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“Surprise!” Phainon removes the cover of the camera, revealing his new background. Despite the the mask on his face, his smile is evident through the screen. Phainon does a little twirl with the camera stick, making sure not to hit anyone around him, hearing the ping of the live stream chatters. His best friend, Cyrene, stands next to him mostly out of view.
“Yes, he is wearing puppy ears and a matching tail!” Cyrene laughs, her white face mask hiding half of her face as she reaches up to tug playfully on one of Phainon’s fuzzy and floppy ears.
Phainon’s flush is evident as he waves his free hand in the air. “I lost a bet with Cyrene and now…yes…” He nods with a hint of endearing sadness. “Well, we are roaming the very popular streets of Penacony today! The style here is…quite eccentric and vibrant! I think I fit in quite well.”
“‘Our beloved puppy streamer in public! I am so jealous!’” Cyrene reads aloud, monitoring the chat closely as they walk.
“I am so sorry! I would have loved to meet all of you…but for our safety and to respect the locals here…we felt it best to keep this little trip a secret! I won’t be here for very long, so please don’t try and come to find me! I will probably be gone by the time you reach this city.” Phainon explains with a huff of defeat. “But anyways, I hope you enjoy this little impromptu stream! We’re also going to meet up with Miss LadyAidonia, a.k.a. Castorice!”
Cyrene jumps a little with joy. “I am so excited; she’s been so eager to try all of the local foods here. They are…mmm…visually striking?”
Phainon nods, moving the camera stick to showcase more of their surroundings, the brightly lit city in the early evening. “Yes, that’s a good description.” Phainon peeks over Cyrene’s shoulder to read the chat himself.
Phai Phai you look so cute!
Our precious FlameReaver with puppy ears!
Can we see more of Cyrene?
Lowering the camera, Phainon briefly poses next to Cyrene with a half-heart pose. “How’s this?” Cyrene looks up and sweetly finishes the pose with a soft wink. “Oh my.” Phainon laughs as he peeks down at the comments again.
So cute! Cutest siblings ever!
Are you sure you’re not dating?
Please tell me you have security with you?
“I promise we’re not dating. Cyrene is basically my little sister.” Phainon explains with a sheepish smile creeping all the way up to his eyes. “Ah, Cyrene, can you grab me my glasses? I think I’m going to need them after all.”
Cyrene giggles. “I thought so.” She opens her fanny pack with her free hand, easily picking out Phainon’s glasses case. She hands it over to Phainon, who sets the camera down on a nearby window ledge to put them on.
“Ah!” Phainon says, handing the empty case back to Cyrene and grabbing the camera into position once more. “Much better! I can read your messages more clearly now.”
How long will you stream?
Ugh your glasses are too cute! I can’t handle it <3
Um, Phai Phai, I think someone is following you.
When is Castorice coming?
“Wow, there’s a lot of you today!” Phainon comments as the chat scrolls by fast. “Mmm, we will meet her before the next hour. Then we’ll do some more sightseeing until dinner. We’ll have to end the stream before we eat, and then a vlog will be uploaded of our feast next week! Please stay tuned for that.” Phainon says with a little wave at the screen.
Cyrene looks behind her briefly before stifling a laugh. “Ah…” She says off-screen. “Thank you for your concern! But we’re doing okay!”
Phainon frowns at the chat. “Ah…” He also turns around before turning back to face the camera quickly. “Please don’t worry about our safety! We’re totally fine.”
If you say so…but the same guy in the beanie has been behind you this whole time…
Hey, Mods, please alert Cyrene if that guy is still there when they meet Castorice.
We will protect you, FlameReaver!
“Really, don’t worry about us!” Phainon smiles. His eyes light up at the sight of something in the distance, and he looks at Cyrene. “H-hey, can we—”
“Yes, go for it.” Cyrene’s exasperation is all jest as she follows Phainon ahead on the street. She almost is cut off screen, but Phainon waits for her by the front door.
What is it?
A candy store?
Seriously, that guy is still following them.
Oh no, is it what I think it is…
“I cannot stop him; it’s his own money he is spending. Now, whether Aglaea lets him wear it is one thing.” Cyrene says as Phainon finally dips into the store that caught his attention.
Phainon, oblivious to the chat, immediately starts sifting through the bright fashion pieces on the racks. “I was hoping I would find a clothing store! I’ve recently been into wearing red recently…” He jumps a little, looking a bit flustered before picking another clothing display to sift through. “But purple and yellow is still my favorite combo…I think they really go together well.”
Cyrene catches up, still scanning the chat logs. “‘Please Phainon, you look so good in blue! Look at your outfit, so so cute! Just like a Samoyed.’ Yes, I agree; blue really suits him.”
“Was that a real comment or are you trying to dissuade me?” Phainon pouts behind the mask, but it’s easily written in his gaze. Cyrene turns the phone with a matching pout.
“Both!” Cyrene lightly bumps her fist on top of his head. “I can’t tell you what not to buy, but I will be judging you.”
Yeah, we’re judging! /j wear whatever you want pookie :P
Cyrene, please pick out something normal for him!
Oh my god, that creep is in the window!
No way, is he a stalker?
“Maybe I will get the red shirt…” Phainon hums, showing it off on the camera. “What do you think, chat?”
Cyrene giggles. “There’s no stalker, I promise! And even if there was…” She runs out of frame and coughs a little. “We’re fine, pinky swear!”
Oooh, the red does look good!
Get the red! It has a cool golden design on it~
Penacony is a safe place, isn’t it?
I am so worried…
“I’ll get the red, then. Will that satisfy you, Miss Cyrene?”
Cyrene pouts. “Why do I feel like the ‘Miss’ was an insult?” She reaches up to pinch Phainon’s cheek. “Go buy your shirt!”
Phainon fakes a little whimper and hands the camera stick to her while he heads to the register. Cyrene shows a 360° view of the shop with a little twirl. “Mod Hyacine, can you monitor the chat for a while? Thank you~” She blows a little kiss at the camera. Cyrene then changes the angle to get a faraway shot of Phainon paying for his new shirt. “I’ll put the address and shop name on my socials later, and Phai Phai will too.” She peeks over at her friend, noticing he was taking quite a long time at the register with an employee. “I guess…I’ll wait outside until he’s done!”
Cyrene skips back outside, planting her back on a brick wall right next to the front door so Phainon wouldn’t lose sight of her.
“A-ah~ Penacony is a really pretty place! I am grateful to go on these fun little journeys with your FlameReaver~” Cyrene says, tapping her chin with her free hand. “We’ve lived in such a tiny little place for so long…it feels like we’re little birds flying from the nest for the first time.” She smiles, periodically checking the door to see if Phainon has emerged yet. “Thank you for giving him the chance to see the world he’s always dreamed about!”
A few moments later, Phainon emerges from the store with a smile on his face and a new white bag in his hand. “Cyrene!”
“Welcome back!” Cyrene hands the camera back to him while she takes her phone back out of her pocket to continue monitoring the chat. “Tell Hyacine ‘thank you’~”
“Ah!” Phainon waves at the camera. “Thank you Hyacine~ Hope chat was very well-behaved while I was momentarily gone.”
On our best behavior, sir!
We were listening to Cyrene talk~ Your friend is so cute~
MoonlightReverie is cuter than FlameReaver <3
You’re very welcome, Phainon. Your chat was very nice ₊✩‧₊˚౨ৎ˚₊✩‧₊
Cyrene gasps. “Aw thank you~”
Phainon leans over her shoulder. “Hmm? Oh, Hyacine, give Little Ica a treat from me~”
“Someone in chat said I was cuter than you.”
The snow-haired man opened his mouth to speak then promptly closed it. “No, that’s very true. I would argue my little sis is much cuter than me.”
Cyrene punches his shoulder. “No compliments from you today! Wait until it’s my turn to stream~” She teases with a wink as they embark on the buy streets again.
“Okay, okay.” Phainon sighs, readjusting his mask again. “I will say, I have seen a few other people vlogging and streaming here today. I guess this place really does live up to the hype!”
Penacony has an awesome nightlife~
crownedinblood has donated 15000 credits: “that red shirt will look nice on you”
Oh my, it’s FlameReaver’s top dono!
Put it on, put it on!
As the donation flashes across the screen, Phainon waves his hand at the camera. “You don’t have to make a donation just to compliment me!” His flush creeps up to his ears. “But thank you…”
Cyrene giggles beside him. “So silly~”
“I can’t put it on yet, thought.” Phainon says. “We’re about to head to dinner with Castorice and—” He coughs a little. “Um, yeah. I don’t want to get it dirty after I just bought it!”
We need selfies when you wear it! Promise!
Phainon I seriously think there’s a stalker behind you.
That guy is getting a little too close…Cyrene be careful!
crownedinblood has donated 20000 credits: “I can compliment you however I please”
“I promise I will take selfies.” Phainon nods. The second donation that flashes on the screen makes him blush. But he chooses to address it later.
Cyrene stops walking, reading the chat intently. Now, Phainon is not too oblivious; he has noticed someone walking behind him the entire stream. But he’s not worried about them at all. In fact, seeing that person dressed in black makes him feel safer if anything. But he can’t exactly blurt that out to chat. He’s been doing a good job of keeping their identity a secret for a long time!
But he’s so focused on watching them in his camera’s reflection that he doesn’t notice the other black-clad person approaching him. And despite being well-trained to handle himself physically, Phainon doesn’t even get a chance to practice them. He’s fast…but…
Not as fast as a blur of black and fiery red streaks across his camera joined by a bone-crunching crack. Phainon immediately swings around, facing the camera in the other direction.
Woah, did you see that?!
Phainon watch out!
Oh my Aeons, was that a fight?
Who the hell was that?"
Cyrene is tucked into Phainon’s side, trying to keep her face out of the camera’s view. “Oh, don’t worry chat! I think something happened behind us but we’re both good!”
Phainon nods. “Y-yeah.” Eyes blown wide, he watches as a swarm of black-suited individuals appear from the hidden darkness of Penacony’s streets. He breathes out a deep sigh. “I told him not to…” He whispers.
See, he did have security!
Oh my Gods, how many security guards were there?
Nah, I still can’t believe that guy came flying out of nowhere! Who was he?
Cyrene gives Phainon a nervous look. Said man takes in a deep breath and looks at the camera. “Hey guys, I don’t think that had anything to do with us! I don’t have security with me.” It wasn’t technically a lie. “It’s just a bit crowded right now! I’ll move in a bit to continue sightseeing!”
“Oh, Castorice says she is waiting for us at the restaurant.” Cyrene pipes up. “But she said she’s okay waiting!”
Phainon holds the camera stick steady, still watching as the suited guards apprehend the stranger with some Penacony officers mixed in. He’s not really sure what the man had wanted, or if he even was trying to grab Phainon. It’s just unlucky for him that I have an extremely protective boyfriend.
As if on cue, Phainon locks eyes with the other man, his hair easy to spot without his beanie that had slipped off. The man looks at him, saying something to a guard next to him Phainon can’t hear from the distance between him. And then he’s charging through the crowd. Straight at him. With a look of something akin to anger.
Phainon freezes.
Cyrene doesn’t look from her phone, still monitoring the chat carefully. Phainon gasps, inching away before a strong hand grabs his camera stick and hoists it high in the air to keep them both out of view.
Another hand tugs Phainon’s mask down while the man kisses his cheek and then the side of his ear. “I told you to be more careful, Khas.” He whispers, staring at Phainon for a few more seconds before sneaking another kiss in. And before Phainon can argue, the man walks away, leaving Phainon in a flushed stupor.
Cyrene’s gaze is now on Phainon, one hand over her face despite already wearing a mask. But her mischievous smile is still evident. Phainon tries speaking and ends up squeaking. He brings the camera back down, quickly trying to fix the mask. But he can’t hid the very red blush on his face even with his mask.
Woah, what happened?
Did you guys hear something? I thought I heard another voice…
Phainon, Cyrene, are you two okay?
Wait why is our Phai Phai blushing?
“Ah, ah!” Cyrene clears her throat. “It’s gotten a bit warm here with the crowds!”
Phainon, catching on, coughs nervously. “Yeah, it’s very warm. There are so many people here.”
“But the crowd is thinning!” Cyrene says cheerfully. “We’ll probably head to meet Castorice now.”
“Mmm, yeah.” Phainon shortens the stick and kneels down slightly to get Cyrene into frame with him. “Sorry for the sudden stop! I think this is a good time to end the stream for today.”
“Thank you, everyone, who got to watch our surprise stream! To all my Mems in chat, thank you for supporting FlameReaver today!” Cyrene waves her hand in front of her face.
“And please, make sure to watch MoonlightReverie’s streams too!”
FlameReaver don’t goooooo
I want to see the mukbang!
I swear I heard someone say Cas? Castorice?
Hyacine has initiated chat cooldown: Stream is ending, thank you for watching!
“Thank you, Hyacine~ See you later~”
“The mukbang with LadyAidonia will be posted next week so stay tuned!” Phainon shakes his head, letting his faux ears flop on his head. “Thank you so much friends! I will see you tomorrow.”
“See you tomorrow!” Cyrene echoes before Phainon shuts the stream. The pair take extra care to make sure the stream is no longer active and their viewers can no longer hear or see them before they simultaneously share an exasperated sigh.
“Oh my gods, Mydei is going to kill me.”
Cyrene frowns and tugs down his mask to poke his cheek. “Hey, it’s not your fault someone tried to attack you. And maybe this will be a sign that you should take him up on his offer.”
“But don’t you think the nearly fifty guards was a little overkill?”
“Well…” Cyrene sighs, “it was a bit much. But there were only that many because Mydei himself was here.”
Phainon frowns. “I know, but…” He leans against the brick wall as the crowd around them finally begins to disperse and the numerous security guards disappear into the shadows. “We’re both public-facing figures. And…well, our relationship is going to come out eventually, when we’re ready. And even though I have a decent following, the money is just—”
“A lot, I know.” Cyrene finishes for him. “But he’s already made it clear that he doesn’t care. You two have been dating for quite some time. And it’s obvious you’re not after his family wealth. And maybe one day, you will become family. What about then?”
“Then I…” He trails off, his cheeks turning pink. “Cyrene I—”
She reaches up and places a hand on his shoulder. “Hey, it’s okay. I can tell he really likes you. And you obviously reciprocate. Money is…a tangible but temporary thing. I have a feeling he’d forgo it all if it meant to make you happy.”
“And that scares me.”
“Why?”
“Because…” Phainon explains, “he shouldn’t have to throw away his financial stability just to make me comfortable. That’s not fair to him.”
Cyrene leans up closer. “Then you really need to stop thinking about him spoiling you as imbalance. It’s his love language. We both know he’s not a very outwardly affectionate person in public. He’s not so easily readable like you are.”
Phainon frowns. “Hey!”
“But!” Cyrene raises a finger in the air, “you’ve told me numerous times how caring and passionate he is with just the two of you. And until you two are ready to become public, take his gifts. They’re gifts for a reason. He’s not trying to coerce you into anything; he just wants to show you how much he cares. And with his…gratuitous wealth, he’s willing to spend it to make you happy and safe.”
“Ugh…” Phainon rubs his temples with the palm of his hand. “I wish this wasn’t so complicated.”
“You’re the one making things complicated, Khaslana.” Cyrene pokes his cheek again before tugging on his sleeve. “Let’s go find Cas. Mydei already texted me that he will meet us there later.”
Phainon tugs his mask back on and joins her back on the main street, his head still thrumming.
“Are you done recording?” Mydei asks, peeking at the camera tripod set up on their table.
“Yeah, we’re all done! Cas wants to film some dessert later with Cyrene.” Phainon turns to him in the booth. “Why? Are you leaving?”
“No.” Mydei looks around the private room; The waiters had not yet returned, and the two girls were happily chatting away with the remnants of their rather expansive meal scattered neatly on the large table. “I want to talk to you.”
“Oh. Yeah, sure.” Phainon nods, tucking his camera equipment into his bag.
Mydei climbs out of the booth then, standing at the end of the table. “Cyrene, Cas, I’m going to borrow Phainon for a moment.”
“Oh!” Castorice turns and nods. “Of course!”
“It won’t be long. But if you two need to film your other thing, don’t worry. I’ve already covered the bill.”
Castorice frowns. “Always one step ahead, aren’t you?”
Mydei shoots her a small grin. “This is at least one thing you can’t beat me in, Cas.”
She giggles a little. “Take your time! We don’t mind waiting, right, Rene?”
Cyrene waves her hand in the air. “Don’t worry about us! We haven’t caught up in person in so long. I am going to get my proper fill of Cas time!” She tilts her head at Phainon and gives him a wink with a thumbs up.
Before Phainon could even pout, Mydei grabs his hand and drags him out towards the back exit of the restaurant. It leads to a small, dark alleyway, free from prying eyes and ears. As he surveys the area, Phainon leans his back against the brick wall of the building. “I didn’t even get a chance to check if you were okay.”
“I’m fine.” Mydei tugs his jacket a little tighter as he approaches Phainon slowly. “But was today reason enough for you to seriously consider my offer?”
“Was that guy…actually trying to hurt me?”
“Just some pickpocket.” Mydei shrugs. “It didn’t have anything to do with your streaming.”
Phainon sighs. “That’s…a bit of a relief.”
“But it doesn’t mean someone attacking you because of your job isn’t impossible. We’re lucky it was just a random person.”
“I can handle myself.”
Mydei frowns. “I know you can. But is it wrong of me to want to prevent you from having to defend yourself?”
Phainon sighs. Mydei mirrors his position, leaning against the same wall with their shoulders touching. “It’s not.” He says, leaning his head on the other man’s shoulder. “I don’t want it to seem like I’m taking advantage of you.”
“For my money?”
“I…” Phainon clears his throat. “Cyrene and I lived in a tiny country town for most of our lives. The kind of money your family has…it could rebuild my hometown a hundred times over and not even make a dent into your wealth. And…I can’t help but feel a little guilty. I don’t want it to seem like I care about you because of…it.”
Mydei groans. “But you and I both know that’s not the case. Is it the public you’re worried about?”
“Well…yeah.” Phainon takes a deep breath, exhaling heavily as he peels himself from the wall to look at Mydei’s eyes directly. “If your parents were alive, would they have liked me?”
“You’ve asked this before. And I keep telling you that they would adore you.”
“They would be okay giving a country boy like me as an…”
Mydei doesn’t let him finish his statement, leaning across to grab Phainon’s cheeks with his hands. “Khaslana.” Phainon flinches; his body grows warm. The sound of his true name on Mydei’s lips has always sounded so…perfect. “I love you. I…know I don’t say it much, but I do.”
Phainon feels tears well up in his eyes. “I…love you too.”
Mydei gives him a soft smile. “I know. And…that means…later on…” He clears his throat as his own cheeks grow pink. “That you will be my family. I know the money scares you, but we’re a pair, Khas. We will do things together. I will be with you with every step of the way.”
“And the public? I know there will be headlines and interviews and—”
“We don’t have to do any of that. All that matters is us and our future. Money is…” Mydei sighs. “It’s irrelevant. I just want you. I want to be yours, and I want you to be happy with that.”
“Of course I am.” Phainon reaches out to grab Mydei’s waist inside of his black leather jacket. “I’d be happy if we have nothing but each other.”
Mydei nods. “That’s all that matters. Nothing else matters, Khas.”
“My…deimos…” Phainon tries to stop the tears flowing from his cheeks. Mydei, however, knows exactly how to quell them. He leans in slowly, carefully pressing his lips to Phainon’s nose. The snow-haired man gives a small laugh, but the sound is quickly cut-off by lips pressing against his own.
Phainon’s tears smear against Mydei’s cheeks as they kiss, lips and tongues eager to touch and feel each other. He whines softly, the fullness of his head dissipating with each swipe of Mydei’s tongue across his own. Phainon’s knees feel weak, holding onto Mydei tighter as they lean against the wall in a tight embrace.
“Stop your crying, puppy.” Mydei mumbles as his lips stray along Phainon’s jaw. “My face is all wet.”
“Sorry…” Phainon laughs a little awkwardly, tilting his head back while Mydei presses his fervent kisses all over his cheeks and face.
“Don’t worry about money anymore, okay?” Mydei leans up and kisses Phainon softly. “We can take things slow. We can stay private for however much longer. I know you love streaming.”
“I do…it’s fun.”
“I can tell.” Mydei kisses him again. “Please, no more crying over me?”
Phainon pouts. “I’ll try.” He’s about to say something until a bright light catches his attention. Mydei seems to notice it to as their heads both turn to the opening of the alleyway in unison. There’s a person standing at the opening, holding a…
“Camera! Oh fuck…” Phainon pulls way from the embrace as the person notices their gazes on them. They run away, making Phainon wince. “Oh Gods, Mydeimos, was that—”
“I need a decision from you.” Mydei stands up, grabbing his phone and sensing the urgency. “I can have my guys find him and delete his pictures, or…”
Phainon pales momentarily. “You mean…”
“I’m ready.” Mydei says, showing Krateros’s number on the screen, his personal head of security. “If you’re not, I can have this wiped clean. I just…need to know what you want to do.”
“I…”
“We can still take it slow. Promise.”
Phainon stares at the phone screen before closing his eyes. “You’re really ready? For…us to be?”
“I’ve been ready for a while.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“I wanted to wait for you.” Mydei explains. “I didn’t want to pressure you because of our statuses. And…you know, just wait for…good timing.”
“Is this good timing?” Phainon asks.
Mydei shrugs. “It’s all up to you. Whatever decision you make, I am by your side a thousand percent.”
Phainon breathes deeply. In the interim, Mydei presses the call button and pulls the phone to his ear. Phainon can hear the older man on the other end of the line speak.
“Paparazzi spotted me. Tall, red and blue shirt, black camera. Headed east on the main road outside the restaurant.”
“W-wait.” Phainon sucks in a sharp breath. “It’s…okay…”
Mydei stares at him, a little wide-eyed. “It’s not too late; don’t be pressured into agreeing just because I am.”
“N-no. I…I’ve thought about it for a while.” Phainon bites his lips a little. “And…maybe after today…I’m ready.”
“Really?”
Phainon nods. “Really.”
Mydei regards him cautiously for a moment before turning his attention back to the phone. “Update; continue to survey him but no need to seek the footage.” There’s a brief pause. “Yes, I’m…no, we’re sure. I’ll call Cipher.”
“Cipher?” Phainon asks.
“Yeah, you remember her, don’t you? She…knows some people who know some people in journalism and such…” Mydei ends the call and quickly dials a new number. “Cipher, go ahead and release them.” Phainon hears a high-pitched shriek on the other end. “Yes, I know, it’s go time.”
“What…”
Mydei shuts off the phone and tucks it back in his pocket. “I’ve been prepared in case something happens, and I’ve been prepared to release an announcement of our relationship ahead of any tabloids.”
Phainon’s eyes go wide. “Oh.”
“You are sure about this, right?”
“Yeah, I am. I’m just…” He closes his eyes and nods to himself. “It’s just faster than I thought.”
“Do you want to hide out at my place for a while until the heat dies down?”
Phainon opens his mouth, and then Cyrene’s words from earlier in the afternoon come back to him. Despite the anxiety creeping in his bones, he instead reaches for Mydei’s hand and holds it tight. “That sounds nice. But…before we do, can we go sightseeing tonight? Together?”
Mydei smiles. “Are you asking me out on a date?”
“Am I?” Phainon laughs. “Yes, I am. Can we? I still want to explore this city more, and its only 8PM.”
“Mmm.” Mydei nods slowly, looking down at their hands before looking back at Phainon. “Yeah. Take me out, Khaslana.”
“I’m paying for ice cream.”
Mydei laughs. “If that will make you happy, sure. Buy me some ice cream.”
Phainon shoots him a big smile and drags him back inside the restaurant where Cyrene and Castorice and just about to leave. “Cas! Cyrene!”
The girls, a little startled, jump at Phainon’s explanation as they face him.
“Are you two okay? You were gone for a long time and I saw Mydei’s guards rush out.” Castorice frowns a little.
“We’re going public!” Phainon announces proudly, showing off his intertwined hand with Mydei like a dog showcasing his favorite stick. “And we’re going on a public date.”
Cyrene gasps, hands clapped over her mouth. “Right now?!”
“Right now!" Phainon nods, grabbing his and Mydei’s bags from the booth without letting go of Mydei’s hands. “Call us if you need us. Have fun with your own date!”
Castorice flushes. “It’s not a…oh dear…”
Cyrene giggles and shoots a wink at Mydei. “Good luck~”
Mydei only looks back with a small smile of his own. “Thank you for talking some sense into him.” He says quietly, being nearly dragged out of the restaurant through the main entrance this time. If Phainon’s faux ears and tail were real, they’d surely be wagging ecstatically.