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Tobias was Lamby’s first everything. Well, ok maybe not everything, but Solistice was his first kiss and sex meant very little to either of them. He was their first in all the things that mattered. First follower, first disciple, first (and only) husband. He was their right hand, their high priest, the leader when they were away. No one else minus Solistice themself held more power higher than the schnauzer.
So you could imagine his annoyance when two new cultists who had only been here for about a week thought they understood his relationship with his lover better than he did.
He had seen it plenty of times before. Many followers had tried to gain his Lamby’s hand in marriage over the years. And not once, not once, had his Lamby ever entertained others’ proposals.
(“You have my word, beloved,” Solistice said almost a decade ago, after another follower asked for their hand. “My heart only beats for you.”)
That wasn’t the part that bothered him.
What bothered him was the shit talking and the whispers. Because apparently these two idiots – a red panda and an owl – were going around telling anyone who would listen how unworthy Tobias was to be with the sheep. No one else bought it, praise be to his lover, but it was fucking annoying.
And well…Tobias was everything to his Lamby, not just the Cult. They were each other’s confidants above everyone else, with too many secrets between the two. Their relationship was built on mutual respect and loyalty. No one could replace the schnauzer in the sheep’s eyes, and the reverse could be said as well.
“Beloved?” The schnauzer’s attention returned to his lover and the rest of the disciples.
Due to the lovely weather, they had decided to hold a meeting about finances and crop rotations outside and by the New Faith this was all so boring. As always, Solistice was sitting on their husband’s lap.
“Sorry, Lamby,” Tobias licked into his lover’s cheek. “Was distracted.”
“I would hope not,” Shelby, a cow follower who had joined shortly after Tobias, said teasingly. “You’re the only one here who knows how to do taxes.”
Tobias rolled his eyes as the others snickered. He turned to look at his lover again. “Are you going to let her talk to me like that?”
“I will if she says something I disagree with.”
“Oh, I see how it is.” Tobias pulled his lover closer. As dramatically as possible, he said, “You’re only with me for my math skills.”
“Oh, beloved, I confess, it’s all true,” the infant god, equally as dramatic, teased back. “I tire of these complicated mathematics. It’s the only reason for our marriage.”
“You two are insufferable,” Thorbreno the rhino said as he watched his God and their lover.
“I think they’re sweet,” Sozonius commented.
The meeting continued on as normal as Tobias continued to whisper sweet nothings to his lover. It really was his favorite part of these meetings.
Tobias’ ears twitched as he caught the two morons whispering to themselves. “It’s just such a shame,” the owl was saying. “That mongrel doesn’t deserve to be with someone as holy as The Lamb.”
Tobias rolled his eyes at the comment. That was the other thing about their relationship that others didn’t understand. There was barely anyone who really knew Solistice. Every cultist here, even the other disciples, put the godling on such a high pedestal.
And Tobias just…didn’t.
Couldn’t really. Not after that first night together all those years ago. After their resurrection and freeing and fleeing with the dog to safety, Solistice broke down. They never wanted this, to be the last lamb, a toy of the Gods.
Tobias understood, though on a much smaller scale. He was the lone survivor of his village and was meant to be a sacrifice too. He empathized with the poor thing and saw them as more than a prophet or a God. He still saw them as a normal critter. And in turn, they saw him as an equal. That was not something others could replace.
“I just feel sorry for the poor thing,” the panda replied back. “Obviously The Lamb feels sorry for them. I mean what could he possibly have to offer.”
“I always assumed The Lamb was just using him. Have some poor schmuck think they’re important and they’ll do whatever you want.”
Tobias rolled his eyes again as he continued to look over the Cult’s finances. Maybe he could convince his lover to sacrifice the two. They wouldn’t because everyone in the Cult is family, but it wouldn’t hurt to ask.
“Or…maybe the mongrel is the one using The Lamb. After all, The Lamb is such a kind and purehearted creature. And that one is such a brute.”
“We should inform the Lamb. Then maybe they’ll look our way.”
A low growl left Tobias’ throat. How dare these bastards think he’s taking advantage of his lover?! The schnauzer would rather rip out his own heart.
“Tobias?” The dog felt Solistice start petting him. It settled the disciple a little but not enough. “Are you alright?”
He needed to set an example.
Tobias lightly nipped the bottom of his lover’s palm, something that always drove the sheep crazy. Looking into the other’s eyes, he asked, “Do you mind if I borrow that?” The dog nodded towards the crown sitting on top of their head.
“Why? What do you need it for?” Not an outright denial.
“You’ll see in a second. But I promise it will be worth your while though.”
The other disciples watched on in fascination. Was it even possible for another to touch the red crown? Would it kill him? What would that even mean if the dog could?
Finally, Solistice relented. “Please be careful.” They lightly scratched the heart on their husband’s head. A big goofy grin spread on the second in command maw. “I can’t lose you.”
Tobias grinned as he reached up for the crown. If any of them were paying attention, he and the rest of the inner circle would have noticed the entire Cult had gone quiet, watching the scene unfold.
The crown, as if sensing who the being was and what they were to it’s owner, moved into the dog’s hand and transformed into a dagger. Tobias’ grin grew wider as he stood up. All eyes were on the dog as they waited to see what he would do.
Quick as a whip, the schnauzer threw the crown dagger in between the heads of the bastards, with it being closer to the idiot panda for their fucking comment.
“Tobias!” Solistice shouted as the dog moved closer to the two to grab the crown from the tree it was embedded in. What had come over their husband? He was usually so calm and kindhearted. Unless…
By now the dog had retaken the dagger and moved into the middle of the campgrounds. He wanted to make sure everyone heard what he had to say. But first…
“I apologize, Lamby dear,” he said with a bow. “I meant no disrespect towards you, but a wrong had to be righted.” Standing back up, Tobias addressed the rest of the Cult. “You all know who I am. You all know the role I play. I am our God’s first everything. First follower, first disciple, first and only,” he growls, “husband. I am their right hand, their high priest, I am in command when they are away. No one else holds power higher than me besides my Lamby.”
He looks directly at the two idiots as he held up the golden skull necklace that hung from his neck. “Do you all see this? This is the symbol of my lover’s devotion to me. As are these,” he rose his hands to show off the two shackles on his wrists, “and this.” He moved his collar down to reveal Solistice’s scar tattoo that sat there. “And I will not have our love for each other be insulted in our own Cult.”
Pointing at the two, “If I ever hear such idiotic dribble leave either of your mouths again, then this,” he raised the blade, “will be driven into both your skulls. Do we understand?” The two nodded rapidly. “Good,” the dog growled with a nasty grin. “Now, I’m going to return to my beloved. When I get back to them, you both better be out of my sight.”
Tobias didn’t even get a chance to reach the rest of the inner circle because Solistice was already rushing over to their husband. “Hello Lamby.”
“Our tent. Now.”
Tobias followed behind his lover. He didn’t regret what he did. If he had to take a lecture from his lover, so be it.
“What was that?!” Solistice whisper yelled. They’d be double damned if they had the whole Cult listening.
“They were talking shit,” he said as the crown returned to its rightful owner. Tobias went onto explain what the two idiots had been saying for the past week, much to the rage of the godling.
“Why didn’t you say anything?! I would have dealt with it the first time they said anything!”
“I didn’t wish to concern you. It isn’t the first time a follower has been salty about you not returning their feelings.”
Solistice hummed as they pulled their husband towards their shared bed. Laying down, they asked, “What changed today?”
“They wanted to break us up by implying I was manipulating you.”
The sheep glared at their husband. “You asked.” They hummed then grinned as a thought occurred to them. “Maybe a couple of days in the prison will change their minds on our relationship.”
Tobias cackled. “Oh Lamby, you are devious.”
“And you aren’t? Next time, warn me before you threaten one of our cultists, alright?”
“I promise, Lamby.” Tobias snuggled closer to his lover. They could spare a few minutes before returning to the rest of their Cult.