"Hey… Hi-san…?" It was early in the morning, a couple hours before my shift for the day. I, however, was already dressed. Not for work, but for a day out.

"Hitomi-chan?" Her voice was quiet, most likely because she had just woken up due to my call. I gave a shaky sigh as I walked around my bed and grabbed up a magazine to check on my horoscope.

"Hey Hi-san. I'm sorry to call you so early…"

"No it's fine Hitomi-chan, I always enjoy your calls." Hiyori really was too sweet for me. I felt guilt welling up in me at the thought of having to lie to her. I was a great liar, I could get away with a lot of things….But if I had to lie to someone I cared about the guilt ate away at me.

"I don't think you'll enjoy this one Hi-san." The woman waited for me to explain. "I'm sick Hi-san. I think i'm coming down with the flu…"

"Oh, Hitomi-chan!" Worry flooded her voice and my heart ached at the sound. "Are you okay? Have you gone out and bought apple porridge yet?" I nodded to myself.

"Yeah," I paused to cough a very convincing wet cough. "I… I don't think I can get into work Hi-san."

"Don't worry yourself over it Hitomi-chan! I'll cover you." My hand still on the horoscope page of the magazine as I held back a sigh.

"Thank you, Hi-san."

"No worries. You just work on getting better, okay?" I smiled sadly and nodded, saying one last goodbye before we hung up.

I hated lying to Hiyori. She had been my best friend since I first moved here after the deaths of my parents. She stayed with me even when I was moody and antisocial because of past events. Hiyori stayed with me when a lot of others wouldn't and when I lied to her, I felt like I could vomit.

But I couldn't go into work today. I was unable to stop thinking about Scorpio's story. I had to go and talk to him and I couldn't wait an entire week until then. So, today, a couple days after he told me his past, I made my way, uninvited, to the house of gods.

Immediately I was greeted by Altair.

"Hitomi nee-san!" I smile at the boy, kneeling down in front of him as I pull my shoulder bag over to dig through it. I remembered to pack a gift for my favorite kid.

"Morning Altair! I wasn't summoned today, I just came, hopefully that isn't a problem." I then pulled out a bag of candy, holding it up to the blond.

"Whats.. This?" I opened the bag.

"Candy. Tons of candy. Are you allergic to anything?" He slowly shook his head, his eyes practically sparkling as he stared at the contents. I closed the bag and handed it to him.

"You really shouldn't have Hitomi nee-san…" He then jumped. "Did Scorpio summon you?" I shook my head, ruffling his soft head of hair as I stood.

"Naw. Came on my own this time." Altair pouted at that.

"Aww… You came all the way here, but Scorpio's not home." I set my hands on my hips, glancing around the house. I had originally come here to talk to the one-eyed grouch…. But since I was here I might as well hang out with Ichthys or D-

"Hitomi-san!" Altair and I's eyes were drawn to the top of the staircase, where Dui stood smiling, leaning over one of the railings. "I was just about to have tea. Join me?" I grinned up at him.

"You sure? I'm not a tea proper lady. I might embarrass you." Dui laughed.

"Of course," His eyes went to the boy at my hip. "Altair, do you think you could make some tea for us?" Said kid nodded happily.

"Sure! I'll make it right away!" Instead of running off, he took my hand and lead me to the room to our left, Dui slowly following us.

The room I was taken was the same room Scorpio had first brought me. It was kinda weird seeing it again, having not been there for a long time.

Altair happily leads me to a large sofa of three in front of a white marble table.

"Wait right here Hitomi nee-san!" I grin as I watch him run off, his little toga flapping around him. He was like a giddy kid in a halloween outfit.

No sooner do I make myself comfortable, Ichthys appears. For some reason, he's carrying tea and some delicious-looking cake. He smiled at me as I set the dishes onto the table before me.

"Long time no see. Doing well?"

"Ichthys!" I throw my hands up, ecstatic I got to see my two favorite gods. Dui soon enters as well, looking from the plates on the table to the smiling Ichthys.

"Hm... ? What happened to Altair?"

"He had to do something." Says Ichthys before I can mention Altair had just been with me seconds before he had appeared. The grey-head turned to me, pouring tea into one of the fancy cups. "Here you go."

"Thanks." I dumped a couple of spoons of sugar in it, blowing over the layer on top of cool it down before taking a sip. Humming in satisfaction, my green eyes flickered up to the two gods who had sat down on either side of me.

I set down my cup and looked to both of them.

"You guys don't get hungry or thirsty, huh?" Ichthys leaned forward, cutting into the desert he had brought into a couple slices. As he set one pie piece before Dui, said gods turns to me.

"I realized that eating helps us recover energy, through." He says happily, picky up a cherry that had oozed out of the pie slice before him.

"Yeah, Scorpio's been eating nothing but apples lately." My cup almost falls out my hand at Ichthys words. Dui rose a brow to my jump.

"Oh," Dui suddenly laughed. "But he always demands the ears to be cut a certain way. I feel bad for Altair."

Something happened to me at that moment, something that has never happened to me in my entire life.

I was embarrassed.

My face felt like fire, and my heart swelled in my chest as it pounded against my rib cage. It wasn't even like the apple thing was big! He just happened to like the little apple pieces I cut for him when I was taking care of him! But something about it just… made me feel warm and a little happy.

"There's something in your hair, Hitomi." I snapped back, my heart still going crazy. I turned my head to Ichthys, who was smiling down on me. "I'll get it." Just as his fingers brush my hair, I hear a snap. I glanced to Dui, wondering if he was the one, but he was shoving a bite of pie into his mouth. I frown, turning to ask Ichthys if he had done it, but he was gone and in his place was a standing Altair.

"So, did you come to see Scorpio?" Dui set down his plate, picking up a napkin to clean the cherry filling of the pie from his lips.

"Yeah. I just wanted to talk to him." At my answer, the god gave a questioning look.

"Hmm... You don't… like Scorpio, do you, Hitomi?" I jumped, immediately giving Dui a look.

"No!" He smiled like he didn't believe me. Honestly, I wasn't sure if I could even answer the question truthfully because I didn't know the answer for it myself. At first, I had hated Scorpio, but then through seeing him so many times I… I don't know. I didn't hate him anymore, but were we friends? He'd never say I was any closer than a tool to him, but that didn't mean I couldn't think of him as a friend… right? Ugh. This is why I only hangout with Hiyori-san.

"Alright." Dui said, going back to his pie as I ushered little Altair to some sit next to me on the couch. He gave a big smile, one that made his cheeks puff out like little cherry's. As the boy sat next to me, I scooped him up into my arms and sat in my lap, offering him the pie Ichthys had cut for me. He happily took it.

"Hey Dui," I started, gaining his attention again. "Zyglavis told me about Scorpio's past…" The gods face immediately fell, looking tense as he slowly set his plate down.

"What he said was...true. As far back as Scorpio can remember, he was raised to be a killer." I nodded slowly, holding Altair a little tighter in my arms.

"And.. Scorpio the human was made into a god?" he nodded.

"Yes. It's not something that happens very often. He was originally a human, but he's so powerful and talented… He's worked his way up to a high-ranking position." Oh so he wasn't just granted his position? I was thinking that he was made into a god to take the certain job he had now. I wasn't imagining the gods having actual jobs that got promotions and what not. "I don't think there's any other god like him. He really is a hard worker, and he's strong and kind… I look up to him a lot." Altair suddenly bounced in my lap, almost spilling the pie if I hadn't grabbed it.

"Me toooo!" I laughed as he hugged me. After a second though, he lets go and slumps down so he's lying on the couch, his head in my lap. As soon as he looks up to me, he starts rolling around like a little kid and I started laughing hard.

"What are you doing?" I ask playfully. He pauses in a roll to look to me, giggling as he gives a cheeky smile.

"I'm wiping my mouth off!" I gawk at him as the two boys start laughing loudly. I set down the plate.

"Why you little-!" I snap my hands to his waist, making him convulse as I start tickling him. His giggles fill the room as he tries to wiggle from my grip.

"St-St-AHAHAHA! Stop La-Lady- PFFT- Hitomi!" I laugh when I stop, the boy slumping on my lap as he breaths heavily. Watching him, I slide my cold hand over his forehead to pull the curly blond strands away. A thought hits me.

"Everyone in Punishments really loves and respects Scorpio, huh?" I pause, looking to Dui before I smile gently. "I get that." The god gives me a smile, seemingly happy I agreed with them.

Suddenly, I hear a click from the room over and shoes clicking on the floor.

"Scorpio's back." Dui says off handedly, sipping at tea. The tired little Altair frowns slightly, curly closer to my legs.

"Crap," I poke his nose.

"Language." He stuck his tongue out, but looked to sleepy to really do anything else. The footsteps get closer and closer to the doorway to where we were sitting.

"I'm tired Lady Hitomi." I look to Altair as he shuts his eyes slowly. Wait, Lady Hitomi? Altair hasn't called me that in a long time...I ran my hand through his hair just as the footsteps stopped.

"...What? You're here?" I glance up from the sleeping boy to see a smirking Scorpio. "Showing up before I summon you, huh? You're not so useless sometimes." I blink slowly.

"You were planning on summoning me today?" He did know I had work today… right?

"Obviously. I've got a mountain of backed-up work to do. I can't sleep forever" I nodded. He didn't look sick anymore, which was good. But I still felt weird around him. What happened before Zyglavis spilled the beans still ached in memory.

"It's thanks to Lady Hitomi's apples, right?" Scorpio flinched, looked to shocked for words as his cheeks went pink. I definitely would've said something, but my face was burning again. They could've even caught fire when I heard Dui laugh quietly at my side.

"Altair…" I say quietly. The boy nervously looks up at me from my lap.

"Lady H-Hitomi…?" For a second, we're staring at each other, and then i'm tickling him all over again. He screams out in fits of giggles as I let the little twerp get it.

After a good amount of time, about a second after he said he was going to pee, himself, I finally let him go. He dizzily got to his feet, using me as support to steady himself.

"Hey Altair." Scorpio finally spoke up, seeming very unamused at me and Altair's play.

"Wh-What is it, Lord Scorpio?" The little boy looked flustered.

"When did you start wearing those hideous socks?" Scorpio glares at Altair's feet, also bring my eyes down to them.

"Oh! Cr-" Altair stumbles over the word, make me smirk as his eyes flit to me for a tiny second. "...I haven't used my powers in so long. I totally forgot about my feet. You're too good, Scorpio! Ya got me!" I frowned at that. Altair had been acting weird.

"You should be more careful Hitomi-san." I lift a brow to the smiling Dui.

"What?" Before I can get Dui to explain, smoke fills my vision and I start coughing.

"Him." I looked to Scorpio, and then back to where the smoke originated. Standing next to me is no longer little Altair, but a smirking Ichthys.

"Hahaha! Prank Success!"

"...You were…." I blink slowly. "Then.. Altair…"

"Did someone call me?" Altair, the real one, peeks into the living room with the bag of candy I had given him in his hands. He smiles as he walks up to me. "Did you need something Hitomi nee-san?" This really was Altair.

"Where did you go?" Altair tilted his head cutely gesturing around.

"Ichthys said he would carry in the tea and cake for me, so I stayed in the other room." I frown heavily.

"So then… I didn't actually get to be cute with you at all." Altair looked confused as I ran a hand down my face.

"No, it was that problem child." Scorpio gestured to Ichthys, who was grinning at me as he wiggled his eyebrows in my direction.

"I used your power to transform, Hitomi." He replied, making Scorpio frown.

"Don't waste power." Ichthys only whinned in reply to Scorpio's stern voice.

"Come onnn, if I don't use my powers every once in awhile, my body will atrophy! And Hitomi's lap makes such a comfy pillow!" I whirled around, glaring down the grey head.

"Try it again, I dare you Ichthys." The boy gives a cheeky smirk as he starts walking over to me. I immediately bring my fist up, but arms are wrapped around my waist to pull me back as Dui puts a hand on Ichthys's shoulder. Little Altair was hugging me now, seeing that I was upset at whatever Ichthys had done while he was away. I deflated, ruffling the boy's head.

"You guys may not be able to use your powers, but you can still do paperwork." Scorpio finally said, looking to Dui and Ichthys. "Quit playing around and get to freaking work."

"Okaaaay," The two gods said as they immediately make their exit, not wanting to be scolded anymore than needed.

"Altair, can you clean up in here?"

"Okay!" Altair gives one last squeeze before he skips off, going to get a cart so it'll be easier for him to collect the dishes.

My eyes immediately go to Scorpio, who's already giving me a condescending look.

"Stupid woman," He starts off politely. "They were just messing with you to kill time. Don't be so gullible." I snorted. Even if he was an ass, I was relieved to he him back to his normal self.

"Yeah yeah. Anyway. What're we doing for your job this time?" I ask. Scorpio blinked, seeming to just remember why he had walked in.

"...Oh yeah. We're leaving right away. Today's target is a young man." He then reaches out his hand to me. "Hey." I roll my eyes but walk over, setting my hand in his loose grip. He immediately snaps loudly.

I had learned from the last couple times of doing this that closing me eyes and then opening them was easier on my mind, because I don't have to watch it all change, but also on my stomach. Something about it would make my stomach swirl.

Blinking my eyes open, the view around me was beautiful. The ocean sparkling from the sun, a town seeming to be just waking up, and the cheery music of a festival in the distance. It would've been perfect if I didn't feel the floor moving under me. I didn't need to even move to realize where we were.

"We're on… A ferris wheel… What are we doing up here?" My legs began shaking. I hated heights. I'm sure Scorpio has noticed that i'm not good with them. At all. WHy did he have to torture me?

"Tch… it didn't work."

"Didn't work?"

"That." He gestured with his head to a couple riding in another compartment in the ferris wheel. They were making out, pretty intensely as well. I immediately had to snap my eyes up to Scorpio's face. Just glance outside of the four window walled compartment made my stomach sink as I imagined a giant drop. Staring at Scorpio was the only way to keep my mind off of where we were.

"So what's wrong, Embarrassed?"

"That man is a con artist. He tricks lonely woman into marrying him and makes off with their money. And that stupid woman is so obsessed with having and affair with him that she's neglecting her little kid." I whistled.

"Well… Shit."

"What I really wanted to do was get here a little earlier, and make the car they're riding in fall." I nodded slowly, humming.

"Fall of where?"

"There's a road that they drove on to get her that follows a mountain trail." I nodded, tapping my chin.

"I technically don't really want to ask," I started. "But is there any chance of giving them a warning scare?" Scorpio gave me a hard look.

"If that lowlife was capable of regret, I never would've gotten permission to punish him."

"Alright." Scorpio rose a brow.

"Alright?"

"Alright, as in go for it. It's not like I can say anything to change your mind, and I honestly don't want to change it." I shrug. "I also promised I wouldn't act out again." Not like I would. Hearing what this shit head had done, and how messed up that woman was, I wasn't planning to step in. Even with this thought process, I hoped that Scorpio wasn't planning anything too major.

"Say what you want, but i've gotta punish those two today. If I don't, this will go on my record as a mistake. Don't get in my way this time." I gave an eyeroll. He looked back to the compartment next to us. "Honestly though, isn't it about time they take a break!?" He takes a seat, and in fear, I take a seat opposite of him. If this thing rocks I was going to have a heart attack.

"They're a right nasty couple." I say as I chance a look. They were really going to get it on. Suddenly, I tip and my heart stops. Scorpio had moved to take a seat next to me.

"Why are you sitting over here!? The car is going to rock!" Scorpio gives me a look.

"Then you go over there." I frown heavily.

"I refuse to watch a shitty couple have sex." He rolls his eyes at my reply.

"Tch… There's no space in here." He moves again and my hand immediately snaps to the seat, trying to steal my movement.

"D-Don't move around so much! I don't have any space either!" he frowns at me, but does still himself. The sigh that racks my shaking body is louder than I wanted it to be, but I could help it.

I hated heights so. Much.

By the time we finally get off, it's nighttime and i'm ready to go home. The couple had kept making out, going round and round in the ferris wheel until they got board. We try following them all secret like, but kids kept running to to Scorpio, thinking he was a prince or something. I found it hilarious. Scorpio didn't. Which is mostly why it was so funny.

"Goddamnit… I can't use my powers with these kids around." His eyes then snapped to me when the group dwindled. "Run!" I sent him a hard look.

"Yeah. Well. That's gonna be a no. I wore heels today 'cause I didn't think i'd be running away from toddlers." The sarcasm dripped heavily from my voice. Scorpio only looked even more annoyed.

"Damn it woman! Let's go!" He holds his hand out to me. "Hurry it up, dummy!" I sigh but place my hand gently into his.

My eyes meet his, and suddenly he looks flustered.

"What're you blushing for? I'm only doing this because I have to!" I feel laughter bubble up.

Scorpio always was getting all tough and mean because he gets so embarrassed easily. In fact, it was really cute when he

"Wipe that dumb smile off your face." I let my smile grow even bigger. "We're going to run into those shadows. Then, i'm going to count, 'three, two, one', and we're going to teleport." I nodded.

As soon as we run of, holding hands between us, a herd of giggling kids chase us and I kept help but laugh along with them. This was like some shitty movie scene out of a cheesy movie.

"Quit laughing." Scorpio suddenly says, which makes me laugh harder.

"I can't help it! This is too ridiculous!"

"Tch… Bunch of freaking brats!" A little kid behind us yelled out, wondering why the 'hero' was running away. "Filthy brats… I'll make you pay for making me run like this." I spluttered out as Scorpio suddenly turns.

We shake off the stubborn, sad kids and run into the shadow of a building. I cover my mouth with my free hand, trying to smother my remaining giggles so we aren't found.

"Three, two, one…" I shut my eyes as I feel my heart drop at the familiar feeling.

When I come to, opening my eyes, we're standing on top of a tower near the amusement park, Scorpio's arms wrapped around me. I blanch.

"Oh god we're high…" I try to take a step back away from the sight but my knees wobble under me.

"Quit squirming." Scorpio hissed. "If you move again i'll drop you." My breath catches. I ball my hands in Scorpio's coat.

"And then i'll fucking murder you and you'll be without power!" He shoots me a dirty look, but I return it tenfold. "Don't ever fucking joke about hieght with me." He frowns deeply but takes his eyes away as I keep them on his chest.

"Enough chitchat," he says. "Let's finish this job and leave." I nodded, slowly looking over my shoulder to see Scorpio staring at a roller coaster.

"They on there?" He nodded, staying silent. "You're just gonna mess with those two out of all the people there, right?" he sent me a look.

"I will only punish those two." I nod slowly. Even if he was only going to hurt them and no one innocent, I didn't really want to watch what horrible thing was going to happen. They were bad people, they deserve whatever punishment they're getting but...

As his hand raises up, my vision goes black as soon as he snaps. For a moment, I thought I passed out from the height finally getting to me. But the warmth makes me realize Scorpio is covering my eyes with his hand. My heart settles since I no longer have to look at how high we are.

"Scorpio?"

"...Are you okay?"

For the second time in my life, in one day, I felt embarrassed. My chest grew warm as I slowly nodded. He slowly moves his hand.

I don't hear anything that gives away the punishment he gave the couple, and I don't chance looking around in case I accidently set off my fear again.

"I won't tell you to get used to it…" I look up, meeting Scorpio's eyes. I was confused to how he knew that I didn't want to see the punishment, but I immediately remembered he could sense my emotions while touching me. "But my work is what gives my life meaning…" I was a bit taken back. He wasn't getting pissy about how squeamish I had been about the punishment, he wasn't mad that I was bothered either. He was actually trying to level with me. Right now, Scorpio is somehow kinder than i've ever seen him before.

I look up to him, tilting my had at the look he was giving.

"What is it?" He didn't let me answer." Time to go. Now. If I spend anymore time touching filthy humans, I'll never be able to get clean…"

I snorted. "There ya go again-"

"Shut up." He snapped. "You've got some nerve. Quit acting like you know me." I roll my eyes. I went to snap at him for being suddenly so mean, but pain in my chest stops me. I furrow my brows, moving a hand up to grip at my shirt where my heart was.

Why was it hurting? Scorpio was always and ass so… Why did my heart feel so affected by the bite to his words?