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It had been a long Entry Hour for Mydei: training with his fellow Kremnoans and getting them ready for their next mission, visiting Kokopo III at the Dromas Workshop and spending some much-needed time with him, and reading some of Lady Castorice’s most recent works and providing feedback at her request.
Even if it had only just become Ascent Hour in Okhema, Mydei felt more than ready to crawl back into bed and sleep until someone—most likely with white hair and a smile that could outshine Amphoreous’s Dawn Device—broke down his door and dragged him out of bed.
Speaking of that someone, he hadn’t seen the Deliverer at all today. What could he possibly be up to this Entry Hour?
Oh well, it was of (almost) no concern to Mydei. After all, he would most likely see the Deliverer some time later today, and he could pester him about what he’d been up to then. For now, he’d like to get some much-needed peace and quiet.
However, as he approached the door to his abode, he felt that something was amiss. And as his door opened, he soon understood why…
Was that smoke coming from inside his quarters!?
Without even thinking, he rushed in to look for the source of the smoke. Maybe he had left his stove on this morning? Maybe one of the Cleaners had snuck into his home and was poorly attempting to assassinate him? Or maybe this was all a prank orchestrated by Lady Cifera, and there were no flames at all?
Whatever it was, he needed to deal with it quickly, lest he lose his abode and have to temporarily room with one of the other Chrysos Heirs until his home became habitable again. Although he loved them all dearly, he doesn’t believe he would be able to stand living with one of them for longer than a week or two.
Thankfully, the source of the smoke was relatively close to the door, so he spotted its origin relatively quickly upon entering his home.
It was none other than the Deliverer himself, standing in front of a pot looking more panicked than Mydei had ever seen him. He seemed to be attempting to salvage whatever it was in that pot, completely oblivious to the smoke curling around him.
“Deliverer, pay attention and look around yourself!” He shouted, trying to catch Phainon’s attention without surprising him and making him knock whatever it was in that pot onto the floor.
Phainon’s head snapped up almost immediately, looking in the direction that Mydei’s voice came from. He then let out a yelp when he noticed the smoke surrounding him, backing away from the pot instinctively.
Mydei didn’t waste a single second afterwards, immediately rushing towards the stove and turning it off. He then opened up a window and began fanning the smoke towards it. He was lucky that this wasn’t his first time dealing with kitchen mishaps, having experienced Lady Tribios’s wrath in the kitchen many times before.
Once all of the smoke had cleared and his abode had turned back to its original state, he turned to face Phainon, who stood there looking guilty as ever.
“Deliverer, what is the meaning of this?” He interrogated. He felt a little guilty at the harshness of his tone, but he couldn’t help it: he was exhausted and, even moreso, confused. Honestly, he just wanted this day to be over already.
Phainon awkwardly smiled with his teeth clenched—the telltale sign that Phainon felt uncomfortable as hell but didn’t want anyone to know—as he held Mydei’s gaze before replying “Oh, I was just… y’know…”
“Spit it out, Deliverer.” Mydei interrupted. It was unlike Phainon to be so awkward, his words usually flowing freely from within him. However, he also knew that Phainon struggled to speak openly about his problems, often keeping his insecurities and worries locked behind a tired smile and fake reassurance.
So, Mydei would just have to give him that extra push to break him free from whatever was holding him back. Sobeit.
Phainon quickly faltered, his uncomfortable smile falling almost immediately into a small frown. He sighed defeatedly before he began to speak again, “…I was…trying to make you a dish from Castrum Kremnos since you’ve mentioned before that you never had the opportunity to have one before the city fell to ruin.
“I know your memories of your home are… few and not the fondest, but I know the value that a home-cooked meal holds, and you deserve the opportunity to experience that, even if it’s made by my non-Kremnoan hands.
“…I’m sorry for all of the trouble I caused you today. I’ll be leaving now,” He finished, averting his gaze as he began to walk towards the door.
“Phainon, hold on.” Mydei blurted out quickly as he followed Phainon. Phainon stopped in his tracks, meeting Mydei’s gaze once more. Mydei almost let out a snort at how hopeful Phainon looked as he watched Mydei closely.
“I appreciate the gesture behind your actions, even if you were unable to succeed in your execution. It is more for me than anyone else has ever done, and I am not one to overlook that. Thank you, Phainon. You care for me far more than I deserve as an immortal,” He closed.
“…Also, I would not be opposed to you staying. So long as you are willing to help me clean up,” He added, slightly embarrassed.
If you had told Mydei that he just told Phainon that he would give him Era Nova, Mydei would have believed you with how Phainon looked at him. He could’ve sworn tears were welling up in his eyes, but he didn’t get the chance to confirm it as Phainon tackled him into a hug.
“Oh Mydei, you’re the best partner anyone could ever ask for!” Phainon exclaimed, hugging Mydei even tighter. If Mydei wasn’t immortal, then he would have started worrying about whether he was going to suffocate to death or not in Phainon’s grasp.
“HKS, let me go,” He hissed. But he did nothing to break free from his hold, merely standing there awkwardly with his arms wrapped around Phainon’s neck.
Thankfully, Phainon let him go soon enough, apologizing as he did so. Afterwards, Mydei dragged them both back into the kitchen to clean up and prepare to make a new dish.
Once they had both settled into the kitchen, Phainon began to read aloud from his cookbook, “If we want to begin making this dish–”
“Deliverer, wait,” Mydei interrupted suddenly.
Phainon seemed a little surprised at this, questioning, “Huh? What’s up? Is something wrong?”
“No. Nothing’s wrong. It’s just…how about we make a dish from your home instead? You can tell me all about your fond memories of Aedes Elysiae and explain the recipe while I cook. That way, it’ll feel like a dish from home for both of us,” Mydei suggested, slightly nervous that Phainon would be upset with the suggestion.
Instead, Phainon’s expression was the most genuine one he’d ever seen from him, eyes glimmering with an emotion unlike any other.
“I’d… I’d love that.”
Mydei smiled fondly, his worries vanishing in an instant.
“Well, go on then, Deliverer. The recipe won’t explain itself.”
The kitchen soon filled with the sounds of Phainon chattering away about his memories of home as Mydei worked on perfecting his dish, the mood warm and comfortable as they worked in tandem.
Although it wasn’t the restful quiet that Mydei had hoped for this Ascent Hour, it was a comfortable peace that soothed his soul anyway.