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Of course this would happen to them. The two jellyfish who didn't like each other would have to be the ones who set up the cabin for the others or rather that was the plan until the two were snowed in… Astaroth could barely believe it when Saleos came back in; shivering from the heavy snowfall. It was hilarious at first & then karma came back to bite him in the ass. They woke up the next morning to find themselves completely snowed in!
As the purple witness looked out to see a damn comforter of snow had fallen on them overnight, he groaned.
“Of course, of course this would happen.” Astaroth said to no one in particular. “I could always make some-” Astaroth interrupted Saleos. “No. You make most of your poisons by complete accident. I'm not trusting you to not kill us somehow with your experiments.” Saleos pouted. “Killjoy.”
Astaroth merely sighed & went about their daily routine of keeping the cabin safe & secure. Saleos did his own thing really, until the two of them would cross paths for a brief second. Saleos would always try to plead his case or make a smart-ass remark. Astaroth wasn't the general for nothing. He was strong in his resolve of keeping the maniacal jellyfish in check. As the day waned to night; both jellyfish were outside in the back deck sun room. The sun room that should've been called the snow room instead. As the snowfall made it look like an igloo from the outside. The room was relatively warm while it was freezing outside. Kallamar's magic they supposed.
Both jellyfish men were just sitting in silence or rather Astaroth was sitting in silence. Saleos was bored out of his mind & needed something to entertain himself with. Something like… messing with the general perhaps? Astaroth caught a slight gleam in the other jellyfish's amber stare & he could already feel a headache coming on. “Don't.” Astaroth stated plainly, which Saleos just chuckled at. “Don't what?” He tried to sound innocent. Astaroth just glared at him, knowing better. “Take whatever horrible idea you have out of your head.” Astaroth was clear in his disdain for whatever Saleos was planning. “Aww, ghost stories are horrible now? Well with gruesome detail of deaths maybe, but not entirely.” Astaroth sighed in annoyance. He knew he couldn't stop Saleos from doing whatever he pleased, especially if said thing was meant to annoy him.
Astaroth was the unwilling victim in whatever scheme this madman was going to come up with & he'd have to unfortunately bear through it. As candles were lit for ambience & the room darker than it already was with all the snow. Saleos sitting right by Astaroth told the witness that this was indeed happening. If this criminal thought he could scare him somehow, then he was poorly mistaken. Let him try his luck. It'll be entertaining is what Astaroth told himself to try & humor this.
As Saleos began his tales it was quite clear that it was less of any actual ghost story & more just a few well placed lies scattered about. Not like the green three eyed jellyfish actually believed in ghosts & Astaroth could certainly tell by his storytelling abilities. The general feigned interest & as the climax was coming up… a very sudden & extremely loud booming screech came from outside & something smacked itself into the glass.
This caused both jellyfish to jump in fright. Astaroth would've fallen off the sofa if not for… Saleos clinging to his frame. The usual evil jellyfish had his three amber eyes widened in fear & was trembling against him. Absolutely shivering. It was truly a sight to behold. One that Astaroth didn't think would ever be possible. It was such a bizarre sight that it momentarily took a hold of all of his thoughts.
Seeing the ‘first husband’ as Saleos called himself; in such a state of utter fear was almost… cute? Wait! WHY in all the void would Astaroth think such a thing?! He loathed this criminal!! And yet… it was difficult to deny the thought with how Saleos currently looked… The usually sinister jellyfish's body trembling against him, tentacles gripping tightly around Astaroth & refusing to let go. The smaller male looked genuinely afraid & it certainly didn't help when Saleos finally found his voice.
“W-what the fuck was th-that?!?!” Saleos’ voice was cracking as he stuttered. The question brought Astaroth back to reality. There was something outside. Some type of creature lurking around them. Something… unknown that hid itself in the shadows; awaiting to strike at them. They might be safe in this room, but for how long? Astaroth didn't like the idea of whatever this was potentially gaining access in. The general subconsciously pulled Saleos closer to himself. A steady hand on the villain's back to soothe him & to steady himself if he was being honest. Having another warm body near him was keeping him sane. Keeping his mind on track for possible attack plans should things get out of hand.
Astaroth began to subconsciously rub Saleos’ back to help calm him. He had done the same for Haborym time & time again. It was habit taking over for the general. At this, Saleos became very aware of his current position & of how he must look. The green jellyfish couldn't stop the blush that spread across his face from realizing just how close he was to Astaroth. He tried in vain to hide his face in the purple jellyfish's robes. He… didn't want to let go. Not yet. His brain was screaming at him to stay right by Astaroth for… safety reasons.
'Strong general. He'll protect you.’
Saleos mind played over & over for him & yet he didn't want to admit any of it! He was much too stubborn to admit such a thing! His ego & pride was already damaged enough from this, what more did the universe want from him?!
Another screech had the poor jellyfish clinging closer to Astaroth. Saleos shivered in his hold & Astaroth honestly couldn't blame him as what he was eyeing currently made him want to scream, but he couldn't speak. Astaroth tightened his hold on Saleos; bringing the smaller male jellyfish into his lap as both a comfort tactic for himself & an act of defiance as he stared down the creature. A clear sign that whatever this being wanted, it wouldn't get.
The shadowed creature seemed to stare at them. Saliva dripping from its blackened maw in hunger. Astaroth stayed strong in his resolve, holding Saleos tightly against himself. Saleos for his part had put his head in the crook of Astaroth's neck. The green jellyfish not wanting to look at whatever had caused Astaroth to move him so intimately close to the other. Unfortunately for himself… Saleos was always the curious type. It's what often made his deadly poisons. Curiosity over what chemicals did together. Astaroth could sense Saleos turning his head to look & before he had even said a word, Saleos saw it. Well…. he saw with what little light they had. Astaroth felt Saleos’ trembling increase tenfold & he heard no words. Only a very terrified & soft whimper…
“Wha- what is tha-” Saleos tried to ask as his voice broke, but when the creature banged its fist on the glass enough to leave a small crack; Saleos yelped & hid his face in the crook of Astaroth's neck once again. Saleos was fully on him this time. Legs locked behind Astaroth's back & he could feel Saleos’ heart racing as he trembled in his hold. If the others could see them in this position they would be assuming something very different was happening. His lord; Kallamar especially.
Those thoughts were thankfully stopped as the sound of claws scratching on glass was heard. Astaroth saw the entity before them trying to claw its way in. In vain it seemed because the magic of the room seemed to reinforce itself. The crack was gone. A protection spell from his lord. Astaroth was very relieved to see that Kallamar's magic was protecting them from whatever this creature had planned.
Astaroth's eyes left the creature to struggle & his eyes roamed the current trembling jellyfish in his lap. As much as he hated the other, he didn't really have the heart to leave Saleos in such a panicked state. Perhaps he was becoming softer with the other spouses around. Pausing that thought, Astaroth laid his free hand on the back of Saleos’ head.
“Hush hush. It's okay. The beast can't get to us. Kallamar placed a protection spell around this place. We're safe from it.”
Saleos trembling lessened somewhat, but he was still very shaken by the events. The green jellyfish was always a man of science. The paranormal isn't something he believed in. Now however… he wasn't entirely sure. He did know one thing though. He didn't want to be left alone right now. The creature may not be able to get to them thankfully, but Saleos still didn't want the possible chance of being on his own facing it. The three amber eyed jellyfish swallowed whatever pride he had left as he spoke up.
“Don't leave me.” It was meant to be a demand to keep some of his ego, but it sounded more like a plea. It stunned Astaroth for a good few moments before nodding. “Alright. I give you my word. I won't leave you. Tonight we sleep in the same bed & I'll keep you safe.” The general promised & he swore he just saw a blush run across Saleos' face. Saleos was making it very hard for Astaroth to not think of the war criminal as cute right now.
Dashing away such thoughts for now, Astaroth stood up & carried… Saleos with him to a king sized bed. The bed itself was originally intended for Kallamar in case his God wished to cuddle one of them or do some more… perverse matters. Astaroth put that last thought on the back burner. He didn't wish to begin thinking such thoughts, especially with Saleos clinging to him like a lifeline. The absolute last thing either of them needed was to be in that type of state. As they made it upstairs, the both of them had de-clasped some outer layers of their robes, so that sleeping wouldn't be too uncomfortable for them. Especially since it was clear that the two would be cuddling in their sleep. They tried not to think about it too much.
Laying down in the bed, Saleos’ face was right in Astaroth's chest. His trembling had gone down significantly after leaving the creature to struggle. The two jellies bodies were pressed against one another as sleep began to take them over. The entity had left at some point after realizing it wasn't getting in. Good for them. As slumber began to take a hold of them, Saleos piped up.
“We will never speak of this again. No one will know.”
His voice was less shaky & broken after getting away from the beast. Astaroth merely nodded. Although it would be perfect blackmail for Saleos, Astaroth would rather not have it known of how protective he had been of his supposed rival. “Agreed.” Astaroth voiced his approval, if only to not have Saleos staring him down more than he needed.
Oh if only no one would know of this… Kallamar had sensed how his magic had to become more powerful last night & had taken the rest of his spouses over to the cabin to check on his two other gems. Using his crown's magic to melt the snow around the cabin, imagine his own surprise; as well as Haborym & Baali's to see both usually at each other's throats jellyfish; cuddling close to one another in a rather adorable looking embrace.
Astaroth's arms protectively around Saleos’ middle & a hand on the green jelly's back to pull him closer in. Saleos’ face being in the crook of Astaroth's neck, sleeping soundly. Perhaps Kallamar will wait for them to wake up by themselves. He himself & his other two gems will continue to see such cuteness & it will also give both of his wonderful jellies a peaceful rest after whatever they had encountered last night. Kallamar sat himself down on the armchair & pulled Haborym & Baali into his lap. The three just enjoy the sight until the two jellyfish awoke, likely going to be embarrassed after they see the other three staring at them. Kallamar wore a soft smile on his face as he awaited his two precious gems awakening.