Regaining conscious thought, recalling the indulgences that led him to this place. Hearing sounds of people talking, breathing and sleeping. Eyes widened looking at the familiar ceiling, the mortal’s fragrance, the feel of flesh touching fur. An unconscious naked woman lying horizontally, directly on his chest. Seeing claw marks stretching across her back, listening to her steady heartbeat. Lifting his arm that hanged off the bed, staring at the closed slash across his palm. Gently sliding her off, toward another sleeping with their top half underneath the covers, letting out a snore sounding like a mouse squeaking. Sitting up, surrounded by over a dozen women and several men, lying in the beds or on the floor. Wine, blood and other liquids drenched the room. He stood much taller than the rest, letting out a groan of disgust while trying to avoid stepping on anyone, wandering out through the hallway of the brothel. Hearing something quickly coming from behind, a white sheet thrown over his shoulders and wrapped around.
“You should wear some clothes, dear.” A gentle teasing male voice said coming around, giving the demi-god a weary smile. He scoffed, pulling off the sheet, giving a cold shoulder and started walking off quicker.
“I’m going downstairs to bathe.” He grumbled, heading downstairs.
“What a coincidence, so was I.” The human responding cheekily, following along into the public bathhouse, sounds of hearty laughter and chatter. The demi-god glanced at the mortal briefly, wrapped in linen with dampen hair, sighing and scratching his side. Stepping inside the largest available tub, submerging his lower half. Scooping the water in between his claws, splashing his face. Turning his head, giving the grinning human a troubled glare, feeling fingers stroking his back.
“Your back is filthy and matted. Need some help?”
“Leave me alone, Asher.” The demi-god uttered, rubbing his temples.
“Rytram, everyone here seeks the same pleasures, we’re equal in degeneracy. You shouldn’t hold so much contempt for yourself.” Asher said. Rytram glanced back at the human, rubbing his left shoulder blade with his opposite claw, before Asher started massaging his shoulders.
“Surrounding myself amongst sinners, doesn’t change how I loathe that I’m becoming my father…I don’t know how I’ve found someone-that actually sees me as anything more than a beast.” Rytram said. His varicose veins starting glowing bright like fire, abruptly spilling water when getting out, taking Asher’s hand without another word, leaving still dripping wet…
* * *
Pushing past pompous patrons of market places, passing the palace, the cacophony caused by the clamoring crowds, anxiously arriving at an arrangement of alabaster statues. Stealthily striding through squeaky doors, across hallways of sleeping soldiers...
Finally dry, pulling down the window’s curtains to block the blinding sunlight, Rytram collapsed on his side, curling up with his legs hanging off the canopy bed.
“Even after a whole month, it feels abnormal to find a demi-god lying in your bed…” Asher said sheathing his blade back into his belt, met with silence, rubbing the back of his neck. “Regardless of your father’s actions, you still talk with your other brothers don’t you?”
“My relationship with my brothers are so distant, I wouldn’t even notice passing by them in the street.” Rytram stated bluntly, watching Asher walking towards the window dressed in extravagant clothing, sitting on a chair, looking outside. “...When will you be back home? I don’t like that you do such stressful and dangerous work.” Rytram muttered shifting on his back, watching a spider crawling along the rafters of the high ceiling. Asher smiled, going toward the bed and sitting down.
“I’m prepared for negotiations to last the entire night. My mediation is required against more the aggressive members, otherwise I’d expect things to go sideways. But I’m quite excellent at my occupation, I should be back by midnight, dear. Maybe you can surprise me with some wine.” Rytram scoffed and looking away, resting his head on his hand making a fist.
“I utterly refuse to ever drink alone again! I’m not my father and I’ve done enough regretful actions based on poor decisions-” Rytram half-shouted silenced by a kiss. His face flushes, nearly jumping upright.
“Well you’re not alone anymore and I certainly don’t regret us meeting, because you decided to drink excessively. I’m quite happy to have someone I love.” Asher said Rytram opened his mouth to speak but merely babbled inaudibly, seeing the visible disappointment on Asher’s face. Promptly leaving, saying nothing more. Asher sighed.
* * *
He was going to be late...Asher quickly stopped at a market stall, grabbing and paying for a bright red apple. Noticing and giving a teenager and the child clinging behind them, two loafs of bread, before running off with rushed breaths. Not paying mind to what’s around the corner. Colliding with another, Asher collapsed backwards, the red apple falls upon the ground, rolling towards a large blade connected to a slender masked figure, just standing there quietly. Asher couldn’t stand, or even move, nor could he look away from the stranger’s foreboding presence.
* * *
Despite his misgivings, Rytram had finished writing and sending his letter for his father. Strolling down the empty and quiet midnight streets, staring up at the moon and heading straight through Asher’s squeaking front door. Sealed bottles of wine held in his claws, he walked up the stairs and noticed the bedroom door was already half-open.
“Asher-” Rytram said tapping the door wide open, seeing Asher’s feet dangling in the air, underneath a fallen chair, motionless, hung by the neck with their bed sheets tied to the rafters. The sound of breaking glass, rushing to release him, lying limp in Rytram’s arms. Screams of agony. Holding tightly to his last regrets...