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How they came to this predicament is beyond Mydei's imagination.
He doesn't even know how he agreed to this. It all started when they were assigned by Aglaea to take down a few titankins who have invaded the streets of Okhema. As always, it was up to the both of them to take care of any offensive missions.
They gained fresh small scars once they finished, but it meant nothing to them as this is what it means to be a warrior. And Mydei's flesh always manages to heal back as if it wasn't scarred in the first place anyway.
They had only been strolling around the city of Okhema, but he noticed that Phainon seemed to be staring at him suspiciously for rather too long. More specifically, at the scars on his body that were in the process of reconstructing itself back. He took note of it, but didn't take the time to point it out, as he assumed that Phainon was just in a daze again.
Right after their work though, it turns out that his forever comrade in battle Phainon, has discovered yet another interesting type of fascination that has something to do with Mydei again. And why does it always have something to do with his body??
It's not like Mydei is losing his trust in Phainon. After all, they have spent so much time together whether it's on the battlefield, or simply just being carefree around each other by doing dumb challenges.
He considers Phainon as his equal, and he can always trust in him with anything. It's just that, sitting here while having Phainon indulge himself in this current situation is….
"I knew it, you taste so good... Mydei," Phainon breathed out, with golden blood and crumbs of... meat still in the corners of his lips.
Mydei couldn't believe this man at the moment. He couldn't believe that the renowned Deliverer of Amphoreus who is said to lead the people to a new world, is right here with his arms around his torso, while munching on his bare right shoulder after Mydei kindly let him do so.
He's used to Phainon's weird interests at this point, but out of all things, Mydei didn't expect him to be into cannibalism and regarding his skin and blood as if it's a delectable meal. Turns out, Phainon has been staring at his scars moments ago because he wondered how they would taste like…
"Are there any other insane things that you thought about wanting to do with me, Deliverer?" Mydei sighed out, still being completely baffled with what is happening.
Phainon lets out a small chuckle, but before he makes the effort in responding to that question, he tightens his arms around him, hands palming his back in a protective manner, and attempts to go for another bite, which caused Mydei to breathe out a hitch and dig his head unto Phainon’s neck.
“Does it hurt?” Phainon quietly inquired and paused his biting.
Mydei scoffed at the question. “You just sliced my shoulder with a dagger for you to be able to consume it to pieces. Of course it's gonna hurt.” He groaned out. He always found it funny how Phainon still holds this much worry for him, whether it's during their spars or… him literally eating his flesh directly from the source.
“I’m sorry. It will be over soon.” Phainon whispered, and opted to lick up the blood that was seeping out of the bitten skin of his shoulder instead, and softly glides his hand along his back as an attempt to soothe the pain.
Mydei lightly laughs at that. “I never back down on any challenge between us, Deliverer.”
Phainon seemed to be pleased in tasting his raw flesh, as long as Mydei was fine with it as well. It's not like this was the first time Mydei agreed to one of Phainon's proposals. Mydei can trust him to not truly hurt him in any way.
"To answer your previous question, I'll let you know once I have new ideas." Phainon smiles while looking up at him, and licks off the blood that spilled around his own lips. It seems that he was finally finished with his... peculiar immortal body taste test.
Phainon proceeds to carefully caress his upper body while waiting for the bitten shoulder to heal. Despite the initial violent act, he somehow manages to make it a gentle one in the end. Mydei only stands while being completely speechless, resorting to just awkwardly place his hands around him as well.
Mydei shouldn't be feeling this, but although this is such an inhumane activity that is definitely considered strange, it doesn't bother him at all. In fact, he's rather intrigued by this. Perhaps they truly are equals and kindred spirits, as they're mutually adventurous when it comes to these kinds of exploration.
After some time, Mydei's shoulder has regained a fresh new right shoulder that once had a chunk of it missing. Though he considers his immortality as a lifetime curse, he taught himself to temper his body, mind and strength to use as a conventional weapon for the battlefield. He just never thought that it could be used in this way…
"Haha... sorry for suddenly asking you of this request, Mydei. I admit, I've always wondered how your immortal body tastes. This will be the last time that I propose you to something that's this questionable, I promise." Phainon uttered.
There seems to be a hint of shame that hangs around his words, Mydei notices. Now where was that back then with the other instances that are similar to this...?
"It's not like this is the first time I agreed to one of your awful ideas." Mydei dryly laughs. Sure, he does think that Phainon can often get too unusual with these, but he ends up indulging him every time anyway. “So… how did I taste?” He asks right after.
Phainon turns his head to him while answering. “I don't know what's gotten into me, your raw flesh isn't supposed to taste so delicious…” he looks away from his eyes after saying the last part.
“So… would you like to eat me again soon?” Mydei curiously asks.
Phainon looks at him as if he's the insane one in this room.
“I… this is the last time I’ll ever ask something similar to this. I would never want to take advantage of your body’s regeneration.” Phainon slightly loosens his hold, and makes it seem more evident that he holds guilt and shame for enjoying Mydei’s skin.
“You worry too much. I would be delighted to feed you more,” Mydei suddenly blurts out.
Phainon doesn't seem to have heard him, seemingly in a daze. Mydei lets out a sigh. He continues to stare at his figure in deep thought. Perhaps there was another way to go about this, he thinks. He's confident that Phainon would like another part of him, and he doesn't mind playing along with what he's into…
Mydei discards the idea for now. He can think about it later. "You can let me go now. I have to wash myself.” He shrugs Phainon’s hands off him.
Phainon walls up his initial gloomy mood as if it's nothing, and looks at him with a closed eyed sheepish smile. Curse this man for looking too cute when he wants to, and always having a habit to hide off his feelings. That's another issue that he’ll have to address later on. "Haha… alright, but let me join you.”
___________
Mydei has always been the master chef who cooks for everyone. He never disappoints when it comes to serving the other Chrysos Heirs. He takes note of which meals they prefer, and also the ones they don't. There are also days where he does what he wants to spice up the meals according to his specialties.
It's a different story when it comes to cooking for Phainon. Whenever he irritates him, Mydei intentionally cooks him something unsavory, and whether Phainon complains or not, he always accepts it, unfortunately for him. Their challenges don't just stop with their spars and baths, but they also compete on who can make the best dish, or the worst one... and let the other taste it.
Today's not that day though, as Mydei is feeling quite generous at this moment. He takes the time to prepare delicious meals for everyone, plucking in different meats and veggies, its scent spreading around the area.
There was one particular dish that looked… special from the others. Mydei stares at it, and seemed satisfied with the look. Just as he said, if there's a challenge that’s smashed in front of him, then he'll never back down from it.
Once it was time to serve everyone, he placed every dish that he has tempered with heart, happily watching everyone start digging in.
Lastly, Mydei approaches Phainon's seat, and offers the dish that's specifically cooked for him. The man seemed to be looking at him in slight shock, perhaps being too used to the ones that look too atrocious to chew down. Mydei gives him an amused smile.
“Honeycakes, only for the Deliverer himself.” Mydei declares.
Phainon accepts the dish and shoots him a playful look. “Oh? A decent looking meal from you for once, our dear che-”
“And this is my deep fried left forearm, dipped in sweet sauce.”
“...”
“Mydei, what.” Phainon’s smile immediately drops. It was his turn to be baffled by the current situation.
“Not even a thank you? Our Deliverer should learn some manners.” Mydei muses. To him, it feels satisfying to see such a horrified look that's etched on Phainon’s face.
“No, no, what do you mean you sliced your own forearm?!” Phainon quickly switches to a concerned look, immediately worrying for Mydei's care.
He seems to have exclaimed that too loud, as it caused others to turn and look their way, seemingly shocked from what he just said. All of them sighed in disbelief and disappointment, because at this point, all of them are used to Phainon and Mydei’s unbelievable events.
“Hah… you were just happily chewing on my shoulder yesterday once I accepted, and you made it so obvious that you enjoy the taste of me. Now, you can't accept the fact that I willingly cooked my own limb for you?” Mydei questions.
While the both of them are going off at each other, they don't seem to be aware that they've attracted the crowd into listening to their conversation.
“So… do I need to scold Mydei into not messing around with his immortality again?” Hyacine worryingly utters.
“Let's just leave them be… they're still carefree youths at heart, after all.” Tribbie reluctantly says.
The crowd distances themselves away. They know better than to be around the two warriors who are known to cause chaos in their free time.
“I…” Phainon sulks, closing his eyes while turning his head away from Mydei.
Mydei sighs. Phainon often tells him that he can be tiring to talk to, but he would like to say the same thing back to him sometimes.
“You don't have to hide it. I’m already aware that you’ve got interesting indulgences. If I really were disgusted, then I would've thrown you somewhere beyond the city of Okhema.” Mydei bluntly says. Everytime something like this happens, he feels the need to slap his true feelings in front of his face. “You're lucky that I like you, Deliverer.”
Phainon turns to stare at him with widened eyes and a gaped mouth. His face flushes even more red, or gold rather… they’ve got golden blood flowing through their veins as heroes of Amphoreus, after all.
“Now, eat. I didn't cut down my own arm just for you to not try it. Enjoy to your heart’s content.” Mydei muses while pushing the plate of his own flesh further to Phainon.
Phainon stared at the dish for a while, completely flushed, until he reluctantly cut a small piece and bringing the fork in to his mouth. He began to chew, and his face eventually contorted to an amazed expression.
“It tastes… so flavorful. You actually took the time to add seasonings to make it better than it already was…” Phainon utters after the first taste.
Mydei simply scoffs, and approaches to sit across Phainon’s seat. He takes his time to stare at Phainon’s satisfaction. It's only natural for a chef to observe their beloved customer’s reaction.
“Hah… you really are a weird one. I’ll cook up another one of this dish soon, if that's what you want.” Mydei stares, amused by the supposed human meat eater in front of him.
Phainon continues to eat the remaining chunks of meat, all while staring back at him with a soft gaze. Mydei blinked, and everything was already finished. Even the honeycakes…?
“You do know that you're just as insane as I am, right?” Phainon sighed out.
“If it’s to give what the both of us want, then yes.”
“Oh? And what would that be?”
“To express how much I am willing to give myself to you, just as how you do the same for me.”
For him to say that a way of expressing love is by cannibalising and offering a cooked arm to one another? Perhaps they really are both out of their minds.
“You spoil me, Mydei.” Phainon gives him an upside down smile. If Mydei were to describe the face that Phainon has right now, it would be like a white fluffy dog.
“You're welcome.” Mydei scoffs.
“Since you’re so willing to prepare a dish of your own flesh for me… may I have a piece of your breast next time?” Phainon inquired with a smile.
“No.”