One day, after i've been helping Scorpio for a while, a frantic Altair appears in my room. Scaring the shit out of me, might I add! I'm just casually sitting on my bed, eating noodles in a cup and he just appears right in front of my tv, which I was watching intently. I also, didn't have pants on. It was the weekend, bite me.
"Hitomi nee-san!" I scream, loudly, my noodles flying into the air and splashing down on my floor. "O-Oh my gosh! I'm sorry!" He then looks me over and realizes i'm only half dressed. "I-I'm not looking! I'm turning around!" The blond boy spun around, hiding his red face with his small hands. I laugh, not finding it a big deal as I lean back on my bed to grab my discarded shorts at my pillows. I shuffle them on before tapping Altair on the shoulder to tell him i'm done.
"I'm now pant-ed." He slowly turns back around. "So what were you freaking out about? Other than my situation of course."
"Oh yeah!" Altair's face falls and he fists his hands in my loose shirt. "Scorpio's in trouble!" I frown myself.
"Like, he's being stubborn about work or is bickering with Leon kind of trouble?" Altair wildly shakes his head.
"No! He's in big trouble! I've never seen him like this before. The other gods are contacting the heavens…" My heart sinks. "Anyway, please, just come with me to the mansion!" I open my mouth, to tell him I have work, but I immediately shut it. I detach Altair from my shirt and move to my bed side table to grab my phone.
"Is he sick or something? Is it life-threatening?" I sent Hiyori a text saying Altair, who she believed was my cousin, was sick and that I had to stay home to take care of him since his family was on vacation.
"I don't know… Gods don't have mortal lives as humans understand them… But, he might be…" I pocketed my phone as Scorpio's words from when we were star gazing filled my head.
"How many humans are actually able to make the most of their mortals lives?"
At that time, I immediately thought he was referring to how short human life spans were and if they were making the most of it. Was he… talking about something else? ….Can a god die? I feel a pit of worry well up in me as I turn to Altair.
"Let's go." He gives a determined nod, running over to my balcony and yanking it open. I hold my hand out to him, as if it was a normal trip, and he takes it to use his power.
We fly intermittently to avoid drawing attention to us on our way to the mansion. While in the air, and trying to keep my thoughts away from the distance below me, I notice Altair's uneasy look.
"What's wrong?" He bites his lips when he looks to me.
"There have been strange humans sneaking around the mansion lately…" My brows furrow at the response.
"Really?" Altair nods, but his face brightens again.
"You don't have to worry. The gods just told me to be careful, that's all. I may be small, but i'm a god! I won't lose to a human!" I laugh, pulling Altair closer
"I'm in good hands!" He giggles back, but when my eyes cast forwards, worry seeps into me again. "We're almost there, hold on Scorpio." Damn I hope that bastards okay.
"It's not just Scorpio. It's all the gods who are living on Earth They say they get tired, but… Eating and sleeping was never necessary in the heavens. It looks like this new lifestyle is harder on them than any of us expected." Then it's probably just that they're hungry or sleep deprived… yeah.. Probably.
Just as we're about to hit the mansion, now on our feet since we were so close, a man steps out before us. I feel chills down my spine when I recognize him. It's the guy that had stared me down right after the almost dying a third time incident.
"Are you the guys who've been sneaking around here!?" Altair's voice is loud, and much more powerful than it was when he spoke to me.
"Who are you people?" This guy was really freaky. Something about him was just… off. What was really off, was the gun in his hands that he suddenly aims at us.
"I'll buy us some time! Hitomi nee-san, hurry to the mansion!"
"Altair!" More men start walking up. There's no way I'm leaving him to deal with these men. I don't care if he's a god or a not, it's not right to just run! Altair glowers at me. Just as he opens him mouth to yell at me again, a familiar voice sounds out from the godly manor.
"Altair! Hitomi!" Dui stands in the doorway, giving a deadly look to the men.
"Tch, an interloper… I don't want things to get hairy. Retreat!" The men run off, down the hill and out of sight. I watch them until they fade before I turn back to Dui. I loved this man.
"Are you okay?" He hurried over to us, his eyes shifting between the smiling Altair and my relieved face.
"Yes. What were those people doing?" Dui sighed at Altair's confusion.
"Apparently, humans are really into something called 'survival games'." I purse my lips. "There aren't a lot of people in this forest, so they started wandering around here to play their games."
"A game!?" I groan. "I thought he was like… like some even lower class god that was out for revenge or something! I thought that gun was real!" Dui laughed.
"I don't think they'd really attack you, but you should be careful when you come around here." Dui looked relieved when I smiled and nodded. "Anyway, let's hurry and get inside. Scorpio's condition has gotten worse."
"Its that bad?" The fact that Dui doesn't answer makes me go on edge. "This is bad timing, but can I ask you a question?" I want to force him into answering my other damn question, but I nod. "Hitomi, are you more worried about Scorpio or about what's going to happen to you?" My brows furrow.
Worried about myself? Why would I worry about myself!? Altair comes barging into my room, yelling about how Scorpio is in horrible condition, hints to him maybe dying, and Dui asks if i'm worried about myself?
"Scorpio of course!" Dui smiles again.
"I'm glad to hear not all humans are selfish."
"I wonder how Scorpio would react if he heard you say that!" The boys seem happy while I still feel confused. How was any other answer even acceptable?
"Hitomi, please help Scorpio." I nod.
"Let's hurry."
The three of us move quickly to the godly manor. Once inside both Dui and Altair rush me up to Scorpio's room. Without knocking we barge in.
"Scorpio!" It's morning, but the room is dim. I would have usually commented that the ass was simply sulking, but I couldn't when I saw him lying in bed. Ichthys is sitting on a chair next it, looking weary and worried.
"You guys took forever to get here."
"I'm sorry, Lord Ich-" I cut off Altair as I pass him and Dui to make it to the other side of Scorpio's bed.
"Some strange idiots ambushed us." Ichthys looked to us in surprise.
"Strange idiots?" Dui sighed.
"The humans playing survival games." Ichthys huffed and scowled.
"Those lame army-looking guys…" I lean a small bit over Scorpio's bed, trying to see if I saw him about ready to push-up daisies or maybe some sickness I could diagnose just by looking.
"..Scorpio?" As soon as I say his name, Scorpio, moving lethargically and slowly, opens his eyes. I wanted to call him a lazy ass, but i, again, keep my mouth shut.
"Stupid woman…Why...are...you...here…" I can't help the airy laugh leaving my lips. My heart pulled, however, at how faint his voice was.
"We called her." Scorpio can't even muster a glare at Ichthys.
"We thought she might know how to help you." Nor at Dui.
"Tch… What a waste of time."
"Besides," Ichthys sent a cheeky smirk my way. "There's nothing better than having a girl with you when you're feeling weak."
"This is all perfect, just freaking perfect…" Scorpio did not sound happy about me coming over. It pissed me off a bit. Like, I guess not wanting others to see you when you're ill, but damn. Every time I try being nice to this guy always has to shut me down. I really was fucking worried! I dropped work and I got over my fear of heights just to get here as fast as possible. Of course I won't even know but...
When I inconspicuously take a step from the bed, Ichthys walks up to me.
"I know he doesn't sound like it, but he's happy to see you." I shrug.
"I wish I had the power to know how he really feels like you and Dui seem to have." Ichthys give me a reassuring smile before jutting his thumb over his shoulder to the door.
"We're going to look for a way to help him recover. Take care of him." I nodded.
"Don't stay out too long." Ichthys laughed.
"Yeah mom. Later, Scorpio. Time for us loudmouths to make our retreat. Play nice, you two!" I wave the trio bye until I can't see them, and then I take the chair Ichthys had been occupying. I watch Scorpio for a moment before prop my cheek up on my fist.
"Are you… in pain?"
"Not really." I give a relieved sigh. "I'm just… dizzy and my body feels kinda heavy." Looking at him, I see his face flushed a red. I frown at that and stand up from my chair. Without a word, I lean over him and set the back of my cool hand on his forehead He flinches at the touch, his face going an even brighter red.
"Y-you're not allowed to just touch me!" I stick my tongue out at him as I take my hand away.
"Sorry mister human hater, I was just figuring out what's wrong with you." He stayed silent.
"You have a fever. Though, it doesn't feel to bad."
"A fever?" I blink slowly.
"Oh shit, I totally fucking forgot you guys have never gotten sick before since you all lived in heaven! Which is why your tolerance is so low… I'm surprised that you're the only ones who's gotten sick 'til now." I sit back down in my chair, no longer feeling as worried as I had before. " Anyway. So, when humans aren't keeping their body healthy, like not eating properly or not sleeping well, we easily catch viruses. To fight these virius our body temperatures rise, which leads to a fever."
"..I knew that." He pouts, making a face like a sulky little boy and I suppress myself from aww'ing at him. He's such a cutie when he's not.. Um… himself.
"Look, I know ya want to tell me gods don't get fevers and what the fuck not, but the fact is I just checked. When I touched you, you had a temperature."
"Tch.." I just stole the words right from his fucking mouth. Ha! I knew I was getting to know him.
"You have a fever sourpuss. All you gotta do is rest up and you'll be fine… most likely in a day or two." I stood again, glancing around Scorpio's room. "Where's the bathroom?" He frowns, but weakly points to a room off to the side.
"This never would've happened to me in the heavens…" I can hear him from where I stood in front of the sink. "I wish.. I were back… in the heavens…" I wished for it, so hopefully it'll be granted for him…. AH, but I can't help but feel a twinge of sadness.
I quickly fill a up a pail of water, grabbing a hand towel back on my way out. Luckily, the sink had a cold setting and I didn't have to go in search of some 'holy ice'. Joining Scorpio back by his bed.
"That reminds me, in Japan, humans eat rice porridge or apples when they're sick."
"Apples?" I nod as I douse the hand cloth in the cold water.
"Oh, but I guess this house is fucking fruitless." Probably why he got sick in the first place. "I can go buy some though." I hum to myself. There was a store just at the base of the hill. I was sure of that. When I stand up to leave, Scorpio reaches out his hand.
"Your hand." I look back to him and tilt my head in confusion.
"What? You gonna make a fucking apple appear?"
"Of course I can…" I narrow my eyes at him.
"You're in that bed 'cause you're tired."
"Hurry up." I frown heavily, but give in, placing my hand in his. He immediately snaps his fingers, which I noted also sounded tired and weak, before pulling his hand away.
"See? Look." He smugly holds up a crimson red apple before he drops it and his arm back to his side.
"Well shit… Oh, I'll also need a knife." His look turns suddenly cold.
"You wouldn't… Are you planning on taking advantage of me when i'm weak!?"
"Like that would do anything for me! Like I want a fucking army of gods on my ass- plus, I think i'd miss back talking to you."
He seemed to tired to register most of my words, and only musters out, "Really?"
"Duh Scorpio. It's not like I hate you." He falls silent and I look over to him. His face is red, but I honestly can't tell if it's a blush or just his fever. "I just want to peel the apple."
"Why didn't you say so sooner?" I roll my eyes when I take up his hand again.
"Because normal people don't immediately jump to the conclusion of being murdered by their caretaker." Scorpio clicks his tongue as he snaps his fingers again, a knife and even a player appearing. I take up all three items, sitting down at the edge of the bed as I start to cut and peel the apple. On each slice I cut the red off, but leave enough to make it look like rabbits.
"Okay, here you go." When I move the plate into Scorpio's line of sight, his nose wrinkles and he scowls.
"What is this? Gross…" I pout.
"Shut the fuck up, my asymmetrical bunnies are beautiful in their own ways!" I know I didn't cut them perfectly but come on, i'm using my legs as a table. It's hard.
"Why did you leave some of the skin? Am I supposed to hold it there?" I roll my eyes.
"Look! Those are the ears! It's a rabbit. It's for aesthetic purposes. It's cute, isn't it?" His face goes a bright red again. "Anyway, go ahead. Eat it." Scorpio takes one of the slices and has to take a drawn out moment to glare at it suspiciously, he takes a bite. Dude. It's just a fucking peeled apple with some of the skin left. Though I have to remember he's never had to eat before. "How is it?"
"Not nasty." He roll my eyes but watch him soon finish the whole plate. "Give me another." I blink slowly before I slap my hand over my forehead.
"This was so fucking obvious!"
"Tch, what are you yelling about?"
"The reason why're your sick! You and the gods haven't been eating, have you?" He shrugs.
"It's been awhile since i've tasted that." I just shake my head a bit. But, I noticed his voice sounded a bit stronger. "Hey. I said give me more." I snicker, holding my hand out again.
After he finished a second apple, which I cut into bunny shapes again, he settles down in his bed. After a while, his breathing changes and I realize he's fallen asleep. I stand, moving around the bed to take the rag out of the water and wring it out. I fold it up and then gently set it on his head.
"Hitomi-nee-san…?" The door to the room click opens and little Altair shuffles in. I smile at him, waving him over.
"Scorpio just fell asleep." Altair glancing to the bed before he makes his way over and climbs onto my lap. He stays silent for a couple minutes, only watching Scorpio sleep, before he finally looks to me.
"Will Lord Scorpio get better…?" I nod as I wrap my arms loosely around his small frame.
"He'll be just dandy. He's eaten, which I think was the problem, so he'll be practically cured tomorrow." Altair couldn't contain his overjoyed expression.
"Thank you, Hitomi-nee-san." I smiled back at him and ruffle his hair.
"I didn't do anything bud." Altair shrugs, leaning back on to me as I lean back in my chair. I give a large pause before I hum to myself.
"He's always yellin' at me and i'm always yellin' at him… it was kinda scary seeing him so weak and put out." I glance to Altair. "Though you might not like his yelling." He looks up and shakes his curls back and forth.
"Lord Scorpio gets angry at me because he cares about me. Besides, serving Lord Scorpio has always been a dream of mine." I give a quiet laugh.
"Your dream?"
"He's amazingly talented. I can't wait for his mark to be erased so he can return to the heavens." Altair's eyes sparkle when he talks about Scorpio. "Lord Scorpio is really strong. Lots of gods in the heavens admire him like I do! I mean it… You would never guess he used to be a human!"
…
Hold. The. Fuck. Up. Scorpio was a what!?
"Rewind- what did you just say? Scorpio used to be a human!?" Altair stares up at me in mild horror, all blood draining from his face.