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The sun was just starting to kiss the horizon when Phainon noticed that he hadn’t heard a single bird in a while. His ears twitching as they strained for a singular noise over the quiet murmur of the water stream beside him.
The cliff side forest said stream had led him to was dead silent.
The black tide had reached this region.
Phainon unbuckled his sword from his back.
In the last year the black tide had been making more and more advances, the collapse of Castrum Kremnos leading to huge strips of lands falling into the claws of hideous monsters using the bodies of fallen comrades and enemies alike to eradicate all life they came across. Phainon certainly had his hands full with travelling along the border of the now dead nation.
He’s already managed to aid many in fleeing from the ruins of their home.
He’d been too late for so many more.
Ever since the day Aedes Elysiae had been swallowed by the black tide Phainon had sworn it his mission to help anyone survive that cancer that had taken his home.
Never again should anyone have to set free their own friends and family by driving a blade through their hearts.
Like he’d had to.
A still distant thunder pulled him from his sombre thoughts. It looked like the storm that had been brewing since early afternoon was about to reach him.
Phainon would have to find somewhere dry for the night when he’d dealt with the black tide monsters.
The all too familiar smell of rotten flesh led him to a small clearing where corpses of the vile monsters piled, their blackish brown blood soaking the mossy ground and burning in his sensitive nose.
He could never get used to the way the rancid stench seared itself into his mind like a disease.
Phainon recoiled when he looked closer.
The warped figures looked like they had been brutally torn apart, not a single indication of any weapon used. The smaller creatures that were once human seemed to have been killed in one or two strikes, their heads ripped in half or their moldy guts spilling out on the ground.
The larger animal-like creatures were even worse.
The one that must have been a lion before black rot malformed it had it’s jaw clawed off along with one of it’s front legs. It’s chest was cracked open with what must have been the killing blow.
The hairs on Phainon’s tail were raised and his ears tensed. Whoever slaughtered these monsters was either desperate... or not human.
He didn’t like this at all.
Only when a rain drop hit his forehead could Phainon finally rip himself from the scene.
He still needed to find shelter. And even though he now likely didn’t have to worry about the black tide anymore, Phainon wasn’t quite sure if who- ...or whatever killed them was the better option.
The rain was slowly picking up from a few drops to a quiet trickle. Following the water stream, the trees hugging the stream served as partial protection from the rainfall. Phainon just hoped he wouldn’t get hit by lightning, especially with his sword still gripped tightly in his hands.
As the stream led him closer and closer to the large cliff, the cold breeze that had Phainon clutch his long cloak tighter finally blocked of by the terrain.
He could spot a little out cove with water worming through rocks until a few boulders hid it from view. There was something more hiding behind it and Phainon just hoped that whatever killed the black tide wasn’t hiding there.
‘Only one way to find out.’ He thought to himself with a smudge of humour.
Phainon did manage to get over the water without drenching his shoes. He really didn’t want to get any wetter, the rain had already soaked him enough. If he got a sick here in this desolate region he wouldn’t make it to the next city alive.
And just how he’d suspected he was greeted with a small and surprisingly dry chamber, the water murmuring quietly along the side of one wall.
The room was dark. Dark enough that Phainon hadn’t spotted the lump crumpled in one corner of the cave until he was already a few steps in, a quiet growl that promised danger making him freeze mid step.
He winced. Of all times to have bad eyes, this was certainly one of the worst.
The slightest tang of blood and sweat hung in the air along with something slightly sweeter that he couldn’t quite pinpoint.
Phainon squinted, he managed to make out a roughly human shape, something long and thin lashing up and down behind said shape. A tail?
Phainon could only draw the conclusion that whoever killed the black tide monsters in the clearing chose this as their hiding spot. Injured and likely dazed from the poison that sparked from the black tide. And boy was he relieved that it was a human and not some unspoken horror.
Phainon took a slow step back, raising his hands in surrender. The last thing he wanted to do was look dangerous to someone only kept alive by their instincts.
He was just about to speak up to ask if the person needed help when lightning struck with the arrival of the storm, illuminating the dark cave along with it’s inhabitants.
Phainon was... enchanted.
The picture that the brief second of light revealed burned itself into his very being.
A man with three pups clutched in his muscular arms, curled around them protectively even though every breath he took was a heave echoing in the small chamber.
His long hair was matted where it fell down to his shoulders like a mane, round furry ear pressed back against his head and his skin glistened with sweat and traces of blood. His slitted eyes seemed to glow as he glared at Phainon.
This was a cat- no, a lion kin.
Phainon's throat was dry and he could feel his stomach doing flips. He was certain this was the love at first sight Cyrene had always gushed about.
He slowly knelt, even though he wanted nothing more than to drop into worship. He couldn’t afford to scare the walking dream of a man. Phainon wouldn’t ever forgive himself.
He kept his movement smooth and steady as he set down his sword out of his own reach and he heard the mans breath hitch. Whether it was a reaction or merely a painful breath he couldn’t say.
He must have been silent for a few moments too long, as the one to break the silence was not himself, but the lion.
“What do you want.” He rasped, voice quiet and a little weak but sharp in it’s corners, poised to strike should the need arise.
Phainon, in what could only be described in a moment of true genius answered with a tumbling “You’re pretty!”
Silence…
Phainon slapped himself and he heard the man scoff.
“I mean- I was looking for shelter from the storm and I didn’t want to risk any stray black tide creature finding me in my sleep.” He tried rectifying the situation. The question of ‘Did you kill the monsters?’ sparked in his mind for just a moment before he dismissed it again. That wasn’t important right now.
Instead Phainon pulled off his cloak along with one of the supplies satchels he carried to give to those that needed it. Restocking them was one of the few reasons he still visited the cities.
“Uhm, I have some food and bandages to spare. Here, you can have them.” He leaned a little closer, still carefully keeping his distance and placed the satchel, now wrapped with his cloak, down at the halfway point between them, immediately retreating after.
The lion didn’t move, still staring at him from the corner he was lying in.
“Why would you help me?” Careful suspicion with some honest confusion mixing into an uncertain note.
The question puzzled Phainon a little, not because he didn’t know why he was helping, but because he wasn’t quite sure how to answer a question like that.
He’d spent years traveling along the edge of the black tide, lending anyone he came across a hand in their fight for survival, had made it his objective to eradicate this cancer whenever he came across it, buried those he couldn't save in nameless graves.
If there was anyone Phainon should be helping, then it was a mother and their newborn pups. It wasn’t even a question.
“...Why wouldn’t I help you?” He finally settled on. “I have more bandages as well as food and I don’t need my cloak. It’s warm enough in here. Take them.” He added in case the man wasn’t satisfied with his answer.
It seemed to work well enough since the man leaned forward. He groaned quietly with the effort not to wake his sleeping pups, but when Phainon moved to help he received a warning hiss. Phainon wasn’t one to disregard such a clear message.
“I’ll keep watch tonight. You should rest.” Phainon picked up his sword again and sat with his back to the lion man. A show of trust that didn’t seem to go unnoticed.
He could hear movement, cloth rustling and a few hisses and groans until the cavern eventually fell silent with only the occasional shifts from the four he was guarding.
When Phainon turns around a few minutes later the empty satchel is placed back where he’d put it down, the man and his pups wrapped up in his cloak. Phainon's heart gave a squeeze, his tail thumping quietly against the stone floor he sat on.
🔆🍷~~🍷🔆
Mydei wakes to the early dawn peaking into the cave he’d found a few days ago.
There was a fresh dew hanging in the air from the thunderstorm last night, the creek whispering along the stony walls and he pulls the blanket tighter around his three little cubs still slumbering peacefully in his arms.
He shot upright with the realization that he didn’t have a blanket, scanning the room for any intruders and as his gaze landing on a white shock of hair. Only then did he remember the sword wielding stranger that had stumbled upon Mydei and his cubs yesterday.
Said stranger turns around with the sudden noise and gives him a smile that would kill someone weaker within seconds. The fluffy ears and tail the man possessed certainly didn’t help his devastating puppy look.
“Good Morning.” The stranger greeted with a chiming and gentle voice. If he didn’t know better he’d think this guy was trying to seduce him, but it seemed to be part of his unintentionally bewitching charm.
At least Mydei thinks he knew better.
“...Good Morning” He offered back, somewhat awkwardly, but his cubs squirming on his lap drew his attention away from the man. He must have woken them with his abrupt movement.
Varka gave a little whine and Mydei shushed him, tugging the blond infant further into the cape? Cloak? ...the cloth the stranger had given him. His cubs may be warriors of Kremnoan blood, but he really didn’t want them fighting a cold when they were still so young.
They were the last he had left of his homeland. They would live, honoring all their brothers and sisters that had bought them life by giving their own. Mydei had already made it this far, he would not lose them here.
The stranger had at some point in the night gathered together enough dry wood to start a fire near the cave opening, a bigger bag compared the one he’d given him yesterday sitting beside him.
“I actually managed to catch a fish in the stream here and with my supplies I can cook a little something. You only ate some dried meat and vegetables yesterday when you actually need something realer to recover.” The man rambled, pulling out a knife and gutting the fish with practiced motions.
On the fire was now a pot with boiling water, which the man filled into a wooden cup and handed to Mydei. “Here, drink that when it’s a little colder, you need something warm in you and the water should probably be boiled before drinking or you’ll get sick.” And then he turned back to the pot and threw in some dried herbs and vegetables he’d kept in an oil wrapped pouch. “Oh! My name is Phainon by the way.” He smiled that stupid smile again.
This entire scenario was just disorienting. “...Mydeimos. Or just Mydei.”
“Nice to meet you, Mydei.” The guy, Phainon, says like an idiot. “We already met, hks.” he scoffs back and then the guy has the nerve to say “No. My name is Phainon, not heikas.” with a grin on his face that told Mydei he misunderstood him on purpose.
“You’re pronouncing it all wrong, Phainon.” Mydei hissed, emphasizing the name. He was not letting some random guy butcher his mother tongue like that.
“My apologies, your highness.” Phainon giggled, having no clue of how right he would have been a few months ago.
They fell into a comfortable silence after that. Leaving Mydei the space to think about all that had happened since yesterday.
Phainon continued to tend to the soup, tasting it every now and then. His cubs slept peacefully and Mydei leaned back against the stone wall of the makeshift bed he’d made. Phainon's cloak was covering him and his little cubs from the freezing air while his own somewhat shielded the four of them from the cold stone floor. At least the fire would make it better with time.
Yesterday, when Mydei had asked Phainon why he was helping him he seemed a little confused by the question. It was one of the clearer details he remembered, being in a daze for the entirety of late morning until sometime around evening when the swordsman stumbled in.
And usually Mydei would be hesitant to trust anyone freely offering their own supplies without asking for anything back, especially when that someone wasn’t even a Kremnoan.
But then again, maybe the wolf? dog? ... the guy was just that selfless and heroic. He certainly fit the looks of a fairy tale hero with his sky blue eyes and snow white hair even the dirt clumping it couldn’t dim.
He’d stayed up to watch over him and his cubs the entire night and gone through the effort of scraping something edible together for him and not once had the man come close enough to him that Mydei would have woken up.
...Well, it didn’t matter much. Mydei wouldn’t refuse help when he so desperately needed it.
Watching Phainon didn’t really help.
His posture was relaxed, ears perked for any noise from outside and his tail wagging just a little. He looked absolutely ridiculous, like he was cooking a meal for his wife and not a stranger.
When Phainon noticed his starring he just offered a smile and took out another cup, filling it with the broth like soup he made and handing it to Mydei. Mydei was staring at the two cups he was holding now, one water and one soup, Phainon still looking at him like a dog expecting praise.
Mydei’s lip twitched up into a small smile and he sipped the soup, which tasted not as catastrophic as he’d expected with what the swordsman had to work with. More importantly, the gnawing sensation that had nestled into his stomach finally let off a little.
When he’d finished the cup Phainon took it and refilled it without Mydei even having to ask.
He huffed, shaking his head a little and the swordsman looked at him questioningly, head tilted and ears a little floppy. By Nikador, this guy was bad for his heart.
“Are you courting me, Phainon?” Mydei questioned with a smirk, his tail playfully tapping against the cloak.
Phainon froze, fluffy tail stopping mid wag, face flushing.
“I didn’t mean- well... I- I did somewhat, and...” It was hilarious how he could pin point the exact moment the man pulled himself together, his throat bobbing with an audible swallow.
“...If you’ll let me, I’d love to court you.” He finally got out, leaning closer and taking Mydei's free hand in his own two.
“You don’t have to say yes, I’ll still help you reach the next city even if you say no!” Phainon's ears seemed to droop even more at the mere prospect of a rejection. “But if you agree to let me court you, then I’ll promise to protect you and your pups as if they’re mine! They’ll be mine! And I’ll provide for you! Anything! I’m strong! And I know how to work! I grew up a farmer but I can also fight! I-”
Phainon had to interrupt his frantic promises to take a breath. His grip on Mydei's hand tightened as he held it closer to his own chest. He almost looked like he was praying. On his knees, eyes wide and posture slumping with submission, like he was kneeling before a god and not a Mother and three little cubs.
“...I’ll love you for as long as you let me.” He finally managed to squeeze out between gasping breaths like they were holding him hostage.
Mydei couldn’t with this guy.
The wide eyed look he gave Mydei when he burst out giggling. The giggling soon evolving into full chest laughing.
When had Mydei last laughed this lightly? The evenings with his comrades always had the looming threat of the black tide hanging over them. Now that everything already fell, now that everything was already lost...
It was freeing.
With his healthy cubs in his arms and a guy too nice for his own good by his side... this life could be something different.
No more fighting a loosing battle. No more leading a falling empire.
...
He could have this.
Mydei was still laughing, probably looking hysterical to Phainon. He had tears in his eyes now, but he wasn’t quite crying yet.
When something small stirred in his lap he wiped his eyes dry and quieted down to a few bright hiccups. He’d woken up Augusta, and Gorgo was scrunching up her little face, so he smoothed over the soft creases with one hand and pulled Augusta further up his chest with his other, Varka still slumbering peacefully on his lap.
Phainon was still waiting for his answer. Yet, despite looking like his eyes might pop out of his skull any second now he didn’t try to pry it out of him and simply waited patiently as he watched him cradle his cubs.
The seconds went by peacefully, Augusta falling back asleep and Gorgo’s strained expression unwinding. It left Mydei with the time to really think about it.
Being courted as a normal person and not a prince sounded nice.
The thought made him huff and Phainon’s full attention immediately snapped back to him.
“Alright. I’ll give you a chance.” And just like that Phainon lit up like the sun, tail thumping wildly against the floor. “But!” Mydei paused for dramatic effect. It was way too easy to play with Phainon. The poor guy must get swindled on the regular if he ran around with that puppy face of his.
“But... Don’t take this as a yes just yet. You’ll have to prove yourself to me and let me tell you. We Kremnoans are a hard to please bunch.” Phainon smiled softly.
“I’m counting on it, Mydeimos.”
“Good. If you manage that, I’m sure you’ll handle the rest with ease.” Mydei mumbles into the cup as he empties it a second time. Phainon wordlessly offers to refill it but he declines. His stomach still feels a little queasy from everything. He’d rather not overestimate his ability to keep things down just yet.
Only now that Mydei had eaten his fill does Phainon eat himself, rinsing the used cup in the creek and filling it with his own portion and plopping down next to Mydei, not quite shoulder to shoulder.
“So. I guess I should start with properly introducing myself then.” He suggested cheerily as Mydei was sipping at his now cooler water. Mydei simply inclined his head for him to go ahead. The food in his stomach was making him a little sleepy. He still wasn’t at peak condition.
Phainon didn’t seem to mind his silence. “Well, you already know my name. Phainon. I’m a dog kin and I grew up in a small village called Aides Elysiae. It’s long fallen to the black tide now.” He started, and even though there was a smile on his face his eyes carried pain in them Mydei was all too familiar with.
It seemed they had more in common than he might have thought at first.
“Since it’s fall I’ve wandered the lands, riding the edges of the black tide and helping those get away that haven’t yet and giving those that I couldn’t save a quick end.” Phainon emptied the pot into his cup, almost spilling half of it when he burned his pinkie by holding the pot wrong.
“I’ve spent some time in a few cities, but never for very long. I never had a reason to stay. And now with the still recent fall of Castrum Kremnos I’ve been traveling along the border to help anyone still fleeing.” Phainon looked directly at Mydei and winked. He had to bite the inside of his cheek to not yank at Phainon's tail for that stupid expression. “And I’m really glad I did, who knows what would have happened if...” The swordsman paused his rambling for a moment, smile slipping before shaking his head. “Actually let’s not imagine that. I’m just glad I’m here with you and the pups now.”
Mydei’s brow twitched. One time could be excused, but a second time…
“They’re cubs, not Pups. I’m a lion kin.” He corrected firmly and Phainon gave him a blank smile that spelled trouble.
“But that’s totally what I said, Mydeimos. You must be getting old if your hearing is that bad.” That bastard...
Mydei couldn’t help the little growl from his chest. “You absolutely said pup. Earlier too. You said you’d protect me and my pups! That’s what you said!” And Phainon's eyes widened with mock surprise.
“Oh my... I didn’t think you were listening so closely to what I say. I’m flattered my dear Mydeimos.” He made a dramatic motion of putting his hand over his chest.
“Stop saying my name like that, hks!” Mydei ground out. No way this guy had him blushing over something this stupid. “You’re making it sound like an insult with that slick tongue of yours, Deliverer!” Phainon spluttered, an embarrassed flush settling over his pale features.
“Deliverer!? Wh- How did you even think of that name?!”
A teasing smirk curled Mydei’s lips upwards. “Well, Deliverer. With how you found me yesterday, you might as well have delivered my childr-” A whine from below interrupted what Mydei was going to say. Their bickering must have woken up his cubs, again.
He sighed softly, petting their little heads one by one. “Oh. I’m sorry. We must have woken them up.” Phainon muttered sheepishly. It really was interesting to see just how fast his demeanor could change from smug to embarrassed to rueful.
Mydei huffed in amusement. “It’s alright. It’s time I feed them anyways.” Phainon gave him a confused look. “Feed? How...”
Mydei’s smirk only widened. It was way too easy to play with the dog kin. “How do you think, Deliverer?”
Phainon blinked before his eyes flicked down to Mydei's half bare chest before meeting his gaze again, understanding blooming in those wide blue eyes. “You mean-”
“Yes.” Mydei interrupted him. “I mean breast feeding.” He cocked an eyebrow. “What? Never seen a mother nurse their child? In Castrum Kremnos mothers were highly respected warriors. Breast feeding was recognized as a respectable duty and it was normal to see it done in public.” He lectured seriously as Phainon's face flushed brighter and brighter. “If that’s a problem for you, then I don’t-”
“Oh my god, no! It’s not a problem, sorry! I just haven’t ever thought of it. We didn’t have many beast kin in Aides Elysiae besides me and my mother. I... I didn’t get to learn much about our people.” Phainon’s face was glowing red where it peaked out from behind his hand. “I’m sorry.”
Mydei shook his head with an exasperated chuckle and picked up Gorgo who was currently the most fussy to bring her to his right breast. “If you want I can explain a few things on the road to pass the time. Castrum Kremnos used to have an impressive library and since we had quite a number of beast kin within our nation there was no shortage of books about us.” Phainon only nodded quietly as he removed his hands from his face, cheeks still red as radishes.
Their conversation fell into a comfortable lull.
Phainon talked a little more about the village he grew up in when Mydei asked.
Hearing someone else talk about a home they’d lost... Mydei didn’t quite know what it was, but he felt better imagining golden wheat fields and windmills spanning across the land. A small little village in the middle where a younger, happier version of the man next to him lived and played with fairies.
Maybe one day he could tell his children about his own home like that. With that nostalgic glint in his eyes and love in his voice.
When Gorgo was finally fed he tried to tug her back in, but she just didn’t want to hold still.
After the third time she wiggled out of the blanket he huffed, picked her up and plopped her down on Phainon's lap who flinched, whipping his head back towards Mydei. “Wha... Mydei?!”
Mydei had to bite back a laugh. It was obvious that Phainon hadn’t ever held a baby with the way he didn’t even dare to touch Gorgo, who was tightly clinging to the swordsman's shirt.
“By Nikador. Phainon, you’re not holding a coreflame. It’s a baby.” Mydei reached over to guide the mans arms around the infant, one on the lower back and one against the back of her head into the bright blond tuft of hair. Like this it almost looked like Phainon was her father.
Maybe that was for the better. It would certainly be easier to say that Phainon was the father. There was no one else left that knew he was not.
Mydei let out a little exasperated huff. “Unbelievable.” Phainon shot him a grumpy pout.
“Well, at least Gorgo seems to like you. That gives you a couple of bonus points.” He mumbled as he picked up Varka. He’s the lightest of the three by maybe a few hundred grams. He’ll have to make sure that the boy eats enough in the future.
When Mydei looked back over to the dog kin, he was still looking at the cub cradled in his arms. The familiar tap of Phainon's tail on stone reached his ears telling him that his tail was wagging again, even if he couldn't see it in this position. A soft smile lingered on the swordsman's lips.
It was when Mydei was pulling the blanket back around his two cubs in his lap that a heavy head suddenly landed on his shoulder and when he turned to Phainon his eyes were closed and his breathing was slow.
He must have been exhausted after staying up all night and the day before.
Mydei let him lean against him, the warmth of another body against his was something he hadn’t gotten to feel in a long time. Not since his dearest friend.
A quiet purring echoing in the cavern.
Maybe he could allow himself to hope again.
If not for himself, then at least for his precious cubs.
🔆🍷~~🍷🔆
“Six years have passed since the fall of Castrum Kremnos, and I stand before you once more. Not as a mere warrior, but as a witness to the grand gathering to stand against the black tide!” Augusta yelled with full chest, Varka and Gorgo stoically standing with her, their little tails and ears making the whole scene a little (a lot) less intimidating and serious.
“You all know well that the march against the cancer called the black tide is the lifeblood of our ancient and mighty nation.” She stuck a proud pose on the boulder she was standing on, looking down upon her mighty warriors.
“Seize power, and fight for victory! Once we fought to survive the black tide. Today, with the combined strength of our nation, Varka the great, leading our glorious military and Gorgo the fabled Deliverer from the distant golden lands, we fight to conquer it!” She finished her speech and Varka and Gorgo shouted out their cheers to their queen. “Long live the god queen Augusta!”
It was a little ridiculous listening to the cubs playing in the fantasy Mydei had once lived.
Mydei was standing in their kitchen as the three kids played outside in the garden. The weather was a little fresh for summer, but the sun was out and any second that it wasn’t raining was good enough for those three to tussle though the grass. He was glad that they were growing up strong and healthy.
Their home was on the outskirts of Okhema, far enough away from the city crowds to not have to hold back in their playing but still close enough to the core of the city to have a comfortable commute to work.
Mydei was just checking the Pumpkin Meat Stew still simmering on the hearth when Phainon stumbled into the kitchen, still in his instructor uniform, and hugged him from behind. Mydei didn’t pay him much mind as he turned back to chopping the fresh cabbage for their Cery Salad, the corn already in the bowl.
“Mydeimos... Aglaea is so mean.” His husband whined into his shoulder. “She’s still picking on my outfit from last week. She was making a fool of me in front of the new recruits all morning.” Mydeimos scoffed.
“That seems to be a you problem, Deliverer. Aglaea and I get along just fine on my shifts.” “Hey!” Phainon cried grumpily. “You’re supposed to be on your lovely Husbands side.” His embrace got a little tighter as Phainon leaned in a little closer. Mydei could practically feel his puppy eyes despite do being able to see them.
“Daddy!!” Gorgo's bright greeting saved Mydei from getting hugged to death by a sulking husband.
Gorgo jumped into Phainon’s arms and he spun her into the air. “My little hero! It’s so nice to see you!” He laughed.
The other two entered the kitchen in a much more normal and appropriate speed. “You’re home late, dad.” Augusta pouted, but when her father went to pick her up into his left arm she just clung to his neck.
“I missed you too my furious little lioness.” Phainon laughed as he pecked her on the temple. “Daddy, I also want up.” Varka mumbled as he tugged at his leg so the swordsman carefully knelt down to let his son climb up on his shoulders.
When Mydei turned around he couldn’t help but let out a giggle at the athletic masterpiece in front of him. His three little cubs clinging to his husband who’s tail wouldn’t stop wagging. “Just make sure not to drop them.” he snorted, carrying the salad bowl to the dinner table. “Never.” His husband promised.
“Daddy, when’s aunty Cassie visiting again? I wanna listen to her harp again!” Gorgo demanded to know, tugging at the shoulder of his shirt and Phainon lit up.
“Oh! Castorice and Hyacine just asked about you today. They both have a few free days next week. If you want I can ask them both.” Augusta sat up straighter immediately, face almost uncharacteristically bright. “Aunt Cinny is coming too? I wanna play with Ica!” Phainon hummed merrily. It was always a delight to see his stoic lioness shine like the sun.
“I’m sure she’ll bring little Ica with her and just to be extra sure I’ll ask her first thing tomorrow!” Varka tugged at Phainon's fluffy ears gently to get his attention.
“Can you ask aunt Castorice if aunt Polyxia can come too?”
Mydei smiled softly at his sons request.
Varka was the most timid of the three, but judging by that bright spark he could see grow in him, he had no doubts that he was going to grow up to be an exceptional young man. Maybe a little too much like his father with how he would soak up all the adventure bedtime stories Phainon would tell him, but Mydei would just have to live with it.
“Of course! Anything for my favorite son.” His husband grinned and turned to Mydei who was just stepping back in front of the hearth to give him a soft kiss, much to the detriment of their three cubs still in his arms and on his shoulders.
Their cubs, forced to watch their parents do something so dreadful as kissing each other in such close proximity to them, squirmed out of Phainon's arms with loud screeching. And Phainon, judging by the very smug smirk on his face, was not at all sorry.
He couldn’t bite back a laugh when Augusta ran out the garden, returning with the sticks they had been using as weapons.
“Good luck, Deliverer. You’ll need it.” He huffed, leaning back against the counter, grinning when Phainon tilted his head with a questioning glance. The poor dog had no idea what was coming for him.
Oh well, Mydei would enjoy watching the spectacle.
Augusta passed their out weapons to her siblings, the ‘spear’ to Gorgo and the ‘long sword’ to Varka, before raising her own ‘claymore’ and pointing it at her father.
She took a deep breath like she had done for her prior speech. And so she called with a proud chest and booming voice, “My honored warriors! A heinous villain has made it into our midst and is threatening the very livelihood of our beloved king Tata!”
Gorgo and Varka positioned themselves on either side of their sister, ‘weapons’ raised, his daughter looking all too much like Phainon when he stirred up trouble while his son stood square and serious despite being the smallest.
“Uh, Mydei?” Phainon looked to his husband for help, but Mydei just shook his head and crossed his arms. “You’ve brought this upon yourself, Phainon.”
“Today we must band together to capture this scoundrel and bring him to justice! Are you prepared to fulfill this order, even in the face of death!?” Her voice rose as she rallied her soldiers against the enemy, all three of their tails flicking back and forth playfully.
“Hey now. Come one, I was just giving your Tata a hello kiss. I’m allowed to do that, aren’t I?” The swordsman chuckled nervously, trying and failing to defend himself before the high court.
All to no avail.
“Charge!” And then all four of them were lying on the kitchen floor, sticks clattering on the tiles, abandoned for a much deadlier weapon that had Phainon gasping for mercy. Giggles were bursting out of him and tears streamed down his face as three little warriors tickled him relentlessly.
The sight was absolutely priceless and Mydei couldn’t laughing. Eventually he did show his poor puppy of a husband mercy by shushing his cubs away and grabbing his hand to help him up.
“Already beat, Deliver- Uagh!”
Phainon however took that opportunity to pull him down as well, right on top of his chest and slung his arms around Mydei's waist, effectively trapping him in his embrace. “No way! I could never have enough of my family.” That guy... Mydei blushed, this was beyond embarrassing.
“Phainon, let me get up! The food is done.” He hissed, trying to get back up but being stopped by three new weights on his back.
“Nooo! Tata can’t get up yet!” Augusta yelled from on top of him and Mydei had to twist his neck to look at her. “But Augusta, the Stew on the fire-” “Tata has to stay down and cuddle! Augs is right!” Gorgo joined her sister and before Mydei could even open his mouth to object a third time Varka leaned down and pulled out the finisher.”Pleaaseeeeeee.” His son blinked at him with an almost exact imitation of Phainon's puppy dog eyes. Phainon would regret being such a bad influence on their children tonight.
But, he could never say no to all three of his children. Not with those bright grins on their round faces.
Mydei sighed, head slumping down and rubbing his head into the crook of Phainon's neck who only smiled, tail thumping loudly against the tiles, Mydei’s own curling around it.
“Fine, but only five minutes. We can cuddle more after dinner.” Mydei’s surrendering sigh fooled no one, a soft purr settled in his chest.
The comfortable weight of his cubs on his back and the warm embrace of Phainon arms and body certainly made it easy to forgive his family for the slightly overcooked Stew.