AnimeWriterTycoonGirl: Welcome back to another chapter! I apologize for how boring and a little … repetitive last chapter was. I've been trying to keep to a strict 10,000 to 10,500-word count. This one was a lot easier (and faster to create) because I had it planned out far better than the last one. With that, let's get down to business!
Chapter Warnings: Cute opening, bullying, Badass! Grimmjow, first real fight, insecurity, make up, star struck Isidore! and first sign of trouble.
Chapter VI
…
Isidore woke long before sunrise, eager to return to his latest gift. Rushing through his morning rituals, he raced behind the house. Lo and behold, the stable was there, with Herms and the stallion sleeping peacefully in their respective stalls.
He rested his chin on his arms, still in awe of the beautiful creature. He wondered what to name him, he idly wondered, before shaking his head. He couldn't make a decision this big by himself … this horse would belong to everyone.
The farmer allowed himself to linger in the stable for a little longer before turning to his chores for the day, which seemed to fly by after mere minutes when he reentered the house for his midday meal.
The girls looked up from their needlework or other chores. "Hi Isidore!" Yalena beamed, showing her work. "We got a generous price for straw in town, so I'm making you a new hat to protect against the sunlight!"
Isidore chuckled as he cleaned his hands. "Looks good Yaya." He praised warmly before looking at his mother, who was performing her own sewing. "How are you faring, Mother?"
Mannara smiled back. "I feel much better. Thank you Isidore. How goes the farming?" she asked, returning to her work.
The farmer stretched. "Some crops are showing signs of ripeness soon. We'll need baskets to collect the barley." He suggested.
Yalena nodded eagerly. "I have some twine I can use to make a few! I think there's extra behind the house." She wondered.
Isidore grinned. "Oh, that reminds me. There's something out back that's pretty important. Everyone needs to see it." He insisted. The girls looked at each other in surprise, wondering what could have their typically calm brother so chipper.
Calling for Iason and making sure Mannara was taken care of, the family of five headed outside. Isidore snickered slightly at the look of awe and excitement on each of his family members' faces.
"Is … is that what I think it is?" Iason stammered while Mannara clung to him in shock. Yalena and Karin were already screaming with excitement, well aware of what was stored inside.
Isidore nodded. "Gr…Aether came before me early this morning to present me with his latest gift. You couldn't believe my shock." He smiled fondly.
Karin hopped up and down, uncharacteristically, but given her excitement, it was understandable. "Well? Let us see!" she pleaded, while Yalena nodded vigorously next to her.
Isidore chuckled and ushered them inside. Iason and Mannara were caught off guard by how large and well supplied the stable was before even seeing the horse. The twins hardly noticed, rushing straight up to the Arabian beauty.
"Woooooooow! He's so pretty! I've never seen such a gorgeous coat before." Yalena gushed, running her hands through the horse's mane.
Isidore nodded. "Apparently he's an Arabian purebred," he explained as the girls continued to lavish the horse with attention. "He's also very well trained. I imagine there is so much that we can use him for, like plowing and travel." He suggested.
Iason nodded dumbly, still left in shock. Mannara, for her part, was able to regain her senses and clapped her hands together. "What a generous gift, even for a consortship! Oh Isidore, I'm so happy you found someone who cares this much for you." She gushed, a warm smile on her face as she braved petting him herself. "What is his name?" she asked, also enamored with the beast.
The farmer fidgeted, still slightly embarrassed about the talk he had with his family just the day before, until he registered her question. "Ah, that's actually why I wanted everyone in here. I haven't named him yet. I wanted it to be something we could all agree on." He admitted.
The Karousakis murmured and wondered among themselves for several minutes, the girls fighting over pretty or strong names especially. Mannara chuckled as the horse seemed to watch the girls with what could possibly be amusement.
"Hm … what about Anatoli? He comes from the East, yes?" she suggested kindly. The horse's ears perked up.
Iason laughed. "Well, it looks like he's chosen his own name! Anatoli it is." He decided, rubbing the newly named horse behind the ears. "Welcome to the family, Anatoli."
Anatoli appeared to like the name, shaking his mane with approval. The girls cooed and doted on him while the adults took a look around. Mannara rubbed Herms' head, not forgetting the elderly goat who seemed comfortable in his personal stall.
Iason looked at his son with pride evident in his gaze. "You truly are our miracle child, Isidore," he commended, much to his son's discomfort. "None of this would be possible without you, you know." He reasoned.
The farmer blushed, humbled by his father's praise. "I believe the gratitude belongs to Aether, father." He protested meekly. The older man laughed.
"True, but he would not have had reason to grant us these good fortunes had he not been drawn by you, my son," the elder man argued with a sly look in his eyes. The younger man coughed uncomfortably, taking his turn to pet Anatoli as a means of distraction.
"Hmm … having a horse will definitely make chores much easier." Karin said. "Imagine riding him into the village for supplies. Everyone will be so shocked!" she snickered with a glimmer in her eye.
Isidore knew all too well what she was referring to. While the twins were not subjected to the same derision he was, they were certainly mocked for their poor social status and lack of dowry appeal. In addition, it hurt them to see their eldest sibling be tortured for his unusual colors. He sighed, and shook his head.
"If we do bring Anatoli into town it might be best to say he's on loan from Claas," he reasoned, cutting her off before she could open her mouth in outrage. "Think of how troublesome it could become if all of Kamarina knew I was being courted by a god."
All were silent as they contemplated what he implied. Surely there would be those who would try to get into their good graces with false pleasantries and bribes, but there was the darker aspect no one wanted to consider as well. The girls were almost of marriageable age, so what would stop a repulsive man from kidnapping them and demanding riches produced by Aether for their return?
Mannara shook her head. "No … Isidore is right. We should not risk flaunting our sudden good fortunes so carelessly." She agreed before smiling once more. "This said, I agree that taking him to the market to get more supplies would be a good use for him. He will likely need the exercise." She reasoned.
Isidore pointedly did not comment on the extensive exercise the horse received only the night before, and echoed her statements. The family spent a little longer tending to both Anatoli and Herms before returning to their respective chores.
While the girls reluctantly returned to their weaving, Iason looked over the exotic horse once more. "You know, we really should take this fine thing out for a run. How about you go pick up some meat from the market today?" he suggested.
Isidore furrowed his brow. "Meat? Shouldn't we be trying to conserve our coins?" he fretted, worrying his lip. True, he had earned quite a bit at the market this year (Grimmjow's doing, he had no doubt), but it would be impractical to make frequent shopping trips just because.
Mannara smiled softly. "I know what you're thinking dear, and please don't worry. Now that I'm feeling better, there's no reason we cannot enjoy a few nicer things. Your father will return to healing others for a living which will help supplement our income for the remainder of the year while we wait for the olives to grow."
Her husband nodded. "Besides, we never got a proper chance to celebrate your most recent good fortunes son. This is something that needs to be done!" he insisted dramatically, much to Isidore's chagrin and Mannara's amusement.
Ah, he had almost forgotten how jovial his father could get while his mother had been sick, he thought fondly as his father continued making ridiculous poses to get his wife to laugh. It was nice, he realized quietly. With a self-pitying sigh, he agreed to the trip.
"I suppose I can go off to the market since most of my work for the afternoon is done," he said, albeit reluctantly. "But I won't stay longer than necessary. After all, we agreed not to draw too much attention to ourselves."
Mannara chuckled; her eldest was always worrying. "Everything will be fine Isidore. Have a little fun, okay?" she reached up and quickly kissed him on the cheek. "We will be looking forward to your return."
With the decisions made for him, Isidore collected some money in an older pouch to take with him and set off to the market. By foot, it would have taken him around 30 minutes, but by horse it would take just 15 … 10 or less if they rode briskly.
Isidore had no interest in racing to and from the market at the moment, so he simply enjoyed the ride with Anatoli as he passed the open plains and rivers. The Arabian beast was not in a hurry either, he noticed, and seemed just content to be out of his stall.
He rubbed the gorgeous mane as they continued their trek. "We will have to exercise you quite frequently, won't we?" he asked with a smile. The horse snorted as if in agreement, causing the farmer to laugh. "Incredible … it's like you truly understand me."
The horse shook its long mane in response, making Isidore laugh again. The two continued on their journey, with the farmer taking a few moments to appreciate the scenery around him. Normally he was in such a rush, he couldn't admire the beauty of his small town.
To think this town was formed nearly 200 years ago, he thought fondly as he recalled the history lessons he learned from his limited education before taking over the olive farm. First built and then destroyed fifty years into its creation, only to be rebuilt into the modern society that it is today. He had to wonder what other great things would come to Kamarina in the future.
Isidore hummed to himself, thinking about his recent good fortunes. To think he would meet a god … an all-powerful god like Grimmjow who thought he was beautiful. It was still overwhelming despite the fantastic month he's had. Perhaps his mother was right, things would be fine.
It did not take very long to arrive into town, and Isidore did his best to avoid drawing attention to himself. Given it was the peak of the afternoon, most farmers and other men would not be in town, tending to their own crops and animals, which was one of the only reasons Isidore did not protest as much as he could have.
The meat trader in town whistled in appreciation when Isidore tied his horse to the nearby stand. "Karousakis … when did your family end up with such a gorgeous horse? Last I heard, you were barely eeking by," he asked, a touch of envy in his voice as he looked at the elegant, sleek horse.
Isidore rubbed the back of his head. "He's … a loan from a good friend," he offered carefully. He recognized that look in the other man's eye; returning home could not come faster.
The man crossed his arms in disbelief. "A loan eh?" he asked dubiously. "A mighty generous gift to borrow such a highly prized horse. I've only seen one like it during my trades in the east and they do not come cheaply." The man noted.
The farmer tried to laugh it off. "I agree entirely. We were incredibly honored for this opportunity." He insisted as he tried to grab his purchase and leave.
The man frowned, and pulled away from Isidore. "Don't try to fool me boy," he warned, looking at Isidore with disgust. "Your family isn't exactly popular and we all know who spends the most time with you. That mixed herder isn't in supply of such rare horses. So where could you have possibly gotten it?" he demanded.
'He thinks I stole him' Isidore realized in horror, as the merchant shouted for the other vendors nearby to investigate. To his dismay, several people began to crowd him and Anatoli.
Almost immediately, they began accusing him, calling him a liar and a thief, with many threatening to execute him and his sisters for the crime of stealing the horse. Anatoli became agitated, whining and bucking as people attempted to get too close to him.
Isidore yearned to calm down his horse, but the stressed animal could not hear his pleas amid all the anger and noise from the crowd. "Please stop! I'm telling the truth … the horse is a gift!" he insisted as the tensions grew stronger.
"Liar!" one man shouted.
"Thief!" another woman accused, pointing her finger indignantly.
"Filthy demon! You think you can fool us?! Who would ever bless you with such a valuable animal?" another yelled.
If the earth could swallow him in that moment Isidore would have felt grateful. Flashbacks of the pain and suffering he felt at the hands of so many before, some of whom were in this crowd even, came back to him and he tried to shield himself as the noise grew louder and more toxic in its content.
Everything came to a crescendo when one man grabbed him by the front of his tunic. Isidore had braced himself for the expected strike to the face while his horse shrieked in dismay when a blinding light silenced everyone, an ominous aura permeating the air.
The farmer dared to open his eyes to see what could have stunned the large crowd so suddenly when his blood ran cold.
There in all his divine glory was Grimmjow, looking as stunning and immortal as ever, though an ugly scowl was etched on his face. The god looked outright murderous. Even though he knew the glare could not possibly be directed at him, Isidore shuddered at its intensity.
Unable to help himself, he whispered the god's Greek name. "Lo…Lord Aether…" he managed, his voice quivering with fear. What of, he could not place.
Upon realizing the man before them was a god, an ancient one no less, the crowd threw themselves to the ground to praise his presence. The ancient deity snarled in disgust, halting them in their tracks.
"You … miserable excuses of flesh," he growled, his eyes growing darker as his brow furrowed. "How dare you … all of you for harassing and attempting to harm my beloved Isidore!" he snapped, the temperature in the air dropping several degrees. He held out his hand toward the stunned farmer.
Isidore felt himself being pulled by an invisible force and within an instant found himself at the god's side, an arm wrapped around him protectively. With a snap of his finger, Grimmjow freed Anatoli from his post, allowing the spooked animal to rush away from the villagers and cower behind the enraged god.
The crowd was left dumbstruck, before one man braved a response. "Forgive us, great lord of the sky … we meant no disrespect to you …" The man insisted before the intense glare was directed to him.
Cold dark blue eyes narrowed in disgust. "Oh? I see differently. This man is my consort and any threat to him is a direct threat to me!" he declared loudly. The crowd, stunned, could only stare with wide eyes and whisper their shock to one another. "The horse was a gift from myself. How dare you accuse him of theft?" he roared, forcing them to cower once again.
Isidore, for his part, so stunned, terrified and humiliated at the situation unraveling before him, could only cling to Grimmjow in shock, unable to voice his unhappiness. The god's eyes softened as he looked down at his lover, visibly concerned for him. The farmer looked up, his pleas to end this were screamed from his eyes, still unable to speak.
Grimmjow closed his eyes and allowed himself to breathe slowly, quelling his rage until the tension in the atmosphere lessened to a palpable degree. "Apologize. Now." He demanded; another fierce expression directed toward the villagers.
Low and frantic cries for forgiveness rang through the crowd, begging for Isidore to not force any suffering upon them.
Isidore swallowed thickly before turning his head, nodding his acceptance. His mouth felt dry like it was full of straw, and his entire body was shaking from the terrible experience.
Suddenly, the meat merchant meekly stepped forward. "You … you came with the intentions of buying food," he managed, cowering under the intense gaze of the ancient god. He dropped to his knees, holding a large cloth-bound package in his trembling hands. "Please! Take this prized cut of cow as atonement for my disrespect. I insist!" he pleaded.
Grimmjow quirked an eyebrow at the offering. Ridiculous … he could provide his soulmate with far more enriching and delicious meat, so tender and rich it would melt in his mouth, leagues above anything than this contemptible mortal could offer. Before he could voice this, Isidore stepped away to hesitantly accept the package, finding his voice in time to thank him and accept his apology, though he was unable to look the man in the eye.
"This is enough. I would like to return home now," Isidore pleaded quietly. Most of Grimmjow's lingering anger vanished; he had almost ignored how Isidore must be feeling about this situation. Wordlessly, the god clasped a hand on his shoulder and willed the three of them away from the village.
The two men stood silently at the edge of Isidore's family farm, while Anatoli happily grazed on grass, relaxed now that he was out of the stressful environment. Isidore, on the other hand, clutched the meat close to his chest, visibly shaken by what happened.
Grimmjow frowned and placed a gentle hand on his mate's shoulder. "Are you alright? They did not harm you?" he asked, looking Isidore over for any marks. Had he found any, there would be a quick trip to Ulquimorrta's home for a … favor.
Isidore shook his head quickly, his face beginning to feel hot. Did Grimmjow even know what he had done? What of the danger he might have potentially put his family through? If the god thought he was putting an end to his torment it was only going to get worse! With these burning thoughts he pushed the god off of him, eyes wet with anger.
"What did you think you were doing, announcing me as your consort like that!" he shouted, his voice thick with emotion. Grimmjow took a step back, stunned at his reaction. "Do you know what you have done?!" he repeated, curling his hands into fists.
Grimmjow glared right back. "I was protecting you, of course!" he retorted, crossing his own arms over his chest. "Those village fools were about to harm you. Was I to just stand by and left them hurt you?"
"I've always been able to handle myself before you came into my life. You just put my entire family at risk by boldly declaring what I am to you!" Isidore shot back.
"Have you gone mad," Grimmjow shot back. "They were accusing you of stealing a horse, Isidore. STEALING A HORSE! Have you forgotten what this country does to horse thieves? What hundreds of other countries do for even pettier theft? I saved your life!
"Don't you step away from me! Things would have been different had I known you existed before; such strife wouldn't have existed in the first place! So what if I announced who you were to me? I'd shout it from the heavens, which I control thank you, if it meant protecting you from harm again!" he insisted, grabbing the mortal man's arm.
Isidore squirmed. "That is not the point! All I would have needed to authenticate my story would be testimony from my father that the horse was a gift! This is a country ruled by law, not baseless accusations! But you let the entire village of Kamarina know I have the favor of a GOD! Have you no idea what some people will do to try and earn your favor as well?" he shouted.
Grimmjow scoffed. "Please. Like I'd accept any of those pathetic bastards, especially after the horrid treatment they've put you and your family through." He snorted in amusement.
Isidore griped his vividly colored hair in exasperation. "That is not the point here! UGH, this isn't working! You clearly don't see the problem for what it is!" he ground out before shaking his head in disappointment, eyes dimming. "Forget it. How could a being so powerful as you ever understand the struggles us lowly men go through."
Grimmjow blinked in shock. "Hey … where do you think you're going? We're not done here!" he demanded, about to grab the mortal's tunic as he tried to lead his horse back to his stable. The god was left stunned when Isidore smacked his hand away. He watched in silence as the farmer took his horse away and snarled to himself as he left the mortal plane. Fine … if the boy wanted to sulk so let it be.
…
While Isidore tried to swallow his worries and sadness in the mortal world below, Grimmjow entered the heavens in a fury, storming past nervous younger gods and goddesses as he made his way to his favorite site. He doubted he would be able to actually bring himself to sleep, given how infuriated he was, but at the very least, he could blow off some steam under the waterfall.
Flinging his clothes off, the god of light and atmosphere dove into the glistening water, trying to wash away his anger and guilt. However, the guilty feelings only reignited his anger.
Why should he be the one who is at fault? Was it not Isidore's traitorous village, the very one which tormented him as a child and just as unfairly now? He had done the boy a favor and this is how he repays him, by turning his back on him! Grimmjow emerged from the water and frowned when he realized he had an unwanted guest.
"I am not in the mood to deal with anyone, not even you … Pannera." He warned, turning his back to her.
The quiet goddess took no offense to his reaction, instead calmly sitting on a nearby flat rock ideal for sunning oneself. "You returned to the heavens so angrily, Grimmjow, I was merely concerned as to whether Panthera and yourself had an ill-fated meeting with your beloved." She insisted.
Grimmjow eyed her cautiously. Pannera was not one to gossip, and truthfully, if he told her to leave, she would agree without hesitation. She was one of the few gods who knew his limits and respected them. For this reason alone, he groaned and pulled himself closer to the rock and slumped his head against it.
"No one ever told me having a soul mate would end up being so damned frustrating," he vented, a crease forming between his brows. He looked up at her, feeling somewhat fatigued. "I don't know what I did wrong Ner … but he's very upset with me. And it's not because of Panthera. He's working at the moment."
The black-haired goddess patted the stone next to her. She was a patient woman, and if her friend needed her help, then she had all the time in the universe to listen to his concerns.
Pulling himself out without concerns about being seen unclothed (some gods preferred nudity), Grimmjow groaned and buried his hands in his hair. "I had done my research on him and discovered he was constantly harassed by the other villagers just because of his unique hair for his region." He began.
Pannera's eyes dimmed in sadness; she could imagine how often the poor child had been mocked and how much worse those fights would become once he grew older. She nodded, not saying a word.
Glancing at his own reflection, Grimmjow continued. "I ended up getting him that horse we had all discussed before, and he loves it. He truly, truly loves the creature and I do not regret giving him one but … apparently it caused him some trouble when he went to the village for some tasks or so." He scowled. "They were accusing him of horse theft for fuck's sake. You know what the mortals like to do when a horse is stolen." He muttered.
Sunnera nodded again. "He was in danger then," she guessed.
Grimmjow sighed loudly. "And how. When I arrived to his aid, he was already resigned to being attacked by a mob of twenty people or so. He wasn't even going to fight! Didn't he know how upset I would have been had he gotten hurt? I showed up right before it could get ugly, and I forced the cowards to apologize to him, but when I returned him to his home, he was extremely upset."
Pannera tilted her head in confusion. "Because you saved him?" she asked dubiously.
The elder god shook his head. "Apparently it was how I saved him that unsettled him. I warned them not to harm my consort, and that alone seemed to be enough to upset him, yelling about how it was going to affect his family." He muttered.
Realization dawned on the younger goddess and she sighed. "I think I see the problem. You declaring him as your lover might as well have left a target on his back, at least in his own mind." She explained.
Grimmjow shot up in alarm. "What? Impossible! If anything, this should keep those horrid neighbors of his far, far away from him and his family!" he protested.
The youthful woman shook her head, commiserating with the oblivious bluenette's young lover. "You are only seeing it from your point of view. You saved him, and therefore he should have been showering you with praise and gratitude, correct?" she asked.
Grimmjow frowned. Well, he wasn't exactly looking for brownie points with the farmer; he thought he had been doing very well to keep him happy and safe. The god pointed this out to her and she shook her head again.
"No Grimmjow you are missing the point. Isidore is a man who grew up putting his family's interests in front of his own," she reminded him. "Imagine the troubles his family could be put through now that his entire village knows there is someone there who has a direct link to the gods, who could possibly end starvation, poverty and other aspects humans want and desire? What threats could this pose to his family, who he would want to protect, especially after his mother came so close to death?"
Grimmjow was stunned. When Isidore had asked him about what he thought about the villagers trying to earn his favor, he mistakenly thought the farmer meant they would try to woo him and be accepted as another potential consort. No wonder he had become so upset.
He mashed his hand to his forehead. "I'm a fucking idiot." He muttered mostly to himself.
Pannera gave him a dry smile. "True this may be, but at least you are already planning to make amends for your moronic decisions." She teased gently. Grimmjow gave her a flat look and she giggled. "I only jest. This could be a good way to prove you care and understand … just admit you were in the wrong. That will go a long way in restoring his faith in your relationship. After all, it has only been a few weeks. That is mere seconds to us immortals, but unhappiness can feel as though it lasts for ages for a human." She advised.
"You're right," he admitted, drawing himself up and pulling his clothes back on. "I think I know how to fix this. I've gotten to know him very well so I think I have the best way to fix this mess I have put myself into. Thank you Pannera. I appreciate your help." He added sincerely.
She smiled, demonstrating her brightness abilities through her gentle expression. "Of course. I expect the same sort of assistance when the time comes for me to find my own soulmate." She warned with a wink. Grimmjow snorted and hurried off to find the gods and goddesses he needed for this to work.
He would make it up to Isidore as soon as possible whilst making it as personal and touching as the mortal could stand, he vowed to himself with a grin.
….
Isidore excused himself quietly while his family decided on what to do with the large cut of beef. He was thankful they didn't bother to ask how he was able to buy such a large portion with the little coin he had. He found himself just staring off into the distance, feeling somewhat guilty with himself.
Grimmjow hadn't meant any true harm of course, he thought sadly as he reflected on what happened. The god was only trying to protect him, but in his humiliation of having to be rescued and the potential threat to his family, he had lashed out at the god instead. Some consort he turned out to be … he couldn't even thank him properly without starting a fight.
Grimmjow had even promised to protect him when they were in Eire, even swearing on his divine power, and he had gone through with his word, Isidore thought sadly to himself as he bit his lip. Dammit, should he call for him and apologize? Obviously, he should; he was the human in the relationship … the god would never be truly to blame.
A lump formed in his throat as he looked down at his pendant. Would the god even answer so soon after being accused and … by Hera he had even struck his hand away! He winced at the memory. The courtship might as well be over, he trembled to himself. He had the love of a god and he had squandered it within a month of accepting his proposal. He really was unlovable, he thought, pressing his back against one of his beloved olive trees.
'Grimmjow … I'm so sorry,' He thought to himself sadly as he closed his eyes. A sudden breeze drifted in the air and he heard someone's throat clear as though to grab his attention. The farmer was startled to see Grimmjow with a calm expression on his face.
Isidore swallowed heavily and bowed his head. "I'm sorry!" he blurted out before the god could utter a word. "I realize now you were merely trying to protect me and I overreacted! I'm truly, truly sorry!" he insisted.
A warm hand pulled him into the god's broad chest and then threaded itself into his hair as the god hushed him. "We were both at fault in this one. I should have considered the dangers to your family and acted more tactfully. Please don't burden yourself with guilt over me." He said softly.
Isidore initially stiffened at the contact but relaxed at Grimmjow's words, carefully bringing up his arms to embrace the god. The two hugged in silence before Grimmjow took the initiative to pull away.
"I feel as though I need to make amends. Through my actions, your sisters could end up being harassed by unwanted suitors and your parents equally so by neighbors jealous of your good fortune. So here, place these around your house." He said, pressing several scrolls into Isidore's hands.
The mortal blinked in confusion. He could not read very well, and was unable to tell what the scripture was saying. The god smiled softly at his puzzlement. "These are protection wards. Anyone with unsavory intentions will be barred from entering your home. I had these wards blessed by Hestia herself as a favor." He explained.
Hestia, or Merci as she preferred to be called, was more than happy to help Grimmjow protect his young soulmate, giggling that one of her most loyal followers lived in the house and therefore she could not refuse such an offer.
This was a peace offering in two ways; it would provide protection for his family and even second as a gift for his youngest sister Yalena, who admired Hestia as her patron goddess.
Isidore could see this as well, and he smiled brightly. "Thank you," he whispered, his eyes softening in understanding and relief. He had not made a terrible mistake and ruined his chances at happiness after all it would seem. He knew he should immediately go home and set up the protection wards, but he was unable to leave just yet.
Grimmjow could sense this and chuckled. "It's fine Isidore. I'm sure your youngest sister will burst with excitement over the news and you cannot miss out on that." He teased.
The elder brother had no doubt Yalena would be absolutely ecstatic about the scrolls, having an actual piece of her beloved Hestia in their humble possession. Still, he was hesitant.
"I … had warned mother there could be a risk by bringing Anatoli into town. I don't want to worry them by explaining why the scrolls were necessary." He admitted.
Grimmjow quirked an eyebrow. Anatoli huh? It was a good name for the horse. But there were more important things to focus on. "That should not be a problem. Simply tell them this is another courtship gift to provide protection for you and your house. They do not need to know if you feel it is not necessary." He suggested instead.
They had agreed that Grimmjow would come to court him at least twice a week, both men rationalized. It wasn't a stretch to say these were just delayed gifts since he had taken longer than originally planned to find the horse he wanted to gift to Isidore.
The farmer grinned. "I'm so glad that of the two of us, you are able to keep such a level head. I could never be so calm when coming up with solutions." He joked.
Grimmjow snickered. "Years and years of experience my dear Isidore. Within two short months, you too could be able to experience whatever your heart desires over a thousand mortal lifetimes. I cannot promise anything, but I can offer expanded lifetimes for your family as well if they choose to accept." He added.
Isidore hadn't even considered that by accepting Grimmjow's offer for a consortship that immortality was even a possibility, so it was touching to know Grimmjow was already thinking of his family and how torn he would be to leave them to age and die whilst he remained young and healthy.
Nodded in understanding, Isidore thanked him and prepared to leave before Grimmjow cleared his throat again. "One more thing … there's two people I would like for you to meet tonight, if you are interested?" he asked.
Isidore wondered who these people could be. Where they red-yellow haired people like last time or … could he dare to assume Grimmjow wanted him to meet other gods? He swallowed thickly in anticipation. "I … would be honored to meet whomever it is you consider worthy." He replied.
The deity grinned so brightly Isidore's heart fluttered in his chest at seeing something so beautiful. "Then it is settled. Make sure you bathe yourself thoroughly and wear your nicest clothing if you wouldn't mind. I will return for you tonight."
With that, Grimmjow faded away. Isidore sighed in relief; the past has been forgiven and the two of them could move on. It was more than he could ask for, really, as he had been the one to speak out of turn when all the god wanted to do was help. Ah, but even the gods were not completely infallible, if he were to believe everything he has heard of the gods, especially some of the male gods.
Still … he had to wonder who Grimmjow wanted him to meet. While he talked under the guise of Mikolas, he had said he was not very close to many people, therefore he had many friends and no friends at the same time. The farmer had no doubt that part was true for the immortal as it had been for the 'man.'
Whomever it was, they must be very important to him to arrange a meeting with. It couldn't be another lover; Grimmjow had already sworn he had been waiting for his one true soul mate for thousands of years.
The redheaded farmer groaned in frustration, already nervous about whoever it was he would be meeting tonight. Still, there was enough time in the day and he had some remaining chores to do, so the mortal disregarded his worries for the time being, turning back to the house with a grin, knowing his youngest sister was about to be utterly delighted with his upcoming news.
…..
Yalena had nearly burst his ears with her squealing, but it was worth it to see her so happy, Isidore chuckled to himself as he emptied his bath water out the window. Not to mention his parents had seemed very pleased with the gift, especially with the scrolls being blessed by Hestia herself.
Their humble home did not have much to steal, but now that people knew about Isidore's sudden good fortune, it could not have been a timelier present. Isidore eyed the strange tunic Grimmjow had left behind for him from their time in Eire (it had been under the jeweled blanket for his sisters). Perhaps that would be the best thing to wear? He wasn't sure who he was meeting. Were they Greek? Foreigners like the men and women from Eire? There were too many questions bubbling in his head to process.
Shaking his head violently, Isidore took a deep breath. He would have to trust Grimmjow to not put him in a situation where he would be left humiliated or uncomfortable at the very least. Still … he wasn't the best at talking to strangers given his past.
When it had been Mikolas it was different; Grimmjow had done a majority of the talking and they had bonded over their mutual distaste for Isidore's old tormentor, Varvara. These were likely good acquaintances of Grimmjow's and he did not want to insult either his soul mate or them by speaking or acting out of turn.
Thinking it over, Isidore decided to don the green tunic and slipped a belt over it to keep it in place. Running a hand through his formerly despised hair, he realized the color might suit him well, given how it had for many of the children of Eire. Swallowing his nerves, Isidore left his room where his family was preparing for dinner.
Karin squinted at his clothing. "Huh? When did you ever own a garment as strange as that?" she asked bluntly, causing everyone else to stop what they were doing.
Mannara hummed appreciatively. "Another gift eh? The color suits you." She praised with a smile before turning to her daughters. "Girls, take a note from your brother on what to do to please your own suitors in the future." She instructed.
The red-haired farmer laughed awkwardly. "Thank you, Mother. I hope it is acceptable for wherever I am going," he said truthfully.
The matron of the home smiled brighter. "Of course, dear. Lord Aether himself would not have gifted it to you had he not thought it would be a pleasing gift. Besides, it might please him more to see you wearing one of his courtship gifts." She reminded gently.
Isidore hummed; he hadn't thought of that when he chose it. He was about to thank her when his amulet began to glow on its own. The women in the house oohed and ahhed at the pretty sight.
He chuckled, clutching it until it stopped. "I supposed that is meant to tell me it is time to go," he offered lamely, feeling a bit awkward.
Yalena clapped. "Yay! Have fun big brother!" she cheered, waving farewell to him. Karin nodded her approval while their mother also shared her well wishes. Iason, unfortunately, was not around as he was answering a medical call.
Waving goodbye, Isidore left the house, which was now proudly displaying the scrolls protecting him and his family from any wicked hearted from entering their home.
The farmer's eyes lit up at the familiar vivid colored god who grinned as soon as he saw him.
"Interesting choice of clothing," the god purred, eyeing the mortal up and down. Green really was Isidore's best color to pair him with, especially with that dark orange-red hair of his.
The younger man squirmed under his appraising eyes. "You asked me to dress nicely did you not?" he mumbled, smoothing out the tunic. "This was the nicest thing I owned."
Grimmjow chuckled, catching one of Isidore's hands and pressing a kiss to it. "Flattery shall get you whatever your heart desires, Isidore," he warned with a toothy smile, causing the farmer to feel warm. "Now then, we should get going so we are not late. I just know you are going to like who you meet." He promised.
Placing a hand over Isidore's eyes, Grimmjow transported them to a neutral realm where mortals were allowed to mingle freely with the gods, as per the rules of the Fate sisters. It was a much lovelier and cleaner version of Earth with some of the luxuries the gods and spirits enjoyed.
The trees were tall and bursting with lively flowers and fruits, the grass was moss like; making it luxuriously soft. Fragrant flowers also bloomed at their feet. It was, for all purposes, a slice of the heavens itself.
Isidore allowed himself to admire the large expanse of crystal-clear waters with the beautiful creatures swimming under the surface before looking around in mild disappointment. "Eh? Is Panthera not here?" he asked sadly.
Grimmjow inwardly winced; he hadn't realized just how close Isidore already was with his twin. Then again, as they were the same person, perhaps his heart simply recognized it was his other mate and was missing him. Sadly, Panthera tended to butt heads with one of the guests he had invited, so he had begrudgingly stayed home only because he knew how important this meeting was.
Grimmjow shook his head. "I'm afraid he was needed elsewhere tonight, though I will make sure he knows he was missed," he promised. Ugh, his brother will never let this down once he hears how much the boy missed him.
Isidore nodded, understanding that mystic creatures and immortals would have their own duties and places to be, and resumed marveling at the beautiful space. "Still … this place is incredible! Where are we?" he asked.
The primordial god grinned. "This is a special location for meetings just like this. Unfortunately, humans are not really allowed to enter the heavens without an overwhelming majority rule, so this world was created as a compromise for humans and immortals while also creating a sense of privacy. The human world tends to have too many distractions," he explained.
Isidore giggled as his hand was tickled by some curious fish as he dipped his hand into the clear, tepid water. "I fear this place might be more distracting than where we were first … it's so beautiful," he said in awe as he gazed upon a waterfall in the distance, surrounding by vividly colored flowers he has never seen before.
He heard a feminine giggle from behind him and stiffened in surprise. Too startled to move, Isidore held still.
He could hear Grimmjow chuckling in the background as well. "Took you took long enough to show up. I would have been disappointed if you were late," he seemed to be teasing whomever it was.
Standing up slowly, the farmer carefully turned around, but upon seeing who was before him was stunned back into stillness.
'It couldn't be … could it?' He thought to himself in awe and wonder, eyes wide with both excitement and shock. He knew that face, he had remembered that beautiful sun kissed skin and the pure black hair that had framed her still very youthful and beautiful face. It was …
"Lady Athena," he whispered breathlessly. His patron goddess smiled and it was such a glorious sight.
"I have been looking forward to this meeting ever since Grimmjow told me about you, Isidore Karousakis of Kamarina," she said, bowing her head just a fraction. Isidore quickly made to bow down in respect but she laughed and stopped him. "Please don't. I'm more honored to be in your presence than I am to be worshipped by you." She insisted before looking at Grimmjow.
"Grimmjow is not a very social god, so it is nice to see him getting along with someone. Not to mention it is such a momentous achievement to find one's soulmate," she added kindly.
Isidore's mouth was dry; he simply could not find the words he wanted to say, and how many there were! He wanted to thank her for her protection, ask if she recognized him from when he was a child … all the thoughts were spinning around in his head and he felt as though he could faint.
Another woman giggled from behind her. "Ah yes, he had chosen you as his patron goddess, didn't he? Grimmjow, were you not the one who said his olives were some of the best you've ever eaten?" the unknown tall woman with shimmering silver hair asked.
Grimmjow nodded. "Absolutely. I even brought a few jars of his olive oil for you to enjoy," he added, pulling out two familiar jars. Isidore was still so stunned he was unable to feel touched that Grimmjow had even kept the jars.
Athena turned stern to her companion and Grimmjow. "Give him some space! This is probably the most gods and goddesses he has ever seen in his mortal life," she chastised, causing the silver haired women to back away.
Somehow finding the words to speak, Isidore turned a bright red and bowed his head. "It is … such an honor to be in your presence as well …" he managed, shyly ducking his head at her soft chuckle. "We have … actually met before when I was a child." He managed.
Her eyes widened. "Oh? One would think I would remember such a shining star among the humans of Crete. Hmm … but I rarely visit Kamarina when I visit the human world …" she mused, trying to recall where she could have met him.
He grinned. "I was a young boy travelling to Syracuse with my father when I met you," he explained sheepishly.
Her eyes widened in recognition. "So that's where you were from. I remember … you were so small, clutching your father's tunic whilst he argued with a rival olive oil trader." She mused with a smile.
Isidore stood up straighter in his happiness; she actually remembered him! "Yes! I am so honored to once again be in your presence … Grimmjow, thank you so much for this incredible opportunity." He turned to the previously ignored god, who was more amused than anything.
"You admired her so much it only felt right to introduce you. But there is another one I thought you would like to meet," he gestured to the tall woman. "This woman is what you Greeks call Asclepius the Healer." He introduced while she giggled.
The farmer could not help but gawk despite a small voice in his head warning that it was impolite. "Asclepius … is a woman?" he repeated dumbly, rather shocked before blushing at his rude remark. The three gods laughed.
"It's quite alright … I am quite used to the mistake," she insisted kindly. "I prefer to be called Jinn though by my friends. Please feel free to refer to me as such if you would like." She suggested.
Grimmjow smirked; she insisted everyone call her Jinn if she ever met them, it was not as high an honor to be given her true name like it was for other gods. But it would mean the world to his little soulmate.
Sure enough, Isidore bowed his head in respect, smiling just as brightly. "I thank you, Lady Jinn. You saved my mother's life. I could never possibly repay you for what you did for my family."
The healer laughed. "Oh, isn't he just the sweetest?" she cooed, causing him to blush. The two women tittered over him, causing him to stutter until Grimmjow came to his rescue.
"Ladies … what happened to giving him some space?" he reminded as he pulled the flustered mortal protectively to his chest. They giggled at his patronizing look, with Athena telepathically mocking him for how head over heels he already was.
Jinn brightened up. "Oh yeah! Grimmjow, you said had some of his olive oil with you? I'd love to try some." She insisted, with Athena nodded enthusiastically.
As Grimmjow obliged the two goddesses, Isidore fretted to himself, still unable to get over meeting his idols. Then he was left a little nervous about how the goddess of olives herself would feel about the oil he laboriously nurtured and prepared over the last year.
Athena casually raised her hand, and a marble table and four chairs burst from the lush ground. The gods wasted no time seating themselves while Isidore was left stunned at the display of power.
"Ooooh, it's such a lovely color," Jinn praised as she summoned some of her own freshly baked bread from her home. Aside from being the greatest medicinal healer in the world, the goddess also knew how to bake.
"Wait until you try it," Grimmjow insisted as he pulled the frozen farmer into the chair next to him, running a hand down his back soothingly. Perhaps he should have gone slow and introduced Jinn first, he thought in amusement. The poor boy was so nervous in front of the woman he had prayed to every day and night for the last ten or more years of his life.
The boy in question jolted and bowed his head as Jinn broke the bread into four equal pieces. "I truly hope you are satisfied with the oil, Lady Jinn and Lady Athena. I spent several months ensuring its purity and freshness." He managed, though his hands shook under the table.
'Lady Athena is about to try MY olive oil!' he thought to himself gleefully before another thought came to him. 'I'M about to eat a meal with Asclepius the Healer and the great Athena herself!'
Jinn cheerfully thanked him for his hard work before she popped her olive oil slathered piece into her mouth. Athena simply gave that beautiful smile he had been awestruck by as a child before delicately taking a bite of her own.
Isidore squirmed nervously in his seat for the two seconds it took for the girls to response. Jinn sighed dreamily as she swallowed. "Ahhh … it's so fragrant and sweet!" she praised. Athena's eyes lit up and she took a much larger bite, closing her eyes to savor the taste.
"Indeed, it has to be one of the purest tasting olive oils I have ever had offered by a mortal. This is incredibly similar in taste to the groves I grow myself." She revealed with a bright smile before looking to him. "You truly are an incredibly disciple of mine, worthy of the name. Please, call me by MY true name; Sunnera." She said.
Isidore felt as though he could walk on air in that moment; they loved it. As a farmer who loved what he did and fruits that he grew, there could be no greater honor than to be praised by the very goddess he prayed to for delicious fruit every year.
He squeezed Grimmjow's hand, which had snuck under the table upon noticing how nervous his soulmate was. "Thank you so much for your kind words … Lady Sunnera." He breathed out; his eyes bright with happiness.
The four continued talking about anything and anything throughout the rest of the night, with Isidore notably getting more confident in himself to share his own stories and questions with every passing minute.
Throughout it all, Isidore would occasionally lean into Grimmjow or brush shoulders, hands or legs. The ancient god smiled as he let the other three dominate the conversation, more than happy just to be near his beloved Isidore.
…..
Alas, night settled in and the mortal felt the beginning urges to rest creep in. Despite trying to withhold his yawn, the farmer could not help but stretch as he got closer to Grimmjow yet again.
Jinn giggled. "We certainly spent quite a lot of time talking, haven't we?" she mused, looking up at the clear starry night. Sunnera nodded, rising from the table.
"This was much more fun than I expected. Thank you for inviting me, Grimmjow," she bowed, showing her respect to her elder. Jinn happily mirrored her gratitude.
The eldest god shrugged. "It's what he would have wanted, so why delay the inevitable? I appreciate you indulging us in this." He insisted, though the proud grin on his face told him he was practically congratulating himself on his clever idea.
Isidore was blissfully unaware and grinned brightly before bowing back. "Absolutely! I hope we can talk again in the near future, Lady Sunnera, Lady Jinn."
The girls again tittered over the polite little mortal when a fifth, uninvited voice cleared its throat.
"My, my … what an interesting little party you set up there … Grimmy." An oily, effeminate voice rang out in the dark. All three gods frowned when an equally effeminate male sauntered out with a haughty look on his face. Unlike the other gods who shone with healthy golden tan skin, he appeared almost sickly pale.
Grimmjow's brows furrowed. "What do you want Lukki? You weren't exactly invited to this meeting," he warned, eyes darkening with his displeasure.
A giggle that oozed fake politeness was barely covered by a slender hand. "Aw … don't you know chaos is rarely invited? And yet, here I am." He teased with a grin.
Something clicked in Isidore's mind. He blinked in surprise. "Are you … Eris, the goddess of chaos?" he asked in bewilderment.
The god's face scrunched up in distaste at being addressed by the mortal. "Do I look like a woman to you … mortal?" he dared, pale purple eyes narrowing dangerously.
Before Isidore could shrink back and stutter out his apology for speaking out of turn, Grimmjow pulled him behind him and glowered at the god. "As a matter of fact, you do." He snarked, protecting his fragile mate. "Fuck off, Lukki … you so much as dream of anything that harms him and I'll remind you why I am not someone to cross."
Lukki was known for his unpredictability, which came with his gift, of course, but also spelled a lot of risk for anyone who crossed his path. Lukki has clashed with Grimmjow and Panthera, but truthfully, he only feared the latter.
The god of chaos pursed his lips, seemingly disappointed. "Aw, but I wanted to take a good look at your … mortal soulmate … that everyone's been gossiping about," he whined, heavily stressing the adjective with snake like eyes.
Sunnera glared alongside Grimmjow while Jinn cowered with Isidore. "His mortality will hardly be an issue when the Fates grant him immortality, Lukki. You can keep your distain for mortals to yourself." She sneered, bending low as if to prepare for a fight.
Now Lukki took a step back. If Sunnera, the warrior goddess herself, wanted to fight it could spell a world of pain for him. "Alright, alright … I just wanted to see what was so special about him," he insisted with his palms in the air while taking a hard look at the nervous farmer. He smirked before he turned his back to the group. "To be honest, I don't see all the appeal. Enjoy your soulmate, Grimmmmy~" he cooed, before disappearing into the blackness.
Grimmjow's lip curled. "Tch, what a terrible way to end our evening," he muttered, with Jinn and Sunnera echoing their displeasure.
Isidore swallowed thickly. "Who … who was that?" he whispered, terrified by the look of hatred in the god's eyes.
Jinn sighed in exasperation. "That was indeed the god of chaos, though we all know him as Lukki," she explained as she shivered. "He loves to cause trouble wherever he goes. Comes with the gift I suppose, but he really loves to especially make my job harder by experimenting with human illnesses. If its potent enough, it takes several months for even I to come up with a true cure." She explained darkly.
Grimmjow snorted, pressing Isidore close to him again. "Let him try anything … I'm not just the god who creates the heavenly air we breathe." He muttered just as forebodingly before looking at his young lover. "I don't trust him at all, so if you notice anything that seems suspicious do not hesitate to call for me." He insisted, urgency written all over his face.
The mortal nodded before clearing his throat. "I will. I would hate to end our night after such a rude interruption, so I think it would be best to ignore him and think only of the good time we had tonight." He said firmly with a smile.
All three gods felt their own anger wash away with his determined words. Sunnera chuckled. "So forceful this one … he is definitely the one for you, Grimmjow." She teased. The god in question snorted with a proud grin.
"Obviously, but we've delayed the inevitable long enough. It's time to bring him home. Good night girls." He said with a wave. The two goddesses cheerfully waved goodbye as the elder god teleported his lover back to the human world.
Once again, they landed outside his house and Grimmjow sighed. "I'm so sorry your meeting with the girls was soured by Lukki, but other than that, I hope you enjoyed yourself." He apologized, only to be stunned when Isidore shook his head vigorously.
"I couldn't be happier! You allowed me to talk to my patron goddess as well as the goddess who healed my mother! I cannot imagine a greater gift than tonight." He argued, leaning in close to Grimmjow's warmth before chuckling. "I fear there may be no way to top this consortship gift," he teased lightly.
Unbeknownst to him, this made Grimmjow nervous. 'Shit … he's right. What else could I possibly offer to encourage him to accept me as his mate after something like this?' he fretted to himself before red orange hair tickled his chin. The god looked down to see Isidore still smiling at him.
"So I guess there is no other choice but to cut the courtship trials short," he added, a gentle blush gracing his cheeks.
Grimmjow's immortal heart stuttered before hammering in his chest. With eyes full of excitement, he lifted the mortal's chin. "Isidore Karousakis … are you accepting me as your immortal soulmate?" he asked carefully.
As much as he wanted this, he needed to warn the farmer now that once he was made into an immortal, there would be no turning back. He wouldn't want him to make this decision rashly and grow to hate him later.
Isidore thought for less than a minute and nodded. "I am," he vowed, daring to reach up and kiss him sweetly. "I have never been so happy in my life than in the time I met you. I would be an utter fool to refuse you as my soulmate."
Warmth flooded through Grimmjow's chest and he crushed the mortal close to his chest and claimed his lips in a deeper, soul searing kiss. The two broke apart unable to tear their eyes off one another.
"I can have you immortalized once I get in touch with the Fates," he promised, only to frown when Isidore shook his head.
"That, I think, should still wait until Gamelion," he offered gently. "I would like a chance to finish any affairs I may have, as well as see about protecting my family."
Grimmjow hummed in approval. That was rather rational; he would want to make sure his family either joined him in immortality or spend as much time with them as he could. Grimmjow could understand and respect that.
Very well. Two more months was trivial after all the waiting he has done, not to mention it was impressive that he was able to convince Isidore after less than a month. He brushed a stray hair out of Isidore's face lovingly.
"That can certainly be arranged. For now, I will go about preparing for the day nonetheless. There are other things I would like to share with you as well before you turn immortal anyways just to make sure there are no regrets." He added.
He was going to have to introduce Panthera faster than he expected, he sighed to himself, but he knew his brother would be thrilled, so it wouldn't be an issue. Still, he was going to have to talk with Pan tonight to make sure they had everything planned out properly.
He smirked, remembering something. "Also, just because tonight was the best gift you have received, does not mean I will stop showering you with more." He teased, causing his humble mate to fidget.
"Ahh … please don't trouble yourself; you have given me so much already!" he insisted with a frown. Grimmjow laughed and pressed a kiss to his temple.
"Not a chance!" he swore before he nudged him toward the door. "Get some rest, Isidore … I love you." He added softly.
Warmth swelled in the mortal's chest. "And I you, Grimmjow. Goodnight."
…
AN: Woooooooow! That took forever! Thank you for your patience, I have the next chapter planned out so hopefully it will be ready soon. But for now, Ciao~!
Lukki/Eris – Luppi
Merci/Hestia – Miyako Shiba