Chapter Text
The sun started to laugh.
And then bounced in its place, flickered, and wiggled until finally, a man was thrown out of it.
He started falling. But he kept fooling around. Turned to make his back face the floor, stared at the clouds and the sun he had come from, and smiled.
His feet touched the ground- and his back and his entire self actually- he crashed against the floor as if his body were made of slime- rubber- (but he stood up as if nothing had happened at all) and he could feel it tremble under him, and he smiled proudly, of course it would, the earth knew his power. The earth knew its owner.
But as annoying as it was, he still wouldn’t be considered the strongest. Because another god kept fighting for the title. She was praised for controlling the ocean just as much as he was praised for creating life. That was unacceptable. It would've been ridiculous, but the truth was that she was the first one to tame the ocean, and it was huge (and annoyingly stubborn and arrogant too), way more than his small lands.
He was sick of it, he would prove himself. He’d rule the ocean too if he had to. He wasn’t going to share the title and power with her. So he came down from the sky just to fight for it.
The place- the earth- the planet, was a total mess, but completely amazing. All the living creatures had his signature but that annoying ocean wouldn’t give in. What did the moon have that he didn’t? She was gray and boring, and in fact very suspicious, always hiding something in the dark. Disgusting, he thought.
In his opinion, he was way better, but he had already tried with words, and they had been everything but enough or successful, he had and he would prove himself, not only to the ocean but to everything that dared to question his strength.
***
‘’So…Nika, was it?’’ A deep voice startled him from behind.
‘’How’d you know??’’ He answered while turning around- or well- while his neck turned around. He smiled widely at the stranger, but there was something in his eyes, and the way his face tensed, his smile wasn’t a welcoming one, it was a warning.
‘’You’re a god invading this planet, who wouldn’t know? what are you doing down here Sun god??’’ The man replied, showing his sharp teeth (fangs?). He smiled and in a pretty convincing way, but his voice was resentful. On edge. (who knows why) he tried to hide any hint of such feeling behind a fake smile, and Nika, of course, could feel it perfectly. That voice said ‘’Thank you for coming’’ but left the ‘’Now I can kill you’’, unspoken.
‘’I’m here to conquer the seas’’ the god answered calmly, as if it was common knowledge, the hostility in his smile faded, leaving a more genuine and relaxed expression behind. And still, the demon’s eyes widened with the confession.
‘’You want to rule the seas?? So, owning every land on this planet wasn't enough huh? Greedy bastard’’
The god just laughed, bouncing around, one eye closed and arms behind his neck, holding his head, but he kept one eye open, staring directly at the man in front of him. But not at him, not at his body or the way his big, defined muscles tensed- well- he stared through his eyes, directly at his soul.
‘’What about you? What’s a demon doing out of hell??’’ Nika asked. Though leaving the ‘’that sounds like the start of a joke’’ part in his mind. Still regretting not saying it.
Genuine innocent curiosity? Honestly, the demon couldn’t tell, but there was no harm in telling.
‘’I’ve come to kill you’’
He said it pretty seriously, but the small god burst out laughing the second he finished the sentence. For some reason, the ‘’very reasonable and totally understandable’’ idea sounded completely ridiculous when he said it out loud.
He sighed, thanking his origins for his dark skin, which helped hide the embarrassment and the blush burning his face all the way to his ears. A little more and he’d burn for real.
‘’You’re serious?? You’re hilarious, little demon’’
‘’S-shut up, I’m taller and bigger than you’’
‘’Why don’t you come with me?’’
‘’Didn’t you hear me? I said I’d kill you, and I’d never follow someone like you’’
The words lingered in the air. Being in the presence of this god, everything seemed to distort and…laugh. Somehow, he could almost see his own words go through one of the god’s ears, register on his brain, and go out through the other ear.
He wanted to laugh too, just because the whole interaction felt surreal. The god chuckled lightly, his expression lighting up in excitement and the amusement that apparently never left his face.
‘’Not the brightest of demons, are you? …Say, why do you want to kill me so bad??’’
‘’Because you set our home on eternal fire’’
He couldn’t help the growl that came out with his words- so, so confusing, how was it that everything he said sounded completely hilarious around this guy? – Irritating. But then again, the only reaction he had managed to get from this god so far, was a smile, and this time it just widened, such a thing only upgraded the feeling to Infuriating.
‘’I didn’t just set it on fire, Idiot, I created hell, I own that place, you have no option but to follow me’’
Nika’s eyes glowed delighted with those words, which seemed to dance just as pleased, the boy-god looked thrilled. You could almost see flames reflected in his eyes as he enjoyed the memory. The demon’s heart trembled with the sight and that knowledge.
’’ You’re ridiculous… insane actually’’
‘’Hmmm... well you could use some insanity yourself, you’re pretty boring’’
The harsh words and the insults slipped off this sun god like raindrops on an umbrella. Either this god was a master in acting or he really was a complete moron, a very crazy one. And a very good one provoking people and managing to not make it look completely intentional- if it was- was it intentional?
‘’I- I’m not boring! ‘’
And Nika smiled pleased, bad luck for the handsome guy because he was also bad-tempered, so easy to annoy, and so enjoyable to do so-
When he first saw Nika, the guy looked like a simple teenager dressed in white and fooling around, absolutely nothing special or intimidating about him. But now that they were close and talking, the god was overwhelming, it was as if his very presence messed with his head, worse than when he was drunk. And that was too bad, because worse than drunk meant better than alcohol. And man he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t addicted.
‘’Sooooo boring… but man you’re hot as hell’’
The god teased him. Stared him up and down and played with his eyebrows, flirting like a lifetime expert.
‘’Had he just joked and flirted at the same time?’’ - Honestly, he never cared too much about his appearance, mostly because everyone always said all demons looked the same, and maybe they were right, so either this god had never been to hell once, or he was lying. Either way, his already fainted blush intensified, the red reached his horns, and to his horror, smoke started coming out from his ears and nose like a red and volcanic smokestack.
Nika had already started to say ‘’Oh it seems like all the hot people are meant to be boring’’ when his head kind of exploded with the half-compliment, sounding like an oven when left turned on for too long. The god startled so much that he lost his bouncing thingy- because he hadn’t stopped once- and turned around to find him leaking smoke from everywhere, red to his pointy horns.
The god laughed like he hadn’t in an entire lifetime.
And as he laughed, something in his heart clicked, it was true he hadn’t laughed so hard and- and free, in a while. He couldn’t help but take another look at his soon-to-be companion, to keep laughing at him yes, but the thought on his mind was nothing but ‘’Fuck he’s so- he’s a complete moron- but he looks cute like that’’.
His body folded very literally while he tried desperately to catch his breath. At this point the demon simply didn’t know what to do, so he just stared. He felt completely humbled and pretty humiliated. So he gave up trying to save what he had left of pride. This god could have not a single drop of common sense but he had mastered the art of messing with people in every kind of way there could be.
He sighed to let this Nika god know that he had given up, but that just made him laugh even more. His laugh. It was contagious, actually, like a song, almost. It was completely wild and loud, yeah, he was pretty sure everyone in the entire world could hear him, but for some reason, it wasn’t annoying, not the least. As if it were meant to be heard by everyone.
His muscles relaxed without his permission, he didn’t even notice the sense of safety that warmed his heart. That laugh sounded like safety.
The sky was blue- there was a sky- he had been too focused to stop and see he wasn’t in that gloomy burning cave anymore. There were clouds. They looked soft, ‘’like Nika’s hair’’- and what was he even talking about? ‘’No. he’s insane and the creator of that miserable place, you hate him’’.
‘’So, what’s ur name not-so-little hot demon?’’
‘’Why do you care?’’
‘’Fine then, nameless, let’s do something, come with me and I’ll let you try to kill me’’
‘’Deal’’
***
The demon’s life became running after wildness. Through infinite forests, jumping from island to island questioning (for the first time) how the world was. He just had never cared before, but now he did. His world stopped being that cave only, it stopped being burning flames and eternal darkness. It wasn’t another island either, not even a place anymore, not really.
His world became the smile and the teasing eyes of a very insane boy-god. Loving in secret how he gestured and smiled widely at everything as if he wasn’t the creator of all those beautiful and amazing things. Nika smiled proudly and always talked, he always looked forward, up to the sky where he had come from. Every single detail, every single thing about him was intoxicating. ‘’What else?’’ He’d remember past whips and that creeping pain, mad tears, and scratches in the walls. The screams were there, too. Now? It was still warm but not burning, and the darkness faded, replaced by that brightness. The very idea of happiness felt so distant and now it stood right in front of him, laughing while telling him another of his crazy moves, or bizarre creations. ‘’White’’ was all he could see now because his eyes couldn’t focus on anything else, that would mean taking his eyes off him. He had no real ambition before, just a dream that felt impossible at the time, a word that slowly faded into existence with every smile and stretch from his captain, with every step they gave forward the word lost its sense. ‘’Fuck impossible, that’s ridiculous, can’t you see him? The very existence of someone like him should be impossible, and yet there he is’’ Every bad thing crumbled under his fist, very literally sometimes. And dreams started to turn into ambitions, into promises and finally, one day, they’d be reality.
The god’s life became running wildly. Feeling as free as he ever had, as he knew it should. Maybe he cared too much. No. He did. That world he was in, what he was doing there. He wasn’t just conquering the seas, even if everyone thought of him as a greedy god who wanted everything for him, that was part of the act. But he couldn’t say anything. Those words would blow his mask and his perfect performance. ‘’I’ve come here to free you, I declare myself guilty, owning this land and still unable to protect you, letting lies fool my head because I can’t admit my failure’’.
He tried, he looked forward, always, up at the sky where he had come from. Loneliness. And he smiled, he wasn’t alone anymore, he just had to look beside him, and there he’d be, that handsome little demon. Liar. But he wasn’t. That hadn’t been a lie. He liked to call that a ‘’soon-to-be truth’’. ‘’Just don’t let him find out before it becomes the truth’’. That responsibility always haunted his mind, but now? He turned around. There he was. Shoulders back, broad chest out, and chin lifted with a grin. He’d spend sleepless nights staring at him. A demon. His body had boiling blood running inside his veins. Touching him would’ve left anyone permanent scars, anyone but him. ‘’Because I’m the sun, idiot, what’s hotter than the sun??’’
‘’Nothing’’ His companion had answered in a chuckle.
His dark skin was rock hard, thick (yet smooth), impenetrable, and the god could somewhat understand why. Guilty. He’d seen the scars one night. He could also tell the shame there was behind them. Whips. The marks on his back, hidden by the clothes and that pointy smile, lying, telling him he was all right and strong enough as if it wasn’t obvious. Curse the author of those marks with death. Curse them all, how many they could be. And curse that moon and its darkness too. He’d get back what once belonged to him.
He observed. Two eyes, small, dark, and deep enough for him to drown in them. Hands with claws sharp enough to slice his throat but so so gentle and a mouth with sharp shiny teeth and small lips that looked soft and smiled playfully at him.
Nika pretended to sleep so he’d feel his soft touch, brushing his hair, and fixing his clothes. ‘’Laugh again, tell me you forgive me’’. So he’d thank the heavens every time he did. ‘’Dare to dream again, go to sleep, and wake up with a smile, tell me, what’s your dream? Your heart’s desire. I’ll take you there and watch you get it because you’re strong enough, I’ll be there, right behind you’’.
Weak. Useless. Everything went blurry and distorted, but not like Nika distorted things, no, this was his mind, for no apparent reason. He paled. His clawed fists clenched, his chest felt heavy, making him hyperventilate in a desperate search for air, eyes searching desperately for a threat. He only found darkness. He was about to lose himself, already prepared to be swallowed by pain and fear. But then he heard it.
‘’Hey, what’s wrong?’’
And the place lit up, the boy god glowing faintly in front of him, he almost mistook him for an angel. Worry wasn’t an emotion anyone could see often on his face, it made his heart clench. ‘’Do I really deserve this?’’ He wasn’t the only demon in hell. But he was the only one who escaped. Now, he had found his happiness, but what about everyone else? Nika moved closer, slowly, carefully. His hand reached out gently as if asking for permission to comfort him. A hand that wouldn’t hurt him. So why couldn’t he speak? He just looked up, unable to say a word.
Joyboy saw pleading eyes, pleading for words, for something, anything. And he knew exactly what to do. So he opened his arms.
He’d have time to act though, later. Fighting against the tears, he jumped in the god’s arms. The alcohol and the god’s magic made the room spin around.
Worthless, you’ll die here, on your knees
Those words and their faces seemed to stare at him from the walls. Haunting him. But there were hands there to hold him. The room kept spinning. ‘’Cool skin! How does it work?’’ The god had asked him one time. ‘’Keep walking, monsters’’ they had told all the slaves. Hell was dark, red, and burning. Curse them all. He raised his head. His eyes met the warm glow of those kind eyes.
‘’I’ve come to conquer the seas’’ ‘’I created hell, I own that place’’ ‘’Wait- you’re actually going to try to kill me?’’ ‘’you know? You’re not that boring’’ ‘’See this horse with a huge neck? It’s so he can eat from trees!’’ ‘’Cool skin! How does it work?’’ ‘’I’m so glad I got to meet you’’
Nika’s words started replaying in his mind. His cheerful voice tried to force the bad memories out, replacing them with all those moments when all he could see was the sun. Until he couldn’t see the hatred anymore. But it didn’t work. Liar.
‘’What??’’ The god’s eyes were wide open.
Oh. ‘’I said that out loud-‘’. He cleared his throat because his voice would’ve shaken otherwise. His teeth gritted.
‘’I said Liar.’’
‘’Wha- I’m- I’m not a-‘’ He stumbled, wobbly voice and confused expression.
‘’You lied to me’’.
‘’Why would I ever do that??’’ The boy wailed, with his heart pounding loud and wild on his eardrums.
‘’I’m not a fool. Drop the act. Tell me, prove me right.’’ The demon stood up to his knees abruptly, freeing off his grasp and shoving him away. Words rough and bitter. He’d never seen him so furious before. Eyes flaming, his claws digging in the dirt. But then he sighed and dropped his head to the ground. Every muscle in his body relaxed. And it didn’t make any sense. ‘’Oh, he realized’’.
Now, he understood what had happened. He switched positions and sat down crossing his legs. Bowing his head. Silence. Until the other finally spoke.
‘’Hell is a miserable place, it’s dark, it’s cold, it’s burning hot. I was sick of hearing the others cry every day, pleading for a death that never arrived. They always told us the one to blame was the sun god’’
He listened.
‘’They made me bow to my knees and take the pain and the blame. They said they were punishing us because they couldn’t reach you. But I did, I found you and I swear, I swear I was searching for ways to kill you but I-‘’
‘’I know, I told you I’d let you kill me if you came with me, but you didn’t even try-‘’
‘’No. No, I didn’t. I believed you. Honestly are you so oblivious to how beautiful you are? Can you look at me straight in the eye and tell me you don’t know how you make me feel? The way you smile is addictive, your energy is contagious, it fills me, you do and I fear if I walk away from you I might die swallowed by the darkness. You’re my light now. I was going to kill you. Now I’d die for you.’’
And he’d be blushing if he didn’t see the tiny water drops in the floor under his head. ‘’Cry, It’s fine’’.
‘’I’m sorry…’’ He mumbled lowly. What else could he say? If he was even allowed to say anything.
‘’No! Stop apologizing, please, stop, it’s not your fault, none of this, not even the way Hell is, because you’ve never been there once, have you? Fucking liar, the only demon you’ve ever seen in your entire life is myself, you did nothing to us’’. He snapped.
‘’It’s still my fault!! Exactly because of that!!’’
‘’You let the moon frame you for what she did?! You’d let her fool us all into thinking you’re the cruel one?! Hell looks nothing like all the beautiful places you created. I should’ve realized sooner. All the demons- half of the world wants you dead… I wanted you dead… You were going to let me kill you!? For nothing?!’’
‘’ I let her steal that one single piece of ground, and look what she did! And I did nothing about it. I let you all suffer there. I deserve to be wanted dead. I saw the scars. And I lied to you because I felt guilty and I’m- I’m sorry’’.
Of all the things the god said, only one mattered to him. With his eyes wide open he flung up again to stare at him, horrified.
‘’You… you saw them…’’ His mind clouded and darkened. His arms crossed trying in vain to reach and cover his already covered back. He stayed there, hugging himself, making himself small and already feeling insignificant and- monstrous.
‘’I didn’t mean to’’. But Nika knew, he wasn’t listening. They were his shame, the cause of his nightmares, a reminder of what he’d been and where he’d come from.
‘’They’re horrible, I am-‘’
‘’Don’t you dare say another word. You said you believed me, didn’t you? Well then believe me again, I say you’re the most handsome and beautiful demon in this entire world, you’re perfect, you’re wonderful and sweet and you’re cute when you get all flustered and I can’t stand seeing you like this. You’re strong and brave too, don’t you dare put yourself down like that’’.
All the racing thoughts froze. His mind would always place that voice and any of his words as the most important thing, before any other thought or idea. They flowed into his mind, warming and lighting it up.
‘’So… you don’t hate them?’’
‘’Oh, no, I do, I hate them so much’’
The comment stung his heart and his hands clenched again, clawing his own skin with creeping disgust.
‘’Because they mean you’ve suffered, I hate those marks and I hate that whip and whoever did it, because you don’t deserve it. I’ll give you everything you want, everything you deserve’’
Now it was the god’s turn. He grabbed his shoulders gently. Bright eyes searched him, looking for permission. ‘’Can I?’’
All the god got as a response was a pair of gentle claws brushing his hair. ‘’Go ahead, please’’.
He pulled closer, reaching his neck, and breathing into it slowly and carefully. His hands caressed his hair and his skin. ‘’I wasn’t lying when I said you looked handsome though’’ He cheered. ‘’In fact, not a single word I said about you was a lie’’. The demon finally relaxed, the wave of tiredness finally hitting him. Every thought faded and he melted into the god’s grasp. ‘’…Sorry, I freaked out. Oh, and if you say one more time that you deserve to be wanted dead, I’ll kill you’’.
The clock would reach midnight soon. But they stayed there. Joyboy wiped away the bitter tears and held him in his arms. He kept his face buried in the god’s chest, feeling that heartbeat he loved so much, trying to sync with it. They cuddled and exhaustion started getting the best of him, starting to doze off and slowly losing consciousness. Warm.
‘’Hey, you still awake?’’
‘’’m’yea?..’’
‘’Does your heart feel as peacefully fun and warm as mine when I hold you like this? Or am I the only crazy one?’’
He made one last effort and nuzzled his nose in his neck sleepily. ‘’Shut up, let me sleep…’’ He mumbled. ‘’I’m crazy for you too’’.
And Nika felt his warm breath and tickles on his neck, he got drunk in those words, his consciousness fading slowly, lulled by that sleepy husky voice and- When had he ever felt that way? Everything right there and then, soft and floating… never. Only him. Only with him.
***
Their lives became a breeze messing with their hair, the salty smell of the sea, shiny clear days, smiles, laughs, flying fists, and sharp claws. He’d wake up to the sun god smiling softly at him, kissing his lips quick but gentle to whisper in his ear that dinner was ready before he’d even remember his name. Nika would be stopped by his mate’s hand holding his arm, pulling him back to hug him from behind and tickle him with tender, warm kisses on his neck. Whispering ‘’Who gave you the right to look so dazzling today? You’ll have to pay for it… tonight?’’
And Joyboy would blush wildly, choking with a ‘’Y-You- Dirty little demon, you’re insatiable, didn’t I give you enough yesterday??’’
‘’Hmm? No, you were perfect, but I’ll never have enough of you’’
To be Continued...