Inferna (Restart:Lambda / ?? )

[kouyou_x3]

by SadisticSinner on AFF!!

>Restart:Lambda<

Kibum dismounted his beloved mare and stepped closer to the deity that was waiting for him.
The smile that graced his features was still in place as his hazel eyes took in the other’s figure.
The blonde was never that relieved to see black.
Vanity huffed and complained about still being saddled up, but Kibum’s attention was on the brunet in front of him.
Jonghyun’s lips were stretched in a small smile in return.
“You waited for me?”, Kibum asked with an amused chuckle and realised that he had never been that comfortable around the other.
He felt at ease.
The spring deity felt neither fear nor anxiety around the god of the underworld.
What exactly was there inside of him?
Kibum couldn’t place a finger on it, yet.
Jonghyun shrugged in response, tilted his head and showed his white teeth
“I had a feeling you would come”, the brunet uttered, keeping his secret safe.
Thanks to the cerulean flame that he had woven into the other’s being, he was able to tell Kibum’s whereabouts. As long as the younger was in his realm that is.
But the shadows, under the command of Erebus(*), were part of his domain. Meaning, as soon as Kibum shadow walked on Vanity’s back, he knew exactly where the other was. Where he had been and where he was going, nothing stayed unseen by the lord of the underworld.
“Really?”, a small chuckle made its way up the blonde’s throat and he stepped even closer.
Why was he feeling like this?
Was it because he finally understood?
He felt like he had understood everything there is about Jonghyun. Which wasn’t true and even though Kibum knew exactly that, he couldn’t help but feel proud of himself.
He didn’t even flinch when the elder reached out and cupped his cheek.
The blonde closed his eyes for only a moment, but when he looked back up he saw the relief washing over the other’s face.
Three seasons.
Kibum had been gone for three seasons and Jonghyun had had to deal with everything alone.
The younger didn’t exactly feel sorry, but something tugged at his heart.
Who would have ever guessed that?
Kibum was able to mute the voices.
At least to Jonghyun who felt far more comfortable with everything when the spring deity was around.
Was this…this ability one of his hidden skills?
One that the spring deity possessed, but wasn’t aware of till now?
Lessen the pain of others?
Was it not because of him being himself, being Kibum, that the other felt like this towards him…?
No.
The blonde pulled away and massaged his temples.
Not again.
He had just overcome his doubts regarding Jonghyun, concerning the god’s plans of overthrowing his own father and proved them wrong.
And now he was doubting something again?
It would become a doom loop if he wouldn’t break free from it.
He swallowed, shaking his head dismissively as Jonghyun’s quizzical gaze met his.
It’s nothing, I’m fine, he told the elder with his eyes.
However, the other seemed to understand and pulled away completely.
Kibum hadn’t even realised in what close proximity they had been. The brunet walked over to the mare instead, petted her neck before he took of the saddle and the reins and sent her off into the darkness after he was done.
Kibum heard the nicker of four different horses resonate over the desolated meadow and knew that Vanity had joined her sisters again.
They must have missed each other.

“You coming?”
When the blonde turned around, the elder was already waiting at the door for him
“Yeah”, he nodded and joined the other in the hallway that lead back to the great hall, deep underneath the mountain Jonghyun resided in.
The black clad deity had put the saddle away, making sure it was well fastened before they made their way back.
Neither of them spoke, but they were used to this kind of silence.
It was comfortable, not forcefully awkward.

Clattering was heard the moment they pushed open the wooden door that revealed the entrance hall. It was Joohyun who was setting the table, carefully balancing the plate on her arm.
Six sets of cutlery were already placed on the big piece of wood, decorated with a dark red velvet tablecloth.
The Erinye halted in her movements, directing her eyes to the newly arrived deities behind her
“M-master?”, she seemed more than surprised, but when her eyes landed on Kibum, she obviously was at a loss for words
“Joohyun”, the blonde tried and if he would squint, he’d be able to see the faintest blush on her cheeks.
Jonghyun was about to join the not so well-going conversation, yet he stopped when the other door opened and Sooyoung walked in, her smile in place and parting her red lips.
“Kibum!”, she chirped and walked over to hug the blonde spring deity close
“I’m so glad you’re finally back! Joohyun here was looking after your flowers, they’re all doing well”, the Erinye of punishment explained and looked at her sister who looked more than mortified.
Did she want to keep it a secret?
The light walking god smiled at the black haired creature at the table.
She had really done that for him?
“Thank you”, he whispered and watched as the girl’s eyes widened in surprise, not able to cope with the sign of gratification
“D-don’t mention it”, she uttered and before Kibum could reply she had stormed off, leaving the plates on the table.
Jonghyun next to him rolled his eyes, annoyance clearly written all over his face
“Joohyun!”, he yelled after her but Sooyoung stepped closer and made him stop
“I’ll look after her”, she promised and ran after her sister, leaving Jonghyun and Kibum alone in the hall, with a half-set table and filled bowls with food.
“Women”, Jongyhun grunted and walked towards his usual seat.
Just because his Erinyes were scorning dinner, didn’t mean that he would too.
“You could have made males, you created them, didn’t you?”, Kibum followed the brunet with his eyes before he also set his feet into motion, snickering to himself when he heard the other grumble

“Don’t stab my back”, Jonghyun growled out and filled both of their cups with a dismissive hand gesture.
The goblets carried the nourishing liquid in no time and the blonde picked his up and took a sip from the Ambrosia inside.
Jonghyun’s answer hadn’t carried any malice however, so Kibum didn’t feel threatened at all.
“Just saying”, he shrugged his shoulders, getting comfortable in his seat.
They had feasted together, usually with the whole …family?, and he knew his designated seat.
Next to Jonghyun, at his left.
“I didn’t exactly know what I was doing”, Jonghyun suddenly elaborates and Kibum blinked as he tilted his head to listen to the other.
“One day we were those carefree young deities. No care in the world, mother was handling everything.”, he sighed, remembering those days clearly

“And the next, she’s gone and the whole world and its’ inhabitants depend on you. I had… I had a basic feeling about the things I need to do. What was expected of me. What things were required to create a balance. I just… I just created what came into my mind, I did not have a distinctive image in my head”
Kibum nodded at the revelation.
To hear this kind of story… of the very beginning, Jonghyun’s beginning…
He sucked it up greedily.
“As I only knew my…brothers”, the brunet grimaced as he used that word to describe the gods he grew up with
“I created them as sisters”, he hummed. They had been a family. Jinki, Minho and him. And he wanted the same for his creatures. The Erinyes and Seulgi, they were a family too.
“But I barely had control over them. They didn’t listen to me and I couldn’t control the emotions they fed me with”
Anger.
Rage.
Jealousy.
Hatred.

“I couldn’t cope with it”, the brunet closed his eyes, admitting all of his past weaknesses.
“Wars happened. Murders. I couldn’t do anything”
Kibum watched the other with a sorrowful gaze. Regret was clearly evident on his features.
“I would have been overwhelmed too”, the blonde spoke up to ease the other’s pain
“If I would wake up and find myself in the role of Helios, for the lack of a better example”, the spring deity shrugged
“I wouldn’t know what to do either. How to react. What is expected of me.”
Jonghyun’s eyes never left the hazel one’s of his counterpart.
The brunet’s heart thumped loudly in his chest, a thundering gallop of steady beats as Kibum had uttered the words no one had ever spoken to him.
“Thank you”, he closed his eyes, couldn’t hold the other’s intense stare
Kibum shook his head
“It’s the truth”
The blonde didn’t see why the other felt so ashamed.
No one is born a master.
It required endurance and even more hard work.
Ambition.
“Do you regret it?”, Jonghyun’s voice got him back
“Hm?”
“Do you regret your mistake? Consuming something here”
Kibum immediately caught on what the question actually implied.

Do you regret being bound to me?

Kibum didn’t answer to that instantaneously. His gaze wandered over the various dishes and he caught sight of a particular bowl.
He wasn’t too familiar with the mortals’ food, but he recognised this one.
Sheep.
Mutton.
Was it…

Kibum swallowed the lump in his throat before he turned back to face the brunet
“I’m okay.”, he shrugged
“I’m used to it already. Besides I can escape my mother’s nagging for a while. And her escapades. The lovers she brings home…”, the blonde trails off and then they both chuckle
Jonghyun shook his head, a big grin on his face
“Spring god Kibum, if your mother would hear you right now!”, he chides him in a playful voice and yet Kibum only scoffed in return
“She’s not here anyway”
Wasn’t allowed to enter.
Jonghyun had complete control over whom and what could enter his domain.
And his mother was definitely not on the list of welcomed benefactors.
After they calmed down again his eyes drifted off to the roasted mutton. The blonde bit his lower lip, but didn’t dare to bring it up.
Didn’t know how.
Couldn’t think of the right words.
Except, that Jonghyun had already read him like an open book.
“Taemin…”, the brunet began, brows furrowed in obvious discomfort
“Taemin is sacrificing a sheep every half-moon for Jongin”
Kibum stayed silent, listened to the hurt that played in the elder’s voice
“Thanks for being there”, Jonghyun whispered
“That you went with me, when I asked you to”
Kibum grumbled and averted his eyes
“And yet, you sent me away right after”
Yeah, Kibum was still bitter about that.
Right after the fight between Hermes and Hades he had to leave the realm of darkness.
Jonghyun hadn’t wanted him to stay.
“I didn’t want you to pity me”
Kibum immediately fell silent.

Right.

There was no argument against that, he knew where Jonghyun was coming from.
“You would have felt obligated to stay close. To soothe me. Because you felt pity after witnessing the incident. I didn’t want that”
Jonghyun hadn’t wanted his hopes to bloom under Kibum’s care.
The young deity wanted to speak up after pondering his next words, but a loud plop interrupted him.
They both caught sight of white wings and black hair, however in a matter of seconds it was gone again.
Jonghyun had jumped up from his chair, eyes wide as he recognised his best friend
“Tae-“
But it was too late, the messenger deity had already vanished again, leaving a folded parchment on the table.
The brunet sighed, rubbing his temples in frustration.
Kibum’s stomach churned.
Jonghyun reached out and took the piece of paper that was left for him. Unfolding the letter, his golden eyes scanned over the scribbled words, while Kibum watched him with interest.
It seemed to be an important message.
Perhaps from his father?
The sigh that Jonghyun released told him that it was indeed of great importance.
“What is it about?”, Kibum’s curiosity had never died down
Under Jonghyun’s watch it only prospered.
“An Olympian meeting. My appearance is of utmost importance apparently”, the elder shrugged. A great war was about to happen.
And he knew that there really was no way out this time.
“Maybe you can talk to Taemin?”, Kibum suggested and the brunet only sighed again.
He seemed to be doing that a lot.

“It’s not really my decision”, he started and looked over at the blonde
“He has to make the first step. I can’t force him. It would only drive him further away”
In that moment Kibum really wanted to bury his head at the other’s chest and hide for a while.
Jonghyun could be really mature and it showed the other yet again how naïve he had been.
Still was.
How rash.
Making decisions without thinking, without considering other opinions and factors.
He had hated humans for the longest time.
Hadn’t seen the greater picture, hadn’t thought of the future.
But watching Jongin’s fate had changed a lot.
He wanted to grasp the greater picture.
After all, this was what being a deity was all about.
Being a god.
Seeing everything from above and processing various streams of information at the same time.
“You’re overthinking”
Kibum blinked as the other’s chuckle reached his ears.
Grumbling, he turned away from the shadow walker who read him like an open book.
Was he that obvious?
Or was the lord of the underworld just gifted with the knowledge of people’s nature?
“Jonghyun?”
Little did the blonde know how the elder’s heart fluttered at the mention of his name
“Yeah?”
Kibum pondered his words for a moment.
He needed to choose carefully. After all did the blonde not want to hurt the other, but didn’t want to give him hope either.
“We’re friends right?”
Jonghyun smiled in return and that caused the spring god to feel relieved.
He had chosen wisely for now
“Yes”
“Will you tell me about the meeting?”
“If that is what you desire.”
Kibum nodded and they part with a new promise in their hearts.

~~

When Jonghyun came back he felt like he was about to faint from mental exhaustion.
Voices were still ringing in his ears and this time it were not the ones he was used to.
Every Olympian excluding him and Taemin had fought vividly about the topic.
And like always there was no clean solution.
Why had they even called a meeting about this in the first place?
They all knew the outcome beforehand.
The brunet shook his head and exhaled a long sigh.
But finally he was back home.
The familiar scent of the ever green meadow hidden between the mountains walls filled his nostrils and soon enough he saw two figures.
Vanity was snorting happily, her mane flying in the wind as she rounded Kibum and…
Joohyun?
He stepped closer, watched as the spring god pointed to the different plants and explained them to the Erinye.
Oh.

That was certainly a sight he hadn’t expected.
Especially not seeing the creature of jealousy that close to the blonde.
Jonghyun licked his lips, and eyed them warily.
He wasn’t a fan of having the black haired Erinye that close to the other.
But he didn’t feel any dark vibes from her.
Neither did Kibum look threatened or uncomfortable. Instead his face was lit up by a small smile.
“Master”, Joohyun’s voice piped up and a moment later Kibum greeted him as well
Jonghyun already knew that the other would be curious.
Was waiting for any kind of information.
It shone in the younger’s hazel orbs.
Vanity pulled out a tuft of grass near Kibum’s feet, munching on the green plants that the spring god had grown for her.
She knew exactly how she got what she wanted.
Joohyun bowed to him and left them alone.
Jonghyun hadn’t been that grateful to her in a long time.

“I’m back”
Kibum rolled his eyes, but the smile didn’t fade
“I can see that”
They share an amused glance, before they retreat to the same rock where they had had shared Jonghyun’s inner demons.
The blonde must have seen his irregular breathing, because the brunet couldn’t explain why the younger reached out for his hand otherwise.
Kibum held it loosely, no fingers were intertwined, but the simple action, the simple touch made Jonghyun take a deep relaxing breath.
He calmed down.
Found back to his inner balance.
“I haven’t been out during the day for a while”, he explained
“It was so bright”
Kibum snickered at him, but didn’t say anything.
Jonghyun knew what the other wanted to hear.
But he was selfish and wanted to enjoy the touch for a little longer, feel Kibum’s warm hand around his, the soft skin against his calloused fingers.
“Your dad asked for you”, he hummed then and that certainly caught the blonde’s interest
“Oh?”
“Mhm, I said you were doing okay.”
Kibum nodded at that. There wasn’t really more of a story to tell.
“And mum?”
“Didn’t even want to look at me”, Jonghyun uttered and the spring deity shrugged his shoulders as a response.
He hadn’t really expected something else from his mother.
Either pure ignorance or an official declaration of war.
“What was the meeting about?”
“The upcoming war between the Delian League and the Peloponnesian League”
Kibum drew his eyebrows up.
Jonyghun was speaking in riddles
“Sparta and Athens”

At that the younger hummed.
Those were two flourishing, rich cities and probably a well-known term to anyone.
“We talked about taking sides. Sparta or Athens”
Kibum stayed quiet, listened closely instead
“Sparta used a lot of money for sacrifices. But so did Athens. Athena(**) wants us to judge in the name of justice”
“And who is the righteous one in this?”
Jonghyun only laughed at that
“Righteous?”, he shook his head, eyes closed
“There’s no fair-minded one. There’s no right or wrong, no clean cut. If the people sacrifice and ask for help, aren’t we bound to answer their prayers? Even if they are the ones being wrong? Wouldn’t it hurt the codex?”
Kibum grimaced

“There is no such thing. Even though there should be. Everyone just does what they want”
“Correct”, Jonghyun gifted the younger with a smile
“Everyone needs to decide for himself or herself which rules they want to follow. So like always, there was no collective decision”
What else could be expected anyway?
He heard Kibum sigh and smiled at the younger, who was squeezing his hand in- or unintentionally.
“In the end there will be a war and people will die, no matter if there is a god protecting their land”
Jonghyun’s words still rang in his ears.

The brunet was right.
There would never be a right or wrong in a war.
Even if a country is attacked by treacherous tyrants, the soldier dying could be a loving father who only joined the armed ranks out of depth.
Where was the justice in that?
There was none.
Kibum nibbled on his lower lip as all these thoughts buzzed through his mind. He gave in to his instincts and leaned his head against the shoulder of the man that wanted him as his mate.
Jonghyun felt warm, the scent in his nose not unpleasant as he buried his face in the other’s black tunic.
Kibum was glad he was no Olympian and that politics weren’t on his agenda.

>Restart:Lambda END<

Notes: (*)Erebus - god of darkness and shadows, brother of Nyx
Peloponnesian War - war between Athens and the Peloponnesian League, around 400 b.c.
(**) Athena - Goddess of wisdom and courage

A/N:

Sorry for the long wait!
And thank you to everyone who’s reading this!
I saw that many people thought that the last chapter also ended with a cliffhanger!
It wasn’t supposed to be one, I’m sorry.
At least this time there is none :]
Thank you to everyone who read, commented!
JongKey is growing closer!
I hope every one of you enjoyed it as much as I did!!
I’ll see you with >Mu
Xxx,
Blingdom