Someone was grabbing him, pulling him away from his comfort. He tried to hold on to what he could, but they were strong. They kept shoving him, and then their voice was becoming louder in his ears.

"Please wake up, Lord Beerus!"

He jolted awake, suddenly aware it wasn't a dream at all. It took a moment for him to get his bearings – he was being carried by Whis down the corridor, the angel clearly in a hurry.

"Wuz goin' on?" Beerus asked.

"The Grand Priest has summoned us to Grand Zeno's palace."

It took a moment for Beerus to process why this had Whis forcing him into a bath and telling him to wash quickly. The cold water woke him right up.

"What? Why?!" he called after Whis who was already disappearing out the door.

He got no reply, instead leaving his mind to make up its own ideas. The idea of seeing Grand Zeno wasn't what made him fear today, it was the fact that Whis was rushing around.

The angel returned a few minutes later, drying him with a touch of his staff and thrusting clothes into Beerus's hands. "Hey, Whis."

The angel stopped. "Yes?"

"Is everything okay?"

His response wasn't immediate. "I don't know."

That did nothing to alleviate his fears, only increasing them. Whis didn't know? How could he not? He could feel himself breaking out in a cold sweat as he dressed.

The Grand Supreme Kai was there to pick him up, seeming quite jovial about the whole thing. Clearly he had never had Grand Zeno destroy his planet before his eyes.

"I've not yet had the chance to visit Grand Zeno himself!" the kai said enthusiastically. "Of course, the Grand Priest took me to the doors to show me how to get there – a perk of the job – but I've never had reason to call on the omni-king himself."

Beerus didn't want to shatter whatever slightly more positive image the kai had of Zeno, hoping that he had just had a bad first impression. Still, he couldn't get Whis's unsure expression out of his mind.

When they appeared outside the palace he found they were not the first to arrive. The sight of everyone else gathered made Beerus temporarily forget his worries. Whis's siblings were easy to spot among them, but not Kusu who he was sure was hiding next to Rumush. The other kais were quite similar – on the shorter side, usually sporting a white crop of hair, and wearing earrings he had never thought to ask about. Perhaps there was more to them if they were inter-universal.

Mainly he gazed out at the other destroyers. While the angels and kais bore very similar traits, the destroyers were all very different. He and Champa stood out among them for their similarity, but he noticed his brother was growing ever larger. As he scanned around the people gathered he noticed Meed wasn't among them. He had been hoping to get information on the others from Meed rather than walk up to them himself. Yet, no one seemed to be socialising outside of hushed whispers in their trios.

The reality of the situation returned as Beerus realised that destroyers who'd been here before were in no way relaxed about this sudden summons.

"Creators," a voice rang out, "Destroyers, welcome to Grand Zeno's palace. This way if you please."

He noticed that no invitation was extended to the angels specifically, but was comforted when he felt Whis's hand at his back, urging him forward. The walk to the throne room seemed longer this time, as if he was walking to a death sentence rather than a new life like last time.

Following the kais and other destroyers, Beerus kneeled before Grand Zeno.

"Hello," Grand Zeno said, his voice still as childish as Beerus remembered it, despite several centuries passing since he last heard it. "I've been thinking about you all recently, and I decided that there were a lot of you. Mmm…lots and lots. So I decided to get rid of some."

A chill ran through the gods as many of them understood the weight of what Zeno had said.

The Grand Priest stepped forward now, a piece of paper in his hands. "Following the erasure of Universes 4 and 15, 5 and 14, and 9 and 10, you will be assigned new numbers."

Zeno clapped. "Yes! The new numbers will add up to 13! That's a much better number, right?"

The way the Grand Priest turned and smiled at Zeno rubbed Beerus the wrong way.

"Erasure…?" someone said. "They're gone?"

Beerus strained to see who it was – a destroyer further down the line on his left.

"Yep! That's what erasing is!" Zeno was swinging his legs on his throne.

"Why? What did they do to deserve that?"

Zeno cocked his head. "You need to stop asking questions. I wanted them gone, so they went."

"That's…unfair!"

The slight frown on the omni-king's face drove fear into them all, and Beerus wished his guy would shut up soon. Couldn't he tell now was not the time to ask questions to Zeno? Yes, he had once been the one standing up to Zeno like this, but now he realised he'd been given a free-pass because he was new to the job. The fact is that Zeno had just erased not one, but six universes. And he'd sat there smiling about it.

"I don't like you."

In an instant all that was left of the destroyer was dust, his angel sighing at the turn of events, his kai slumping against the floor as the life left her body. He was sure he would be able to hear the frantic heart beats of everyone else if his own was not so loud in his ears.

"Universe 6 will need a new destroyer," he said as if he hadn't just killed a man in front of them all.

"Actually, sire, Universe 6 is now Universe 4," the Grand Priest corrected him. "And now, to continue, here are your new assigned numbers. Universe 1, remaining as it is, is now paired with Universe 12, formerly Universe 18…" The list went on, until they got to the final pair. "Universe 6, formerly Universe 8, is now paired with Universe 7, formerly Universe 11." That was him and Champa now. Universes 6 and 7.

Grand Zeno didn't have much else to say to them, apart from to behave, and then the Grand Priest dismissed them.

"So, Meed's gone…" As the list had been read he had realised why he hadn't seen Meed before they'd been called inside. He hadn't even realised when the Grand Priest had named Universe 4 as one of the erased. Their secret club was no longer what it had been. Champa was no longer a multiple of 4, and neither was Rumush. And the new Universe 4? Currently godless thanks to Zeno.

His kai took him home and he slumped into a chair, feeling a little lost, but also a little relieved. He found the Supreme Kai sitting next to him.

"You alright?" Beerus asked, remembering how excited the kai had been to visit Zeno.

"What do I tell the others?"

"That we're Universe 7 now," Beerus said. "Look, I don't know what ideas you guys had about Zeno, but what you saw today is exactly how he is. A ruthless god in a toddler's body doing whatever the fuck he pleases. We're lucky. I don't know what Meed did to piss him off, but boy would I be glad to never cross paths with him again."

"We surely will have to come face to face with Grand Zeno again," the kai said.

"Well, just don't go looking for him. You saw the way he took out Universe, uh…"

"Universe 4," the kai said. "I know. It could have been us. Thank you for not speaking your mind at any point today."

Beerus couldn't get the image of the kai slumped on the floor out of his mind, and the angel who stood by the pile of dust as they all left. Is that essentially what Whis had been through with previous destroyers? And yet, the angel had just sighed, as if it was just a minor inconvenience.

The kai stood up and patted Beerus's shoulder. "I should get going. The others will be eagerly awaiting my return. Hopefully we won't bump into each other before the next coordination meeting - that's not to say that you can't pop in for tea any time."

"Yeah, thanks."

As if on cue, Whis came in with plates of food. It occurred to Beerus that he hadn't had breakfast – not that food had once crossed his mind since he was suddenly woken this morning. He picked at what was offered to him, while Whis munched through his.

"Aren't you hungry, my lord?"

"Whis, I've just been told that Zeno erased not one, but six universes. Then he killed two people in front of us. I can't say I've got much of an appetite at the moment."

Whis nodded in what appeared to be an understanding manner.

"Don't you feel anything? It could have been us! Did all six of them manage to piss him off at once? How did he decide? It sounded like he chose at random." Beerus got up. "And the angel just sighed when the destroyer was erased!" Would Whis do the same if it had been him? He walked out of the room, not sure he wanted to hear Whis's opinion on today's events just yet.

He face-planted into the sofa, his thoughts a mess. How long was he going to survive in this job? He'd far out-lived his natural life span, but he still didn't want to die yet. This new life was amazing and he was only just beginning to live it as intended. And Meed… When did he start thinking of him as a friend? Or at least he'd thought there was potential for a friend who could live as long as him.

As much as he loved this new life, it could be a little lonely. He'd realised at some point he really craved someone like Meed in his life – someone who wasn't related to his universe and hence his job. He'd seen Meed as someone who just so happened to share a job title, but certainly wasn't going to meddle in his affairs. He'd even thought about taking Meed to some of his favourite places just for fun, and imagined that maybe Meed would do the same for him.

He felt a weight on the sofa, but he didn't move from his position.

"My lord, please don't mope about today," Whis said, unsure if placing a reassuring hand on Beerus's back would calm or enrage him. "We angels have been subject to Grand Zeno's whims far longer than you can imagine, so at this point we can only accept what happens. Most of us are quite numb to whatever he chooses to do." He decided to place his hand on Beerus's shoulder, hoping that not having direct skin contact would keep Beerus calmer. The destroyer didn't move, but Whis felt him tense slightly. "I don't know why those universes were chosen for erasure, but that's the way life is. Sometimes you lose things unexpectedly. I know you're angry, but please remember that your life was given to you by Grand Zeno – and I mean that in both senses. Not only did he decide to create your universe in the first place, allowing you to be born, but he also elevated you to godhood and gave you this extended life."

"So he can just take it away when he pleases?" Beerus mumbled into the sofa.

"Yes. Perhaps it was never explicitly stated, but when you took the job you agreed to obey Grand Zeno's every order."

It needn't be said; it was painfully obvious that was expected of him. "Tell me, Whis." Beerus sat up. "Why were you worried this morning?"

"Oh? Did I appear that way? My apologies, I do try to keep my emotions in check."

"Whis. That's dodging the question."

The angel looked away. "Today is not the first time I've seen Grand Zeno kill someone for their rudeness. I was worried for you."

"What happened to being numb to it all?"

"I would like to think I am, but I know I'd be deeply sadden to lose you so soon." Whis finally looked back at him. "You're fast becoming my favourite destroyer so far."

That admission caught Beerus off-guard, and he knew the surprise showed in his face. "Er…thanks?"

There was a moment of silence and Beerus noticed the way Whis grabbed hold of his robe, bunching the fabric in his hands before leaning in and pulling Beerus into an embrace. Beerus didn't know how to respond, or what it meant. He wasn't used to Whis being like this and it kind of freaked him out a bit. He was suddenly wishing Whis had told him to get over it and get ready for a day of training.

"Sorry," Whis said when he pulled back and saw Beerus's bewildered face. "I'll just…" For once he didn't know what to do, wanting nothing more than to get away from the awkwardness he'd created.

Beerus had his back though. "I'm taking another bath. Couldn't stop sweating in the presence of Zeno."

"I see. Do you require anything?" Whis was glad to return to attendant-mode.

"No, but maybe you'd like to join me? Seems you could use a little refreshing too." For once Whis seemed uncomfortable? He was going to take full advantage of that.

"Oh, no, I –"

"You're coming." Beerus hooked an arm around Whis's and pulled him along. "That's my request."

The water had reached the perfect temperature in their absence; Whis having left it warming in the rush of the morning. Beerus rinsed himself under the waterfall before settling in the main tub for a soak.

"Why did you invite me, my lord?" Whis asked.

"It's just as I said – you need refreshing."

"I'm sorry for hugging you."

"You don't have to apologise – it was cute." Despite the awkwardness of the moment, he'd decided very soon after, during their walk to the bathroom, that he quite liked the gesture. It had been so unlike Whis, and yet it showed something about him that Beerus had not yet discovered.

"You really don't have to embarrass me any further."

So he really did have the upper hand? No threat to punish him with training or withdraw snacks? "That's not my aim. I do –" He stopped suddenly, realising what he was about to say could turn the tables. "I thought it would be good for you. You know, take off the uniform and stop being an attendant for five minutes." It was true that he felt like he could be a bit more open with Whis right now in this bath.

"I'm never not your attendant, my lord."

"Yeah, well this isn't like when we're out and about. There's no one here to see you now."

"What do you want from me?"

"Jeez, Whis, I just want you to relax a bit." Ah, fuck it, he was going to say it. "I do care about you, you know."

Whis smiled and Beerus had a feeling that he'd been played into saying that. "I truly appreciate that, Lord Beerus. Not every angel is lucky to hear that."

He wasn't going to wait to be cornered into saying more rubbish, so he got out of the water. "I'm going to finish my breakfast." He put a hand out, motioning for Whis to stay put. "Take your time. Maybe we can go to one of our favourite spots and forget about this morning."

"That sounds good."