hypomeneo | Open Post

Ye ol' general open post. Memes, PSLs, game divergence, Fate AUs... all of it finds a home here. NSFW. PM me or hit me at

Kerimeos for more plotting.

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You're sure? You were shaking.

[Iskandar might have had a weird dream himself but his wasn't a nightmare. An omen? Maybe. He'll think about what that might have meant later. Right he has more important things on his mind.

Like how in the name of all the Gods could he let this happen?! Please, don't be mad at him. He's already plenty ashamed of himself.]

I was sure you... that it's the nightmares again. I've ... fallen asleep when you still didn't have your bracelet on. I know I promised, I just —

[Iskandar stops mid-sentence and just blinks, fully confused now. Not nightmares then? What else did he miss?]

Huh?

Yeah.

[He's sure.]

Not nightmares. More like... dream walking. Or a vision.

[It's murmured as Waver's hand slides down off his face. He remains dead weight in Iskandar's arms for a few moments more - still coming to himself and groggy. Uuuuugh. He hates waking up like this.]

One of the local goddesses wanted to talk. It's probably for the best we forgot to put it on. [It's fine. No, it's fine. He's only going to have a headache. That'll go away once he drinks something.] No strange dreams for you?

[Um... a goddess? Eh, so he can't ignore his own dream now. Such a shame. Can't they have some true vacation for once, huh?]

What did she want?

[Iskandar bends over to kiss his husband's forehead. He knows what that groan means, and hopes there's really a good coffee machine somewhere in this hut. Because very soon they will need some truly strong brew to battle that headache.]

A brief one but in light of your dream, mine might mean something too. I didn't realise it was a dream at first because I was just near that sauna we saw today. Then there was a strange lady with a grinding stone, some bloody mittens and some ayakashi she was worried about. All very symbolic, and short. She basically told me to go away and that was it.

[He was a bit concerned. They haven't taken any of their shinki with them for the trip. Mostly because it wouldn't really feel like holidays to him if they did. Still, not overly concerned because, in the end, it's not his territory, not his ayakashi, not his problem.

Yet from Waver's expression, Iskandar can guess he was wrong in his optimistic assumption. The goddess might have no wish to talk to him but she definitely spoke with Waver. That could only mean his own attitude of not his problem might end as simply wishful thinking.

All he wanted was some time alone with his husband....with no outside interference, prayers, demands or anything else.]

That was her. Her name is Kiputyttö. One of the daughters of Tuoni and Tuonetar, the rulers of the underworld in Finnish mythology. She presides over pain and illness.

[No. Apparently not. Something Waver finds himself peeved at. The headache doesn't help. His expression softens at the kiss, though.

... a memory floats up about something about a coffee machine like the one at the airport being in the cabin. Is that right? Waver's not sure. It's all fuzzy. Maybe Iskandar was telling him about it. That would be convenient if that's true.]

She was trying to bury the creature like she would pain. It wasn't quite working. Something is interfering with her ability to perceive him and his identity past that it's a him. All she's aware of that he's in pain, he's about to or just has killed, and he's in our general area. I saw him at the sauna too.

Which has left her displeased. [Waver sighs.] Our presence isn't making her happy either. We're invading her territory, apparently, and she's concerned we came in unarmed. [But how could they know? Frustrating... so very frustrating...] She's willing to let things slide as long as we help her with the ayakashi, however. Figuring out how the thing is able to hide, who or what he really is...

[It's their problem if the ayakashi decides to try and ambush them for a meal, no matter what their choices are in regards to dealing with it. No shinki are a problem that way. A cranky goddess who might rope in other members of her pantheon if she doesn't get her way might be a headache too.

One on top of this building... UGH.]

What a present, huh? [Waver's lips curve with no small amount of exasperation.] Merry Christmas.

I hate politics.

[It's Iskandar's turn to groan. So assuming they can be private persons on their own vacation and not foreign gods abroad was too much of wishful thinking on his part, eh? Eh...too good to be true. Something had to happen to spoil it.]

Displeased, huh? Maybe she should have done a proper introduction when we arrived? Instead of dragging you into her dreamworld or whatever it was and kicking me out with no explanation.

[He's not even against helping. Only pissed it ruins their vacation. And then there's the ayakashi problem. Iskandar doesn't think that dragging that thing on the local goddess head is beneath him. They won't be able to dispatch it themselves anyway.]

I'd be most happy if we kept as far from this mess as possible but I guess that's not happening. If we're supposed to investigate it, I have a hard time imagining how we can do this while staying at a safe distance.

[Iskandar shakes his head. Oh well, they will deal with it. As they dealt with every moronic thing the Older Gods has thrown at them back in Japan. They will figure something out. Waver will. He always does.
Iskandar leans down to kiss his husband.]

Nah, this is my present. Merry Christmas, my light.

[Coffee, breakfast, and then they can start planning what to do next.]

You and me both.

[Waver doesn't know which of them hates it more. The Old Gods certainly make them irritating. Not that they aren't always more pain than they're worth.

A bark of a laugh bubbles up in his throat at the mention of introductions.]

Would you believe that she harped on me being neglectful on that matter, then? She intends to meet us in person eventually. Better late then never, but Christ.

[He shakes his head. Gods. There's no difference between here and that pompous pantheon back in Japan.]

At least we're aware and not being caught off guard by the thing. I don't mind helping, but...

Tch, this can wait until after breakfast. I refuse to deal with it until we're both fed and had our fill of coffee.

[Annnnnnnnd there's the crankiness. Not helped by the headache, but with such a grump beginning to build, something needs to derail it before a literal black thundering cloud forms above Waver's head.

Thank goodness for everyone, that derailment comes in the form of a kiss. Waver pinks as he returns it, mood shifting, softening, while he scratches the back of his head.]

Merry Christmas.

I know we don't celebrate it, really. But. I have something for you.

[Both of Iskandar's eyebrows fly upward as huffs at that last declaration. This one revelation immediately chases away all the concerns about a foreign goddess and her interference in their holiday plans.]

Ho? I thought this trip was the present.

[He really did. He only got a small set of hairpins for Waver. Nothing especially fancy or spectacular. If he knew Waver was planning something else other than organising this whole excursion, he'd think of a more appropriate gift. Now he feels dumb.

But there's nothing that a kiss can't fix so that's exactly what follows. Or two, or ... only his own curiosity lets Iskandar tear away eventually. It is no easy feat when his beloved is so warm and delicious. He'll make it up to him after they return home.]

What is it, hm?

It is! The main one, anyway.

[They're not rolling in the riches of Asia here! Waver would wheeze if Iskandar thought he had planned anything extravagant - small and personally intimate on the other hand.]

And spoil the surprise? You'll have to unwrap it and see.

[After a kiss... or two... or three... or...

It's a shame to leave this nice warm bed for even a moment when they finally break for air. Even worse as he's still naked and foregoes even thinking of a robe for heading to one of their bags for something buried under his clothes. Brrrrrrr.

The return to warm covers and even warmer husband is swift, hands holding a brightly wrapped package. Waver holds it out to Iskandar.]

For you.

Edited Date: 2020-10-27 02:25 am (UTC)

At least throw a bathrobe on!

[Iskandar furrows his brows at a large box wrapped in decorative paper he gets handed over but more over sudden sprint across the frigid room. Maybe not exactly frigid but they got all those covers, blankets and furs for a reason! It is cooler than they usually keep their bedroom.
No doubt the packaging if work of one of the ladies from Waver's Kyoto temple. He accepts the box but puts it aside for a moment. He wraps Waver in his arms, rubbing his hands all over his body to warm him up.]

You're freezing.

[The grumbling is much exaggerated, that's for sure, but Waver startled him with his sudden sprint so now he has to suffer Iskandar fussing over him. Those are the rules. Only when he's made enough of a show of his efforts, and got Waver actually warmed up properly. Only then he picks up the box. He weighs it in his hand, his jaw almost dropping even before he looks inside.]

This is insane. You hauled this all the way from Japan? I fear asking what you had to leave at home to make it fit the weight limit.

[Technically, the hauling part was him. Waver was already doing all the talking with different officials and airlines staff part, so the least Iskandar could to contribute and not feel useless was to carry their luggage. He had no idea what was the significant part of that weight. Waver you crazy... This is all before he looked inside.]

No, you didn't...

[Iskandar's eyes lit up the moment he unpacks the gift and realizes what it is. He carefully unlocks the case and watches the three tiers slide away from each other revealing the contents. He shakes his head for longer while touching all the drawing implements, the pencils, brushes, even a small, wooden figurine. As if he wasn't sure he's not asleep anymore.
How did he even know? Iskandar hasn't been very vocal he'd want one. He thought it unnecessary spending on something that was purely his whim. Yet Waver somehow was able to uncover it's something he'd like to get.]

Thank you, my love. This is wonderful.

[He puts aside the box which as much care as when he was examining it and leans down to kiss Waver.]

I hope you're prepared for a modelling session? Or two? I will need to test my new set.

[Naturally. It looks too good. Besides. Having bits of tape and wrapping paper caught in his hair from present wrangling would have been a dead give away.

There are tsun sounding noises coming under his breath, even as Waver submits to the fussing and even presses insistently closer because. Cold. Cooooooooooold. Don't scold him about the bathrobeee---- fiiiiiiiine.

Fiiiine.

Don't stop rubbing.]

I... cheated. Just a bit. [There's a flush as he looks up, glancing to the side quickly. It's not a Mage-like thing to do for such a minor, mundane thing, but...] A small act of magecraft.

[But the fluster morphs into quiet, eager anticipation as Waver watches the paper come off and Iskandar reveal the case of art supplies. A grin grows, threatening to crack his face, as his husband's eyes light up. He watches Iskandar touch the items contained within with reverence, marveling at the contents while shaking his head.

This. This is everything. Just to see his King, his love, react like that.]

You're welcome. [Breathy from the kiss.] And more. I look forward to you breaking it in.

[Look, it's obligatory that he protests. Waver is the one usually complaining about the cold so Iskandar cannot leave such blatant disregard for personal comfort uncommented. Even if he very much enjoys it as an excuse to indulge in touching his husband everywhere without getting accused of being an insatiable monster. Not that said accusations, to be perfectly honest, are by any means incorrect.]

Ha! I knew that!

[Iskandar's shoulders shake with laughter. Of course. Magic. What else? He should have expected that. Waver is the master of unconventional solutions. Most of them employing magic to some extent.]

You're as cunning as you are beautiful, my love.

I think I will start with a proper nude portrait. [A low growl rumbles deep in his chest.] Just you. On that bearskin in front of the fireplace. Wearing nothing at all.

[A true test will be how long he'll be able to keep drawing before joining the subject of his future masterpiece for some more hands-on approach.]

[They are both insatiable monsters. One's just much more forward (and honest) about it than the other. Waver runs one finger down his husband's chest. They have work to do and the wrath of the local goddess to avoid, but to everything holy and good, that growl is making him want to play some serious hooky.]

Start... [A knowing smile plays over his lips.] I imagine the finish is going to play out a bit differently.

[He's going to be in the good kind of trouble if he keeps up the double entendre, but... Christ... they really need to deal with this.]

I better crack the case fast, then. That kind of work is going to require your complete attention.

[Iskandar catches the hand on his chest and keeps it there. There's a serious risk they won't leave this room today if this continues... and yet he cannot not fall for the temptation.]

It definitely would. Complete, undisturbed, undivided attention.

[He agrees, each adjective punctuated by a gradually longer and more sensuous kiss. By the gods, how much he wishes they could just stay here and pretend the outside world does not exist. That the entire universe is only this room, a crackling fire, warm comfortable bed and this amazing man in his arms. Nothing else.

And yet as much as he dreads to admit it, the longer they tarry, the harder it gets. So finally he draws Waver into last long kiss before releasing him.]

But no case cracking before breakfast. Let's have at least a decent meal first.

[There's a slight groan as Iskandar pulls away. Waver's face is flushed, clearly worked up by each progressively more passionate kiss, and he gives himself a shake to try and break out of the amorous haze his husband has put him in.

Once he's sure he's not going to throw everything to the wind and pounce to continue things anyway (how... uncharacteristically... aggressive of him...), Waver stretches languidly, banishing the remnants of morning stiffness, before swinging his legs over the side of the bed.

Back to the cold. He'll ignore the mess in the other room for now and grab fresh clothes from the suitcase.]

Right. I think you said something about this cabin having at least a coffee machine...?

[Outside cold, in other words. Even braving it for breakfast will require steaming courage. Unless they teleport right to the restaurant. Which is very possible.]

[Iskandar wouldn't put them through this misery for any reason other than the fact that he is really hungry. Technically, gods don't have to eat but clearly somebody forgot to inform his stomach about this crucial fact. As much as he'd prefer to stay in the warm bed, he's well aware of what kind of nuisance he can be when he's hungry.
In fact, his plan involves returning to their room after breakfast. Otherwise, he wouldn't be so keen on letting Waver get out of bed so soon. If the local goddess truly wants to speak with them, she will find them herself. Is he still irritated that she kicked him out of her dream world and decided to speak with Waver alone? Well, yes he is. ]

Yes, near all the other kitchen things. [Iskandar gestures vaguely towards the small kitchenette on the other side of the room.] At least it looks like a coffee machine to me. I think our lawyer friends have something similar in the office.

[Lawyer friends, meaning his followers at the law firm in Ginza. The machine here is smaller, with a more minimalistic design but it definitely is a high-end coffee machine. The cupboard above is stocked with a wide selection of equally high-quality teas and coffees. Plus the usual assortment of cups, glasses and mugs.]

[Not to mention his. Though it is better than the constant hunger a shinki must endure. Something that's left him with its marks. There's no longer any need to stop and convince him to eat something when he's occupied with something else; he'll go seek something to eat when the gnawing sensation of hunger strikes.

Waver pulls a sweater over his head as he glances towards the kitchenette. Yes. That looks like a coffee machine. And... there's a mini fridge. If they stock it with a bit of food, they can avoid having to run out to the restaurant when they're clearly interested in other things and dine on their own schedule.]

They do. Though I think theirs does espresso too. It's a fancy one. [Humph. Better tie the hair back before it gets caught in a zipper or other fastening.] Give me a moment. I'll grab you a cup. Dark roast?

[Oh, that's a nice selection. There's even hot chocolate. Makes him wonder what the fridge holds.]

[Watching Waver is on Iskandar's great pleasures. So before he crawls out of bed himself he just looks, noticing how his husband's hair catch at the rim of the sweater. Ahhh, right. He too has a present for him, and one that could conveniently help. But he's called back to reality when Waver directs a question at him. ]

Yes, thank you, love.

[That's a signal for him to put some clothes on too. Iskandar yawns. Coffee definitely is a good idea. Flights completely ruin his sense of time. His body still thinks it's the middle of the night. Iskandar fishes out Waver's present he had carefully concealed in his own suitcase. It's a small box so no magic was needed. He does dress up first though. Otherwise, it would be too tempting to skip breakfast in favour of satisfying the other kind of hunger.
Iskandar growls. That the worst thing about dining on trips like this: set hours of meals. He prefers to be master of his own time so such restrictions irritate him. And now it's this in addition to jet lag and way too little sleep. They'll need to check if there are other options available in case they did want to skip breakfast, or lunch.]

Make it strong one like you do for yourself. I'm afraid the jet-lag has finally caught up with me.

[Once he's dressed Iskandar approaches Waver from behind, taking advantage of the fact his husband is busy preparing coffee for them, he wraps his arms around his waist burying his face in his hair. He could easily fall asleep like this. If they're to even have a chance to reach breakfast he really needs that coffee. Ideally, he wouldn't want to move from their room at all.]

I have a present for you too.

[If Waver chooses to look down, he'll notice Iskandar is holding a box. Inside it a set of six different hair pins and a comb rests on black velvet inside.]

Black too?

[As he idly potters around to see what the fridge and the rest of the cabinets hold while the coffee maker whirls to life. Hmmmmm... there's coffee whitener (bleh) and sugar, cutlery and plates, salt and pepper. Nothing in the fridge - sometimes in fancier places there's a selection of goodies there that are added to the tab based on what's taken, but that doesn't seem the case here.

Strong as the coffee can go, then. That growl is met by a little bemusement; Waver's supposed to be the irritable one of the pair. The jet lag is hitting his husband harder than thought, and the near constant darkness doesn't help.

The cups fill and Waver feels heat at his back as his husband's larger frame presses into him and arms wrap around his waist. He smiles, content in the quiet, warm domesticity of the moment, twisting slightly to peck a kiss on Iskandar's cheek.]

Nearly read- oh?

[There's a gasp as he opens the box to see the comb and pins inside. Waver's eyes go wide and bright as he touches the comb with the wrought silver holly leaves and the pin featuring walnut wingnuts gently, tracing over each hair ornament in awe.]

They're beautiful. T-thank you.

[Waver flushes as he looks up, a smile tugging ever wider at his lips.]

You'll have to help me choose which ones to wear first. They're all so lovely, I can't decide.

Mhmm...

[That's not very precise answer but that's as much as Iskandar is capable of now. Any other time he'd be first to jump out of bed in anticipation of all the excitement and adventure being in a new place can bring. This time though it seems as if all the circumstances conspired against him being his usual energetic self. The jetlag, the lack of sleep, the long flight, not to mention the reason they went on vacation in the first place, the complete and utter exhaustion from what has become weeks of overwork. All of it weighs heavy upon him making him uncharacteristically sluggish.

Iskandar is no fan of coffee but he has learned to appreciate it's invigorating effects exactly at times like this. While he can enjoy some of the fancy coffee drinks with spices, cream and sugar, what he needs right now is medicine. So black it is.

Still, it makes him chuckle to hear Waver gasp as he discovers what's in the box.]

I'm glad you like them.

[That's the reaction he was counting on. Iskandar thought this set would be perfect for his husband the moment he saw it but it did worry him that the designs might be a little too floral for Waver's taste. Fortunately, it looks that fear was completely unfounded.]

Of course.

[He leans down to seal his promise with a kiss. How could he not? So radiant and warm, with a slight tinge of red creeping up his cheeks, his love is completely irresistible. Iskandar wouldn't be able to stop himself even if he tried.]

[There's a knowing sound as Waver reaches up to caress Iskandar's face, before reaching for one of the freshly brewed cups.]

It'll be better tomorrow. I promise.

[The return jetlag is probably going to be worse... but that's a problem for their future selves to deal with. That said, he'll try to think of some ways to ease it for Iskandar on the way back.

When this current mess is sorted.

Though even thinking of the current mess or anything else is terribly hard when Iskandar is kissing him like that.]

Mmmmm.

[His other hand is still on the box. That kiss? Deserves another.

And it's right at that moment. The moment when both of them are thoroughly enjoying their kiss, when Waver's passing a coffee cup to Iskandar's waiting hand, and no doubt Iskandar's looking forward to the pleasure of putting up Waver's hair...

That a far off scream echoes down from the river where the sauna is. Right where the dream showed the ayakashi to be.

No mortal ears can hear so far. Even godly ears belonging to Heroic Spirits might not either. There's the bustle of the resort all around them and the snow and all the whistle of the winter wind to swallow up such a cry to be lost as just another piece of background noise. Especially when these two gods are so wrapped up in each other.

But then again...]

[There are habits that come from a life of near-constant danger, and they both had enough of it. Iskandar maybe more than Waver but they both had spent enough time with a mortal threat to their very lives to acquire similar instincts.
Iskandar breaks their kiss and lifts his head; he waits a few moments listening motionless but the strange sound does not repeat. Still, he has been already alarmed enough.

Did you hear that?

[His senses might be dulled by jetlag and general lack of sleep but it doesn't stop the feeling something is wrong. Good thing they're both dressed up, bad thing they might end skipping breakfast.]

[There's a tensing in Iskandar's arms that's followed by Waver slowly turning his head this way and that, gaze roving, trying to track the source of that sound and sense anything in that direction. He purses his lips, clearly troubled, before nodding.

... no, it doesn't feel right and that's a familiar feeling. Ominous, given everything else, starting from the dream... but not unexpected. They were warned.]

Yeah. Screams.

[... and he doesn't think that's from the kids running around the resort.]

[Iskandar releases Waver from his embrace, downs his coffee in one swig and heads for the door. They might have left their shinki at home but it doesn't mean they are completely out of options. In time it takes him to put on his coat and boots, he's already formulated some kind of plan.]

Let's go.

[It takes a few moments more to follow. The coffee is hot - it takes a few swallows and Waver blows futilely in an attempt to cool it down between gulps. His coat, scarf, and boots are scattered in different parts of the cabin thanks to their frantic bout of passion the day before, and there's a scramble to retrieve them - and a stumble thanks to his foot catching his discarded suit jacket - and put them on quickly enough to keep up with Iskandar.

Any complaints are swallowed up by urgency. If they're quick, they might catch the akayashi if it's still lingering around the scene before it goes into hiding and becomes much more of a problem for them. They're not completely helpless without their shinki, but it's better to be able to confront it without it sneaking up and ambushing them.

Which... they should expect sooner or later, regardless. They're the tastiest beings around. Instinctively, Ayakashi will always go after gods, shinki, and any stray soul first.

But.

... that they haven't already been confronted with it since their arrival is... almost suspiciously lucky, Waver realizes, before squinting and scowling as soon as the door opens and the wind and the snow flying on it slaps him in the face. The bite of cold is sharp contrasted to the warm comfort of the cabin.]

Did you catch which direction it came from?

Yes. [Iskandar replies without hesitation. He stopped not far from their cabin's entrance, his own coat unbuttoned, gaze fixed on one spot in the distance. ] Exactly where we saw it in the dream.

[But there's a difference now. A body on the snow. Bright blue pool of colour, a puffed parka and ski pants, against white of the snow. No blood. Not yet? Or not visible? Too early to tell. Over it a twitching mass of black tangled threads in shape of a man rises from the ground. It looks even more surreal in the daylight. Constantly shifting, moving and changing, doesn't even look solid. Just a mess of impatient black penstrokes scratched over reality.

To their left another figure, a living, breathing human being ploughing through the snow from the far end of the compound. Too far for recognition but already eerily familiar.

All is still until Waver appears. When ayakashi realizes it has not one but two gods to potentially feast on it does something Iskandar has never seen one do before. It collapses on itself folding into a small ball of darkness, then bolts upward screeching like a flock of crows and flies away over the forest.]

That... was unusual.

[He was expecting it to attack, not run away.]

Let's check it's victim. Maybe it's not too late.

[The fast approaching man finally comes close enough that Iskandar recognizes in him a person they already met. It's none other than the waiter from the restaurant. The one that wished them a pleasant meal yesterday and seemed to notice them more than anyone else from the staff.]

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