Riah | 💜💚

"i know your songs. i'm a fan." he smiles, and pulls his wrist away. "but i'm afraid i have a schedule to go to, so i can't stay long. thank you for watching ms. aglaea's show." mydei's still gaping at him. shoots a quick glance at cipher, who gets the message quickly,

because phainon feels a hand wrapping around his wrist, forcing him to turn around. and there he is, right in front of him. oronyx save him. mydei's just as beautiful as the day phainon lost him. "caught... you...!" both of them are panting, mydei's fingers gripping him tight.

and his heart softens. has seen brief glances of mydei in the same position before, and knows just how hard it is to make something when there's no inspiration to be had just for that, he's going to help her, as much as he can. "then you must call me khaslana." he says back.

the manager makes introductions. "miss robin, this is mr. khaslana. mr. aventurine recommended him as a potential feature for your album. mr. khaslana, i assume i don't have to tell you who she is?" "not at all!" he says, hasty, reaching forward to kiss the back of her hand.

"he and his husband went home briefly for business and they're thoughtful enough to buy souvenirs. i don't even know how i'm going to drag this monstrosity back with me." /oh/. so he's dr. ratio's brother. ... but they don't look alike at all! what a small world?!

he just has to ask. "um... that toy. did you, perhaps, get it recently?" a squint. "how did you know that?" "ah—" he doesn't know how to tell mr. anaxa that maybe he's met a family member? mr. anaxa rolls his eyes, but answers him anyway. "yes. my brother gave it to me.

then he has to prove himself in that area the most. "well, it looks like we have a foot in the door for you," mr. aventurine hums. "there's a singer that's looking to release some music soon, but they currently lack some inspiration right now. i know you want to release

which he promises to do at the soonest, before she finally leaves him alone. and the moment she's gone, phainon looks at his wrist, at the shape of mydei's fingers around his skin. this separation is temporary, he assures himself, placing one last kiss onto it.

chasing mydei's lingering warmth and touch with his lips. there's no tears. cipher's staring at him as if he's insane, but he doesn't care, cradling his wrist to his cheek. "just... get me home, cipher. i'll be fine." he'll treasure this ache for as long as he can.

"hey," cipher's arms are around his shoulders. "shit, breathe, khaslana! do i need to get you to a hospital?! did he break your wrist?!" he quickly shakes his head, eyes looking at nothing. quickly brings his bruised wrist to his mouth, before lavishing kisses on it,

with smugness, cipher shuts the door, creating a barrier between them. but for a split second, he almost lets the mask fall, jumps out of the car, when he catches the look on mydei's face. he looks... absolutely shattered. 'i'm sorry,' his heart cries out pitifully, brokenly.

makes sure he looks mildly confused, even as his chest screeches bloody murder. "there's no one here by that name." that's the truth. "my name is khaslana." that's also a truth. "maybe i'll see you in another event sometime?" keeps his face friendly, but neutral.

and has the car waiting for them, a few steps away. "good luck on your next project." cipher opens the door, and he turns around. "i'll be supporting you." "wait!" mydei cries out as he takes a seat. "phainon—!" "who?" he takes one last glance towards the owner of his heart.

he's still incomplete. he hasn't secured his position in his—their—world yet. so he has to pretend. he has to distance himself. no matter how much it breaks his heart to do it. with a gentle squeeze, he coaxes mydei to ease his grip. to his eternal relief, mydei actually does.

"cipher, it's okay." he... doesn't recognize his own voice, when he speaks. stares back at mydei calmly, covering mydei's hand with his own. it's so warm. it still feels the same, under his palm. "it's probably a case of mistaken identity. you're mydeimos, right? the singer?

... but that will never happen. "you have some /nerve/," mydei snarls. even now, in the height of his rage, he's stunning. phainon's helplessly enamored. "is this what you've been doing this entire time?!" he squeezes phainon's wrist, and the pain is a sweet ache. "ANSWER ME!"

he instantly sees the changes before his mind can keep up. mydei looks /horrible/. he's lost weight. his muscle mass has shrunk. dark circles under his eyes, cheeks a touch sharper, skin pale and sallow. is this why the band had to take a break?! is mydei sick?!

to be the one being chased, for once. it'll make things easier in the long run, if mydei's intrigued by his presence. "he won't cause trouble." not in his eyes, at least. "and besides, he has his own band to worry about. i'm just an upcoming small fry. what can i do to him?"

hopefully, once he's an established artist and admits to everything... mydei will understand. he should. he /will/. he's only doing what mydei expects of him, right? he has to show his love that that he can belong first. everything else... will follow after.