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“I mis yu…”
The rest of the room went still, turning their heads to look at the drunken man at the head of the table. His smoldering amber eyes had been reduced to a puddle of embers that drooped from the effects of alcohol. Big hands gripping his own pale hair, sprawled on the table with a pitiful look on his face that does not fit his role at all.
“Lana… Mis yuu…"
“Oh, for the stars.” Celenova sighed exasperatedly, pinching her temples. “Here we go again.”
“Kaseuuu…” Nanook took another swig of his wine, finishing the drink in one go and struggled to reach for more. “Hic- Lana wer yu go…”
“Sir, I think you’ve drank enough—”
“No!” He slammed his hand on the table, cutting off Zephyro’s words. “Wer Lana- hic- I wan my Lana… Gimme hic- my Lana…”
“Sir.” Zephyro tried to say one more time. “Khaslana is currently on a fashion trip on behalf of his sponsor.” It took all his might to not groan at his superior’s face at times like this. “If all is according to his plans, he’ll be back by—”
“Now?” Nanook looked at him with hopeful eyes.
“—next week.”
“Aww…” Then he slumped and started pouting like an overgrown child.
Asat Pramad choked on his wine, coughing violently to contain his laughter. Phantylia covered her snickering lips with slender fingers. Luxbane forgot that he was pouring another glass for himself, spilling the expensive wine all over the table. Even Archforger finally gave his poor keyboard a rest as he stopped his aggressive typing.
Zephyro’s really had enough of their CEO’s shenanigans.
“Celenova, do something.” He turned to look at the pale lady across him, still busy with her laptop.
“Too bad you’re alone in this, Zephyro.” Celenova shrugged. Oh, the audacity.
“Listen here you bi—”
“My, my.” Phantylia cut him off before he managed to swear at her girlfriend. “The Ruin Author surely is sweet when it comes to his spouse.” She turned at Celenova. “Will you act so when you’re drunk, love?”
The lady in question only smiled faintly.
There was a soft clap in the room. “Impressive.” Lygus chimed in. “This is indeed interesting. As the Theoros I observe—”
“No one wants to heat your observation, Lycurgus.” Archforger rumbled a groan.
“—That the Ruin Author possess a deep affection towards Khaslana.”
“WE KNOW THAT.”
Zephyro threw his body back to his seat, sighing heavily. It’s no use. This isn’t the first time Nanook got drunk. He knows better than anyone how embarrassingly clingy that man is when it he’s tipsy. Especially after his marriage. The only person who can persuade him to do anything right now is Khaslana. Such a pity that guy's absent right now.
“Ugh… Where is that brat when we need him the most.”
“What brat, huh?”
For galaxy’s sake, he never felt this relieved to hear the voice of a certain man rang without permission into his ears.
Celenova connected her laptop to the meeting room's projector, and Khaslana’s annoyed face filled the whole screen. Judging from his blond bedhead, she seemed to have bribed him up way too early in the morning to take care of his husband. And as if it’s not enough, the lady also turned her device so Nanook could get a clearer view of his spouse.
“KASEUUUU!!!” The older man immediately beamed, spreading his arms wide and charged over, attempting to kiss the screen.
“GROSS!”
Zephyro quickly grabbed Nanook on his collar to stop his futile attempt on smothering his beloved while Celenova swiftly grabbed her laptop out of reach, making the man whine a protest and Asat Pramad fell disgracefully from his chair for laughing so hard.
“Thank you for contacting me, Cele.” Khaslana scoffed sarcastically after Zephyro helped the CEO sit back on his chair. “I might forgive you for spamming my call log at two in the morning.”
“Anytime, Khaslana dear.” Celenova smiled.
"No 'thank you's for me, brat?" Zephyro crossed his arms.
He raised a brow skeptically. "You still owe me an apology for ruining my best suit, Zeph. Don't expect anything from me."
Khaslana rested his chin on his palm, looking both displeased and fed up by Nanook's behavior. The dim light of the bedside lamp glinted against the golden ring on his finger, reflecting beautiful shadows on his sun-marked nape. Nanook— not surprisingly—calmed down, grinning like a smitten, love-sick teenager as he splayed over the table.
"Heheh... hic- Lana mis yu..."
"Pathetic." The rest of the room visibly flinched at the ruthless insult. "Nanook you idiot."
"Aww... hic-"
"Don't 'aww' me you miserable mutt." Khaslana hissed. "Judging from your pitiful looks, you've drank at least five glasses of... What? Port? Amarone?" He glanced at the clock on the wall. "And considering the time difference, it's almost midnight there. What are you doing in the office, huh?"
"Luxie- hic- bring drinks-"
"Luxbane."
"Not me, missus." The man in question raised his hands. "Asat brought the drinks. I came for the wine. No more, no less."
He turned to glare at Asat Pramad.
"It was Phantylia's idea!" He leaped off the floor, crawling back to his chair and accused the chuckling lady. "She said the boss is feeling down without you around and—"
"Oh, so it's my fault now?" Phantylia swirled her glass, an amused look in her eyes. "Well, if it wasn't for Archforger's comment during lunch, I wouldn't call for this meeting."
"How is this my fault???" Archforger wailed. "I am literally sitting here. Doing my fucking work. In SILENCE. I haven't even touched the drink yet!"
"True. But you weren't so quiet at lunch."
"It was LUNCH, you wretch!"
"Enough, all of you." Khaslana snapped, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I’ve had enough listening to all of you bickering like children over toys. I'll reach up to Aurel about this. Which one of you doesn't drink?"
Archforger and Lygus raised their hands.
"You can't drive, Sunny." Khaslana sighed. "Asat, drive that idiot home." He pointed at Nanook (when did he pass out?) with his chin. “Make sure Aurel gets him inside, or else that kid will leave him freezing outside the door.”
"I didn't raise my hand?" Asat Pramad tilted his head.
"You won't get drunk until you drink a whole barrel of whiskey."
"Good point. But still, isn't Lygus a better option?"
"If I may volunteer, Sir Khaslana." Lygus bowed respectfully, a hand on his heart. "I will gladly send the Ruin Author home safely."
"See?"
"Who the fuck is this Sugus." Khaslana scoffed. "Chop-chop. Before I chop your salary off."
"Will I get a raise though?"
"Asat."
"Fine, fine."
"I'm coming with you." Zephyro stood, carefully hooking one of Nanook's arms across his shoulder and secured him. "Someone had to make sure you don't get in trouble on the way."
"I can navigate well, thank you very much."
"Not from you, fuckass. From possible scandals."
"Oh. Right"
Khaslana narrowed his piercing golden eyes. "I'll leave him to you both." And the connection cuts off.
Once the screen blacked out, Asat Pramad turned to look at Zephyro, a mischievous glint in his eyes. He didn’t even bother to get up from his chair before waving his hand at him.
“Off you go, then.” He grinned. “See you tomorrow.”
He frowned. “You’re joking.”
“I’m not! You volunteered; I don’t. Might as well get you send the Boss off. It’s not like I’m getting my salary raised anyways.”
“I’m really not in the mood right now, Asat Pramad.” Zephyro gritted his teeth. “Get that ass off your chair and do as Khaslana said.”
“Nuh-uh.” Asat Pramad took a dramatic sip of his wine. “I no no wanna.”
Something snapped inside Zephyro. Maybe it’s his patience, maybe it’s his teeth—he’s not sure. He gritted them too hard, it seemed. If it wasn’t his own boss he’s carrying, he’d thrown Nanook at Asat Pramad’s smug face and watch him suffocate from the older man’s weight.
…Yeah. That’ll be hell of a fun show.
“As the Theoros, I observe that both of you seemed to have forgotten how I have willingly volunteered to fulfill the task.” Lygus chirped in. “Let me be the one to send the Ruin Author back to his dwelling, as for both of you showed mild reluctance to do so.”
“Shut the fuck up, Lygus.” Zephyro said with a flat face. “Khaslana ordered Asat Pramad to do one fucking job. And your job is to stay out of this.”
“Anyways, Sugus.” Luxbane snickered (shit, he’s still here all along?) “What did you do this time to get yourself iced by the missus?”
Lygus smiled politely. “I may or may not have been insulting and bullying his youngest brother who happened to be one of my students in college.”
“Damn. It’s already a miracle that you’re still alive.”
“Indeed. Sir Khaslana even spared me after he incinerated the virus I sent to his and his brothers’ devices to track and monitor them. He truly is such a wise man.”
“Dude, you’re good as dead.”
“Like Pramad if he doesn’t send the Ruin Author back home.” Archforger grumbled.
“Pssh. Khaslana can’t kill me.” Asat Pramad waved his hand dismissively. “That kid’s got no authority over me.”
“True.” Celenova nodded solemnly. “But Aurel will be expecting you. And if he doesn’t find you sending the Ruin Author off, he will surely tattle to Khaslana. And if Khaslana knows, he’ll ask him to fire you. And you know how he never said ‘no’ to his spouse.” The pale lady smiled. “Is that what you longed to achieve, Asat Pramad? To be unemployed?”
Blood drained from the man’s face as the twinkle of mischief dimmed from his eyes. He finally got his lazy ass off the chair to do something useful for once—on the stake of his own career.
“Hurry up, Zephyro.” He said, emptying his glass in one gulp before rushing towards his co-worker, helping him to support their boss. “Aurel’s waiting. It’s past his bedtime.”
“You know he’s not a kid anymore, don’t’ you.”
“It’s past his bedtime.”
…Tch. Zephyro had to swallow the bitter truth that he won’t get to see this man perish for now.
✧༺ ☾∞☽ ༻✧
The front door swung open, revealing the charming face with begrudging pout owned by a young man with golden eyes. His soft hair brushed to the side, like beach sands combed by ocean sea. His slender build was perfect, as if it was carved from the most brilliant porcelain ever found. Judging from his looks, people would guess that he’s on his late teen. Little did they know he’s actually in his mid-twenties. No one needed to think hard on whose genes this kid inherited.
He took a quick glance at the passed out Nanook in Zephyro’s hold before looking up at the man.
“Wrong address.” He said and slammed the door.
But Zephyro was faster, holding the entrance with one arm and pushed it back open. “Don’t be a brat, Aurel.”
Aurel sighed. “Oh, so now I’m a brat.”
“You’ve literally just disowned your own dad.”
“My 'dad’ doesn’t drink cheap alcohol.”
“Port Wine is not ‘cheap alcohol’, kid.”
“I’m not a ‘kid’, old man.”
“And I’m not an ‘old man’, kid.”
Nanook took that exact moment to groan, blinking his eyes a few times and looked around with bleary eyes. His gaze stopped at Aurel before him and instantly grin like a love-struck moron.
“Lanaaa….” He whined, limping over and draped his body over Aurel’s arms. Lucky for him, his son had quick reflexes.
“Ugh, Dad!” He grumbled, balancing them both. “Cut it off! You reek!” The young man started panicking when his dad started to pepper his cheeks with small affectionate kisses. “Gah- Dad! Quit it!”
“Aurel, stop making a fuss. It’s midnight.”
Another young man appeared from behind the door, throwing a judgmental side-eye at his brother before turning at Zephyro. His amber eyes are much like Nanook’s, as well as his dark skin and pale ash-grey hair. He seemed to be just a year or two younger than Aurel, but gloomier. And colder. And deadlier... Though, Zephyro had to admit, he still has the same charismatic aura he inherited from Khaslana.
“Uncle Zeph.” He greeted lightly.
“Solan.” Zephyro replied. “I’m sorry for the sudden visit.”
The second shook his head, passing two jars of cookies to Zephyro’s hands. “Thank you. One for you, one for Uncle Asat.”
“Thank you.” He knew better than to refuse the gift and observed it briefly, noticing something that piqued his interest. “Are those almonds?"
Solan nodded. “I know you have wheat allergy, so I asked Uncle Mydei if I can make some cookies using almond flour.”
For once, a soft smile cracked on Zephyro’s pale lips. He reached a hand to gently ruffle Solan’s thick hair gently as a form of gratitude. “You’re a good kid.”
“Oi, Solan!” Aurel yelped. “A little help?!”
Both Solan and Zephyro turned only to see the first-borned struggling with his clingy drunk father, having himself wrapped around Aurel and nibbling on his soft puffy cheeks. The scene looks adorable, actually. Like a cat nibbling his own kitten from cuteness aggression or something. Literally—Aurel’s lean body was a strike contrast with Nanook’s firm, much larger and muscular build. It’s cute, ‘nuff said.
“I’d better be off.” Zephyro sighed, shaking his head exasperatedly. “You should help your brother before anyone sees your dad being stupidly embarrassing.”
Solan only nodded, waiting until the man disappeared back into Asat Pramad’s car before finally turned. Zephyro watched from the car as the second-borned turned to reach for Nanook and gently pry him off Aurel before guiding him further inside the house. The first-borned shivered like a cold kitten, glaring at the car intensely and pulled out an offensive middle finger before slamming the door shut.
“Feisty.” Asat Pramad grinned, drumming his fingers at the wheel when Zephyro got inside. His eyes caught the sight of the jars in his coworker’s hands. “What’s that?”
“Treats.” Zephyro shrugged. “Solan made them for me.”
“Eh, really?”
He nodded lightly, tasting a bite. His eyes lit up slightly. Best cookies ever.
“Lucky bastard.” Asat Pramad scoffed, driving off the garage and head back to the highway, completely oblivious that Zephyro was gatekeeping him. “That kid’s playing favorites now?”
“No longer the favorite uncle huh, Asat Pramad?” Zephyro snickered faintly, still munching on the cookies.
Asat Pramad only scoffed. Guess he’ll just monopolize the treats then.
✧༺ ☾∞☽ ༻✧
The sun rays shot straight into Nanook’s eyes, like a celestial judgement that fell upon him for waking up so late. He groaned, shifting to cover his face and squeezed his eyes. His cheeks brushed the sheets, warm and soft and squishy.
Wait—squishy?
Nanook squinted his eyes, looking up with bleary eyes. Even with his blurry sight and throbbing headache, he could still see how the morning light glowed like an ethereal halo around a familiar blond hair hovering over him. Its soft strands glowed platinum, like melting silver. Hmm… No. Even after years, he still hasn’t found the right words to express the beauty of his light, his rising sun destined to rise for him and him only.
Ah, but it’s impossible. His sunrise his miles away from him on the other side of the country. Surely, he won’t make it here just to wake him up? He must be hallucinating.
“Aurel.” He groaned, frowning at the sharp throbbing pulse on his temples. “What are you doing here?”
“Aurel?” The man scoffed, his voice rough but gentle. “Bold of you to assume that kid have the strength to wake up this early in the morning.”
Nanook frowned, focusing his eyes to see the most magnificent sunrise beamed softly at him, a teasing smile on his lips, and a sparkle of mischief in his eyes. "Geh- Lana. You and Aurel should really stop looking so much alike.”
“Sober yet?” Khaslana laughed playfully, watching his spouse grumble and nestled his face back into his lap. His slender fingers played with Nanook’s long hair, carefully braiding it neatly like it was the most important thing to do in the whole universe. “Aurel is my son. How can we not look similar?”
“Why are you here?” Nanook’s voice rumbled, closing his eyes and rested his throbbing temples on Khaslana’s thighs. “Aren’t you supposed to be on the other side of the globe? I thought you left me.”
“You’re being dramatic.” He scoffed. “I was just gone for… What? A week?”
“That’s still ten thousand heartbeats without you.” The older man hugged his hips tightly.
Khaslana frowned. “That's not normal. I think you’re having palpitation. We should go to the dentist.”
“…Idiot.”
The blond laughed. Ah, that voice. That mellifluous sound echoing in his mind. It brought wonders into Nanook's heart. Warm feelings, like butterflies fluttering inside his stomach. Like spring breeze blowing into his veins. Like soft blankets soothing his longing soul.
Years they've spent together, and this man never failed to make him fall for him all over again.
Fuck the past life. He doesn't care if their past selves stood on the opposing sides of the battlefield. He doesn't care if they had more than enough power to kill each other over and over again. He doesn't care if they made unforgivable mistakes, if they tore the worlds from their fights, if they destroyed countless star systems. Fuck it all.
Nanook loved Khaslana in this life. Still does. And he will remain loving him until the end of time. Period.
He nuzzled closer, pressing soft kisses to Khaslana's toned stomach. The man's warmth soothes his hangover, drawing soft purrs of comfort from him.
"Overgrown cat." Khaslana chuckled, finishing one strand of braid and moved to the next one. "Get up. I haven't made breakfast."
"Naw." Chuckled Nanook. "Bet you pulled me when I'm asleep. I'm not letting you escape after being away from me for so long."
"I was gone for one week!" The younger man groaned exasperatedly, tugging his spouse's hair out of exasperation.
“Ow?!”
“And you scrambled unto my lap the moment I got back.” He further flicked Nanook’s forehead. “Half-asleep, still in your goddamn suit. Do you know how much effort I have to go through just to get you changed?”
“Alright, but do you have to flick me—”
“And not to mention your attitude!” Another flick, much harder this time. “I can’t believe you humiliate yourself! Good thing only the Ravagers saw your embarrassing behavior. Could you imagine what would happen if the media found out?” He scoffed sarcastically. “'CEO of the Adlivun Inc. seen drunk in the middle of the night. Is this the same company to the one we’ve been relying our health insurances to?’Yeah, I could totally imagine how the news would blast.”
Nanook kept his silence, realizing how worried Khaslana was. Behind all that mask of anger and annoyance, Khaslana was truly concerned of his well-being. He was afraid for his reputation, and for the sake of the company he had built from nothing.
“You were worried for me.” Stupid Nanook. That’s all you could say?
Khaslana blinked. Once, twice. Then he laughed. That same reverberating happiness that flowed freely through the sun-kissed atmosphere. Then the sun himself lowered down, pressing a soft, affectionate kiss at Nanook’s forehead. Then another peck on the tip of his nose, on his eyelids, on both sides of his cheeks, before finally landing a chaste kiss on his lips.
Nanook was at lost of words. Since the first time they met, he had learned that Khaslana was not the kind of person who showers his partner with physical forms of affection. He expresses his love through words and actions, sometimes sacrificial enough to give Nanook severe heart attacks. As far as their long love story, Khaslana was never the first one to engage the first kiss.
Well… Not that he’s complaining.
“Port Wine?” Asked the younger, pulling away and licked his lips to savor the last bits of liquor left on Nanook’s lips.
“Huh?” His mind short-circuited for a bit. “Oh, yeah. Lygus bought it during his last trip.”
Khaslana scrunched his nose, smoldering disdain clear in his golden eyes. “Who the fuck is this Sugus guy?”
Nanook chuckled, nuzzling back on his lap. He knows best to not mention that one employee of his in front of his spouse. “No one you should concern of, Sunrise.”
The blond scoffed. “Was it good though? The wine.”
“Mm… Not as good as you.” Nanook chuckled, pulling Khaslana back for another kiss. “Can I get more kisses?”
He laughed softly, leaning down to press their foreheads together. A teasing glint in his eyes, a playful smile on his soft lips. The sun penetrating the windows crowned him in light, creating a magnificent aureole of pure beauty. Ah, he really is the sun destined to rise.
"Don’t get drunk too often.”
“Hmn. Only if you promise you’ll do this more often.”
Khaslana chuckled. “I’ll make sure I’ll be only one making you lose your mind then.”
•••
"What happened to the trip? Weren't you supposed to be back next week?"
"I slipped away. Duh."
"Won't that get you in trouble though?"
"Eh, Zephyro can handle my manager."