Tere! I don’t really have any plans for Christmas dinner. I usually do some visiting of people in the days leading to Christmas. But nothing planned for the day itself.
Why did he feel the temperature drop? Besides the actual, literal gust of wind? It makes his hair stand on end, and he casually rubs the back of his neck-
“Saima, I’m kidding.” He stresses that, not because he thinks S is over reacting or anything, but because he can at least recognize that even if it was a joke, “I’m sorry, that- sucked, of me, even if I didn’t mean it.”
Now his ears are red for another reason. (It’s called shame, something he has recently acquired).
“You would never be second place to him, he isn’t even up there, S. It’s more like…” He clears his throat, “A really shitty fucking joke. I mean, I don’t even talk to him.” There’s some sort of nervous energy radiating off of him as he struggles to read S’s vibe, his chin propped up on both hands. “Probably not the best person to have mentioned, now, I think.”
The mention about Vin having been joking doesn’t really help. Saima does pause and just close their eyes for a moment to cool down a bit. It’s hard to know how they are supposed to feel – this anger shifting towards a weird feeling.
“Sorry. I’ve had to deal with being a stand-in for people a lot. So..forgive me for not understanding that was meant to be a joke. It’s… a bad joke. A real, bad joke. Probably one of the worst people to have mentioned, to be honest with you. “
A small breath of fog comes out, needing to relieve the stress of it all for a few moment or two.
“Do you have, uh, like…I don’t know if this is a silly question but maybe we should exchange emails or…or phone numbers– if you have one…?” Was it silly to ask a god if they had a cell phone? Or social media? Can he follow a god on Instagram? Granted, he’s a demi-god and has all that but he is still not entirely were versed on godhood. “J–Just to keep in contact.”
“Yeah, it’s…it’s nice. He sort of wished people made a slightly bigger fuss about the Islamic holidays but…well, at least they weren’t so horribly commercialized. “Plus now everything is…is on major sale so I can finally get some new things for home– I bought Peaches new things to climb on for her tank…I think she’s going to like it!”
“Oh yeah, I can definitely give you my phone number. It’d be great to keep in touch.“ It was one of those things that Saima didn’t often think about. While actually engaging with tech these days, it still felt like an occasional thing for someone who was around for so long. Surprisingly, one could catch performances of Saima’s on Instagram if one got the right handle. They pulled out a card to hand over, something they carried now and then when they traveled.
“To be fair, it is kind of annoying that only one tradition tends to get most of the shine around this time of year. There could be more room for others. But yes – the sales are pretty interesting. I’m really glad that you found something Peaches will enjoy.“
“Yes, yes, I am glad.” Kisses were pressed to their face before he turned to the woods before them. He still held Saima’s hand, though not so closely as he had before, letting them walk alongside him.
“Let us go … It is around here somewhere.” And somewhere it was, a moss and ivy-covered cabin not too terribly far down a stream. The foundation still stood, the cornerstones remained, but the roof and walls had not fared so well with time and neglect. Wood had rotted, stone eroded away, glass windows shattered. Matt’s magic was still present, weak, but permeating from the structure, centuries-old warding and spells intended to preserve this little home.
He could not say he was surprised, but to see and thus to know what had happened to this one place of his – and likely, all other places he protected and managed over the years – did not sit well with the god. An acknowledgment of his own weakened state. Of the passing of time.
“Hmm,” he murmured, grip on Saima slipping, squinting at the building as if this would change the dilapidated state, “Ah, well, let us see what is still here, my love.”
The small kisses were still so appreciated as they prepared to venture out beside him. Strolling with Matt felt peaceful and at ease – a natural part of the journey until they came across a moss and ivy-covered cabin. “It’s so gorgeous.” Although it had clearly gone into decay over the years, there was something precious, absolutely wonderful about the way that it stood standing amongst the changes.
Perhaps there was something about the passage of time that weakened the place, but the fact that it still stood was a miracle to Saima nonetheless. Approaching the place with a subtle sense of awe, they marveled at the place.
“Yes, yes – let’s go to see what is there. It might not be much there but..still. I really, want to see.“
““TELL US WHAT IT’S LIKE TO LOVE A GOD.” Pallas: it is as exhilarating as battle. but instead of swords clashing, it’s tongues and bodies. it is gaining ground and losing it. it is victory and surrender. it’s like being stunned by lightning and a sword rip through your heart. but by then, you already taste the iron in your mouth. Icarus: it is freeing. you feel as though the world falls away from your feet and your head is in the clouds. you just think ‘I need more’ because it feels like the sun itself is caressing you. but by then, the warmth is starting to burn and then the bitterness in your throat isn’t just regret. Orion: it is wild. you track and pursue and the chase takes your breath away. your heart is racing in your chest and you need to know the precise moment to strike. but by then, the sting you feel is not Eros’ arrow and the blood coursing through your veins is poison. Hyacinthus: it is a game. remember that it’s all about the timing. it is giving and receiving at exactly the right moment. it is looking the possibility divine bliss and divine wrath right in the face. but by then, you’re forced to blink and it’s not their beauty that stuns you.”
— THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ECSTASY AND TRAGEDY WHEN LOVING A GOD
Oh my god this is the one time trying to cover his ass worked out in his favor?Everything’s okay, because he’s going to be spooned. Actually, he might fuck this up. Someone hold his (soul)beer.
Vincenzo will let Saima hold him before speaking up and saying: “And also, Yuriy. But he’s kind of ugly, and not that good to me.”
Saima goes to hold him before Vin completes the thought. And, in that moment, a very cold wind seems to blow through the room and they pause. Their eyes narrow and they just as casually stop any attempt to hold Vin at all.
At first, the only thing they have to say is a question.
“Is that all my value is to you – how good I am despite it all? Hm?…. You know, I’m this far from asking you to leave actually.“ The tone in their voice has shifted from cautiously friendly to a certain sharpness. What the ever loving fuck Vin.
“I’m not going to be second place or some kind of temporary replacement for anyone Vin. If you’re just going to be considering Yuriy the whole time, you might be better off visiting him.“
“I’m thinking about no one in particular!” He is trying so desperately to defend himself but his dumbfounded smile is so terribly obvious.
“No one who isn’t a fantastic friend, and good to me, and very tall and beautiful.” He raps his knuckles on Saima’s forehead when they sit near him. “It’s you.”
“Sure, sure…” they say a little teasingly, still mildly skeptical of what Vin was saying.
It’s only until Vin reveals that he was thinking about them that Saima glances at him again- this time a bit thrown off. “Huh. I ..well alright then. If you want, I’ll hold you, sure.” They didn’t mind the idea at least, it just hadn’t occurred to them for Vin to want that.
Seekesotsibteadmist 