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“Do you know why that Deliverer is trying those courting rituals with you? Does that Okheman seriously believe he could match up to you?” Krateos asked.
Right. He had been sparring with Krateos.
The Deliverer in question had been out of the city for a mission for nearly a week already. Without his sparring partner and someone to compete with him over anything and everything, Mydei had been growing increasingly restless in his absence. Krateos found it somewhat ridiculous how the yet-to-be king always complained that the Deliverer was ‘too loud’ or ‘too clingly’, yet the moment the overgrown puppy is gone, suddenly he’s in a worse mood than he’s seen him in at all during their time in Okhema. He nearly even ended up challenging the entire Kremnoan Detachment to a duel, desperate for a proper challenge until he was stopped by Krateos
Of course, Mydei had defeated Krateros easily. Krateros wasn’t weak by any means, in fact, he was far stronger than the average person and could definitely win against any other normal person without trying too hard. Unfortunately, Mydei wasn’t ’any normal person’ and had far more stamina, strength and speed than a normal human would. Very few people could ever possibly match up to him, let alone beat him, with the exception of one very enthusiastic and charismatic puppy made human.
Back to the present, there were many things to unpack in Krateros’s statement. Firstly, the underlying prejudice against Okheman’s. Mydei wasn’t as irked by Krateros’s judgment towards the Okhemans. Don’t get him wrong, he still found it ridiculous- that the place someone was born in, something out of their control, something they couldn’t possibly change and had no say, and reflected little of someone’s personality or lifestyle, was a reason to dislike someone. No, what irked him the most was how that prejudice was directed towards Phainon. To begin with, the man wasn’t even from Okhema- he was from Aedes Elysiae; a coastal village so small it was unheard of from anyone that wasn’t its sole survivor. Adding on, Phainon was one of the few non-kremnoans who actively stood in defence of them when the Council and those in the holy city clouded by their judgments had slandered them.
Secondly, the fact that Phainon was most likely unaware of the courting rituals that Krateos was talking about. Phainon wasn’t a Kremnoan, and most records discussing courting rituals were still back in Castrum Kremnos, which has long since been lost to the black tide. Even Mydei’s own personal library which may have held such books had been burned down, which left very few retractable ways for people to learn of such rituals without hearing it via word of mouth. Meaning Phainon had no way of knowing the meaning of their actions unless some other Kremnoan told him, which Mydei highly doubted anyone did. Not with the fact their King was involved.
Additionally, most of the rituals were executed by Mydei, such as the time when Phainon had won a challenge of theirs and Mydei had rewarded him with a flower crown. In the past, people would give their lovers who returned as victors from battles a laurel wreath covered in the blood of their opponent. Though, Mydei knew such a violent custom would sadden the Deliverer, and he didn’t enjoy the bloody and gruesome nature of the tradition too much either, hence the replacement being a flower crown instead, made out of some Forget-Me-Nots, Hydrangeas and Irises to match his blue eyes. Something equally as pretty and fit the gorgeous white-haired Deliverer almost perfectly.
His mother would probably scold Mydei for his cowardice to tell Phainon the true nature of his actions if she was still alive. Normally, Mydei wouldn’t be this cowardly, but Phainon was ultimately doomed to be the only one to remain while the other Chryso Heirs he so dearly loved perished. Admitting his feelings would only cause more pain in the long run as their duties caught up to them. He couldn’t possibly bear to subject Phainon to that fate, so he kept silent. Sadly, Gorgo wasn’t here to tell him off.
Lastly, Mydei had to disagree on the idea that Phainon ‘didn’t match up to him’. Phainon was wonderful. He was his equal, in and out of battle. They had tied that ten day and night match when they first met, going blow for blow. What he lacked in strength to match up to Mydei, he made up with his speed and swiftness. He held a weapon that was heavier than anyone could possibly carry, yet he carried it like it was nothing more but a plastic sword to him. He matched up to Mydei in wit and stamina. Even outside of battle, he had been his equal. When it came to their silly competitions, he never judged. No matter how ridiculous it was, he still made sure to engage with it actively. Thus, Mydei had also done the same to him
Not to mention, Phainon was beautiful. He was as gorgeous as the sky, with a brightness that reminded him of the sun. Sometimes Mydei found him to be even more gorgeous then the promise of Dawn in the new world, or that he was comparable to Mnestia herself, which would certainly make some worshipper of her out there seethe at the idea. Afterall, how dare he compare such a 'lowly mortal' to the goddess Mnestia herself? Not that Mydei particularly cared.
Phainon had once described them as ‘kindred spirits’. Even though Mydei had scoffed at him and told him ‘enough with the poetry’, he found he didn’t disagree. They were both similar in many ways. They both enjoyed similar things, such as fighting, chimeras, reading, among other activities. Not to mention how they were both people burdened by other expectations who could put down those walls around each other. When it came to the two of them, they found themselves to be more like Mydei the son of Gorgo and Phainon of Aedes Elysiae, rather than the King of Castrum Kremnos and the prophesied Deliverer, even of Phainon still kept up his fragile facade sometimes.
And, most importantly, they were both people who yearned for their homeland that was out of reach. Mydei didn’t see Castrum Kremnos as his home, rather he saw the Kremnoan detachment as such, having never really grown up in Castrum Kremnos for long before being thrown into the Sea of Souls by his maddened father. And while the Kremnoan Detachment was still here in Okhema, he had far fewer companions he held close to his heart. He still cared for each Kremnoan as their king and leader, but none could truly match up the affection he held towards his long gone friends, like Hephaestion and Percusta.
As much as Phainon tried to hide it, Mydei knew the Elysiaen man had felt similar things to him. The man had rarely spoke of his own hometown, but the sadness in his eyes when it was mentioned told him all needed to knew. Unlike Mydei, who at least still had a Kremnoan Detachment to see and grow closer to if he so wished, Phainon had no one left for him. Everyone he had from his home was gone now, leaving only him. Not his people, his family, or even the location to revisit. The only remnant of the small village no one heard of was the Deliverer himself. He could see how much the man wanted to return to the village, based on the fondness and softness in his voice when he spoke of it.
“A few things, Krateros. Firstly, I advise you to let go of the grudge you hold against Okhemans and especially the Deliverer. I understand that Kremnos has had a rough past with Okhema, but right now we are facing far bigger threats on the rise and can’t afford to let something as uncontrollable as our cities cloud our judgment. Need I remind you how much we dislike when others send the same unreasonable judgment to us? Also, by the way, the Deliverer isn’t even from Okhema, and in fact, is one of our most staunch supporters within the city.” Mydei started off. Krateros seemed surprised for a moment, his eyebrows furrowing, taking a bit to intake everything Mydei had said before letting out a sigh.
“..My…apologies, Mydeimos. I’ll…try my best. I’d not easily to get rid of grudges which have stood for years.” Mydei understood that. Even if he found such judgements ridiculous, he knew not everything could be rushed the same way battling could. The first steps was what mattered.
“Of course, I will not rush something that takes time. Secondly, Krateros, I highly doubt the Deliverer is even aware of such…rituals. I must remind you he is not a Kremnoan, and that these rituals may not mean the same thing to us as it means to him.” Mydei continued. Krateros had sent him an eye raise which Mydei figured was saying something along the lines of 'Then why haven’t you told him?' to which he promptly ignored, being too unwilling to get into the nature of his actions right now, when he would almost certainly be called out by Krateros.
“And lastly, teacher. I would like to refute your point that the Deliverer could not match up to me- he is far more deserving than anyone to be my equal. He had proved so in our first spar that lasted ten days and nights, much like my own parents. I could no choose anyone better. He is beautiful in every way, from his soul to his physical prowess to his appearance. I would love to spend every day with him if I could, teacher.” Mydei continued on. Krateros couldn’t help but notice the softness in his voice when speaking and the affection in his eyes.
Mydei loved Phainon. It was undeniable. Even Krateros could tell. He would cut down Titans if the white haired man simply asked. Mydei couldn't possibly think of anyone more deserving of knowing and only weak spot. He would worship him like a God if he could. He would love to spend all of his time with him. He'd take down waves upon waves of Tinkatin just to see the Deliverer smile. He would be there for every moment, let the other man spill his heart out and stay by his side no matter what if he could. He would give up hundreds of thousands of billions of his lives for Phainon. It would make Phainon sad to hear that, so he wouldn't ever speak on it, but he knew deep down he would be more than happy to sacrifice his lives for the man.
Of course, he stayed silent on these thoughts. While he wasn't ashamed of his devotion for Phainon, he knew Krateros probably would enjoy hearing such sappy comments. Plus, it wasn't the most appropriate commebnts considering he and Phainon weren't officially a pair, and probably wouldn't be for a while.
“Mydeimos! I knew I'd find you here! Did you miss our time together that much?” Speak of the Devil. Yes, I did, very much so, Deliverer. Phainon wrapped his hands around Mydei's neck, giving him a hug that Mydei didn't reciprocate, but he also didn't push him off, which was a good sign.
Almost invisible to the naked eye, Mydei’s eyes ever so slightly softened. A small smile appeared on his face as his eyebrows relaxed. All signs pointing towards how happy Mydei was to have his Deliverer back.
“You're speaking nonsense, Deliverer. Are you sure you're not projecting your own thoughts onto me?” he asked. Krateros raised a brow at that, though Phainon didn't notice. Weren't you declaring how much you loved him just moments ago? He thought, but ultimately he didn't say anything.
“Well, now that you have your stress toy back Mydeimos, I will take my leave. Farewell.” Krateros said, beginning walking off. Mydei's eye slightly widened hearing Phainon being called ‘Stress toy’. Mostly cause he never thought of it like that
“Well then, Mydeimos. Why don't we have a spar? Since we're already here in the arena. Plus, I'm sure with me having been gone for, you'd have gotten rusty by now.” Phainon quipped. Mydei rolled his eyes at that, trying to send a light punch his way, which Phainon dodged by taking one step back.
“Me getting rusty? Hah! You wish, Deliverer. It'll take more than that to wear down my skills. Although, I'd say we take a bath first. You are covered in grime right now.” Mydei responded, falling back into their old back and forth bantering. Phainon let out a tiny laugh, and a small smile appeared on his face. Unlike the wide and bright one he normally sent to citizens while playing the Deliverer, this one seemed more genuine, being small, barely imperceptible, but Mydei found he preferred this one much more.
“Alright, alright. We can have a bath. Though, I'd like to spar afterwards if possible.” Phainon said, before turning into the direction of the bath with Mydti following behind.