Chapter Text
There was a lot to be nervous about transferring universities: making a new class schedule that was manageable, figuring out all the hang-out spots around campus, and most importantly, making new friends. But the one thing Phainon was terrified of was meeting his new roommate.
On one hand, they could hit it off well and become best friends, but on the other, they might hate each other and be stuck together for two semesters. So a 50/50 that would determine his life outside of the classroom. No pressure.
“What do I even have to worry about?” he asked himself, “I’m great at meeting new people.”
He’d moved in earlier that day with help from his parents, but his new roommate wasn’t there. From what he remembered seeing, the other’s space was tidy–not a spec of dust to be seen nor a hair out of place. There were also a few stacks of books on his desk, ranging from cooking, to chimeras, to even Kremnoan history.
If he was a bookworm, Phainon could work with that given his own major of archaeology.
After taking a moment to breathe he unlocked the door and stepped inside.
Sitting on the bed, book in hand was the man in question. Fluffy blond hair settled against his neck, running into the hood of his red, oversized hoodie. A pair of red glasses graced his face, hiding his golden eyes. At the sound of the door, he looked Phainon’s way.
Cute, was the first thought that came to his mind before he shook it away. That should not be your first reaction to seeing him!
Phainon held his hand out, then awkwardly realized they were a good few feet away from each other for it to be reciprocated. “I’m Phainon, nice to meet you.”
Surprisingly, the blond rose to greet him. “Mydei, likewise.”
He was slightly shorter than Phainon, but had a strong grip he wasn’t expecting. There was something feline about him that Phainon couldn’t name, but he imagined him as a big, soft, cuddly lion. What he wouldn’t give to run his fingers through that hair.
Phainon nearly slapped himself, only stopping as Mydei would probably give him a weird look. He’d just met the man five seconds ago and had already had two thoughts he definitely shouldn’t for a first encounter.
“So,” Mydei began, pulling his hand away to Phainon’s dismay as it was surprisingly soft, “What’s your major?”
“Archaeology. I used to go to Aedes Elysiae University, but there is more class variety here. What about you?”
He nodded, “Culinary arts major with a minor in Kremnoan history.”
That explained the books he saw before. It was possible that they might have a class together. He pictured Mydei, nose deep in a textbook in the lecture hall, acutely paying attention and asking questions when necessary. They could team up for group projects and review exams together in the library. Phainon would say something stupid and Mydei would laugh, and titans if it wasn’t the most beautiful sound he’d ever heard.
Wait, why was Mydei walking away? Had he really stood there, daydreamed all of that while leaving the real Mydei standing there? It was the second time he wanted to slap himself, but once more he held back. Well that hadn’t gone terribly. He’d won the 50/50 after all and got a cute chill roommate. There’d be plenty of time to bond with one another later.
There were some pros and cons about having a culinary major as a roommate. On the positive side, Mydei made some damn good food that left Phainon craving for more. Mydei had prepared pasta and garlic bread. Simple, right? Wrong! Whatever magic spice he’d thrown into the pot would put five star restaurants to shame. Phainon had even licked all the sauce from the bowl clean.
Mydei just stared at him, brow raised. “They did feed you back in Aedes Elysiae, right?”
Phainon nodded, nearly choking on water as he answered. “Yeah it’s just the titans would fall to their knees if they had a taste of this really good.”
Mydei smiled softly, and Phainon just wanted to bottle it up and keep it in his pocket.
“I believe food is meant to be shared. Cooking for someone else feels better than solely for yourself."
Oh titans Phainon was not going to survive this… It hadn’t even been a full day and Mydei was going to kill him. Death via cuteness overload didn’t sound so bad.
If Cyrene saw me like this I’d never hear the end of it…
They cleaned up and spent the rest of the evening to their own devices which… was fine! Mydei obviously wasn’t much of a talker and Phainon didn’t want to force him. Besides, he’d have plenty of time to get to know the other man. It was only the first day, he wouldn’t be pushy.
So as it turns out, culinary students are very busy. Even after the long classes of the day are over, they still have cooking labs. Mydei says they vary from one to two hours, but still it meant less time to talk with him. He’d usually come back, eat, take a shower, do some homework then sleep. And on the days when he didn’t have labs, well Phainon had no idea where he went.
It’d only been the first week yet he hadn’t made any more progress with Mydei. On a more positive note, he had made some friends in Castorice, a literature major and Hyacine a nursing student. They happened to sit next to each other in Professor Anaxa’s debate class (he ended up getting on the professor’s bad side on the very first day, but that’s besides the point) and hit it off rather well. They sat outside cafes just chatting about some nonsense they’d seen online or argue points from the day's class.
Things were starting to become routine and easy and Phainon loved every minute of it.
Then Cipher showed up.
A mutual friend of Castorice and Hyacine who Phainon was convinced at first was trying to set them up with a shady deal before Castorice explained who she was. Well, he was still absolutely convinced she was shady, but a friend of a friend as they say.
“I’ve got four tickets to The Prince’s match tonight.” Cipher waved the four pieces of paper in front of them.
Castorice covered her mouth. “No way! Who did you swipe those from?”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk, I’ll have you know I got these through mostly innocent means.”
“We haven’t gone to a match since last year.” Hyacine chimed in, “Is he still undefeated?”
Cipher scoffed, “The day he loses is the day turn a new leaf and go clean.”
They talked some more about the guy like he was a mythical figure and all Phainon could wonder was, “So who’s The Prince?”
The three of them looked at him like he said something blasphemous.
“You really haven’t heard?” Castorice asked.
A spotlight shone down on Cipher. “He’s a legend of our school. A warrior bathed in the blood of all the enemies he’s defeated. The Undying, the Lance of Fury, The Prince, all titles he goes by. He’s never lost a match in his career. Some say he even bested the mightiest of men as a baby.”
Hyacine turned the lights back on. “Ciphie’s exaggerating, mostly.”
About which parts? Was all Phainon could think.
“You’ll understand at his match tonight.”
It’s not like he had anything lined up anyway. Mydei probably had another lab and would be tired by the time he got back. Would he like that kind of thing anyway? Probably not.
At 11pm that night, the four of them made their way to a totally-not-shady building on the far side of campus. The place looked rundown and was covered in graffiti, but there was a line of people out the door. They showed their tickets and entered the surprisingly spacious room filled with nothing but a boxing ring. There seemed to be students of all years and majors gathered to watch this apparently legendary event. Phainon spotted Cipher sneak away and quietly collect bets from people.
Before he could even ask, the lights went out as the spotlight over the arena revealed two figures: a gray haired boy and girl who looked like siblings.
“Welcome one and all to the Okhema University Fight Club.” the girl said into her mic.
The crowd cheered as the pair continued.
“We’re hoping to make this year just as, if not more exciting than last year.” the boy said, “That’s why we’ve made today a special exhibition match between our favorite legend and some new blood.”
Double doors in the back opened as someone strutted out in a tattered red shirt and jacket.
“Despite being only a freshman, this young man has shown us age doesn’t matter when it comes to fighting! Arms of steel and a fiery spirit that won’t burn out, introducing the Moltammerville Warrior!”
Applause flooded the building, vibrating off the walls, Phainon thought the place might collapse. The red headed warrior stepped into the ring, raising his hands up to the crowd to get more applause.
“Luka,” the girl started, “Any thoughts on your opponent tonight?”
Luka took the mic and said, “I’m excited to go up against an opponent worth their salt. Win or lose, it’ll have been an honor to fight The Prince.”
The announcers looked at each other then nodded. “Then let’s bring out the man of the hour!”
A spotlight shone on doors opposite the ones Luka came out of. A rock song started playing and… fog? They had fog machines in here? Phainon didn’t know it was that serious or who was funding this very legitimate school club.
The doors opened, but Phainon couldn’t see from where he was standing.
“The embodiment of strife and champion of the OUFC, before you stands a legend among legends!” the girl announced.
“He’s toppled every foe thrown at him, crowning himself in their blood.” the boy continued.
Despite the overwhelming noise, Phainon could somehow hear every step the man took. They were calm and precise, like there wasn’t a single thing to be worried about. He hopped over the ropes and into the ring.
Together, the siblings screamed, “Say hello, to The Prince!”
The building erupted and Phainon actually thought the walls would crumble this time. But he understood the hype. Before him stood not a man, but a god carved into mortal flesh. His muscles’ muscles had muscles and he absolutely never skipped a day at the gym. Phainon had never seen abs that chiseled before and was convinced you could grate cheese on those things. The only thing the man was wearing were a pair of shorts, but titans, those thighs… He kinda wanted to be crushed by them. The cherry on top was the long hair pulled into a ponytail and the red body paint the blond had. It was paint, wasn’t it? Regardless, his presence was undeniable. If someone had told him that the man before him was a real prince, or demi-god or whatever, Phainon would’ve believed it. It was suddenly getting warm in the room, huh that’s probably not related to anything.
Cipher had returned at some point and cast a sidelong glance at Phainon. “We got him girls.”
He chose to ignore her comment and focus on the man in front of him. The Prince and Luka had shaken hands and said some things the mics didn’t pick up. Phainon needed to hear his voice, hear the heavenly sounds he imagined coming from that mouth to complete the masterpiece before him.
Before he knew it a bell rang and the match officially started. The things Phainon had heard about The Prince, though exaggerated, didn’t do the man true justice. He moved so gracefully, every inch of the ring belonging to him with his opponent simply having permission to exist there. Punches flew through the air, each one even the misses having a purpose. They hit hard and fast, but Luka was able to withstand them and launch his own counterattack. But The Prince might as well have been a brick wall. He took the hits with ease like they were pillows, then slammed his fist so hard into Luka’s face Phainon was convinced he had seen him spin three times before crashing to the ground. The audience held their breath and waited for him to get back up, to finally end this mad king’s reign. But he didn’t.
Cheers exploded as the victor was decided. Luka blinked his eyes open and sighed. For a freshman and first timer, he did better than most. Above him was a hand held out, one he took and rose to his feet. The Prince raised his hand up. That’s right, there wasn’t anything to be won here, it was just a plain old fight with nothing on the line.
It seemed the man fought like a beast regardless of the circumstances of the fight. The more impressive thing was that Luka was standing at all. Someone had gone and grabbed some ice for him, but Phainon noticed The Prince was quick to depart.
“Where’d he go?” he asked, frantically searching the crowd.
“He never sticks around.” Castorice explained, “He just shows up then vanishes.”
“Another reason they call him a legend.” Hyacine added.
“That indestructible body alone would make him legendary.” Phainon commented, before realizing that was supposed to be an internal thought.
The girls, thankfully, said nothing.
They exited the building, Cipher counting her earnings as Castorice went over some details with Hyacine of the book she’d been writing. Phainon was unfortunately left to his own thoughts–thoughts a little too concentrated on a hot, blond, fighter.
At this rate, he really wouldn’t survive to the end of the semester.
When he got back to the room, Mydei was there (where else would he be, classes don’t run that late?). It looked like he’d just showered and was scrolling his phone.
Huh? You know, from that angle he kinda looked like The Prince. Phainon shook the thought away. Mydei didn’t seem like the type to be into fighting, he clearly had other things he was passionate about. Phainon was just too Prince brained to think straight.