Summary:

“I have come to ask for your permission to marry your son.” Eduan blinks. He turns to Marco with confusion.

“Didn’t you just meet?”

“Not me,” Marco says with a sigh. Why had they bothered with a group chat if he would just straight up ignore, or even worse forget, what they talked about?

“You have to be more specific, son of V, I’m a busy man.”

Marco wondered if he could stab himself with his spear. It would be a shame for him to die after all the trouble he went through to become a High Ranker but he was at his limit.

“Aguero.” Viole provided but seemed to understand that it wouldn’t help much “Agnis. You meet up every two weeks for board games. Stabbed your hand once.”

Notes:

Etymology
From nycto- + -phobia.

Pronunciation
Rhymes: -əʊbiə
Noun
nyctophobia (uncountable)

A fear of the night, nighttime, or darkness.
Synonyms: noctiphobia, scotophobia

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Chapter 1: Koutrouli's marriage

Chapter Text

It starts the way most of Bam’s life troubles do; with curiosity. Bam, who had never experienced a normal life up to date, had made a habit of being intrigued by everything around him. This routine had slowly left him when Rachel did—after all, no one in FUG was fond of satisfying a child’s curiosity—and had only resurfaced the past few months. After all, Bam’s life could be currently described only as peaceful, it made sense he had slipped into past behaviours.

In the end, it was that calmness that began it all. Bam, only tired of his training, had stumbled inside the living room and almost passed out on the couch. Neither Rak nor Shibisu, who were apparently there, seemed to mind. “Are you okay?”

“No,” Bam said and closed his eyes. This was a normal occurrence. Usually, Bam would return after training, only half-dead, and the rest of the team would try to make him look only a little less lifeless to avoid Khun’s wrath. In retrospect, they would all think, Khun shouldn’t blame anyone but Bam for his exhaustion. Maybe Evankhell too. “Should I ask Khun to marry me?”

(Much later on, without even being asked, Rak will say that Bam had already consulted him on the subject—after all, he couldn’t make such a decision without the blessing of the Great Leader—and that he didn’t just mumble the question with no warning given.)

.

“No.”

“But—”

“No,” Khun repeated as he guided Hachuling outside his room. “I can’t keep lending you money.”

“But we’re brothers!”

“So? Ran is my brother and he only asks for food.” Hachuling knew for a fact that Ran asked more things than to be simply fed but, of course, he was the favourite so it didn’t matter. Whereas Hachuling, the poor working boy who had helped Aguero reunite with his boyfriend—very convenient of AA to have forgotten about it—, couldn’t even have some money to buy some equipment. The injustice. “Maybe try your luck with Maschenny.”

He could also try his luck by going out and waiting for money to drop which had more possibilities of happening.

“See you next week,” Aguero told him and shut the door. Hachuling sighed and started making his way to the kitchen, at least he could steal some food, preferably Ran’s snacks. It was then that whatever power held the Tower together seemed to smile at him.

“Why were you talking with Evankhell about marriage?” someone asked. Hachuling, who was still a child of Khun Eduan, grinned and opened the door.

“Who’s getting married?” he asked with a soft smile hiding sinister purposes. Both Shibisu and Bam froze in their position but Rak simply shrugged.

“The turtles.”

“Aren’t you dating my brother?” Hachuling asked, slightly scared of the answer. If Bam had decided to elope with their mutual friend—the one with the bad taste in clothes—Khun would certainly be inconsolable. Which, yes, would make it easier for Hachuling to take money from him but was a bad scenario nevertheless. To make things worse, Bam was incredibly strong and Hachuling wouldn’t be able to defend his brother’s honour.

“Yes. And now he wants to marry him.” The tracksuit man explains. Hachuling sighs in relief. Not only was his plan back in action, but he also wouldn’t have to fight a God.

“Congrats then!” Hachuling said and patted Bam’s back “I assume you’re going to prepare the list.”

“The list?”

“Yeah,” Hachuling, who we once again need to point out was a Khun, looked at them with fake confusion “you need to have the Family’s blessing in order to propose otherwise a marriage is illegal.”

“They’re already wanted by Jahad.” Shibisu cut in. Hachuling made a mental note to himself that he didn’t like that guy; he was smart.

“Then why get married at all?”

“No, no, we should get legally married,” Bam replied, his tone getting more serious. “It’s the right way.”

Bam seemed more affected by the entire situation than what Hachuling had first expected. It almost made him feel bad for his plan. The keyword is almost. Hachuling really needed some equipment. He smiled brightly, “Don’t worry. You only need the signature of four siblings and the family’s head.”

Bam opened his mouth but Hachuling quickly shushed him. “Unfortunately, I can’t be of any help, as I’ve left the family and I’m no longer considered a Khun.” Had Bam been a little more focused, a little less tired, he would have called his bluff (not Khun enough for a signature but enough for family games) but unfortunately for him, fate had other plans.

“I should go and buy a bottle of wine.”

.

Soon after, with a grin on his face, Hachuling sends out a text.