A/N: In order to tell the BiruWhis love story, I had to start from the very beginning. It's turning out longer than expected. My working title was 'slow burn' and boy did it really live up to that!

Whis sat up in a tree, swinging his legs as he hummed the tune to a rhyme he'd heard the village children singing. Below there was the sound of desperate fleeing, and then the thud of strong legs pursuing. Whis peered through the leaves that hid him from view, wondering which sibling was going to win today, and in that moment he felt someone grab him from behind, a sharp rock at his throat, and a surprised breath.

"Surprised you managed to get me?" Whis asked, nonplussed by the situation.

"No, I expected this ring around your neck to be solid. Whatever. Now it won't get in my way."

"Do you intend to kill me?"

"No." Yet the point remained at his throat, the hand holding it pressing strongly against his collar. "I want to know who you are."

"I'm Whis. And you are?"

There was a huff. "Don't pretend you don't know. I've seen you dogging our footsteps week after week. I used to think I was hallucinating you years ago when Shammie said he'd never noticed, but now I've finally got you."

Whis frowned, not having had his question answered. "It's polite to ask someone's name when you meet for the first time, even if you already know their name." Whis titled his head down ever so slightly. "See your brother down there? You call him 'Shammie' so often one could believe that was his name, but it's a nickname, very personal, and if I used it he wouldn't appreciate it. So, would you care to tell me the name you would like me to address you by?"

"Bills. Now, tell me why you're following us."

"I've merely been observing," Whis said. "There's nothing to worry about."

"Brother!" called the man below them.

"Up here, Shammie!" Bills called back. "Observing what?"

"Up in the tree?! You know I'm no good at trees!" Shammie yelled.

"I'll be down soon!" He resumed talking in his quieter voice, "Well?"

"The pair of you. Mainly you, but your brother could work too."

"Work? What are you on about?"

The point of the rock pressed against the neck of his robe. "Unfortunately I'm not at liberty to discuss that yet. You should probably see to your brother now."

Bills wanted to drive the sharp point into the man's blue flesh, just to let him know he meant business. Yet he felt no malicious intent, no threat other than those watchful eyes from afar. He did not want to harm for the sake of it, especially not when he got the feeling this odd-looking man was more powerful than he appeared.

Calmly Whis removed Bills' arm from around his neck, easily floating up to a higher branch, and leaving Bills quite dumbfounded.

"What…? How did you do that?" Bills looked between Whis and the branch he'd just been sitting on. Did he just defy gravity? Invisible wings? On this planet you were either born with wings to fly, or you were chained to the ground forever.

"Run along now." Whis gave a smile and a wave. "We'll see each other soon enough."

Bills stared up at the man a while longer, unsure what his next move was, until another call from his brother snapped him out of it and he jumped out of the tree.

Ooo

"You're not trying very hard anymore," Bills said as he climbed the sand dune Whis sat on. "I mean, you could at least sit further down so you don't look like a meerkat on sentry duty."

"Maybe you should consider that I'm not trying to hide. In fact, I may even be enticing you out."

Bills frowned, wondering if he was being played. "How come you're so sociable all of a sudden?"

"I've made my decision, but I guess I want to be sure."

"What's that all about?"

"About you."

Bills rolled his eyes. "You're too cryptic for me, I don't know why I bothered coming out here." Then he remembered. "No, there was something I wanted to ask. There was someone with you the other day. At first I thought you were wearing something different for once, but no, there were two weird blue people watching us."

"My sister."

"Makes sense. But you know, I can't remember the first time I saw you hanging around, but you've always worn this same outfit. What's with that? Shammie said it proved you were some kind of spirit that'd come to haunt me."

"It's… I suppose you could call it a uniform. Do you like it?"

Bills was taken aback by the unexpected question. "Uh… It's okay, I guess? Looks a bit fancy for round here. I'm more interested in this thing." He waved his hand through the blue ring around Whis's neck.

"Please don't do that."

"Why not?" Bills asked, hand poised to do it again. "Does it annoy you?"

"There are superstitions among my siblings about what happens to those who do that."

"So you've all got this? But just your siblings? What about others of your race?"

Whis just smiled. "You'll understand soon enough."

Bills finally took a seat next to Whis. "I don't feel like I'll get any good answers out of you, but maybe you'll tell me why you chose this shithole to visit and make decisions about?"

"Why do you refer to your home as a 'shithole'?"

"That's what it is. We're out here in the desert, the only greenery miles away and heavily controlled by the rich. The poor are stealing what they can from each other to survive. I wouldn't live here if I had the choice, but it's the lot we drew in life." Bills looked at the blue man. "You're not from around here. What's it like where you're from? Is it so bad that here looks good?"

"I've seen worse. I've lived in better places. When your planet is in flames from war and brings its own destruction… Then you'll know true hell. Not that I speak from experience as a resident, merely as an observer."

"You do a lot of observing."

Whis nodded. "I do. That is my job. But at the moment I guess you could say my world is falling apart. That's why I'm here, observing you."

"Should I be honoured? You look awfully clam for someone who claims their world is 'falling apart.'"

"It's temporary, and things will be set right shortly, so I don't worry. But yes, I would say you should feel very honoured that I've chosen you."

"For what exactly?"

Whis wagged a finger. "Now, now, I'm saying too much. I'm waiting for my sister to decide before I tell you."

"Well tell her to hurry up!" Bills realised he wanted nothing more than to have the answer to why he'd been watched for so long.

"Soon. I'd say you'll know in a few days. Not long at all."

Ooo

"So, what do you think?" Whis asked as he felt Vados approaching.

"Interesting. Do you really think siblings are a good choice? Surely they'll bicker more than the others did?"

Whis shook his head. "I don't think so. Yes, they'll fight over trifling things, but the bond between these two is deep. We'd avoid another predicament like the one we find ourselves in now, that I'm sure of."

"I assume you want the older one?" Vados asked.

"Yes, after all he is the one I had my eye on initially. It's not like he's much older anyway. What's a minute or two to us?"

Vados nodded. "It's the least I can do for you seeing as you found them. Besides, it looks like the younger one will benefit more from my strict regime."

"I agree." Whis decided not to question whether his sister thought him soft. "So I'll make the proposal tomorrow?"

"To yours or to both?"

"I'll give you the honour of finally introducing yourself to your own ward."

Vados thanked him. "It wouldn't do for me to have been so friendly as you have been or he might not take me as seriously as I desire."

"I doubt that, sister. You have a way on instilling fear even in those close to you."

She couldn't help but smirk. "Even you, dear brother?"

"Yes, even I on occasion."

Ooo

Bills walked into the market, head covered against the harsh sunlight, but really just a disguise. Stealing wasn't his favourite thing, but for himself and Shamz it was just a part of life now. Once a week one of them would sneak around the market, taking a piece of fruit here, a chunk of bread there. Bills had never been caught yet because he had the patience to wait for the opportunity, Shamz on the other hand sometimes let his stomach make the decisions. But at least when Shamz was successful all the village orphans got to eat.

He saw the first opening to grab an orange, but just as he began to make a bee line for it someone stepped into his path and collided with him. He muttered an apology and tried to go around, not wanting to draw any attention to himself, but the person continued to get in his way. What more did this asshole want? He looked up.

"You?!"

The blue man with the weird circle around his neck. What was his name again?

Said man put a bag into his arms and, sliding an arm around Bills' shoulders, began to lead him away.

"Hey, wait, I need –"

Whis motioned to the bag and Bills peered inside. Food! Lots of it!

"Wha-? Why?" Bills asked. "How did you know?"

Whis laughed. "I told you, I've been observing. I'm not someone you can fool by hiding your face."

"I should have guessed."

"I hope I haven't ruined your morning plans," Whis said, "but I have more important things to discuss with you."

"Not at all…" Bills looked up at the other. "Hey, thanks. This means a lot to us, you know."

"I know. Please think nothing of it. Let's stop here."

Bills looked and realised where Whis was referring to. "I – I can't go in there!" It was the most expensive teahouse in the area. Usually he barely even glanced at it, knowing he'd never be able to afford a small cup.

"Why not?" Whis asked, wondering if perhaps Bills had been barred when he wasn't looking.

"Well, they probably wouldn't even let me in looking like this! They're supposed to be that kind of place."

It was a fair point, Whis thought. Bills' clothes were looking a bit ragged today, and they swamped him, the extra space used for the food he would have stolen. For the first time Whis materialised his staff in front of Bills, seeing the surprise in those yellow eyes. He pointed the staff at Bills' chest and the clothes mended, cleaned and refitted themselves. As much as Whis wanted to dress the man in something more spectacular it would have caused too much of a scene to have him change entirely in the middle of the street.

Bills looked down at himself, inspecting the sleeves of his top. "How…how did you do that?"

Whis winked, the staff gone again. "Questions for later. Now, shall we?" He led the way past the tables and chairs outside.

"Wait, we're going inside?" Bills asked.

"Yes, I have a room booked. Our discussion requires a little more privacy today."

"Uh, the other day on the sand dune was pretty private, wouldn't you say?"

Whis turned on Bills. "Is there something you're not telling me? Do you not want to go here?"

"It's… I can't pay for this."

"I'm paying. I thought that much was obvious. In fact, I've already paid for the first pot. If you want more, you're welcome to it."

"Remind me of your name."

"Whis."

Bills nodded, committing it to memory. "Thank you, Whis. I don't know why you're doing this for me, especially when I had you at knifepoint not too long ago…"

Whis continued into the teahouse, unable to help noticing how meek Bills seemed compared to what he'd seen before. Usually he exuded such an arrogant confidence, but the extravagance of his surroundings seemed to suck that all away.

The room was quite small, with a table by the window that overlooked the street. A girl rushed in with the tea before they had barely sat down. The aroma was so pleasant that Bills wondered if it really was drinkable, or if this was just to fragrance the room. Whis smiled and thanked the girl, telling her there was no need for anything else. He took the pot and poured tea for Bills first before filling his own cup. Using both hands, Whis took the cup and inhaled the aroma of the tea, taking time to appreciate it before taking a sip.

"Beautiful," Whis whispered. "Please." He motioned for Bills to enjoy his own cup.

The tea was as fantastic as it smelled, and he sipped slowly, savouring the taste, worried this would be the one opportunity he got to enjoy it. "So, what is there to discuss?"

"I'd like to offer you a job."

Bills sat up straighter, knocking the bag by his chair.

"Here," Whis said as the staff was there once more, his bag of food gone. "I'll return it after," he promised when he saw Bills' face when it vanished. "I need your full attention."

Bills looked back at Whis. "You have it." This man was clearly rich. He probably paid very well if he'd casually hire out what was probably the best room in this place.

"It won't be easy, but it comes with a lot of benefits." He waited to see if Bills would cut in, but he was listening intently. "The world requires balance – creation and destruction. And, as an old saying goes, before creation comes destruction. I am looking for someone who has the capability to destroy in order to maintain that balance. You seem to have that potential."

Bills cocked a brow. "Are you trying to hire me as an assassin?"

Whis couldn't help but laugh. "Not at all. Perhaps mass-murderer would be more appropriate if you're going to think of it like that."

That shocked Bills – was this guy joking? He didn't look like it.

"I should clarify – I'm talking about the destruction of whole races, and maybe even their planets if needed."

"You want me to destroy…planets?" Bills asked, confused. "Sorry, I don't know where you got the idea I'd be able to do that. If I could, this planet would be under my control."

Whis smiled, there was the ambition! "Not immediately, no, I'd train you first. You need a lot of training before you'd be fit for the role, but when it comes to picking destroyers it's best to choose them based on their personality as it's a lifetime role generally."

"You mean I can't resign?"

Whis hummed. "Well, I suppose you could. No one's ever done that. I guess they have too much fun being destroyers. I certainly wouldn't go back to life without such a useful attendant."

"Huh?"

"Ah, yes, I would be your attendant – and teacher."

Bills thought that one through again. "So you hire me, but then I become the…master? Or the higher up? You attend to me?"

"Yes, that's right. You'll find I have a number of uses you'll want to take advantage of."

That was a strange sentence to pick apart when he had no idea what it meant. "Do I have an area to work in?"

"You work across the whole universe. You'll even have your own planet to yourself – and me, of course."

"I can't stay here?"

Whis cocked a brow. "I suppose you could. Every destroyer I've ever known has preferred to have their own planet and mould it to their desires." Was Bills really so attached to this place?

He couldn't leave Shamz. It would be cruel to leave his brother alone to fend for himself – wait! "How much will I earn?"

"Gods work for free. But worry not, you'll find everything you could ever need will be provided. You'd never go hungry, that's for sure."

Bills had several questions at once, but chose to work in an orderly fashion. "What do you mean gods?"

"Ah, it seems I haven't explained myself properly yet. The job title is 'God of Destruction' fully. You'd be elevated to divinity, working opposite the creation god, known as the Supreme Kai."

Who is this man? How can he claim to offer godhood like this? Was he some kind of religious fanatic? A priest? Yet the miracles Bills had already seen him perform… Perhaps it was time to start believing in something.

"Would people worship me?" It was a throw-away question while he considered what else needed to be asked.

"If you made yourself known, I'm sure they would. Perhaps not in the way you'd expect. The Gods tend to keep a low profile. This is a job after all."

"Would I be immortal?"

"No, but you'd live as long as you weren't killed."

Bills sat back and thought it through, Whis adding more tidbits of information for him to absorb.

"So, you're saying I get to be a 'god' and live a long time, eating what I want, living where I want, all in exchange for destroying a few things here or there?"

"That's a basic description, yes."

"Can I take my brother with me?" That was his final question.

"That may not be possible."

"Then I can't accept." Bills stood up, quickly finishing off his tea. "I can't abandon him to live like a king."

"I suggest you go and discuss this with him."

"Huh? I was sure you were going to tell me I couldn't speak a word of this to anyone. Or maybe even wipe my memory if I refused."

Whis shook his head. "This isn't a decision you should take lightly. I expected you to need time. And besides, if you do tell anyone else, will they really believe a word you've said?"

"Why should I believe you?"

Whis materialised his staff and out came the bag of food. "Lying isn't my specialty. And even if I had some kind of documentation from someone higher up than I, you wouldn't recognise it. You can only take my word."

"So you won't try to convince me?"

"No. If you decline then I'll find someone else. But I figure you'll realise that what I'm offering is better than whatever prospects await you here."

Bills picked up the bag. "You could be a serial killer for all I know. And this could be how you get your victims."

Whis couldn't help but let the shock show on his face. He'd never been accused quite like that! "I see. I didn't realise it would be this hard to gain your trust. Yet you came in here with me, drunk tea I'd ordered, and intend to take food I've bought."

"Sorry," Bills said. "I don't really feel that way about you… But I guess when you sound a bit deranged talking about gods and trying to take me elsewhere to work for free I have to assume the worst. Thanks again for the tea and the food."

Whis watched him go, wondering if he had made the right call with this one.

Ooo

"She was really tall! And pretty too!" Shamz said, retelling his encounter with Whis's sister. "And she said if I go with her then I can eat all I want, any time I want! Any time, brother!"

Bills felt even more uneasy to know that Shamz had also been approached. What did that mean? "So, are you going to go with her?"

"Well, yeah, duh!"

"What about me?" He hadn't told Shamz about his own meeting yet.

"I'm going to get double portions and bring some home to you every day!"

"So you'll just leave me here?"

Shamz shook his head. "Not like that! I'm going to threaten to destroy this planet and then the Emperor is going to abdicate to you. You'll be the new ruler of this planet."

"What if the Emperor doesn't believe you?"

"Well then, I'll destroy him!"

Bills was quite impressed that his brother had a better thought-out plan than himself for once. Guess it paid to think with your stomach sometimes. "That won't be necessary," Bills said. "I've also been offered the job."

"Eh?" Shamz stopped. "Are we both going to be destroyers? Or are we going to have to fight for it?"

Bills shrugged. "The universe it pretty big, right? Maybe we'll have half each?"

Shamz reached over and stirred the pot between them. Whis had provided a variety of vegetables, spices and breads. Tonight's meal was still very modest, the pair having decided to ration it appropriately.

"So, what did your guy say?"

"A lot of the same things. He said I'd be a god."

Shamz beamed. "It's such a cool title!"

Bills couldn't help but smile a little. Had he read too much into it? No, Whis had said something about 'divinity', this wasn't just a title. But Shamz seemed happy and, for once, excited for the future. They did this together. They took a chance on these two strange blue people, and even if it all went wrong, at least they'd be together.