“Show me here, or inside. Why do I need to follow you?” She looked like she wasn’t sure what to do. He noticed something strange, the threads behind her were being pulled. It was like someone was threatening to drag her away. He reached out to grab her shoulder, but she stepped back.

“You have to see my proof first, then we can talk about the bonds.” She seemed more like herself, he didn’t like this. She turned her head slightly, as if someone was talking where only she could hear. The fidgeting seemed to stop, the fear she was bleeding ebbed away. She looked back at him with a renewed determination. “Come with me please Vincent.”

“Why do you make me think I’ll regret this?” 

He sighed but stepped forward. She didn’t turn her back to him, as if he’d take all of the threads away at once. He followed her out a bit hesitant when he was free of the house entirely. He shivered as a wave of wind blew behind him…only behind him. He cursed and moved forward grabbing Delphia and pulling her behind him. Of course the gods would trick her into bringing them to them. They’ll both get away and he’ll make sure they can’t do this again. He gripped her arm tightly, reaching for his scissors with the other. Almost instantaneously a being incomprehensibly big appeared before them.

Vincent swallowed, holding his scissors in front of him. There wasn’t much he could actually do against someone this big, but he’d try. He looked back at Delphia who seemed almost apologetic, but that didn’t matter. He saw the thread from her connecting to this monster, she really was connected to the gods. He watched his own multicolored string making its way closer to the god. This can’t mean what he thinks it means. He tried to ignore it as he finally looked up at the face staring down at them. Deep blue eyes, tan skin, salmon hair, and a face that shouldn’t look as good as it does.

“So you’re the one who sees bonds?” the god said. His voice felt too loud and too quiet all at once. The words still made his own chest rumble and he hated it. He kept a glare on the eyes above him, he could manage this. “My name is Rhys, the god of love. You’re Vincent right?”

“Delphia what the hell were you thinking?” he whispered. She hadn’t tried to escape his hold yet, maybe she was hoping to escape too. He ripped his eyes from the stupid pretty face and glared back at his thread, finally seeing one from the god himself. He would have to sever it as soon as they touched. “You were fucking terrified at the door you could have come in and avoided this.”

“No,” she said. She didn’t seem to plan to keep the god from hearing her. “He’s just going to talk to you, he promised. He was the only one I could think of that might help prove-”

“Prove what!? That I was right and we’re both fucked now!” He shouldn’t be yelling at her right now. He needs to get them out of this and then sever those manipulative bonds. The giant god seemed to flinch at his shout, he should be more cautious. The god of love is how he got into this mess in the first place. One of those hands with fingers longer than him started to come closer and he slashed at it with his scissors. There was no way the god really felt it, but he pulled back anyway.

“Vincent!” He could hear the worry in her voice, he had no idea who it was for. He watched as his second bond was getting closer and closer to the thread falling off the god.

“Little sister, it's fine, I won’t hurt him.” The god sounded almost sad. He watched in horror as the threads finally reached each other. Something was wrong though, it was like the thread itself was glowing. He’d never seen this glow before. The god laughed a bit above them, the sound making him furious. “Looks like we’re connected now. Could we talk, please? None of us would hurt you.”

Vincent growled, finally letting Delphia go. He grabbed the strangely glowing thread and tensed for the pain he knew was coming. Clutching his scissors he glared up at the god before trying to cut through the threads. He waited for the dull pain, but it didn’t come. The scissors didn’t have the snip he’d grown used to. The god had a knowing look coupled with a sad smile that pissed him off more. He kept trying to cut the thread with failing results. He switched to holding it in his hand with the scissors and tried using his fingers. Nothing was working.

“I don’t think it’ll cut Vincent,” the god soothed. How dare a god try to soothe him? Gods are how he got such a shitty life.

“Then stop what you’re doing and let it fucking happen!” he seethed. The god had what he almost thought was pity which served to make all of this worse.

“Some threads can’t be interfered with. Fate determines they are connected and can’t be removed…”

“You’re trying to say we’re bound together by fate!? You can shove that up-”

“Vincent please,” Delphia tried. She grabbed his arm, none of her threads had the weird glow. That would mean she’s not bound like he supposedly is. He didn’t hesitate reaching forward and grabbing the thread so obviously attached to the god of love. He’d at least get her out of this, that annoying innocence didn’t deserve manipulation. He saw her eyes go wide, but kept going, positioning his scissors around the thread. “Wait, don't!”

“Let’s see how bound by fate you are with Delphia then!” He closed the scissors around the thread. The dull pain flowing into him was almost stronger than he’d felt in a while. He saw the light of her eyes fade, if he didn’t tie it off there’d be emptiness left behind where the connection was. He’d help her mitigate the emptiness, he’d learned to close it himself. It helps when it opens your eyes to the things they were hiding. He turned his gaze up to the god of love, his own eyes almost black from the disconnect.

“Little…sister…” The god’s voice was quiet and painful. He started to reach for her when the thread Vincent was holding seemed to come alive. It ripped itself out of his grip and reattached to the god’s as if it never happened. The god’s eyes changed too, a brighter blue replacing the void of black. Vincent started to panic, he felt the thread cut and it can't connect itself again.

“Let her go! Don’t fucking force your threads together!” Vincent didn’t know quite how to feel. It had to be the god that did it. Delphia hadn’t gone back to normal yet, she seemed kind of empty. He reached for her and she didn’t move, didn’t even seem to notice. “Delphia?”

“Hmm?” She looked past him, this was the stupid god’s fault. He probably doesn’t care about how to properly reconnect threads, he left her still empty. She seemed to see him again, but still looked far away. “Vincent…what’s going on? Something…my head…things are bad…or good…I can’t tell.”

“It’s ok, I can fix it. I’ll cut the thread again and make sure he doesn’t leave you like this again…” He reached for the thread that looked faded, it was almost pulsing at the same time. He pulled it close again. She didn’t even seem to react to what he said.

“Wait!” The god’s irritating shout was full of fake concern. He ignored it and quickly cut it with his scissors again, pulling Delphia’s end close to him. He’d keep the god’s magic from working again. “I didn’t reconnect it. I… Vincent the bond isn’t severing please don’t cut it again.”

He wouldn’t look at the god just stared into Delphia’s eyes. They seemed so far away, the green almost fading. He wouldn’t leave her in the clutches of lying gods. The thread came to life like before, trying to pull itself from his grip. He ignored it, opting to cut the thread more to try and mangle the god’s attempt to fix it. The scissors that felt like a part of him were grasped by giant fingers before he could try again. He slid his fingers free in case the god was tempted to try something more.

“Give them back!” he yelled. He had to stop the magic the god was using. He watched as the bits of thread he’d cut free were connecting themselves, the god’s end forcing a new connection and burning him.

“Vincent, you need to stop. You’re hurting her by doing this,” the god pleaded. As if the god actually cared, Vincent scoffed. He tried to ignore how close that huge and too pretty face came to them. The way they were caged in by his legs, they were too long for any sufficient get away. He just needed to piss the god off enough to leave them alone and then get her away.

“I’m not the one reconnecting the thread wrong! You’re the one who doesn’t care enough to make sure it doesn’t leave her empty! I’m not letting you keep manipulating her and I’ll start with the damned fake gold threads you made.”

He knew the god would say something, but didn’t care. He reached behind Delphia grasping the two golden threads he knew the god must have created to trick her. He saw the god’s hand above them, grabbing the threads himself. As if that would do anything to stop this from happening. He slipped the threads between his fingers and snipped as if they were scissors. His body was burning, but that didn’t matter. He would get these threads severed.

Delphia screamed the pain echoing around the three. The god’s face was dark as he stared down at them. The threads held by Vincent and the god both jumped to life even faster forcing the reconnection. Vincent was losing it. Did the god want to keep her this badly? He gave up attempting to be smart with his choices and started cutting all the threads he could reach. At this rate he’d sever his own connection to her, but it didn’t matter if he got her away from the gods or at least proved the god was doing this. Suddenly his arms were pinned against his side.

He tried to squirm as he was finally pulled away from Delphia. He had to watch as the bonds he severed all fixed themselves again. He hadn’t wanted to care about anyone, but she showed up. He can’t even save her after all of this. He knew the things pinning him down were fingers and he hated that. He wasn’t anything to a god and he couldn’t even get Delphia out of their sick mind games. He was brought up and up until all he could see anymore was that too pretty face.

“Please stop,” the god whispered. He hated how it felt like a storm wind blowing past. The hair that had gone astray during his attempts to sever the bonds flew wildly. The god’s breath smelled like strawberries and it only made him angrier. Where was something this big getting strawberries? “You’re just hurting yourself and Delphia. The sever isn’t even reaching the other half of the bond. It only reached me because I was here.”

“I’m not letting you manipulate her anymore! I’ll find a way to break your weird ass bonds you created,” he yelled. 

The god sighed and that damned strawberry breath wafted over him again. He sneered, biting back a yelp as he was moved again. One of the huge hands came up beneath his feet. The plush surface beneath him was impossible to stand on once the fingers released him. He fell back onto the hand holding himself up on his palms. His hands sunk into the flesh of the palm beneath him and he wanted to scream. He couldn’t do anything to this monster.

“I didn’t do anything to her bonds, make them or reconnect them after you cut them,” the god explained. Vincent knew he’d hate strawberries after this. “I didn’t make the bond you and I apparently share and I won’t expect anything out of it either. You can’t keep doing this, I don’t know what you know about Delphia. I would rather not be who tells you, but she’s a lot more unique than most humans.”

“I know she can’t die, idiot. The one thing she and I have in common. Besides maybe the scars left from being sacrificed to you monsters,” he snarked. He knew the god could crush him in an instant, but it didn’t matter. The first bond he’d let form in years and he couldn’t even protect her. He might actually be a monster like others always said. He stared at those eyes that wouldn’t stay a single color, the slight lavender tinge to the blue made him almost feel bad. Almost.

“There’s a lot more, she’s probably been alive a lot longer than you realize. She was terrified of you doing exactly what you just did, but she didn’t care. She was terrified when I decided the only way to convince you was one of us coming here. Vincent, you're not getting hurt by any god. Even if one of the others wanted to, you have power related to me. I get to decide if anything happens.”

“Oh so you get to decide when to come kill me for good?” He wouldn’t fall for sweet words. Especially not ones that were making a rumble flow through his body. He would rather be trapped in that damned church during an earthquake again.

“No, so I get to make sure you know you’re safe. The ones who would hurt you are gone… They died before Delphia was born and might have something to do with your own abilities. That’s something we can find out later though.”

The god lowered his hand to the ground. Vincent stared up at him, there’s no way he was just being let go. The god started to bring his other hand close and he froze. Of course he planned to use his size against him. Vincent didn’t stop glaring at the god until the hand froze palm up in front of him. He tore his gaze away to look at the hand, where his scissors were on a fingertip. He started to reach for them, waiting for the trick to happen. Instead he retrieved them and put them back on his thigh.

“I know you’ve been trying to undo what that place made you do,” the god said. He glared up again, the hand beneath him twitched slightly. He should climb out before the god changes his mind. “I can make it easier, maybe prove to you that we don’t want to hurt you or anyone else for that matter.”

“...how do you even know that? Delphia doesn’t know what I’ve been doing,” he asked. He didn’t like what that implied. Either this too pretty god watches him or can just tell when he messes with bonds. If he can tell why didn’t interfere until now?

“I can feel when bonds change. I recognized the ones that changed and I couldn’t make sense of. When Delphia told me about you it finally made sense. Someone could manipulate bonds like I do, and was undoing changes they probably made before.” The god gave him a smile and he hated the feeling it started. He wanted to end this bond and get Delphia’s bonds severed too.

“So you just let someone manipulate bonds without a care, shouldn’t you want to preserve them more?” Vincent was trying to piss the god off. If he was killed Delphia would realize these monsters couldn’t be trusted. The god started to raise his hand again. He stopped with Vincent at eye level. He'd rather not have the strawberry breath waft over him again.

“My role is to oversee the bonds. I could interfere, but that never seemed right to me. A mortal who can see them would know better if there was a reason to do anything; there was no reason to stop you.” 

The god had this caring look on his face that made Vincent uneasy. There’s no way this god would actually care about mortals enough not to interfere. The god of love was known for manipulating mortals and their bonds frivolously. Gods aren’t supposed to be like this. He glared into the god’s huge eyes, nothing but sincerity bleeding through. His eyes look almost like sapphires with hints of pink throughout. 

“...pretty…” Vincent breathed. The god’s…Rhys’s eyes widened and Vincent swore he saw the hint of a blush on his cheeks. The blue in his eyes revealed more pink. He hadn’t meant for the word to slip out, but the blush made it less awful. “I-I mean pretty lazy to just assume a human should have the freedom to decide these things. Just put me down already Delphia hasn’t said anything this whole time. For someone claiming to care about her you don’t seem worried.”

The god’s eyes shifted to a dark enough color he swore it was black. The hand he was in moved quickly down to the ground, he held on to a finger in fear of flying off. Once on the ground he didn’t hesitate jumping off this time backing up towards Delphia, she hadn’t moved at all. He was in front of her when one of those huge fingers came close, the god gently touching her back. He watched as light seemed to come back and she turned to face him.

“Rh…ys? Why are you here?” she asked. She turned and looked at Vincent with nothing but confusion. “Did we convince you they aren’t bad? I…I don’t feel right. Vincent what happened?”

“Little sister, what are you feeling?” Rhys asked. His voice was quiet and kind. This isn’t the god of love he knows. Vincent unconsciously brought a hand up to his scars, having Delphia reach out to the hand with a far away look.

“I…I guess I feel gone? Like I need to wake up, but I’m awake.” She squeezed his hand and used her other to mimic his touch on his opposite scar. “That’s right…I forgot I shouldn’t have brought Rhys. You were killed for him once. Did…did we lose our bond, is that what’s wrong?”

Vincent opened his mouth to speak when the sound of lightning struck followed by a boom that shook the world. Delphia held his hand and Rhys kept them both steady. There was a blinding light that a huge hand hid them from before pulling away. Vincent felt his blood run cold when he looked up and saw two more giant beings. Two more gods. These two were standing, he hated to admit how intimidating it was. He didn’t even want to guess who these were.

One stepped closer, their step making the ground tremble again. Vincent shot out his free hand grabbing Delphia’s shoulder. The god looked bothered by his action, but he wasn’t letting her go. They were wearing clothes that seemed almost too casual, although Rhys was too. They didn’t see a mark on their dark skin, he hoped it meant they weren’t the god of war. Their eyes were a blue and green that seemed to be hiding some kind of anger behind them. He pulled Delphia closer without thinking, this new god ran a hand through their short brown hair as they sighed.

He jumped when pale hands started to close in around them, pulling Delphia and stumbling back. He looked up, this one had brown eyes that felt like they hid a fierceness. Overall she appeared welcoming, her hair even reminded him of a clear night sky. He almost thought she looked kind if the face she was making didn’t look ready to kill him. He held Delphia tightly, she’d become despondent again. It can’t be the god was helping her come back to herself. That didn’t make sense. Her bonds not severing didn’t make sense either.

He backed up far enough he bumped into the leg keeping them from the house she’d let him use. It wasn’t as though they couldn’t just rip it open, but some buffer would feel nice. The two new gods were giving him a look that he didn’t like, it felt like they thought he’d intruded. Rhys’s hand came near again and for once it actually felt safe. He laid it flat on the ground almost like an invitation. Vincent wouldn’t put their lives in a god’s hand though.

“Little one, what are you doing to her?” the brown haired one spoke. Their voice sounded like thunder. He almost wanted to think they were the god of nature, but he’d never imagined the ruler of nature would look like a warrior.

“If you hurt her you will regret it,” the night sky hair one said. Their voice sounded like music, it fit more with the way they looked kind. Although if their look could kill he’d be dead already.

“Alessia, Ash,” Rhys started. He sounded different now, almost like he was angry. “Calm down, he’s her friend. She’s not feeling well. It's probably best if you take her home. Vincent, can you help her step on my hand?”

He wanted to say no, but he had a feeling there wasn’t a choice. He looked at Delphia, her eyes had more light in them than before. He picked her up in his arms, carrying her would probably make her upset normally. He placed her down in Rhys’s palm, the god gave him a pitiful look before pulling her away. He offered the hand with her to the two gods who had appeared. The brown haired one was quick to help her to their palm. It looked done with such care, had he really been wrong?

“Ash…?” Delphia asked. She sounded relieved to see them. “Why are you here? Alessia too… You weren’t supposed to come here.”

“Something felt wrong, my flower, we came because we worried you’d been hurt,” Ash said. The thunder in their voice was almost nonexistent when speaking to her. “It felt like you were truly gone for a moment.”

“Oh… oh !” He could hear the shout and the understanding as it happened. She turned back to him, but didn’t look hurt, just sad. “Can we go home? I feel odd. Vincent, I'll visit again, don't disappear on me…”

The two gods nodded at her before standing again. A door appeared when Alessia waved their hand. He looked away, feeling as Ash moved to leave. The gentle light of the door faded and he was left alone with Rhys. This was going to end horribly for him. He’d done something to her that he didn’t know how to fix. He stared down at the thread connecting them, she considered him family. There was a chance if he cut his own end it would sever. That would free her from the pull to come again. He reached for the thread, it was for the best. He bit back a scream when fingers surrounded his hand. One movement could rip his arm off.

“Don’t do that,” Rhys whispered. The strawberry scented breath wafted over him and he turned to see the god’s face hovering only a few feet away.

“Don’t do what? Cut my own strings? I thought you trusted my choices,” he snarked. He wouldn’t let the god win after all of this. He tried to tug his arm free, but the hold on him was firm.

“Don’t hurt yourself or Delphia more. Leave the threads connected to her alone and I’ll help you.”

“How the fuck can you help me?” It wasn’t like he needed anything. He could handle his goals on his own. The god of love could go fuck himself.

“I’ll give you a blessing and lead threads that are tied off or were forcefully connected to the area. It will make fixing things easier for you.” He hated that he could use help.

“What’s the catch?” He knew nothing would come for free.

“You’ll need to come receive it from me every few days. I can’t make the blessing endless unfortunately. Consider it just taking breaks.” 

He seethed, it would make things faster. Probably make Delphia feel better having this god watching him after today. He’d be able to move on and figure out to properly sever her bonds later too. He looked up at the god’s eyes, white with a tinge of pink that screamed hope. He wondered if they’d kill him if he refused. There was a chance it would be it for him too. It could be the only reason Delphia has stayed around them this long.

“If you say no I’ll just leave,” Rhys whispered. He studied the face for a long time, waiting for any sign this was a lie.

“Fine. I’ll take your damn deal now let me go.”

—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rhys let out a sigh as he returned to the god realm. He knew he’d had a bond that was ready to form a long time ago by human standards, but something had forced it to freeze. As nice as it was to see the other half of his own golden bond, he hadn’t expected so much hatred. As far as Vincent was concerned they were enemies. At least he knew no one else would hurt him, even if Ash and Alessia had scared him.

“Rhys!” Alessia shouted running up to meet him. He could see she’d been crying, Delphia would need time. The bonds reformed for the others immediately, but her own were taking the time as if it had been severed for years. He could force them to be normal again, but only temporarily. His little sister just has something else unique to her. “What did that guy do to her? She’s not fully aware of anything and keeps acting like she doesn’t know what’s happening?!”

“Alessia, it’s going to be fine, she just has to take some time. The bonds she shared with us were cut and it looks like because of how she’s gained most of her abilities they don’t work like normal bonds. They were cut, but fixed themselves. It just needs to meet her heart again,” he explained. Ash probably knew more than Alessia. Most of the gods had an understanding of each other’s powers except Alessia. Being mortal turned god left her separated in some ways.

“If I see him again he’s going to be sorry for doing that to her!” The way she reacted was always more human than the rest of them. He reached up and rubbed her head.

“He was scared, you would be too. They care about each other, give him a chance once she’s better.” He felt something like jealousy for only a second before it was replaced with a bitter calm. Something was bothering her.

“You’re right… I need to go let Ash know. I’ll apologize to him for threatening him once she’s better, maybe.” He watched her walk away with some kind of heaviness in her steps. He’d need to talk to her later, but for now the two of them had to spend time with Delphia. Hopefully everyone can forget about this if Vincent can ever see him as something other than an enemy. Seems like this time the gods just have a thing for mortals.