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The smell of must and smoke tickled Nyx’s nose as he drifted into awareness. Coughing he dislodged the scent from his chest, only to breath it right back in again, pulling away the gossamer of spiced dreams and reminding him, like every single morning since he had come to the walled city; that he was no longer at home.
The stale smell that could never be scrubbed out of the woodbeams permeated the cold air and Nyx lay in his bed just watching his breath cloud and disappear in front of his face. It was good that he ran hot, he couldn’t imagine suffering through Insomnia’s winters otherwise.
‘Maybe if I lived somewhere with insulation…’ Nyx muttered to himself before groaning, accepting the necessity of starting his day.
Running hot or no, Nyx still flinched as his feet hit the floor. He needed a damn rug or something, anything to keep off the cold for those first few seconds when he was trying to wake up. He’d add it to the list. He still had plenty to fix up around the place.
Grumbling to himself, Nyx walked the few steps to his kitchenette (a counter where he kept his kettle and hobs) and filled the aforementioned device with water before turning the knob to heat up the plate. Knowing it’ll take a while before it gets anywhere near hot, Nyx focused on the rest of his ablutions.
Brushing his teeth, Nyx collapsed onto his beaten-up chair, digging the TV remote from under his ass before clicking it on.
Same shit, different day…
Flicking through the channels of inane morning shows and teleshopping Nyx waited for the sound of the water in his kettle to reach optimum rolling boil before clicking onto a news channel he barely bothered with. Getting up, he finished in his small bathroom and got his tea ready. The usual droning that he heard sounded somehow different today.
Perking up slightly, Nyx sat down with his tea, picking up his sweater from the floor and putting it on as he watched the broadcast. It was…colourful to say the least. Instead of the usual drab studio the male and female broadcasters were sat surrounded by coloured lights, smiles on their faces as they declared that a festival was on its last day, so to come on down if you don’t want to miss it.
Nyx blinked, he hadn’t heard anything about a festival, having just come off deployment. He’d been outside of the news for a while and even when he was back it was rare he paid too much attention.
But a festival…sounded fun.
‘And from us in the studio, goodbye and Merry Shivasmas!’
‘Shiva’s what?’
The channel provided no answers however as the camera rolled away and the title screen faded into a garishly loud advert about the latest Libraphone.
‘Huh…’ Nyx mused, taking a sip of his tea. ‘Shivasmas…wonder if it’s like the Solstice festival…’
Frowning, Nyx reached over to his cabinet, flailing his arm to get his reach longer (as if that worked), before standing on the cushion and balancing his weight to finally grab the slab of black, mocking him from the bedside. Opening his calendar Nyx frowned. It was apparently the 25th, so it wasn’t the Solstice, unless this was a long festival like they used to do at home. But…it sounded important for this day…
Looking into his mug, Nyx decided on another before he did anything. He had some things to pick up and he’d like to start fixing his damn window. The frost had been forming on the inside and he was not gonna hang about and wait for that to become replacing the whole window when simply sealing it would do the trick.
Right, another tea, get dressed, shop and be home for lunch.
Sounds like a plan.
It was not a plan.
‘Seriously? Everywhere?’
Dragging his hand across his face, Nyx sighed heavily. He’d been out and about for hours now and lunch was far behind him. He was getting beyond cranky at seeing yet another store closed when this should have been a one-and-done trip. It was beginning to piss him off.
‘This is fucking stupid…’
Potatoes, sealant and butter, that was all I needed.
Apparently while he’d been sleeping off his deployment yesterday, he’d been sleeping away the last day that he could buy food.
Well at least he had some whisky left, ain’t the first time he’d gone to bed hungry…
A raucous cheer erupted from behind him and Nyx turned. It sounded echoed enough to be further away from him than a couple of blocks. Frowning, he wondered if this was yet another odd situation brought about by this Shivasmas nonsense, but then remembered…the festival.
‘Festivals mean food right?’ he muttered to himself, looking up and down the street before accepting the horror against his pay check for some themed morsels and heading towards the sounds of music floating in the frigid air.
Stepping out into the square, Nyx blinked in surprise at the sudden assault on the senses. Noise was in abundance with songs drowned in bells and sounds of chatter. Horns blared as impatient denizens tried to get past on the one road in the centre of it all and everywhere had flashing lights of sparkling decorations. There were no fires however, no overpowering scent of spice, it was very…sterile. Sighing, pushing away that vicious sharp spiked brush that swept across his throat, Nyx pushed his way into the throngs, hoping they had something with chilli on it.
The cacophony was quite something. Along with the horns, you had traders hawking their wares and kids yelling about the things they wanted as if they would die if not graced with “the puppy toy with bluetooth connection and kwetter update functionality”. Nyx had to double look at that one, half the words made little to no sense in context. They had that sort of thing in their earpieces when out over the Wall, but a…puppy toy had the same thing?
Nyx smirked to himself imagining the look on his superior’s face when all of a sudden a great cry of ‘For Hearth and Home!’ would come out of a stuffed toy left in the debriefing room. That would be a week in isolation for sure, but oh so worth it. Half-temped to turn back and buy it, pay-check be damned when yet another blast of a horn sounded, the cars taking umbrage at the people simply moving from one set of stalls to the other, why the road was even open…
Looking around and ignoring the stalls, Nyx tried to recall what the place looked like before the festival was there. An open square with a circular route for traffic through the centre…it was ridiculous. This should have been handled before the festival had opened, the possibility of accidents too high, especially with Insomnia’s well known drunken revellers and impatient drivers-
More horns blared as a group staggered across the road, flipping off the car before cheering. Nyx shook his head, if this carries on it’ll turn into a riot, or at least an altercation and with so many people packed into such a small area it would only be too soon that someone got hurt. Eyes scanning the crowd he noticed a few officers in gear stood by the side chatting away, seemingly uninterested by the rising tempers not 20 feet from them.
I’m off duty, it’s not my jurisdiction. I’m off duty, it’s not my jurisdiction. I’m off duty-
A horn blared with a yelled curse as a woman pulled her son up into her arms away from the revving car that was angry he’d had to stop and Nyx looked up to the sky.
For fucks…
‘Hey!’ he called out, catching the immediate attention of the two officers, now suddenly standing to attention. Nyx caught the one’s eyes flicker to the tattoos by his cheekbones and swallowed the sigh. Yeah you notice that don’t ya? ‘Why isn’t the road closed off? The vehicles can easily be diverted around the edge of the square, some kid nearly got ran over-‘
‘Let me stop you there, outsider.’
Nyx bristled at the tone, strangling his anger.
‘There’s no danger to any crown citizen while we’re here,’ another horn ‘so how about you move along instead of makin a scene, yeah?’
‘That’s right.’ Said his partner, looking at his phone. ‘Move along.’
Looking between the two in disbelief, Nyx flinched as yet another horn blared, this time with a large amount of shouting from whomever stumbled across the road.
‘People are already in danger, if you just close off the intersections the traffic can-‘
‘Here! I believe I told you to move along, or are you deaf as well as stupid?’ The officer interrupted, drawing himself to full height. Even his friend was looking up from his phone.
Fuck…
‘Now piss off, before we get you clapped up on Shivasmas and you can spend the rest of the year shiverin in a cell.’
The King’s power strummed a chord against the threat, rippling sound against Nyx’s palm, begging him to reveal his force, his ability, whispering strength against these fools. Weak, weak fools.
Swallowing hard against the prickling heat, Nyx stepped away lest a shot of lightning dropped the two where they stood. But he couldn’t do that. Inappropriate usage of the King’s power would be more than frowned upon, it could start an uproar and he didn’t need more refugees jumped because he’d made a stupid move in a moment of anger.
Instead he walked away. The sniggers at his back only fuelling the crystal’s call, but no. He was fighting for his people and he’d not destroy what he’d accomplished for one moment of self-satisfaction.
But wasn’t he fighting for them too?
Walking back through the throng of people, he watched them smile and laugh, and shout and whine. It was a mess of people and Nyx was wondering why the hell he’d even bothered to turn up. With little money in his pocket and his next deployment surely only days away-
‘Hey! Hero!’
Nyx swore as soon as he turned towards the shout. The fucking nickname will never go away now. But his ire was soon dampened the moment he clocked the wide-smile and Marlboro apron of Yamachang, stood proud at his stall, waving unapologetically across the road.
Right, food.
Nyx’s smile widened as he shuffled quickly between cars to get to the battered overhang and tantalising scent of Yamachang’s stall.
‘Hey Yama, how’s business?’
‘Ehh, same as ever.’ He winced, ‘These Insomnians give it a go and don’t come back. I even weakened the sauce. Short of adding yogurt, I’m outta ideas.’
Nyx winced before scouring the menu.
‘Gimme two skewers Yama, before you change everything. Eh-eh’ he waved, as Yamachang reached over, ‘Cetoblepas please, keepin off the Garula for a bit.’
Yamachang blinked a moment before nodding and grabbing the two thicker skewers.
‘Wrap one up for me, I need it for later.’
‘Anythin else? A glass of wine, or a napkin for his Highness?’ Yama chuckled, wrapping the juicy skewer up diligently in waxed paper.
Nyx chuckled himself, not noticing the double take from the black haired boy walking behind him, who shook their head and sped up to catch up to his friend.
‘Nah, but I won’t say no to a beer.’
‘Malt?’
‘Do I ever change?’
‘Not as I’ve known ya, get it down ya. Cold and on the house.’
The top was expertly flicked off and Nyx stared at the glass bottle, at the condensation rolling down the neck and frowned.
‘Can’t see why, I can pay for my own drink.’
‘Take it from a friend, and shut up.’
Nyx looked between the bottle and Yama, who crossed his arms against his chest in a clear ‘this conversation is over’ stance and Nyx had no choice but to huff his way into a smirk. Yama smiled, the argument won.
‘Make sure you keep that smile when you eat, bring me more customers.’
Nyx laughed.
‘Yes Sir.’
Biting into the skewer was like redemption. His stomach soared in finally being sated as the spices and sumptuously thick meat rolled across his tongue. Taking a swig of malt before swallowing it down pushed the spices up into his nose and in one bite Nyx felt more human than he had the past several weeks. The moment would have been perfect if not for the horns still going every minute he’d been sat there. Sighing heavily, Nyx looked behind him. The officers were still there, ignoring everyone and this time even the other officer had his phone out and they both seemed to be conversing animatedly about whatever it was.
‘Someone’s gonna get hurt, if this road isn’t closed…’ Nyx mumbles taking another bite of his skewer.
‘Yeah, try tellin them that!’ Yama yelled from his grill, jerking his thumb towards the officer’s general direction.
‘I did.’
That made Yama pause. Turning once more, arms crossed over his chest he glared down at Nyx still working his way through his skewer, until aware of eyes on him, Nyx looked up.
‘What’d I do now?’
‘Went an caused trouble for yourself is what you did. But,’ Yama continued with a sigh, ‘at least you gave it a go. Fellow stall holders have been asking if anything can be done for the past two days but we get the same cold shoulder from the dinklefucks over there.’
Yama glared over at the two before turning back to his grill.
‘Some shoulders colder than others.’
‘The other stall holders have asked too?’
Yama brought down his spatula with a clang.
‘Don’t you start, Hero. It’s the last day of the festival, it’ll all be wrapped up in a few hours. So eat your food and leave it be.’
‘Yeah, but someone could be seriously injured by then-‘
‘Hero-‘ Yama warned, but it was to no effect as Nyx downed his beer and stood from the counter.
‘I’m just gonna talk to them.’
‘I’m serious Hero!’
‘I’m just gonna talk to them.’
Walking over to the stall just past Yama’s Nyx waited patiently as the holder finished serving her customers their hot cider.
‘What can I get ya?’ She smiled. She either hadn’t noticed his tattoos, or was polite enough not to care. Either way it was a good start.
‘Wonderin if anyone is interested in getting this road closed off, so everyone can drink in peace?’ he smiled disarmingly. ‘Miracle no one’s been hurt yet.’
The woman behind the counter frowned, pulling her coat closer to herself.
‘Someone already has. Young lad not a few hours back. Officers did nothing until the screaming started. Poor boy’s leg went right under.’
‘And they still haven’t closed the road?’
‘Those pillocks couldn’t find their own arse with a flashlight let alone divert traffic…here, ain’t you one of them, ye know folks from across the Wall?’
Ignoring the awkward handling of that, Nyx just allowed her the benefit of the doubt and nodded.
‘Shame none of your friends with the King’s power are around. Pretty sure they could tell them officers what for. I mean, they got the power of the King, pretty sure they outrank em.’
Nyx blinked. Outranked them? They were barely considered citizens let alone holding authority. They were nothing but fodder, fighting a War they’d already lost because they were gifted with the ability to wield the Crystal. It was laughable.
But…
‘Hey, you know where there are some spare barriers? Some stick lights?’
The women thankfully gave no indication to the subject change, merely looked around.
‘Oh, some round the back here. We had them to direct folks, but they just moved them out of the way. So to stop them blocking the place we just shoved them round there. Help yourself lad, but be warned, them officers are flexin more than an oiled up behemoth selling supplements. They’ll snag ya the moment you start moving things.’
‘Hmm, good point.’ Nyx smiled, making a show of thinking hard. ‘Guess I’m gonna need a hand.’
Pulling out his phone, Nyx scrolled through his small contact list with a grin.
Sorry to interrupt your day off. I need a hand.
‘Think you could send a message round to the other stalls? Let them know that the road is going to be shut?’
The woman blinked before nodding.
‘Bout bloody time. Thank you, lad. You have a good evening.’
Nyx nodded as she turned to a couple who had just approached and turned. He pressed send just as he sat himself back at Yama’s stall.
‘What are you up to now?’
Nyx shrugged, the very face of innocence.
‘Nothing.’
Yama just shook his head as Nyx worked on finishing his skewer. Just then his phone vibrated in his pocket, grinning Nyx looked at the messages.
You’re lucky I owe you.
Let a girl sleep, you asshole.
Really? Couldn’t go one day without causin problems? See u in five im nearby.
And surprisingly enough the one he didn’t expect to answer and had honestly sent out as a hail Aera was simply a thumbs up emoji.
Shocked, but not upset, Nyx put his phone back in his pocket only to yelp as a hand suddenly grabbed his shoulder. Owner of the thumbs up emoji. The man of few words and fewer fucks to give. The Marshall Cor Leonis sat down, nodding to Yama who had already opened a beer and placed it down in front of him. Passing over the money, Cor lifted two fingers and Yama quickly shifted to grab the skewers.
Nyx span the empty skewer between his fingers as Cor took a long draught from his bottle. Never a good idea to rush the man. So he waited. Spinning his skewer and hearing the increasingly loud shouts, which to his amusement were coming more from the stall holders around them than from the cars going past, Nyx allowed himself to steal glances while Cor finished his late afternoon meal.
They had crossed paths frequently over the past year and Nyx would be lying to himself if he said he didn't enjoy the man's company. Maybe a touch...too much.
Sighing as the last drop was finished, Cor nodded to the chef before turning to Nyx, who was resting his chin against his hand, like he wasn’t about to cause a ruckus.
‘Hey, Marshall. Come here often?’
The only answer he got was an almost imperceptible lowering of his eyebrows that Nyx would have to be under knife-point to say out loud made Cor’s blue eyes sparkle like ice shavings.
Damn this man.
‘Right.’ Nyx ploughed forward, ‘we need to close the road but those two…what did Yama call them…? Dinklefucks, that was it! Believe there’s no point to protect the safety of the upstanding crown citizens here-‘
A cheer erupted behind him as a rather inebriated group stumbled their way to a hot dog stand like they had found the holy grail in a grease bin. Nyx snorted.
‘-because this is the last day of the festival. With support from the stall holders, I’ve decided to do something. Need some back-up though. A boy apparently has already been hurt when a car went over his leg. So my plan is-‘
Nyx faltered as Cor simply stood up and walked away, right in the direction of the two officers who were now openly enjoying some sugared pretzels. Nyx’s face pinched violently as he desperately tried not to laugh.
‘Yama…Yama, my man, please. Please. Record it. Please.’
He turned to the erstwhile chef who was expertly flicking his skewers on the grill with one hand, while the other held up his phone, perfectly poised in the direction Cor was carving through the crowd.
‘What on Eos have you gotten us into now, Nyx?’
‘Lib! Glad you could join, hey can you pop to the hot cider stall and grab us a drink? Ask about the barriers while you’re there yeah?’
‘Barriers? Yama what…?’ Libertus noticed the phone and looked over to see two officers turn to the broad shoulders he recognised all too well. Poor luck to the two officers trying to wave him away. Those two didn’t know death went they saw it. ‘Barriers. Right. Yama you send me that video when it’s over, you hear?’
Without any further explanation, Libertus headed over to the stand, careful to duck out of the way of the camera, braids rocking against his shoulder as he did.
Yama continued to film the commotion. The two officers, clearly irritated that their pretzel time was interrupted, were pointing dramatically for the man before them to leave. Cor, for his part, hadn’t moved an inch. Despite desperately wanting to watch the scene unfold, Nyx knew he had to move quickly. Suddenly, he noticed a familiar head move through the crowd and waved. Pelna did a quick salute in answer before jogging the rest of the way.
‘Nyx. Why am I here?’
‘Help Libertus at the cider stand. I’ve gotta just grab something from over there. Don’t block the camera!’
‘Camera-oh! Shit Yama!’ Pelna yelped as Yama’s sharp spatula came swiping for his head. ‘Give a guy a warning! What are you filming anyway- oh…oh no, haha! Right, cider stand! On it!’
Pelna laughed as he followed Libertus’ lead, chuckling at the unbelievable sight of two officers surrounding The Immortal, one gesturing him to turnaround.
Meanwhile, Nyx was gleefully buying some concert sticks, all thoughts of his paycheck gone as the stallholder passed them over. Grabbing his wallet, the man behind the counter raised a hand.
‘Keep yer money, Glaive. Get that road closed.’
Huffing a smile, Nyx gave the man a casual salute before running back to Yama’s stall to see a rather windswept Crowe frowning at the collection of barriers that Libertus and Pelna had already amassed.
‘Perfect timing, as always Crowe.’ Nyx grinned. ‘Grab one of these will ya?’
Crowe rose a sharp eyebrow at the proffered stick, but didn’t hesitate to crack it when Nyx did the same. The bright orange colour increased, looking not much different to a traffic officer’s stick and looking to the barriers and the honking horns she was clearly quick to the plan.
‘I take one junction, you take the other?’
‘Spot on.’ Nyx nodded, ‘Pelna with me, grab a barrier. Lib, with Crowe. Let’s be quick, the cops are running out of time.’
‘Running out of-?’ Crowe looked behind her spotting Cor in cuffs being held by one, while the other wrote down details in his notebook. ‘Ohhhh that’s fucking hilarious. How can I miss this?’
‘Yama’s recording now let’s go!’
Yama gave a thumbs up, phone still trained on the situation.
‘Hey! Barrier guys! Hey! Come ‘ere!’
As one they turned to the stall owner, waving from across the traffic. Before they could say anything, the man waved a hi-vis jacket.
‘You’ll need these!’
Smiling, the group nodded before splitting off. The two inlet routes were the first points to cut off and redirect, then when the traffic clears, the get the barriers up across the outlets. With the pedestrian paths too small for a car to be an ass and try to sneak round, they could use a single barrier to block off the road without worrying. Nyx, shoved his hi-vis over his coat and walked briskly into the turning traffic, stick raised as he smoothly ensured no other car turned in. Standing still, he simply shook his head with an impassive face as cars blared their horns at him, Pelna quick to place the barrier behind the last car, closing the road. Standing there for a few more minutes so the cars got the message, Nyx moved away.
‘That was easy, let’s close the outlet. Hopefully our Marshall hasn’t been thrown in a squad car just yet.’
Nyx chuckled as he and Pelna rushed over to the outgoing section of traffic, glad to see Crowe and Libertus had been successful aswell. Though where Crowe had gotten the hat and aviators from would have to wait for a moment.
Waving the last car through, helping the traffic stop so they could merge in, Pelna dragged the last barrier across, sealing the festival square from automotive danger once and for all.
‘Nicely done!’ Nyx cheered, slapping Pelna’s raised hand and gripping it, ‘couldn’t have done it without you.’
‘No you couldn’t, Hero. Remember that! I owe you one less!’ he smiled, pointing and walking away.
‘I’ll take it off your tab.’ Nyx chuckled, catching up even as Pelna flipped him off. ‘Now come on. Let’s grab a drink!’
‘All finished your end?’
Pelna and Nyx looked up to Crowe and Libertus as they joined them in the middle of the now empty road.
‘All done. Now people can enjoy their evening.’
‘That’s the reason you came up with this idiotic plan?’ Crowe huffed, taking off her aviators and clipping them to her shirt.
‘Started that way. But when those two so called “protectors of the people” turned me away, well, I couldn’t help myself could I?’
Libertus shook his head, letting out a long-suffering sigh.
‘Might as well get something to eat then while we’re here.’
‘I think we’ve at least earned a drink.’ Pelna agreed.
‘Several!’
Crowe jogged to catch up with the two as Nyx turned towards where Cor and the two assholes had been, frowning slightly when they were nowhere to be seen. A little confused, he turned back towards Yama’s stall.
‘Hey! Glaive!’
The group turned towards the lady at the Hot cider stand who had helped them, noticing the four drinks on the counter.
‘On the House, for your help. I’ll be workin easier knowing I don’t gotta see no more hurt kids.’
‘You don’t have to do tha-oof’
‘That’s so nice! Thank you!’
Crowe skipped up, happy to grab her mug as Libertus rubbed at the sore spot in his ribs. Pelna chuckled, following Crowe’s lead, only to pause as another shout went up.
‘And over here! Feel free to grab a pretzel!’
‘And don’t leave without a scarf!’
‘Erm…’
The group looked around dumbfounded at the stall holders as they happily cheered, the festival goers whooping as they crossed the road unimpeded. Having started the day with the blatant insult it was incredibly overwhelming to suddenly have all these people looking at them…gratefully. Something hot and uncomfortable filed Nyx’s chest, a feeling he couldn’t quite parse but if there was anything he knew, it was that he didn’t like it.
Relief was quick as Crowe grinned, grabbing Libertus and heading to the stalls, gladly grabbing a red scarf while wrapping Libertus with a bright green one with golden bobbles. Nyx grinned, happy to follow them around as shouts of ‘Happy Shivasmas!’ rang in his ears.
A stage had been set up by the time the group made it back to Yama’s, arms full and exhausted. The feeling in Nyx’s chest loosened slightly at the sight of Cor, sat comfortably at the counter, another beer in his hand. Cheerful music began from the stage and some people began singing along, the festival clearly now in full swing.
‘Full set of skewers and drinks.’ Cor ordered easily as everyone set up comfortably alongside him.
‘Comin’ up.’
Nyx swallowed against that pull in his throat again.
‘Think I’m good, had enough stuff given to me for one day. I can pay for my own.’
Cor put his bottle down as Crowe scoffed.
‘Never turn away a free meal. What’d Pelna say back when we got here?’
‘Your first favourite beer is free; your second favourite beer is cold.’ He intoned solemnly before saluting Cor and taking a swig.
‘That was it! So accept it for a hard day’s work.’
Nyx couldn’t stop the smile that twitched on his face, trust his friends to push away the worst of his discomfort.
‘Or take it for Shivasmas.’
Nyx and Libertus both looked at Cor.
‘I was wondering about that.’ Libertus frowned, looking at everyone’s confused faces. ‘What the hell is that about? A new festival?’
Nyx was rather glad that he’d stayed silent, munching on his skewer, watching everyone’s dumbfounded faces.
‘You don’t know…the biggest celebration in Insomnia?’ Crowe exclaimed, incredulous. ‘How? You’ve been on leave in winter before, how’d you miss it?’
Libertus scratched at his braids, rather taken aback.
‘Mmnot sure. I just stay at ‘ome. I knew folks go mad in the stores but that’s about it.’
Everyone went quiet then, stuck in their own thoughts of the mad time of December and how few days of the months they had each actually spent in Insomnia. Instead, they were always beyond the Wall, fighting demons, monsters and Niflheim’s unending, never failing MT army and infantry.
And just like that, Nyx’s disquiet was revealed to him in stark, horrid focus. The feeling in his gut with all the smiles, praise and gifts. It was wrong.
Glaives didn’t get thanked.
They did their job and came back, battered and exhausted. They did their job and returned to jeers, derision and outright hate. They fought constantly to hold back the ever-encroaching wave of Niflheim’s army while the Insomnians continued their daily lives, safe behind their Wall and they were the subject of news programmes talking about the “Galahdian problem”.
But suddenly, stop a few cars so the Insomnians can have a party, and they are showered with gratitude and gifts.
When only a few hours ago he was nearly arrested for simply pointing out a traffic problem.
Wincing against the taste of his drink, Nyx put his bottle down, suddenly not in the mood.
‘Shivasmas is a celebration that marks the thawing of Shiva’s heart by Ifrit the Infernian. It’s to eat, drink and be merry with loved ones, remembering the warmth in the darkest part of winter.’
Everyone watched Cor with bated breath.
‘And the madness in the shops?’ Libertus pushed.
‘Commercialised Bullshit.’
Pelna barked a laugh, breaking the weird tension that had settled over the group. They all shifted around chuckling to themselves even as Yama slapped them with his towel.
‘Shift it. What can I get ya?’
The group awkwardly moved to hug the corner as new customers came over, ordering their own food and drinks. Nyx watched Cor stand before his head pinged what he’d been forgetting in all the commotion.
‘The video! Did Yama send it yet?’
The four of them scrambled to check their phones as Cor raised a single eyebrow as they all checked their messages.
‘Aha! I got it!’
Everyone crowded around Pelna as he pressed play, showing the tiny video.
‘Urgh, I can barely see anything!’ Crowe complained, leaning over Pelna’s shoulder. ‘Can’t hear anything either.’
‘Be better if we had one of them new TV’s. Plug it in, watch it on the big screen.’ Libertus sighed, knowing already that all of them were lucky to have a door that locked let alone anything that fancy.
‘If there is something you wish to watch then I’ll gladly relinquish my sitting room for an evening.’
Nyx blinked. Going over to Cor’s…house? His actual house?
‘Hell yes! Let’s go!’ Crowe laughed, elbowing Pelna before he could point out that the video was of Cor.
With the threat of Crowe and the looming fear of Cor’s reaction, they found themselves, half an hour later with takeout shuffling awkwardly into Cor’s living room while Crowe all too easily shucked her boots off and jumped on the sofa.
‘Your place is HUGE!’ she cried, waving Pelna over to grab his phone.
‘Thanks for allowing us to hang out here, Marshall. ‘Ppreciate it.’ Libertus nodded before joining the others over by the TV, placing the bags on the coffee table.
‘You didn’t have to do this.’ Nyx pointed out, quietly. ‘It’s a video of you with those cops from earlier so-‘
‘I’m well aware. I daresay I wanted to see it myself. I was turned the other way when they found out who I was. I’m very interested to see their reaction.’
Watching Nyx flounder, Cor sighed, pressing his hand against his shoulder, squeezing lightly at the slight flinch that came from the Glaive.
‘You are always welcome, so think nothing of it.’
Think nothing of it, like its totally normal to just invite a bunch of people into your house you barely interact with.
But was that right? Nyx thought back in his memories filled with battles past; of blood and fear and the echoes of screams before thinking even harder to the quiet times. The times when he was off deployment, when he was finally was able to relax with his comrades rather than sit in his hovel and watch the hours slip past by the seriousness of the news readers on his beaten-up TV.
When did the Marshall start turning up in their lives? Reports at the Citadel with Drautos to keep him informed of the state of Lucis across the Wall. Requests for more candid reports from himself as to the morale of the Glaive, state of supplies and eventually…turning up at Yama’s to join in their conversations, learn more about them. Drunken nights and even deeper talks, an arm to hold him up on his way home. A hand to push his braids away from his face when the alcohol came back up.
Rubbing absently at the shoulder Cor had touched, the memory of his grip imprinted in the muscle, Nyx joined the rest of the group as they cheered when the surprisingly good quality video came up on the TV.
Nyx saw himself, grinning like an idiot before the camera flicked over to Cor, cutting his way through the crowd with the ease of a man who knows no one will stop him. Nyx shook his head with a smile as he sat down next to Cor on the sofa. Those officers not realising the stance of the man screaming military was quite possibly the funniest thing about this.
‘Outta the way!’ Crowe and Pelna laughed as Libertus’ head failed to duck under the shot as he had hoped as he’d made his way to the cider stall.
Nyx heard himself vaguely in the background, the sound of Yama’s grill louder as he flicked skewers round as Cor made himself known to the two idiots.
They laughed together as the officers clearly dismissed Cor pointing out the problem with the roads, Crowe cackling when the one squared up to him, trying to intimidate Cor into backing down. Clearly without success.
‘The man said I had no reason to “busy myself attempting their job” and the other replied with “piss off”, I believe at that point.’ Cor pointed out, helping himself to a handful of fries, looking far more relaxed in his own space, blazer off and in his socks. Nyx mused at whether or not that was the real reason Cor was so willing to invite them into his home, because he wanted to go home. Nyx smirked as he saw Cor lift his hands as the officer on screen started patting him down as the other pulled out a notepad to book him.
Yeah, that sounds much more like him.
‘They seriously tried to arrest you?’ Libertus choked, almost spitting out his drink as the notepad wielding officer reached around his belt to grab his handcuffs.
Crowe laughed loudly as she went past the shot, right in the sight of the officers in her hat and aviators, Libertus behind her calmly shouldering the barrier towards the other road.
‘I can’t believe they didn’t even see me! Haha! Oh this is Gold, Yama deserves to be paid for this!’
‘Our Marshall had their entire attention, didn’t he?’ Nyx chuckled, nudging Cor’s shoulder good naturedly only to find himself freezing slightly as Cor leaned into him, maintaining the contact.
‘Well I think one of them was starting to get suspicious that he might be getting pranked.’ Cor revealed, either not noticing Nyx’s reaction or choosing to ignore it.
‘Little did they know.’ Pelna reached for a chicken strip, dipping it in chilli sauce.
‘Little did they know.’
They continued to chuckle along with Cor’s commentary, his explanations getting easier as the video carried on, clearly relaxing into his space and Nyx couldn’t pretend that he wasn’t thinking how domestic it was, his mind drifting to thoughts of the two of them on the couch, alone and unbothered, watching TV as the world carried on outside the window.
What a dream eh?
Leaning over to grab some fries of his own, Nyx went to sit back and realised Cor had shifted so they were no longer in contact. Nyx’s stomach dropped at the realisation, his side feeling lost without the weight that had been pressed against it the whole time.
Fuck that.
Shoving the fries into his mouth, Nyx made a show of adjusting his position as if trying to get comfortable again, resting his weight back against Cor as he sucked the salt of his fingers as obnoxiously as possible. The swoop in his gut when Cor’s knee knocked into his own was absolutely the poor dietary choices he’d made recently, not any other decisions.
‘You have got to be kiddin me!’
Crowe’s exclamation had Nyx focusing on the TV once more, seeing the glorious moment when the one officer checked Cor’s blazer, clearly having missed his inner pocket during the pat down. Giggles turned into smothered laughter as Yama zoomed in, clocking their eyes widen as they read the name and rank in Cor’s badge and they clutched their stomachs as Cor, realising he’d kept them distracted long enough grew tired of the charade and stood from where they’d seated him, effortlessly escaping out of the handcuffs. He tapped them on the shoulder making the two of them flinch hard, turning to him as quickly as teenagers being caught breaking into their Dad’s liquor.
Cor grinned at the display, smiling as he watched himself give the handcuffs back to the bewildered officer and easily take his badge back from the other’s lack grip. They all chuckled as they watched the two of them quickly salute Cor as if that would save them from his fury.
‘So what happened to them?’ Pelna asked, full of chicken and starting to regret it. ‘Did they get fired or?’
Cor shook his head.
‘There are still procedures to follow sadly, otherwise they would have done. But I’ll be filing a report for their dismissal tomorrow, as they are now on indefinite leave without pay until someone tells them otherwise.’
‘Bullshit, they should have been thrown out today for their crap.’ Crowe groaned, stretching now that the video showed Cor returning to Yama’s stand, the two officers having been sent away.
‘I’ll be overseeing the case, so I can assure you they won’t get away with a token punishment.’
‘Good.’
A silence fell over the group then, the video shaking before being turned off. Leaving the group staring at a black screen and their own reflections.
Cor sighed.
‘Well, amusing. I daresay this has been a more eventful Shivasmas than my previous ones. Feel free to put something else on. I’m gonna grab a drink. Everyone want a new one?’
Murmurs of agreement followed and Crowe grabbed the remote as Cor got up, leaning on Nyx’s knee as he did.
The shock of contact raced all the way up his leg, electricity that wrapped itself around him making him suddenly aware of the effect all the small touches had had on him. The awareness of the size of Cor’s hand over his knee had Nyx’s vivid imagination racing face-first into the gutter of what else that hand could be holding-
‘Yeah, let me help with that.’ Nyx nodded, following Cor to the back of the room and through the door Cor had just entered, the sounds of bells and loud music muting as the door closed behind him.
‘You gonna tell me what that was all about?’
Nyx watched as Cor paused briefly before pulling the bottles out of the fridge and putting them on the side. Leaning against the fridge, Cor folded his arms across his chest, appraising the Glaive in front of him, noting with a lick of satisfaction the light blush on his cheekbones. So Nyx wasn’t stupid. Good to know.
‘What do you think it was all about?’ he asked in an easy manner, belying his own nervousness that thrummed under his skin. The sight of Nyx, eyes-wide and breathless was starting to bring up some previously buried fantasies to the fore and Cor was all too aware of the group waiting for their drinks outside.
Nyx’s mouth opened and closed, caught for the first time without a quip or a smirk to answer Cor’s question, his very leading question. It was a challenge, a line to be crossed, a barrier to be broken and Nyx couldn’t fathom what luck he’d stumbled onto that this situation was even happening. Cor had made himself clear and Nyx knew that one word from him and they would go instantly back to being amicable friends. They would walk out of the kitchen as they had entered and the day would continue as normal, they’d watch some films, drink some beer and part ways normally. Maybe a text to say they’d gotten home safe.
But was that what he wanted?
Watching him for a moment before shaking his head, Cor pulled away from the fridge, grabbing the bottles and handing two to Nyx.
‘We’ve been too long.’
With just that sentence, Cor left the room, leaving Nyx feeling like he’d run a marathon, his heart pounding in his chest, the lingering scent of Cor as he passed him resting like a promise in the air. Hearing a shout from the other room, Nyx quickly snapped out of his thoughts, heading back into the living room, feeling like he’d just missed an incredible opportunity.
But had he missed it?
Passing Cor his drink, Nyx resumed his place on the sofa, turning to the TV as a green fella in a red suit went careening down a snowy mountain on a motorsleigh. His eyes watched the film, but his heart sat in a lump against his throat as he carefully took a swig of his drink, bringing his hand down purposefully close to Cor’s, just close enough to graze the backs of their hands together, the heat of the other seeping into his skin.
There’s my answer, Nyx thought, so what now?
“Now” turned out to be the lot of them watching increasingly ridiculous movies as they night rolled in. Take-out boxes littered the coffee table and Pelna’s snores punctuated the devastatingly syrupy sweet confession of two people who had spent the whole movie runtime being, quite frankly, shockingly dense. Finally, the music swelled and the credits rolled and Libertus snorted himself out of his light doze.
‘Right, I think it’s about time I head back.’ Libertus muttered, running his hand across his face. ‘Thank you again Marshall, it’s been a blast.’
Groggily, Cor lifted his beer in salute before pulling himself up with a groan. Crowe flicked Pelna’s nose to wake him up and they all stretched as they made moves to head out.
‘You comin’ Nyx?’
Nyx blinked at Libertus’ question, eyes quickly flicking over to Cor, the impassive man giving nothing away as he waited on Nyx’s answer.
‘Erm, nah I erm,’ he shook his bottle, ‘gonna finish up and then head out later, if that’s alright with you, Marshall?’
Cor, damn him, give nothing away as he nodded, turning away with a pithy ‘do as you wish’.
‘Right, catch you on your next adventure Nyx.’ Pelna waved as they left.
‘Yeah next time, don’t bother me on my day off.’
Nyx smirked as Crowe stamped her boots on.
‘No promises.’
His answer was a rude gesture and shared laughter, then the door was closed and the muted sound of adverts was all that was left. With no movement from the door, Nyx assumed that Cor had seen them off so, putting his bottle on the table, Nyx moved over to the window, watching as the lights of Insomnia glittered against the low clouds. And then a single white flake dropped from the sky, Nyx watched it, tracked its decent towards the quiet roads and then looked as more followed. It was rare that it happened and all the times it had, Nyx had been away for, but here he was on this supposedly special day, watching snow fall on a shining Insomnia. And just in that singular moment, he felt a warmth for the city he’d never held before. The smiling faces he’d seen today reminding him of the decent people that still lived there, that he protected every time he left in a cramped van, spinning his blade between his fingers as he settled into whatever mad plan of action he had to follow that day. Maybe, just maybe he could learn to love this place. Maybe, he could call it home.
Seizing, Nyx’s thoughts were pulled away from the snow as two strong arms wrapped around his middle, the weight of the man behind him warming his back. He relaxed as he recognised Cor’s smell, of the sound of his breath behind his ear. He felt like he should say something about what this was, if it was anything, that he should ask Cor all sort of questions that one is supposed to ask when getting together. But as Cor turned him around, the hand Nyx had adored wrapping round the back of his head and bringing their lips together, Nyx found himself bereft of words. All languages in his head vanished like the snow as hands wandered and breath grew short. Clothes that became uncomfortable were discarded, old scars shined in Insomnia’s lights as stumbling steps led to the comfort of clean sheets, cold in the night, turning warm with every movement, every shift and gasp. All teasing gone and all pretences discarded as Cor turned Nyx into a mess of babbled cries and shivering muscles and after enough time had passed, Nyx gratefully returned the favour, wresting sounds from the Immortal he had only dreamed of hearing, those shaved ice eyes squeezing closed in ecstasy.
Hours of the night were lost in their exploration until finally with an exhausted gasp, they reached their limits, spent and content to lay together until sleep would claim them both.
The next day would be for questions over waffles and coffee. Tomorrow would be for planning and agreements. But right now was just for them, together on Shivasmas, frozen hearts melted in the heat of their feelings. Finally recognised. Finally understood.