Work Text:
“There you are!”
Despite his grumbling, Sameer liked being around people. The atmosphere of Sumeru City reminded him of Tatarsuna, back when it was a place for the living and not an echo chamber for a dead god’s agony. He pulled his hat down when his new god scrambled up on the branch next to him.
“Are you alright? You seem grumpier than usual.”
“It’s nothing.”
She plopped down a respectful distance away and kicked her heels, looking out over her people like he had just before. “Okay. I’ll be here for about twenty minutes if you want to talk.”
Was this some new tactic to get him to spill his not-heart out? Put him on a time limit? He watched her out of the corner of his eye before dismissing the idea. She was frustratingly transparent. The most likely explanation was that she simply had somewhere to be, but she took some time out for him. How saintly.
Eh, it wasn’t anything she didn’t already know. He scooted forward so his legs dangled next to hers and hunched over his knees. “My birthday is coming up.”
She didn’t look at him, but she did frown. “I would’ve thought you considered your birthday a few months ago, given your new life. Is there some significance to January third?”
“Niwa.”
Lesser Lord Kusanali nodded and declined to pry further, to his gratitude. She probably knew the details already. If she didn’t, he didn’t feel like sharing.
“Are birthdays difficult for you?”
She knew the answer, but she insisted that saying it aloud would help him. “Very.”
“They’re difficult for me, too.”
He looked over at her. “Don’t your people throw a whole festival in your honor?”
“Yes, but that same festival was used to hurt them as well.”
“Mmm. Dottore?”
“The sages, by his direction.”
He hummed and they lapsed into silence. A few minutes passed before he felt that familiar itch at the back of his mind, her subtle request for permission. There were many days that the Lesser Lord felt overstimulated and mental speech was just easier. He didn’t mind. It was simple enough to accommodate.
Yes?
I have a birthday present for you, but it’s up to you whether to accept it. I will not be offended.
He snorted. How do you have a present lined up if you just found out about it?
I’ve been considering this for some time. Now feels convenient to ask. She scooted from the edge of the branch to sit next to him, then gestured for him to face her. He complied and mirrored her posture.
Would you accept the title of Second Sage of Buer?
“What?!” He spluttered and backed away from her. “Why? Surely there’s…” better options.
She frowned and he mentally cursed, then swore again on realizing she could hear him. He yanked his hat down over his face like that would help. I think this is a mistake .
I don’t. She reached out to pat his leg. You’ve taught me a great deal about human emotion, especially the more… extreme ones. Your experiences have been invaluable and I am a better leader for knowing them. I want to honor you.
What am I supposed to be? The Sage of Pain?
Yes.
He blinked at the flat, matter of fact delivery. …Please get out of my head for a second.
The connection severed the moment he thought the words. His god nodded and looked back out at the throng of her people, giving him space to think.
The idea wasn’t as insulting as he expected. The Lesser Lord didn’t have a dishonest bone in her body, brutally honest in the same way he was… if a bit kinder. She wasn’t mocking him or calling him weak.
She actually found him useful.
No matter how much he railed against it, he was designed to serve. Being useful was one of the few things that brought him happiness - to the smiths, to the boy, and even as much as he hated to admit, to the Fatui. The idea made him nauseous, but out of anxiety or excitement he couldn’t tell.
He cleared his throat to get her attention. “What do I need to do?”
She smiled and bounced her knees. “Just be yourself and serve as my counsel.”
“That’s it?”
“Yep!”
It seemed too simple to be true, but she always thought of everything. If there were strings, she would’ve mentioned them. He looked back out over the bazaar and chewed his lip.
Another knock rapped at the back of his mind. You don’t have to decide right now.
“No, I… I accept.”
He glanced over. She looked surprised, then happy, then positively radiant, eyes lighting up in unrestrained glee. “Really?”
“Don’t make a big deal out of it.”
She sat right back down, having started to float. She held her hands to her chest for a moment before looking intently at him. “Thank you, Second Sage Sameer, for everything you’ve done for myself and Sumeru.”
“I haven’t done that much.”
“Then thank you for what you will do. Can you accept that?”
He rolled his eyes. “I suppose.”
She stood and offered her hand, which he declined. He stood under his own power and crossed his arms. “Well? Now what, o Lord of Wisdom?”
She clasped her hands behind her back and toddled off the end of the branch, hopping down to the ground below. “Well, I have a meeting with the sages of the Akademyia in a few minutes. You’re welcome to join me so I can introduce you.”
“Blegh,” he grumbled and wrinkled his nose. “Are you sure you want me there?”
“Admittedly no, but I want to honor you. It’s up to you.”
He dropped down next to her and sighed.
“Let’s just get this over with.”