Wyn—almost automatically, as if expecting it—welcomed Seon into his arms, his legs tangling with Seon's to wrap them together even more. "I wish only to have your care and attentiveness you've shown me in the short time we've been together," he offered, confused by the sudden lamentation about Seon's qualities. "My ears are plenty big enough for listening, and I'm certainly not talkative enough to warrant not listening to you." He nuzzled into Seon's hair and hummed, pensive.
Seon often spoke, and when they did, it always sounded important. Even if Wyn didn't think so, it had that sound. Like he should think so, that he should be listening deeply and considering. It made him wonder what kind of God he was. What did Seonastra represent to the Fae people? "Seon," he murmured slowly, trying to not come across as rude with his next question. "Love. I'm curious to know what sort of thing you symbolize and embody." Wyn hugged his God closer to his chest and absently kissed the top of their head. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, though."
Seon allowed this silence to fester for once, picking at his skull but still lying in it for Wyn's reaction and further opinion on he thought about himself.
"I symbolize the sense of self the Fae people have in themselves. I embody their pride and their gentleness, and their morals. Other than being the spectral God of Self, I create a safety net of Fae who want a philosophical living instead. My purpose is to think, to consider philosophically the Fae and their existence. I think of answers alongside them, digest all sorts of ideas and lament on the simplest of thoughts for them. The best way for me to think about it is talking about it. Many Gods, those who were hungry for physical possessions from their subjects. I certainly only wish for a tidbit of conversation. To hear of what they think of. This, in my opinion, is much more important than anything else. To truly learn why… hmm… why Fae think they exist. And among other things. Everything. I want to teach those who truly want to learn." He stayed completely still as he spoke, no shifting of discomfort signing for unsureness or discontent. Seonastra was sure of his position to that degree.
So that explains the excessive talking and slightly confusing subjects. Wyn combed Seon's hair with his fingers, thinking over his response and calculating his reaction. Subconsciously, perhaps, he had already known. Or simply suspected it'd be something along those lines. It made sense, and fit Seon perfectly. It fit all the musings and character trait topics. It fit the instinctual urge to pay attention to whatever the God was saying. And it just fit with Seon's personality as a whole. Now that he knew, he couldn't imagine anything else for his God.
"It's good," Wyn finally said, head slightly cocked to the side. "It's good that our people have that now. I know that people would find comfort in a God looking over their sense of self, to have the option of going to you for guidance in troubled times. And it could do quite a few some good to debate our purpose for existence. Some may find it to be helpful in figuring out what they wish to dedicate their lives to, and hopefully make some sort of helpful impact." Wyn smiled and closed his eyes, imagining a time where Seon was recognized and wanted by the Fae people. Accepted and embraced with open arms—and with Wyn back home, ready to help him unwind from a long day. Wishful thinking, but he could hope. "You'll do good. I know it."
Hopeful thinking that Seon did not share in. He knew of his purpose, settled deep within him. Unlike other students of Philosophy, he had this deepset destiny, stirring within his gall. He burned with the strife to achieve it, for if he didn't, he would die alongside the other Gods. Without the guidance of his parents, who were already much long gone, without knowing they were at least alive somewhere… There was simply no point anymore.
"I hope to make an impact. I hope to be a shoulder Fae can lean on when they feel as though they can't go on. I know I've felt that before. Yet strangely enough, I only truly had myself at the end of the day. So perhaps my purpose isn't as important as I think." Seon cuddled deeper against Wyn, tucking himself into his arms more snugly, his antlers scratching a minute amount at the ears of the Fae. "I think I am too tired to truly reflect on it right now. That is the worst thing about myself. I eventually need to sleep to process such complex situations, or else I'd get… strange. Hazy. That is not something my followers, no matter how small they are right now, need."
Wyn didn't know what to say to that. He wished he could reassure Seon that he didn't need to worry about his importance and impact. But he had exhausted every angle he knew how to approach the subject, and he was exhausted himself from spending so long awake. So Wyn pressed his face into Seon's hair, breathed in their scent, and hummed a soft and brief melody tune. "Then get some sleep, love. Tomorrow is a new night." A quick and tender kiss to the God's temple, then the Fae fell asleep snuggled into his God, grip on them never faltering, even while unconscious.
Waking up before Seon was surprising. Wyn had expected to sleep through them getting up and making him breakfast again. But here he was, eyes fluttering open, with an adorable sleeping God right in front of him. Wyn cradled his head in his arms, propped up on his pillow, and stared at Seon with a serene smile. He could get used to this. Really, he already was used to it. If Wyn had to go back to having the bed all to himself, he didn't think he'd be able to sleep. He'd miss Seon's warmth too much; he'd even miss being occasionally crushed from the God's weight.
It didn't take much for Seon to fall and stay asleep. His dreams were quiet and uneventful tonight, most unlike they've ever been before. Their skin over the night had slowly faded back into the light, neutral grey-blue, his soft hair a blanket of whitish silver that was still silky smooth under the type.
His breathing was even and smooth, audible to a listening ear with soft little snores upon the uptake. Eyelids shut over usually worried or expressively upset eyes, now made into the image of what Wyn loved to see. Relaxed hands on Wyn's chest, hugging him tentatively close, not completely wrapped around his shoulders.
The air itself seemed to stay still. As if the molecules were afraid of stirring the sleeping God, perhaps the last time they'd sleep so peacefully in a long while. The watchful eyes of Wyn did not awaken the natural body of Seon, truly letting Wyn hold him close and trusting him with the safety of his body. It seemed only fair at the end of the day, since Seon was Wyn's God. Wyn deserved to feel safe in the arms of his unsure God, but it was different when that same God was tucked so securely against him, snoozing in the moonlight.
Wyn sidled closer and, having woken up in a good and adventurous mood, nosed his way into the crook of Seon's neck, planting a small kiss right there. Three nights. Wyn has known Seon for three nights, and his life finally felt like everything clicked into place. How long had he gone, unknowingly lonely on a level deeper than a simple social life, unknowingly craving the attention and shared space of another person? How long had he been missing an important piece of his life? Wyn moved a fraction and kissed Seon again, distracting himself from his own thoughts.
His ears twitched slightly when soft footsteps attempted to tiptoe through the bedroom. Just as he shifted, preparing to roll over, a small body crawled into his bed and prodded at his back. "Aren," came the loud whisper. "Aren."
"Echa," he scolded, voice hushed and much quieter than the young Fae girl. Wyn carefully extracted himself from Seon, willing his movements to be undetected, and rolled over to face his sister. "What is it? Where's mum?"
"Mum's home," Echa whisper-yelled, gap-toothed grin blooming when she spotted her brother's pissy and tired face. As per usual, his sour moods did nothing to faze her. "She misses you! So do I. Da says you should make suppa." She leaned to the side, consequently elbowing him in the ribs, and eyed Seon. "Who's that?" Wyn was about to respond, but she interrupted him with a scandalized gasp. "Sleepover!"
"Echa, doll, shut up," Wyn hushed once more, ushering her out of the bed. She bounced off the bed with a soft thump, her brother rolling further over to see her off without actually getting out of bed. "Yes, sure, I'm having a sleepover. And an important part of that is sleeping, which my friend is trying to do." Her eyes lit up, knowing where this was going. Wyn smiled and held a finger to his lips, which she mimicked while bouncing on her heels. "Let's play the quiet game, yes? If you're quiet, I'll steal you a cookie from mum's stash."
Echa nodded, bouncing up and down, then dashed downstairs when Wyn shooed her off. She managed to stay quiet for all of thirty seconds before a soft crash of her bumping into something echoed through the house, her tiny "Oops," soon following. Wyn sighed and rolled onto his back, an arm draping across his eyes.
Seon slept through the not-so-whispery voice of the child, truly just exhausted in his own right from carrying such heavy weights around for what felt like his whole life. His hands curled up in the cloth of Wyn's shirt, gripping him close like a conduit of his comfort and trust. He hadn't moved at all, instead somehow drew closer, completely tucked up and allowing Wyn's weight to fall against him.
Well, unfortunately until that was broken. Wyn unwove himself, hoping to not wake the sleeping boy, but slowly lapsed him from his slumber instead. Each movement used to move away woke and jostled Seon's conscious, his movements of stirring natural with the movements of the bed and Wyn. Seon chased after that warmth, following the Fae and burying his face into his shoulder. Again, until that crash. Seon startled with a soft noise, raising his nose, eyes half-closed with a tired huffing sigh.
"Too loud," Seon rumbled heavily, his jaw feeling magnetic and stiff. He wrapped his arms back around Wyn, rubbing his head back into his shoulders and neck. He wasn't able to go back to bed after that, but at least he'd be able to get some semblance of cuddles before Wyn got too annoyed.
Wyn startled slightly at Seon's weight dropping into his shoulder, the arm over his eyes lifting to peer down at the God before falling back down around their neck, fingers burying into Seon's hair and idly petting him. "Hey, sorry," he whispered. Wyn nearly did the customary "I didn't mean to wake you," but that took talking, and he didn't feel like bothering the comfortable quiet even more than he and Echa had already done. Instead, he twisted his body further into Seon's body with a hum and closed his eyes. He might fall back asleep, he might not. It didn't really matter to him either way.
The remains of his muddled dreams resurfaced as he tilted back and forth on the razor's edge of consciousness. They told of stories of chained Gods and nights spent huddled up with Seon. He saw hundreds of kisses shared between them. Goodnight kisses and good morning kisses—which Wyn would refuse to give until their teeth were thoroughly cleaned. Kisses they exchanged in passing, and heated sessions in times of passion. He saw Seon walking up to him out of the blue just for cuddles, and him openly returning the affection. He saw them together, and in the hazy veil of slumber, he felt ready.
And even now, when he knew he wasn't ready, he had a feeling it wouldn't take long before he was.
Seon relaxed there, eyes closed and held in some perfect harmony between the two modes of his exceptional brain. One buzzed for him to rise to his feet, to start his last day among civilization. Wyn probably didn't consciously know it, but Seon was itching to leave. He wanted to leave close to the sun rising, when the Fae were slinking away into their shadowy hovels of warmth, for a restful slumber, content in their more muted, unquestionable lives.
The other side fought this idea. The other wanted to remain, to rest his head in this warmth and solace for just a few hours longer, his chest melting in rhythm with Wyn to make that calm again. Sleep teased him with the soothing pets to his skull, small brushes against his long antlers, just barely keeping him alive and floundering in the darkness of unconsciousness.
Seon shifted his head, letting his head lol back and rising one of his hands to rub at his eyes, getting rid of a few sleep crystals stuck in his eyes.
"Who was the young one I heard? I assume she is related to you in some way?" Seon's voice was crackly and tired, somehow deeper than his usual voice and slurred heavily. This sleepy voice was somehow seductive on the God in some way. Pleasing to the ear.
Wyn groaned and buried his face into Seon's throat as the God moved, arms circling around their waist and holding him close. He didn't want to get up, not quite yet. He could still feel sleep's fingers tugging at his lids, begging him to keep them closed while she ushered him into her comforting and dark arms. He might've woken up early enough to bask in the beauty and cuteness of a sleeping Seon, but that calm wakefulness disappeared.
"Echa, my baby sister." Wyn smothered his yawn using Seon's skin, not wanting to move much. "Mum and dad wanted a normal kid after me. Something about loving me very much for the path I'm on and blah blah blah, but still wanting to have the experience of raising a child that isn't intertwined with the Gods." He shrugged, grunting sleepily. "Don't really remember exactly. 's when I was younger, and they were mainly talking to their other parent friends." He chose to ignore the all-too pleasing timbre of Seon's voice, huskier and drawn-out more than usual. He couldn't ignore the pleased chill skittering up and down his spine, though, in reaction to it.
Seon being rudely woken up by his sister mixed with his lingering dreams, and Wyn realized that he wanted to leave. Stalling had felt like a good idea in the beginning, when everything was raw and confusing. That's not to say it wasn't currently raw and confusing, but it was less so. It sat with him, rooting and spreading, influencing the makeup of his thoughts and wants. He had waited long enough, delayed the inevitable long enough. It was time to leave. But first… he had to say goodbye.
Seon shifted with the movement into his neck, pushing wonderfully into his windpipe with a relaxed pressure that just forced Seon to do the same. He wouldn't be all that bad off waiting a couple more hours without worrying about… Whatever happened with the child and what it could mean.
Wait a moment.
"Your baby sister?" Seon repeated, properly rousing himself out of sleep and raising his head, knocking Wyn off of him, their heads bumping together but shoulders, waists, and legs still, tangled up. "Does that mean your parents are here? If they are still raising her that is?" A rapid succession of blinks from the God proceeded this, and he pressed one of his hands into Wyn's cheeks, feeling more alarmed by the second. "Are they downstairs? I imagine they would not enter without your express permission?" As much as he found the story sweet, like a nice cube of sugar to suck on while perusing the forest riverside, observing simply how much Wyn's life with him had changed him, there was somehow some strange edge of panic. Like he needed his parents to like him. A fluttering excitement to make an outstanding appearance in their lives and make an impression. What was this sense of adrenaline pumping through his veins? Simulating a chase that was not being had.
Wyn whined indignantly at being disturbed, not at all bothered by the implications of Echa being in his house. The only concern at the forefront of his mind was that Seon was moving him from his cozy position. When Seon stopped moving long enough for Wyn to settle back against them, face leaning into the hand on his cheek and eyes closed. "Mm. I doubt they're downstairs. They're probably home."
Finally, he heard the note of panic in Seon's voice, and the semi-tensed position of his body. Wyn kissed Seon's palm and loosely wrapped his fingers around the God's wrist. "You don't have to be so worried, they're probably not here. Echa likes visiting me out of the blue. They live just further back in the woods, about a five minute walk." Another kiss to their palm. "I was planning on visiting them before we left, just so they don't worry about me up and disappearing, but you don't have to if you'd rather not meet them." He wouldn't blame Seon for wanting to avoid that situation.
Seon almost allowed Wyn to completely pull him back down, flop back and enjoy the simple reality of just him and Wyn together. Still cuddling and a dream where perhaps life wasn't real and the problem disappeared like a disappointing dream that never fulfilled its satisfying destiny and eventual end.
Yet a noise from downstairs, bumping and a set of bickering voices, quickly hushed but still, enough to startle Seon more, sitting up a little bit more and holding Wyn closer between his soft arms and neck. As if holding in Wyn as a protective measure. Something precious to him, absolutely and unequivocally… amazing. He wouldn't be able to explain why until much deeper of his Godship, if not deeper still into his philosophical journey.
"We must go look. I just heard voices."
Wyn heard the noises too, unfortunately, and recognized his mother attempting to be quiet and chastising his father for failing at that. Perfect timing, perhaps, to his thoughts. But he also found it rather unfortunate timing, because now Seon was itching to get up while Wyn wanted to stay in bed for a little while longer.
Though, it felt nice to be held closer, almost protectively. It made his heart flutter unnaturally.
"Fine, fine," he relented, though he remained curled up in Seon's arms, like a child throwing a silent tantrum. "We can go meet them. Just give me a moment to freshen up." And wake up. His mother would never let him live it down if he showed up with Seon, both sporting bedhead and clearly ruffled, even if they didn't do anything particularly scandalous. She'd take one look at them and make that damn face, the one she'd always give him when his old friend was around and would sleep in his room.
Seon pulled Wyn up closer, sitting them both up slowly. He gave a short cuddle, a close hug between his chest and Wyn's back, before wriggling away and plapping down onto the floor, going so far as to scoot through the plant hall and peek down the flight of steps to see a semblance of life.
He hardly looked like much. His hair was ruffled and visibly knotted because of his sleep, the right side of his head unrulier than the other because of how they fell asleep tucked up against Wyn. His neat clothes were creased along the shoulders and stomach, quite brutalized after a couple days of stress and sleep. Yet his antlers still stretched out of that hair, and as he turned around, jewelry clinking from his hooded, low ears and excited, wide eyes. He approached Wyn at the bed, tugging on him to rouse him from bed.
"Please, let us go. I think it'd be better to go sooner than later, Arenwyn." He seldom used Wyn's full name, but his worry and apprehension stopped any second thoughts.
He allowed the pulling and tugging, though not without noises of complaint and weak protest. And he didn't get out of bed until Seon was back from looking downstairs, standing before him and tugging at him to get up. Wyn sighed dramatically, head thrown back, and finally roused himself enough to stand, pressed close to Seon. The use of his full name caught enough of his attention to soften his expression; Wyn sweetly kissed the worried God's cheek, then the angle of his jaw. "Just a minute, love," he murmured, "They can wait a minute."
Gently, he nudged the God back far enough to give him room to move. Then he began straightening the God's clothes, fingers swift and focused on their task to make Seon presentable enough. Wrinkles were flattened, creases were fixed, askew fabric was pulled back into place, and slowly the impeccable Godly image was put back in place. Wyn smiled to himself, happy with his work, then darted over to his deck to grab a soft-bristled brush. As he set about tidying Seon's hair, he teased, "I hope you're aware that you're going to have to return this favor." A quick kiss to their cheek from behind. "You're better with hair than I am." Then a butterfly peck to Seon's shoulder. "And please calm down. You being frazzled is making me on edge, and we can't have that."
Seon let Wyn pull him around once he got up, curling his fingers into the fabric of the Fae's pants, shuffling close like a lost toddler intimidated by the reality of the world. Yet as the hands passed over his clothes and straightened out the knots in his hair, the soft strokes of the brush re-styling his silken hair. Shiny and white again, Seon also redid the black parts of his hair, retying them so they stayed relaxed across his shoulders.
"Okay, fine." Seon accepted the brush and took to the mesmerizing task of styling and detangling. As the curly hair frizzed out more upon being forced apart, he styled and braided it upon their will and what Seon thought Wyn would like. Mostly the same as last time, with long parts of the hair braided down, and some left out intentionally to make it look thicker and more voluminous.
"I'm sorry," Seon said as he worked, "I don't know what has gotten in to me. "It's intimidating to meet someone else so close to you. Especially your parents. What if they don't like me? I do not want to come across as though I don't respect them."
"They'll love you," he insisted immediately, tipping his head back when Seon was done to look up at the God behind him. His hand came up and lightly brushed his knuckles against their cheek. "They'll be just as taken with you as I was when we first met." And still am. Wyn turned and wrapped Seon into a tight hug, arms circling the God's waist and face pressed into their chest. "You'll be okay, Astra. I promise. They're slightly odd, but full of love to give to anyone that's family. And to them, you are family. I care about you, and that is all that matters to them. Respect is not of concern."
Lifting his head, Wyn offered a kind smile and looped his arms around Seon's neck. "I understand that it's intimidating, I'm not telling you how to feel. If I were given the chance to meet your parents, I'd be scared out of my mind. You'd probably have to drag me to go anywhere near the building they're in. But while it's intimidating, it'll be okay. I'll be right here with you. And if they say or do anything that bothers you, I'll be on your side in an instant. I'm right here."
Seon let out a defeated sigh, but happily accepted the soothing hug that pressed their bodies together again. He tucked his arms up around Wyn's shoulders and squeezed him close, bumping their heads.
"I hope so. I really would like them to… like me. For some reason I just have that desire unlike any other. I have met many other pairs of parents before, including those of God status, yet somehow your parents are different in my mind's eye. I wish not to keep it taught in its nervousness." Seon pulled away slowly, leaving behind a kiss on the top of his forehead, and taking his hand. "Please, introduce me to your parents in a way you see fit. I trust you to have my back, even if this situation to you seems less than treacherous. I appreciate your kindness."
Wyn grinned at the kiss on his forehead, unreasonably happy by the small gesture, but bit his lips to suppress it. He knew Seon was stressed, and his reassurances could only do so much to ease the apprehension. Instead, he grabbed both of Seon's hands and directed them towards the hall and down the stairs. "Remember," he murmured just as they neared the living room, "they created me, so they're going to be just as amazing as I am. Flaws and all."
And then they were facing the two adult Fae.
Venera stood tall and proud, perhaps even taller than Seon by a fraction of a mark. Glittering white hair, cut to just above her shoulders and folded over mostly to one side, hung in tight coils even denser than her son's. Sharp angles and clean-cut features, with light sea-green skin speckled with white freckles, and piercing lime green eyes; she looked like a force to be reckoned with. Painted lips, the pillowed lips she passed on to her kids, parted into a wide and beaming smile the moment she laid eyes on the two of them, revealing quite long canines.
By her side, with an even smaller stature than Wyn's, was Simone. Fluffy blue hair riddled with dusty brown streaks, warm yellow eyes, and laugh lines throughout his face. He definitely had softer and more open features than his wife, and an overall more approachable presence. He didn't smile as wide as Venera, but he did nod in greeting to Wyn, who returned the gesture, and that was about as much as he would do.
Venera squealed, bouncing in place, and Wyn groaned. "Mum–" he tried warning, but she completely ignored him as her eyes locked onto their joined hands.
"Oh, hello again!" she greeted, eyes darting up to Seon's. "It's been so long. Gods, but it feels like only yesterday. It's so cute seeing you two so close still."
Seon hummed nervously in response as they passed through the plant room and down the steps, in what felt like two heartbeats. He allowed Wyn to go first nevertheless, and as the Fae idled at the base of the steps, Seon seemed to reluctantly stand next to him to keep their fingers entwined.
Somehow, Seon seemed quite surprised at the man and woman standing in front of him. The lanky woman smirking knowingly into his white-blue eyes, yet with a sense of familiarity that settled the wrong way on his tongue. A strange surge of second nature almost brought him forward to greet the woman like a trusted friend, to envelope her into a hug and catch up from the good old days.
This was confirmed by what she dared to say. Seon cocked his head questioningly, glancing at Wyn then back to Venera.
"Again? I don't remember seeing Wyn before this moment in our lives. Of course not to be rude, but I don't think we have met either." Seon shuffled his feet, his extravagant way of speech not held back from the woman who was very close to making Seon high tail it back upstairs.
Wyn sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. He knew who she was referring to, and it really pained him that she brought him up, albeit indirectly. "Mum, he's not—This is Seonastra, a friend." He stressed the words like she was being painfully ignorant, but he didn't want to verbalize it. She sent him a scalding look in return, an expression he had mastered over the years, so he sent one right back. Simone simply released a long-suffering sigh and sunk into a chair to watch the battle of wills from the sidelines. Years of dealing with the two hot-headed Fae taught him that little trick.
"Yes, I'm well aware, my beautiful boy," she chimed, and Wyn braced himself for the inevitable backhand. "It's a wonder you haven't bothered to put the pieces together. Maybe that head of yours is only good for attracting doomed boys, hm? Except this one, of course." She smiled prettily, as if she hadn't called her son dumb, and clasped her hands together. "Come now. Think, boy. Who might I be talking about?"
Wyn bristled, taking an unconscious step towards Seon until his side was pressed into their arm. "Mum, I know who you're talking about. You know that's a sore sub—"
"Azzy, flower." She nodded her head towards Seon, eyes now on him. "Azzy. Do you not remember? You and Wyn would play outside together, while your parents would chat with me and Simone. It was so cute, and Wyn was absolutely devastated when you stopped showing up."
He remembered. He remembered how he had crumbled from the inside out, having lost his best friend. And he remembered. Wyn cut a look up to the God standing next to him, realization slowly creeping into his wide-eyed expression.
The nickname struck Seon immediately, straightening up as if a shock of electricity just ran through his spine. It wasn't one he had heard in quite some time, and definitely had not been called for years. It unearthed a part of him he had buried beneath eons of loneliness, simply in attempts to not remember such bittersweet memories of lost friends. No wonder he felt so drawn to Wyn…
Seon glanced at Wyn, their eyes matching– both confused and bewildered. Seon arguably less so. He wasn't surprised Wyn didn't remember. Seon went through many moments of his life with his physical appearance wavering like the smooth ebb and flow of a riverbed, breaking away or adding on.
Azzy had been a younger version of him. Accompanied with the white antlers and hooded ears, but those were always his most distinguishable traits. Back then his skin was dyed a deeper blue, almost grey in tint, with white eyes and golden pupils that jumped out. His mother used to say his eyes were most like his father's during that time. Shifting between the colors of riches and of the sky. His hair was not two-toned at that time either, but instead took on a yellowish green like his mother's, as though the pair painted on a canvas they planned on calling their son, until it developed into an actual other being. It was arguable that he could have been completely mistaken for another person. A Fae, no less.
"I think I do remember. Mother used to speak of you. But that was shortly before the last time I had seen her." Seon looked back at Venera for guidance, his free hand toying with the jewelry on his neck. It was a symbol of a half-grown tree, with three branches sticking out in several directions, with a small entourage of roots curling together beneath it. It was not a symbol any of the Fae had seen before, yet Seon gripped it like it was more than personal. Like it related to this situation, his reasoning as to why he suddenly forgot this ever happened to him.
Wyn heaved a breath and completely leaned against Seon, hugging his arm to his chest and turning his face into their shoulder while muttering, "You shapeshifting bastard." It was affectionate, and relieved. How had he not seen it? He blamed it on the drastic difference in appearance. Azzy and Seon had never even entered his mind at the same time. Hell, they were never in the same field.
Azzy had been his best friend, the one person he could lean on and trust, and the one he had looked forward to seeing every day. Losing that had broken him. He lost a part of him that had wormed its way into his soul without his knowledge, until it was too late. Seon was his God, the subject of his devotion. He was a dream turned reality. He was new.
The two of them being one in the same baffled him, but made perfect sense.
Wyn stayed pressed against Seon, wrapping his head around the revelation and now reworking his image of the God at his side. His mother, however, wasn't even fazed by her son's show of affection. "It was a long time ago, I know. You two were but just children." She tipped her head to the side, surveying them. "I'm glad to know that you two are close still, though. It seems like you bonded as strangers once more, and that's good. It's good that you're so compatible."
"You knew." She blinked at Wyn, his muffled words getting her attention. His heated stare bore into her. "You knew about all this."
She hummed and nodded, smiling. "Your destiny? Yes."
