Archive of Our Own

Viole wasn't human.

The shaky semblance of humanity that clung to him like wisps of smoke blew away as he was coaxed into this life of godhood and depravity. No point in mourning something he never truly had. Viole was always a monster, a doll dressed up and played to fulfil the purposes of his masters. The perfect tool for those wanting to push boundaries with dreams of shaking up the tower itself.

He was far above the limits of humanity, far above the weaknesses of flesh and bone. Far above feelings of companionship and joy. 

He wanted to scream but he was too far up for anyone to listen.

Tears were already long dried before he was old enough to realise what was happening. Growing up with touches followed by crimson pain and praises sung in sickly sweet voices as they seeped his in muffled whimpers.

Viole long ago tried to lock away the frail child with golden eyes that knew no malice, only the all-encompassing loneliness that chased him out of the dark and into the light of the tower. That child who clung to the ones who curled his small fingers around the hilt of blades forged in blood, the ones who coaxed him into the world of political turmoil and betrayal before he was even able to coo out his first word. 

He tried , he tried so hard to butcher that innocent creature before it was corrupted and ruined. A plaster mask of emotionlessness and muteness used to try to save himself, but the second his tormentors and masters left him alone in the dark Viole knew he couldn’t fool himself as the wails of a golden child filled his mind.

It was with burning tears and crimson wounds that the godling knew, knew that the child he feared so much was the same one sitting on the grimy floor with the indiscernible gaze of the red witch burning holes into him. 

Humanity never existed, only gods tied in puppet strings.

Only dolls with bloody hands posed by those with unyielding ambition.

Only demon children who clung to the hands of the cruel in comfort, trying to ignore the pain and lies sure to follow

Only monsters with illusions of brighter times, who settled with gentle words of executioners then the harsh noise of void.

Humanity never existed.

And Sorrow never ceased.

◇◇◇

The knife slid across the trembling throat, splitting skin open like paper with a practised grace.

Khun stepped back before the gurgling corpse could spray the gore over his pristine figure, always meticulous in maintaining his crystal image. Face turned sour as specks of scarlet flew onto his sleeve.

It was the regulars fault really, to even think that he could approach the sapphire boy without fear, that nauseating arrogance costing his life. Mercifully, Khun wasn’t interested in hunting down this particular regular's teammates. 

Besides, he had somewhere to be, and someone to meet.

The pocket call hardly caught him off guard, in fact he had caught wind of something big going down nearly a week in advance. So when the monotone voice of the red witch droned through the pocket, Khun was already prepared for anything asked of him.

The task was simple: accompany the new slayer candidate, provide aid and advice. Most importantly, keep him in line. This last request confused the disgraced son, but he knew better than to question the orders that had become his lifeline. So he returned to his lighthouse, getting ready to meet the newest toy of Hansung Yu. 

It was easy to see why Khun was chosen, not only being a skilled dual light-spear bearer, his status as a regular as well as his growing favour with the higher ups made him the most trustworthy to care for the developing god. In reality the boy was not a religious fanatic like so many of the other FUG members, he knew that the organisation itself was almost as naive as the families. Relying on false and cruel deities rather than seizing success for themselves, at least Khun joins the shadowy group with a goal, the express intent to overthrow the father and family who left him behind. Which is perhaps why he was so un-passionate about the devotion, he had experience with Khun Eduan, he heard stories of white snakes and metal hearts, it was sickening.

He schooled his face, inhaling deeply as he entered the next room. Perhaps Jyu Viole Grace wasn’t a god, but he certainly had power over life and death. Khun knew better than anyone that if he didn’t make a good impression his dreams could be snuffed out like a light. History only remembering him as the poor idiot that pissed off FUG’s golden statue, if it even remembered him at all.

It was with caution he walked down the hall to the meeting point, not fear, no never fear. Fear was deep and primal, a beast that tears its way through and wreaks havoc on your mind. Caution was more like a freezing lake, the chill keeping you alert and ready, keeping you alive through discomfort. So if you asked, where everyone else would say they were scared, Khun would say he was cautious.

As he stepped into one of the sun-beams that seeped the large room in an otherworldly-glow, straining his neck as he searched for his temporary master. Going over the mission requirements in his head.

Accompany the new slayer candidate.

There were many people in the room, but the near suffocating aura of shadowy shinsu called to him.

Provide aid and advice.

His heart skipped a beat, there was a figure on the bench. Despite the overpowering shinsu he hardly stood out. Sitting near the wall leaning against it as he fiddled with the pocket in his hands. Long near-black hair that reached his lower-back even while tied up. What struck him was how small the Slayer was, seemingly being a bit younger than Khun himself. Unlike the ones who flaunted their power and demanded to be worshipped, Viole seemed to almost be hiding, with the dark sweater and face covered by bangs.

But most importantly,

He plastered a grin on his face, a calculated attempt to seem as approachable, yet as formal as he could. His heart stuttered as he got closer, the godling noticing the disgraced sons approached and glanced up, turning his pocket invisible while jerking up. A glimpse of bright gold causing his blood to freeze in his veins. Khun didn't know what to make of the slayer yet, other than the fact those glistening eyes could put all his fathers treasures to shame.

Keep him in line.

“Greetings my god, Im Khun Aguero Agnis” He punctuated this with a small bow “I'll be your light bearer for today.”

◇◇◇

Viole was never more thankful for his hidden face, as he feared what would happen if Khun noticed how often he tried to snatch a glance at the boy beside him.

Knowing what this was about, Khun-ssi was sent to make sure he didn’t deviate from his training while in a stressful scenario, like the violent aftermath of a floor test (The loud crashes definitely check out). As well as to make sure he knew how to navigate the varying complexities of the tower.

As they ventured down the hall together, Viole glanced at the Khun beside him yet again. He wasn’t used to being treated this way. All the people the young slayer interacted with were either hopelessly devoted or endlessly cruel, but, besides the customary ‘my god’ greeting Khun gave none of that off. Besides talking a bit about the layout and a few battle plans they mostly stayed in silence.

Well it didn’t matter much to Viole either way, but he grew to enjoy the normalcy.

◇◇◇

Khun didn't panic

Khun didn't panic, he simply overanalyzed all possible solutions. Right now his mind was moving a mile a minute.

Was Viole angry at him? Why was he so quiet? Was he expected to break the silence? Or would that be considered rude? What should he bring up?

The sapphire-eyed FUG member was wildly charismatic, but even the most cunning and talkative of all people needed someone else to actually converse with. He hadn't accounted for the God being completely and utterly silent. If it weren't for the small- near whispered- greeting, Khun would've thought him mute. Pale hands trembled before clenching into fists to steady them.

Unfortunately or not, the problem was concluded when the lightbearer felt himself being thrown across the hall. The pale hand of Viole slamming against his chest being all he perceived before he found himself several metres away, back sprawled against the floor as he struggled to catch the breath knocked out of him.

Now, admittedly Khun started to assume the worst, that being suffering the consequences of somehow pissing off FUG’s shiny new slayer. Just another digit on some FUG elders list, victim of an overeager deity with delusions of grandeur. However, as his mind caught up with his aching body he was hit with the sensation of shinsu thrumming in the air, but not at him. He saw 3 new figures in the halls and the scorch marks burning a hole where he would have stood, clarity came to him like a cool rain.

Khun summoned his lighthouse which blinked into acknowledgement right in front of the wave controller as a needle headed to his stomach, bouncing harmlessly off of the turquoise cube. As the makeshift shield was put up a burst of shinsu showered the hall in bone fragments and visceral, unblinking eyes locked onto sapphire ones as the cooling body fell to the ground. Silently marvelling at the quick work made of the rogue regular, the battle lasted no more than a few seconds, from the regular attacking them, to his blood staining the white hallways forevermore. 

He made eye-contact with the two other terrified regulars, fingers and smile curling as he reached for the silver blade in his sleeve, still dyed with the crimson of his previous attacker.

Before he could spill more blood over the hallway, another blast of shinsu shoved the two pleading regulars, and before Khun could blink they were gone, no bodies or blood remained. He raised an eyebrow as he browsed the hall, before a glance of running bodies caught his eyes.

Did Viole spare them?

Taking a look at the slayer candidate in question, he did a quick mental checklist over the brunette. The boy was staring at the body on the ground, half-heartedly playing with the cuffs of his sweater. For a split moment Violes face twisted with shame and sorrow, causing Khuns heart to flutter in his chest. As quickly as it broke, the pale face went back into emotionlessness before golden eyes snapped onto his.

"I'm sorry for not warning you, Khun-ssi, are you hurt?" 

Those words did not belong in that mouth, this wasn't what gods should be. They shouldn't care. They shouldn't stare at their victims with guilt, and apologise to their devotees.

Swallowing, Khun shook his head. His chest and back aches but he was still reeling from the boy in front of him.

"Why did you let them go?" He croaked with bewilderment.

This went so utterly against everything he knew of the slayers. Those beautiful golden eyes shifted downwards, as the tugging at the sweater grew more intense.

“Those two didn't attack us..”

Viole seemed nervous, and Khun understood, the slayer candidate probably assumed that the lightbearer would run and tell the higher ups of the mercy shown. Khun now understood what his instructions meant.

Keep him in line

Make sure our god is as divine and powerful as possible, make sure he's cruel.

Make sure he shows no mercy.

Sapphire eyes gazed into those golden ones, and the caution he knew earlier dissipated. Quicker than it had with anyone before. He knew what drew him to those golden pools so, in the waters of gold there was no malice. There was sorrow, fear and timidness, but no anger, no killing intent. Khun was enthralled.

“I supposed they didn’t” He continued as the Violes face morphed with shock, “Well we might as well keep going, thanks for saving me, my god”

“You're not going to-” The slayer candidate's rebuttal was cut off as Khun smirked and put a finger to his lips.

“As far as i'm concerned, you killed three regulars with shocking speed. The elders will be pleased”

Violes was practically glowing as they continued on their way, heading to the rooms where Hwa Ryun will be waiting for them.

Khun looked at the boy beside him, who now seemed much more relaxed than earlier. The lightbearer hadn’t even noticed how tightly wound the boy was. His traitorous brain felt happy that he was the reason for the improved mood, and a pang of sadness stabbed through him as he realised their destination grew closer. 

As they gazed upon the door where the scarlet guide was waiting and before joining the witch Viole said only one last thing to his companion.

“You don’t have to call me a god”

He scurried off the door closing behind him as the witch welcomed him like a housecat to a lion's den. Leaving Khun in the hall.

The FUG soldier walked off to write his report, planning ways to cover up the gentle nature of the killer deity.

The cat-like grin softened into something unlike the Khun

He couldn’t get those innocent, golden eyes out of his head.

◇◇◇

The next time the two met, Khun wasn’t anticipating it, but accepted regardless.

As he walked into the meeting hall, it took him a second to recognize the golden eyes boring holes into him. As he turned to the slayer candidate he gave him a small smile, before Hansung Yu walked in, which is the single best way to kill a mood. 

Khun will admit that he wasn’t able to focus on the meeting, but whether this was due to the brunette sitting with his master on the other side of the table, or if it was just his general disdain for these gatherings was lost on Khun. All that he knew was that after an eternity, he was sitting on a bench in the dark hall of a major FUG headquarters. Him, a few nameless grunts deemed important enough to attend, Viole and that damned-coff ee-addict were all that remained.

“Khun, can I speak to you in private for a second?” Well, speaking of coffee addicts.

Ocean eyes locked onto bright yellow ones as he mentally groaned, he was not in the mood to deal with the guy right now. 

THe two of them had a rocky relationship, to his credit, Hansung Yu was the one who recruited Khun into FUG in the first place. To his discredit, Hansung Yu had been tormenting him ever since. Maybe it had something to do with their similar strategic minds, but the ranker seemed to get a certain kick out of bothering the boy. What particularly set Khun off was how he couldn’t understand the older man no matter how hard he tried.

“Of course, sir” Pearl teeth glinted in a smile as fake as you can get, getting a chuckle from Hansung.

As they left the cavernous room into the privacy of the hall, the lightbearer was hoping to get a glimpse of honey eyes, unfortunately they were preoccupied with the red ones of the guide. Whom he had not recognized as being in the room. He caught that cat-like stare as he followed his superior out and a shiver ran up his spine.

“So, I was reading the report you made about your mission with Jyu Viole Grace”

Well, this could go amazingly or be world-shattering.

“I've never seen you speak so positively about someone” A amused glint shone in the rankers eyes, “Better is how he asked about you even after the mission was over”.

Khun certainly hadn’t expected that, he assumed the slayer candidate would have forgotten about him as soon as he left line of sight. His soul lit up with warmth.

“I think he deserves the praise, no?” Khun retorted, still curious as to where this was going.

“Mm, perhaps, he's far too soft” the lightbearer frowned, but Hansung continued, “No matter, it seems you work well together, more than anyone else we've tried to stick on him and he certainly needs someone more cold to use as an example.”

If this was going where he thought it was going, Khun may be willing to forgive Hansung.

“So we're going to be working together more?”

“That's the idea”

Khun’s carefully schooled expression betrayed the glee he was feeling. To say this was a great opportunity was an understatement. To be a personal lightbearer for a slayer candidate? His reputation would soar. 

It certainly helped that he didn’t mind the candidate in question.

“It'd be my honour” 

◇◇◇

For the second time ever, the two outcasts in their own right were left alone together. Both Hwa Ryun and Hansung had left, Khun was certain that the golden haired one was running away to some new cafe, but he was fairly certain the guide would be back for her god.

Viole was playing with the ends of his hair, seemingly mulling over their new situation. 

They were a team now.

Well kinda, the wave-controller was set to start his climb up the tower and Khun would be there to assist with missions and floor tests. Not be with him constantly, which was probably for the better.

“So my g- Viole” He corrected himself, based on Violes parting words last time, “How do you feel about all this?” Trying to gauge how to act around the mostly mysterious boy.

“It doesn’t really matter” the brunette murmured, the answer tugged at his heartstrings despite not knowing why.

“Objectively, it matters the most” he joked

Shit

“I apologise, if that was out of line.”

“Oh no, I don’t mind.” The golden-eyed boy hurriedly rushed, ironically afraid of Khun fearing  him.

The blanket of silence that descended over the two nearly suffocated the lightbearer, unease creeping up his neck and back causing his hair to stay on end, fingers clenching in on themselves. The realisation that he would end up having to get to know this boy settled on him like a cold weight. Violes very presence seemed to break down Khuns barriers in a way he never let anyone do, not after Maria. Those honey eyes gave off a kind of dim warmth that seeped into his very soul, melting away what he thought he was.

Khun didn’t get scared, he was only cautious. 

That mantra was his lifeline.

“You don’t talk much”

A statement, nothing more nothing less. A way for the cerulean boy to break the silence that screamed in his ears. Just a fact that with any luck could get him something he could work with.

Viole shoulders tensed and Khun knew those wide eyes were peering at him through that thick mop of chestnut. He wonders if he'd finally crossed the line, but caution surrounding the slayer candidate ebbed away with every word they exchanged.

“Talking is hard.” 

Viole is fiddling with the ends of his hair again and the lightbearer wonders if it's some kind of nervous tic.

“Anything I say could end up disastrous, and I'm not good at words anyways.”

This was whispered in a hushed tone, while Khun pondered the words being said. The next part slipped out his mouth being his mind caught up.

“I understand”

He did, it caught him off guard, but he truly did. The feeling that everything you say will be scrutinised into a sharpened knife to turn against you.

The two of them held each other's gaze for a while, like it was shimmering glass too precious to shatter.

This was the moment Khun knew.

Others would believe in metal hearts, white demons, or scarlet dogs.

They pray to unknowable kings and corrupt families.

But Khun saw himself believing in those wide eyes that held so much innocence despite the atrocities, in the demon that fiddled with his sleeves while nervous and whose first reaction was to save the lightbearer.

Everyone else could believe in whatever they wanted,

But this was Khuns god.

◇◇◇

Violes' life slowly shifted into a new pattern.

Before where'd time felt meaningless and distant, now he felt every crawling second.

Every second until he'd see Khun-ssi again.

It had been such a long time before the brunette could allow himself to be open with someone, to break down the mask and plaster and show the contents of what lie within. Viole kept his distance from everyone, his those he was closest to, Ms. Ryun and Master were kept at arm's length as even he knew in all his naivety that there were ulterior motives, but when he saw those ocean eyes that softened only around him he never wanted to close the distance so much.

It took a bit, it was almost like the lightbearer was coaxing a feral cat out of a corner. Though going with that metaphor, it seemed Khun was also hyping himself up for every attempt. That by Viole running away he was dragging Khun into the open.

It paid off.

Those cool, pale hands brought more comfort to the slayer candidate than he ever remembers experiencing. When the two of them were alone Viole would cling to his arm like a scared child, and Khun would make sure to wear clothing with soft sleeves. When his mind went silent and the word went numb he'd come to, surrounded by blankets of soothing stories and calm words as leaned against the strategist. He grew to relish in fingers carding through chestnut hair and arms wrapping around his shoulder.

Words still were difficult to utilise, FUG had put in so much effort into teaching him how to speak properly, but the words felt sharp in his throat and he struggled to control the chaos. He had entered the golden doors of the tower, nothing more than a mute child. When the shadowy organisation led him away he knew only a few sounds that some of the older people on the floor of tests decided to teach him. Disjointed phrases that held faint meanings like ‘Rak’ or ‘Shibisu’ that reminded him more of feelings than faces.

Khun never made him speak.

He loved it so much.

Viole alway makes an effort to communicate with his friend, he noticed the way sky-blue eyes lit up whenever the slayer opened his mouth, but sometimes it was just too hard. On those days stories from the other would fill the room instead, or they'd just settle in silence. The slayer candidate's favourite moments would be when Khun scrolled on his pocket as a comforting arm draped across his shoulder.

It was often the Viole feared he was taking too much from Khun, and not giving anything in return.

He could only hope to one day pay it forward.

◇◇◇

Khun was luckier than he deserved.

Him and Viole were on the 9th floor, sharing a bed after completing the test. They probably would have got a room with more than one, it's not like “oh, there's only one bed left!” plots happened outside of movies. When he thought back to the test however, how he only knew where Viole was after he felt the bone fragments of regulars crunch under his feet. He figured the golden eyed boy would want a bit of comfort.

Comfort he definitely needed, Khun had done what he could, cleaning the blood and viscera out of long velvet hair, but even now the boy beside him was trembling and nuzzling into his side.

Nothing more could be done, and he hated that.

Subconsciously he pulled the brunette closer. He really only had the right to feel guilty, he wasn’t deserving of other emotions. 

Khun knew so much about Viole, yet nothing at all. He knew that the boy loved chocolate and stuffed animals. He had an affection for alligators and had little care for fashion. He knew he grew up in a cave, and hadn’t known human touch until he entered the tower.

Nothing was known about his life after entering the tower yet before FUG, he did know for sure that he was completely mute. Bearing witness to the speech lessons had proven that to the lightbearer. Taking a risk, Khun decided to kill two birds with one stone and dissipate the silence while simultaneously learning more about his beloved.

“Viole?” The pale carefully manicured hands carded through deep brown hair, but despite how it looked the slayer candidate wasn’t asleep, “Where were you before FUG, when you entered the tower?”

“Mmm?” was the response a wide golden eyes flicked over to him, but Khun knew that communication wasn’t Violes forte, that is often uncomfortable. Right now however, a distraction was more important.

“I don’t really remember much, I was pretty young”. The timid brunette murmured, the disgraced son patiently waited for him to continue.

“I was feeling really desperate, lonely, and a bright golden door opened up, but I think you already know that. I really don’t remember much, m’not sure if FUG did something or if it was normal, but I remember being a bit scared of Headon, and there was a lady. I remember liking her, but I don’t know her name, she was nice. I get the nagging feeling that i'll see her again one day.”

Khun mentally filed that away for later research.

“The nice lady helped me pass and I woke up in a big field, I met the people I did the floor with. I must've looked pretty odd to them, a small child with knotted hair and a dirty robe, completely mute. I remember their names at least, Hoh and Serena.”

Drowsiness hung heavy over the two of them, so Khun pulled Viole closer.

“You've said a lot already, thank you. I won’t mind if you want to stop”. 

Nodding lazily the wave controller yawned as he snuggled back up to the cerulean boy, making him feel oh-so warm.

“Baam”

“Huh?” To say Khun was caught off guard was an understatement.

“Since I didn’t have a name that's what they called me, I- It's not as sad as Viole, I like it more.”

Understanding the request, sapphire eyes crinkled into a smile. 

“Well then Baam, my name is Aguero. I don’t let anyone call me that, but I can make an exception”

A rare smile lit up the slayer candidates face, for once not being hidden by bangs. He shut his eyes.

“Goodnight Aguero”

“Night, Baam”

◇◇◇

A deep inhale followed by the scent of smoky breath.

Jinsung eyes had long since grown used to the dark, whether it be the atmosphere of the cave or the shadowy practices of FUG. However, now, looking at his prized pupil he felt like he was being blinded. There was something special about that boy, everyone who saw him realised thi eventually. A god that was as timid as he was compassionate. 

Compassion never wavered, but something was being done about the timidness. 

The high-ranker tried for years to coax Viole out of his shell. While it's true that the student did open up to his mentor, the two of them sharing a near parental relationship, there was always that small barrier Viole never dared cross and Jinsung didn’t know how. 

So it was with shock that Jinsung watched that Khun boy leap over it with no difficulty at all.

Oh, the ranker hated him at first. That cocky attitude that he despised (reminded him a bit of Hansung) paired with his young gods' infatuation with him. Jinsung considered starting up his 10 Great Families murder streak again. Admittedly the older man didn’t give the young lightbearer a shot, and didn't think it necessary. All he did was shoot a smirk at the meeting room and he had a target on his back, and that was before he started fraternising with his beloved student.

It wasn’t his fault for assuming that Khun was taking advantage of his god, as so many had ( as he had) . It's what members of that family were good at, and even if he was kicked out, old habits die hard. Stories of the lightbearer walking into the room with quick-tongued insults ablaze and leaving the room full of bodies and rage, starting fights and making others end them. Before having the audacity to saunter up to the slayer-candidates side.

Yeah, Jinsung didn’t like his student's new partner.

Then rumours started spreading.

There were always rumours about the young god, as there always was something people feared. It was nothing short then embraced by the organisation and the media. Despite this, Jinsung always noticed how Viole would avert his eyes from the sullied image of himself. 

Then the rumours stopped.

Timelines weren’t hard to look into, someone spread lies, someone died. Someone pretending to be the golden-eyed god would later be found gutted on the street. People pointed towards Viole, but they often happened while he was in public, carefully monitored by the media and FUG alike. It wasn’t hard to grow weary of a certain lightbearer. Understandably, the filthy rumours ceased coated in fear and falsehoods, to the point where the fact those tall-tails ever existed at all was a debated subject. Like the lie-seeped history was erased. In their place, truths about the irregular god popped up occasionally. 

Stories of a follower more devout than anyone. Someone who solely chased after VIole as their god.

It made sense, deities had worshippers and Jinung was proud that his pupil had reached someone's heart so soon. He was willing to leave at that, that Khun boy followed in a superficial attempt at following his own dreams like so many others. If Viole seems to give him special attention? So what? Maybe the loneliness got to him, maye the close proximity they often shared warped his perception. It's hardly harmful. 

Against his better judgement, or perhaps his only good judgement, Jinsung began to warm up to the boy.

He didn’t like him, he still didn’t view him as worthy as a companion to his student. Maybe Jinsung wasn’t either. The fact was when Violes blood coated the floor saffire eyes looked on in real- genuine concern no matter how small the injury. When someone insulted the Khun, questioning his skill and motives, the quiet boy piped up to defend him without fail.

Yeah, Jinsung didn’t like the Khun.

But he did appreciate him.

◇◇◇

It was frustrating

Viole was Agueros top priority, whether it be a difficult floor test or a dark lonely night, the Khun treated it all the same. Viole knew this well.

It bothered him.

As he sat in the plastic chair, not even feeling the edges dig into him as his attention was drawn towards the sleeping boy in front of him. Now that the fear and adrenaline halted, the slayer candidate couldn't help but notice how pretty his light bearer was, even if he did not normally care about such things. Agyero was always the exception. However, Viole could hardly spend any time looking at the disgraced son without a pang of hysteria buzzing through him.

It's hard to find someone beautiful when they're covered in bandages.

Nobody bothered to tell the panicked brunette what happened, just depositing his Khun into a starch-hardened hospital bed, not daring to look their god in the eyes. So Viole could do nothing but wait. Whether it be for Hyw Ryun to come give him knowledge to ruin his week, or for Aguero to wake up and continue to give no regard for his own safety while treating Viole like the most precious thing in the world.

He clenches his fist and wishes he could disappear, wondering if Khun knows he's the most precious thing in Violes' world.

He'd make him find out. 

Maybe that would keep his best friend safe, and maybe that would keep Aguero closer to him.

It seems that his strategist, while sharp as a whip, got the frankly ridiculous notion that Viole would be better off without him. 

Viole wonders if he knows that being alone is the worst possible fate. 

Viole wonders if Khun cares as long as it's not the golden eyed boy's future.

This is how it always us, Khun will get himself hurt and Viole will sit by the hospital bed mentally torturing himself so that the lightbearer has the pick up the pieces when he wakes up. It's a terrible system, but neither of them have ever known any different. Most of the time viole doesn't notice the wringer the two of them put each other through. Maybe neither of them want to acknowledge the pain they inflict on the person they love. 

It's funny how only the people who love you can truly hurt you. 

Whether it be Khuns destructive confidence or Violes poisonous submissiveness, or even there shared self loathing while praising the other. 

 They were dangerous for each other, while simultaneously being the perfect match. A soul mate reflected in a mirror.

He hardly dared to even entertain such thoughts, Aguero was his best friend. Even if it would be far better for the lightbearer to leave him behind, he desperately needed him to stay. Maybe for his sanity, maybe for both of theirs.

Maybe it's just one of those things you don't dare change.

Fluttering, powdery eyelashes quickly drew the slayer candidate's entire attention. Pale fingers gripping the rough sheets. As the boy in the bed grimaced.

"Hey there, Baam" the injured bout hoarsely acknowledged. Before shutting his eyes again, desperately trying to come up with a defence.

"Who knew a regular that speculated in explosions could be so sneaky?" He joked before coughing. Cracking his eyes open to see a rather disturbed Viole.

"Does-" an inhale "-does it hurt?" A pitiful attempt at trying to get hold of his emotions, to which Khun decided to indulge.

"Nothing I can't handle." He flashed his signature smirk, painted over by the exhaustion.

"Don't think I'll be able to escort you on the 20th floor though".

"I assumed that much, unless I could tie you to your lighthouse and fly you around?

Khun grinned at the slayer's soft giggles.

"Wow Baam, cracking jokes now are we? Maybe I should get hurt more, teach you a sense of humour."

"If that's how it worked I'd be a comedian by now."

Playful banter was the perfect balm for intrusive thoughts Viole found. Or maybe it's just the cure he liked the most. If there's a difference he feels pretty keen to ignore it.

Besides, he's only got a week to take the famous 20th floor test, and we have no such thing as being too prepared. At least, that's what his master and Aguero always said.

◇◇◇

Wangnan was soaring.

Everytime he thought about the events of the test he mentally cheered, and why wouldn't he? He passed the test on his last chance, made some new friends, got a fucking slayer candidate on his team (well actually he was still a bit worried about that one).

He failed Nia, sweet, forgiving Nia.

However he felt the overwhelming presence that ground him to a screeching halt.

The sight of Viole pacing in an empty room was a sobering one to say the least. He barely had time to think before he pressed his back to the wall, hopefully out of view of the deadly boy.

Good god he was terrifying. The cool manner in which he threatened all of their lives. The calm demeanour that never slipped, only the briefest hint of emotion crossing his face when he realised he was tricked. The facade of the cool, calculating demon impenetrable to all.

Risking a peek through the Crack in the door, suddenly cracks in his perception.

Viole had taken his long hair out of his ponytail, that with the pacing and way he clutched the obsidian pocket in those pale fingers he seemed almost… nervous?

Just about to shake those, frankly ridiculous, thoughts out of his head. He paused and took another look.

No, the brunette was definitely psyching himself up for something.

Eventually Viole took a deep breath, mirrored by blonde, before punching in a contact. The pocket only rang once before a clear voice rang out.

"I was just about to call myself! How'd the test go? Not too hard I presume?"

Viole gave no answer, conflict and slight embarrassment on his face. Which damn near gave Wangnan whiplash.

"Hey? Are you there?"

Viole snapped out of it.

"Uh, yeah." He softly replied, looking almost in pain.

"What's wrong Baam? your worrying me"

"Well uh-"

"..."

"I- uh, got tricked?”

“How so?”

A shiver went down Wangnans spine, the sheer chill that tore its way through the pocket right through his soul. He felt his stomach sink, it wasn't just the slayer candidate he had to watch out for now.

"Well, I had to join a team to pass, I refused so the ranker offered me a challenge in order to pass by myself, and uh- I mostly won."

"Go on".

Wangnan can feel the animosity from here, and Viole clearly can too by the way he shrinks back.

"Um, the other regulars didn't want to fail- and, uh- I'm part of a team now…"

“...”

"What am I gonna do with you"

The mysterious voice in the pocket rang out with a kinda fond exasperation, and the blonde found himself letting out a sigh of relief. Still the murderous tinge hadn't quite disappeared.

"Couldn't you tell them you have a team?"

"I felt like they'd see through that, I could probably tell them I have someone I'm climbing with? Maybe I can just leave?"

Wangnan couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed. He found the slayer interesting, especially after their conversation on the rooftop, it was kinda a shame he would try to leave so soon. However, he knows he's being arrogant, Viole was right, he was tricked into joining. He clearly didn't want to, and if his theory was correct, he already had something going with the mysterious man in the pocket. Comparing the warm conversation with the stranger compared to the cold way he addressed his fellow regulars, well it was like light and day.

"I could take care of them for you"

Just like that, the room was ice cold again. As the words sank right through and settled with a cold dread in his veins. Viole was silent, and Wangnan felt like every heartbeat was far too loud. Desperately, he wishes he could see the slayer's face. 

He knows that whoever it was in the pocket, could easily make his newly formed team disappear.

"No that's- I don't want to do that."

What?

"Guess I should've expected that, your too nice Baam"

"I wouldn't say that."

Earlier Wangnan wouldn't say that either, but he can't deny Viole just saved all their lives. As underwhelming as it might seem.

"Well, I'll talk to you in a bit. I should be able to meet you on the next floor" 

A small hum of confirmation, followed by the click of the pocket was all it took to douse the room in silence. Wangann couldn't even hear Violes footsteps as he exited a door… thankfully not the one Wangnan was standing behind. Unfortunately now the team leader was alone with his questions.

Obviously, who was in the pocket, they were certainly friendly with Viole. Maybe they were friends? When Viole said he was climbing the tower with someone he can only assume this was the individual he meant. Then why did they need to talk over a pocket? Was this another FUG member? How could he threaten them so easily? Why did Viole stop them?

What did Baam mean?

Wangnan was forced to push those thoughts out of his head. As he walked down the hallway.

He had a team to lead.

◇◇◇

Oh, it was ironic.

Normally Khun was the one in the hospital bed, Baam being the one to look after him till he wakes. 

Now that the roles were switched, Khun selfishly wanted to go back. Words could describe how hard it was to watch his everything covered in bandages. He hadn't even got the chance to meet up with him on this floor before the Urek- fucking - Mazino showed up, it was supposed to je a fair fight. However Viole, his sweet Baam, chose to protect his new teammate instead and Khun was livid.

He wasn't sure at what, team sweet and sour for being weak? the rankers for sending them in? Urek for doing this?

Himself for letting this happen?

Khun simply watched the slayer candidate, bathed in the moonlight in the apartment Khun broke into. He knew he had to leave before the new team discovered him. 

Though he could sense a presence in the hall, had been for a while. He was too distraught to care. 

How cruel, he bitterly mused to himself as he stood up. 

This team is afraid of Viole for being FUG when the golden eyed boy cared so much. Maybe FUG is who he should blame, FUG and all their torment and underhanded practice. Oh, how Khun began to hate them.

He pressed a quick kiss to his sleeping friend's forehead. Before getting out his lighthouse made his way towards the window.

As the lightbearer took one last glimpse to the boy in the bed instead got a glance at the presence he felt the entire time. 

He only had a second to see the young brunette girl peering at him through the door, and briefly Khun remembers the fact Viole had tried to save a little girl. 

◇◇◇

Khun hadn't seen Viole in a while.

Of course he's been calling daily, but Khun misses his friend regardless. 

Every blink comes with the flashing image of a pale body on a white bed. How he wishes he could see him, safe and well.

However, Khun would be an idiot not to notice. 

His favourite Baam, the one that deserved the world seemed so much happier in his recent calls. He spoke about his new friends Ina way that made his face ache with gains and heart burn with jealousy.

It was simple really, Viole deserved more than him. He always knew it. Now he had that, and thus it would be better for the one he loved so much to keep his distance. Loneliness was no longer a danger for his slayer candidate, so really, the disgraced son was only holding him back. The whispers about Khuns exploitation of the young god bothered him about as much as someone calling his hair blue or skin pale, it was a truth so what was the harm? He was exploiting Viole, using that unconditional love to fuel a deep seated greed for love and attention. The same chasm that led him to Maria, and his doom. He can't let it be Violes doom as well.

The lovely brunette looked at him with such adoration, the kind one would give to a childhood friend, a brother in arms, someone who knew all your secrets and all your fears.

The lightbearer looked at him with pain, a deep-rooted longing seemingly from his own hunger.

Khun was greedy, he hoarded jewels away to keep them forever shining, how he wished to do the same to the one he loved.

Love.

That's what it really came down to didn't it? Khun was greedy, cruel, foolish and hopelessly in love with his best friend. The kind lonely brunette who deserved so much better .

Khun needed to push Viole away, to save him from the fate the sapphire boy's love had in store for him. However, he was far too weak.

He could not bear the pain.

He hated himself all the more for it.

◇◇◇

It was quite rare to see Jyu Viole Grace, giddy of all things.

However, truly that was the only way to describe him in his current state. Practically jumping up and down, as he chose a favourite outfit, even taking the time to braid his long hair, rather than throwing it in his signature ponytail.

He barely noticed how his other teammates trembled with uncertainty, if he had given any thought to them, it would make perfect sense.

Viole was finally going to be seeing his most devoted follower, after so long apart.

Oh how he missed his lightbearer, the pocket calls were a poor shadow of his Agueros presence. 

Again, Viole cast little thought to his teammates, who were conspiring to avoid the Khun as much as possible. A drunken tirade revealed to all the conversation Wangnan had eavesdropped in on, and the Khuns dislike of them.

So besides young Miseng who had borne witness to a soft kiss in the medical room. Everyone trembled at the thought of their strongest member's mysterious friend. So when a Viole ran up to a taller Khun boy, everyone froze and slowly backed away.

Later they'd smile at the wave controllers' joy.

Aguero and Baam, Khun and Viole. They had been apart far too long.

They had decided beforehand to go to a nice cafe on the corner, due to both Violes love of sweets and Khuns addiction to all things caffeinated.

The golden-eyed boy smiled to himself as he watched his best friends crack numerous packs of sugar over the bitter liquid. Only he knew that the lightbearer had as much of a sweet tooth as him, he just worked better to hide it.

"There's an informant on this floor, would you want to speak to her?" Viole was instantly snapped out of his daydream by the boy across the table.

"Not particularly"

A noncommittal hum was the only response the cerulean boy gave, but Viole noticed how the tension in his shoulders visibly left him.

They were cut off by a shy looking waitress coming in for their orders, to which Viole let Khun handle, it's not like his order ever changed.

"Alright! I'll get that for you right away! Enjoy your date!" The young waitress grinned, taking the two menus aways, leaving Khun floundering and Viole giggling.

The lightbearer felt a pit open in his stomach when he saw Baam get that look he always gets when he's about to ask a question Khun can't answer.

"Actually, I'm a little confused about dates? Is it different?"

Ah, there it is

Trying to fight his blush and unsavoury thoughts of his best friends he slowly replied, digesting every word.

"I guess it's just hanging out with someone, but someone who you want to love".

"Want to?"

"Well yeah, people go on dates to see if there is a match. Then they keep going on them if it works out. Often people will go on less complex dates as they stay together longer, since they don't have to prove anything anymore."

"Could you go on a date with a friend? What's a lover like?" Viole questioned, cooking his head to the side and Khun really can't handle this.

"No you can't, not exactly. A lover likes a friend who shares half your soul. At least that's how I heard it described."

"So we're lovers then?"

Trying to stave off imminent cardiac arrest desperately stutters.

"U-uh no, you go the wrong a ide-"

"No, I thought about this! I didn't know earlier since I didn't have anyone else, but now that I can compare I'm sure!" Baam crosses his arms in determination, "Wangnan and Yiwha are my friends but you're more special!"

Khun felt the embarrassment ebb away into a dark pit, he'd really done it now. Viole thinks he loves him. Gods he's gross, tricking the innocent creature in front of him into thinking he's worthy of that kinda thing. If he needed any more prodding that the slayer candidate needed to be kept far away from him, no matter how much it would hurt.

"No Baam, trust me that's wrong".

He tries to ignore the hurt on the others face.

The chocolate cake and powdered donuts they ordered arrived, and Khun can hardly look Viole in the eyes.

◇◇◇

It's with Khuns words in his mind that he flew towards the hand of Arkene. Really he should be thinking about Horyang, or the fact he might be a human weapon, but he doesn't. He already knew he was a weapon Something for FUG to use and twist into her perfect toy. He was used to that.

He wasn't used to Khun ignoring his messages. When Viole asked if he had done anything wrong, he got a simple "no" and then was unable to contact him. For the first time Viole was at a complete loss when I came to Khun.

Maybe that's why he chased after his teammate so readily, he wasn't thinking straight. His thoughts were only on his best friend, replaying that scene from the cafe over and over again. 

He meant it to, truly meant it. What hurt the most is that Khun clearly didn't feel the same way, and that stung like nothing else had. Not when Hansung would cut his arms with shinsu, or when he'd have cold water dumped on him to wake him back up when he passed out training. Maybe what made it worse is that Viole was confident it was mutual, the way Khun would kiss his cheek when he thought Viole was asleep, or the way he'd get mad when someone else would flirt with the slayer. Social skills were never his strong point, he knew that well, but he didn't think he'd be so wrong.

That compared to Horyangs story and the realisation that when FUG took his humanity it was more than tainting his soul, it was corrupting his very body, he was already dancing on the edge. Then when the devil's right hand ran off, and he spoke to Miseng in the hall, he snapped.

Now he was flying after him, no plan, no strategy, just the desire to not make anything worse.

◇◇◇

Khuns has been spiralling ever since he got back to his room.

He was lying on the meticulously made bed of his dark hotel room. Lying with an arm draped over his face as he bore his own feelings and flash of Baams hurt face in his mind.

Violes constant texts didn't help, but he could bear to turn notifications off. Especially when he caught a glimpse of a message asking if he'd done anything wrong. That message is the only one he replied to, not quite being able to handle the way his heart clenched at that message.

He was supposed to help Viole, the broken god who desperately wanted a companion and the cruel Khun who thrived on being wanted. 

He flinched when he heard the familiar ding of his pocket, taking a brief glance, he did a double take when it wasn't the golden-eyed boy, but rather the red witch.

He sat up in the dead silence of the room feeling less oppression. Of course she would know something was going on, was what he would've thought but he opened the message and saw nothing but a link to some FUG files.

It was dead quiet as Khun learned the extent of the organisation's depravity, the horrors of the workshop and what they did to make a god, a weapon.  

Tears welled up in sapphire blue eyes for the first time in many years, and for the first time in his life he didn't try to stop them.

He was being an idiot, now what was happening.

Did Baam know? Did he always know and just never told him, no, that couldn't be true, Violes not a good liar.

God, Khun was so glad the slayer found another place, somewhere nice to belong with people not as twisted as he was.

He laid back down, face itchy front he tears drying. Good. Prepared to leave for good when he got the strength to get out of bed, prepared to harden his heart once again and continue his climb up the ranks in FUG and the tower.

No 

He couldn't do it, he couldn't leave the one he loved, and he couldn't stay with the group who had tortured Viole so- no both of them.

What could he do now though, the wave controller knows something is wrong. Khun completely ditched him, refusing to talk to him, right after Viole had split his heart to him, he was disgusted and he knew it.

God- god , Baam said he loved him.

Before the cold boy could continue his spiral, he got a call, and he was really starting to hate his pocket. However, this is what he needed to temporarily break him out of his depression, considering he didn't recognize the number.

Sighing, he accepted it, if only to start the ringing.

"Hello?" He tried not to let his exhaustion creep into his voice.

"I-is this Violes friend?" 

In any other voice he would've felt his stomach sink at that question, but he didn't. It was young, a little girl if he had to guess. 

"Depends what you want" He said, not even trying to hide the suspicion in his voice.

"Uh- something happened, and Horyang and Viole both left, H-horyang said something about the w-workshop  and ran off, and Viole went to find him." The trembling was evident in her voice, and Khun felt a rare pang of sympathy. "I don't know where they are, but there going to get hurt, I know it, we can't find t-them"

He forced his tense voice to soften, "Alright, don't worry about it." Before hanging up. There were more pressing matters to work on. 

So Viole did know about the workshop, either that or it was a hell of a coincidence.

Perhaps this was his way to make amends? Khun didn't have any time to think about it and he dashed towards the hand of Arlen.

◇◇◇

A FUG informant, well thats fucking ironic.

Viole knows of their plan now, but somehow he can’t really bring himself to care. It's absurd.

He wants to laugh, because laughing is always much better than sons. Better than questioning his existence and place in it. He always felt like he was a bystander in his own life, but never before was the feeling so utterly suffocating as it was now. 

Just two hours ago is when he discovered he was a human ignition weapon, and just four minutes ago he discovered they planned to melt him down, kill him, to make him fit that image all the more. The rabbit-eared lightbearer, Xia Xia, is laughing and chattering about something, but all Viole hears is ringing.

He’s furious, because how dare they. These people wanted his life and now they wanted his death, chew him up and toss him out? Out of the corner of his eye he sees the panting form of Horyang looking at him with worry, but the slayer candidate only sees red. 

There's a shout and it takes the crumbling of the statue there in order for Viole to snap out of his rage, but by then it was too late.

Brief memories surge, ones long forgotten. A boy with long golden hair stabbing himself, and the tall pale girl leaving him behind with a boy in a tracksuit. Hwa Ryun led him away to a new life.

And Aguero 

Viole wants nothing more than to see him again, if only just once.

But the wave controller can't be pushed down so easily, he will survive this. 

He stands up with new-found determination summoning shinsu as he scans the crumbling room for both his lost teammate and an opening in the rubble.

Realisation dawns on him as helplessness sinks in. There's really nothing he can do right now. As the adrenaline wears off, his injuries start to catch up to him and he's so tired.

As his consciousness slips away from him he catches a glimpse of blue hair out of the corner of his eye.

But that couldn't be.

◇◇◇

The dust settles, and silence cuts through the air. Leaving the world none the wiser to world shattering events just moments before.

A greedy bunny-eared girl searches for her god, trembling at the thought of admitting to her superiors she was unable to bring him with her.

The large teammate of the same boy, stumbles to call his team. Scanning the rubble for his friend.

And beneath the surface, a disgraced son hides from them both. The good and the bad, as his lighthouse creates a protective dome around both him, and the one he loves.

Pales hands brush chocolate brown hair out of fluttering golden eyes. 

As the former god comes to, his head comfortably on his lightbearers lap he finds himself not wanting to ruin the moment with words, but Khuns face contorts and he takes his turn to speak.

"Oh Baam, I'm so sorry"

With genuine confusion in those honey eyes it's the wave controllers turn to speak.

"Huh? No- it's fine if you don't feel the same way, I shouldn't of-"

The sapphire boy, deciding to end the misunderstanding once and for all, leans over and cuts off Violes rambling with a kiss.

Khun isn't sure if it lasted for seconds or hours, his mind oddly blank, only aware of the fact that his closest person tastes like the honey that his eyes seem dyed with.

When the lightbear remembers he needs to breathe he pulls away to a wide eyed Viole, before the boy's face softens.

"Aguero…"

Viole sure up, his head pending but oddly enough not because of his blood leaving his body. He leans his back against the rubble, and rests his shoulder on his friend ( Lover? ). Closing his eyes in contentment.

Aguero closes his hand around Baams, the two of them sitting in warm silence.

"Baam, we- we don't have to go anywhere anymore."

"What do you mean?" Daring to hope.

"They- FUG, they think we're dead. We're… free." He says, not quite believing it himself.

"What can we do?" Wide gold eyes glistening.

"I'm not sure, anything I suppose"

Baam mouthed the words, before looking back up at blue eyes with newfound determination.

"You'll come with me?"

Aguero pulls his love closer to him, he looks around. The dust around is reflected by moonlight peaking through the cracks. The dull turquoise hum of the dome protects the two of them from the world. Their own little haven. It's cold, uncomfortable, the dust hurts his throat and the rocks dig into his skin.

Right now however, there's nowhere he'd rather be, and no one he'd rather be with.

"Of course I will"

"We’ll never be alone again."