Universe Eight: Searching
My aplogies for the late update
Ethan woke up tiredly, yawning. He looked around Hyuga's room, catching sight of the two lovebirds cuddled into one another, only a few scant inches from him. He reached for them, desperate for confirmation of what he had become. The pair woke sluggishly[A1] , before awakening fully and pulling him into a mixed embrace. He felt the touch of their minds and he buried himself in it, grateful and pleased by his fellow Knight and Dark Maiden's affections. He basked in their love, content to simply lie in the warmth of their affections forever. Their delight sated something within him like the finest wine, soothing and delicious. His lips curved into another smile, and he cuddled back into them, ignoring the way his mind protested against it, insisting that it was wrong. His lips curved up yet again, eyes glittering with delight as he hummed affectionately at them both, before sighing to himself and peeling his body out of the equation. Hyuga looked up in confusion, before a light went off in his mind.
Ethan, what's wrong? Hyuga's thought to him was of curious confusion. Ethan smiled back at Hyuga, his thoughts to them both affectionate.
I've got a meeting at three today, [A2] Ethan admitted silently, standing up quickly. I'll try to get back soon. Slight disappointment radiated from them both, but neither protested his actions, allowing him to leave.[A3]
Come back soon, Kotone's mind whispered sadly, the small doctor getting up to also get some work done, Hyuga silently following. Ethan was tempted to blow off the meeting, but his sense of duty made him glance back at them once more, sigh, and leave, aching in every step.
Tylor listened to Ethan as the teen tiredly argued with the other rogue, hands in his pockets and half-asleep. Quiet yawns left his lips and Ethan ignored the incessant arguing, sharply retorting with a few cutting words of his own. The way Ethan dealt with the masses made it clear he wasn't happy to be here, and his attitude reflected that. Ethan stood ruler-straight, eyes burning with disappointment and irritation. Tylor personally would have tried to take the day off after that fiasco himself.
Ethan left the meeting with a headache and a bad mood, scowling darkly at anyone who dared to as much as look at him funny.
Ethan? Kotone's soft query made him blink, and then smile, a softer smile than his previous expressions.
Hi, love, Hyuga greeted silently. Ethan felt a thrill at those words, and eagerly greeted them.[A4]
Hi Kotone, Hyuga, Ethan whispered back affectionately, seating himself in an empty plane. How are you two? Silent whispers of laughter rippled through his mind.
Better than you most likely, both of them chimed to him, making the teen snicker a bit.
Oh, that's a given . . . Ethan drawled back mentally, lips pulled into a small smirk. Details, I want details . . .
Ethan blinked, before measuring his height yet again. He stared at the scale blankly, wondering how on Earth he had gained five inches in the space of ten days. He shivered slightly, as he realized that that now made him a nice five-foot-nine, and he'd be dealing with some undesirable stalkers.
Hyuga was watching his maiden make him some new clothes, listening to her as she informed him that he would keep growing for a while.
"You'll have at least a foot extra in height," Kotone told Hyuga affectionately, pressing a hand to his cheek briefly, before returning to the fabric. "Male Dumans were tall by nature, and short male Dumans were rather rare." Kotone glanced up at him slyly. "And they were capable of influencing their body to grow differently. A lot of our legends about mermaids, spider-people, and Naga are from Dumans who altered their bodies to fit their surroundings." Hyuga whistled, impressed.
"Impressive," Ethan's low voice brought their attentions to him, and they both hugged the (even taller than before) teenager. He hugged them back, pressing a kiss to their cheeks briefly. "So this is normal?" Ethan asked softly, lying out on the couch, his head resting on Hyuga's lap. A small groan left Ethan's lips, and he winced in pain as his body began growing again, the light stabs of pain soothed away by the presence of the other Dumans. Kotone nodded, hair fluttering delicately.
"Yes. The more powerful the Duman, they taller they tended to be." Ethan and Hyuga both gave loud groans, looking at each other while Kotone grinned sheepishly at them. "Sorry loves, but it'll be a while coming before you stop getting any taller."
And with height came hunger. Ethan and Hyuga tended to eat fairly square meals, but the moment their growth spurts picked up again, they ate everything. They were now getting their fair share of attention, not to mention jealousy and irritation.
Maya observed them both, raising an eyebrow at them as they both smiled sheepishly at her. She took their hugs with a sigh, and listened to them complain about it with a thoughtful smile.
". . . Ten inches in a month[A5] ," Ethan said irritably. "If this keeps up, everything I own is going to need to be replaced!" Maya listened with a small stare. That was a heck of a growth spurt. Hyuga chuckled, crossing his legs and drawing her attention to the black fabric.
"Most certainly," Hyuga agreed. "I could have Kotone do it for you, she's capable of making clothing, and she isn't going to eye you, considering that she's my girlfriend." Ethan perked up, and looked over to him eagerly.
"You really think that she'll do it?" Ethan's voice was hopeful. Hyuga gave a clear laugh, tilting his head back.
"Of course; she loves you like a little brother Ethan." Ethan protested the little brother part irritably, pointing out he was older than Kotone by at least a month, and Maya shook her head at the pair. Hyuga shut Ethan up by shoving a bag into his hands.
"Shut up and eat, bastard." Hyuga snapped at him, clearly out of patience. Ethan cheered.
"Sweet, I'm starving!" Ethan proceeded to chow down on his meal and Maya snickered as she realized that Ethan had just stolen Hyuga's meal. Judging by the indignant squawk, Hyuga just realized that himself.
"You son of a bitch!"
Universe Nine End
Notes:
[A1]His mind touch theirs before they woke properly, startling them.
[A2]He has the experiences of his lovers in his mind. It allows him to pick up the tricks of a Duman quickly.
[A3]They had an entire day in each other's company, but they don't get that luxury with Ethan.
[A4]It confirms that Ethan wasn't dreaming.
[A5]Ethan is ridiculously more powerful than the average Duman, due to his nature of being a first-generation Knight.
