Short Stories

Valentines Surprise

Julius sits on his throne, watching other realms from a portal. He doesn’t often bother with checking out there, but today was special. It was Valentine’s Day, and most mortals planned something for their significant others. He found it cute. Cupid was always busy around this day, people scrambling around to find the perfect gifts for the wrong people. She worked to fix it, but she never got very far. He did find her dedication fascinating.
His spying was cut short by one of his subjects. Life, what once was the queen of joy and creation, was left to rot and corrupt. It took years to fix her up to the point she is now, but he still has a lot of work to go.
“Alone again, Jules?” Life sits on the arm of his throne.
“Is it that obvious?” Julius looks at her and sits up, “Not like anyone would want something so….”
“Shadowy? Yeah, I thought about that and-” Life starts up but is quickly interrupted.
“Life, I’m not allowed to go out there, Space, or is Tyran in charge now, doesn’t matter. They would kill me. I don’t belong out there,” Julius crosses his arms.
“No one would know! I could give you a makeover, and Scrap could sneak you out,” Life pulls him off the throne, “ I won’t take no for an answer.”
Her scheme did make him curious. Maybe it could work.
“Fine, but it better be good enough for no one to recognize me. I mean no one.”
Life nods excitedly and drags him out of the castle.
   
    Cupid looks through her arrows. Everything has been going wrong all day. She has no idea how to fix Eros’s mess. Reaper has been doing his best to help, but he’s not made for this. Cupid groans, ready to quit, when suddenly she sees something. A new person. She watches him. She’s never seen a person just appear out of nowhere like that.
    “Hey, Reaper, what’s that guy’s death date?” Cupid looks toward her lover, who is now looking through his list.
    “I don’t have a name for him if that’s what you want, possibly immortal, but I don’t even have a birthdate for him,” Reaper keeps digging, “There’s no record….”
    “Weird, I have a partner for him. Are you sure?” Cupid looks over his shoulder.
    “I have the death dates of even the gods. Of course, I’m sure.” Reaper huffs. Cupid kisses his cheek, and he smiles.
    “Thank you for checking. Guess I’m going off of my magic now,” Cupid grins, “The only thing I need is to find Nyx and lure the guys together.”
    “Nyx? Yikes, the boy must be crazy to love that guy,” Reaper chuckles, “Nyx hates everyone Cupid. Is it a one-way thing, or does Nyx actually have a soft spot?”
     “What are you talking about? How bad can he be?”
    “..... Let’s just say it’ll take a few extra arrows,” Reaper says, reloading her quiver, “Good luck, dear.”
    Cupid nods and looks back at the stranger. The guy is now sitting by the pool, watching the water silently.
    “I’ll get Nyx here. Will you keep an eye on this guy?” Cupid asks.
    “Of course, I’ll keep him busy,” Reaper starts toward the guy, and Cupid vanishes to find Nyx.    
    Reaper approaches the guy.
    “Hello, everything alright?” Reaper sits by him.
    “Huh, oh uhh yeah, I’m just not used to seeing water this clear,” Julius puts his hand in the water, “I like it.”
    “Where do you come from?”
    “Oh, it’s far away, like annoyingly far. No one ever visits, and there is very little light.”
    “The Night Realm? At least, I think that’s what it’s called.”
    “Yeah, that place,” Julius keeps his eyes on the water.
    “I quite enjoy the realm. It’s peaceful. Though that explains the oddity of the new experiences,” Reaper smiles at him.
“Perhaps so,” Julius looks away from him, “Where are you from?”
“I don’t know,” Reaper lays back onto the poolside, “I don’t remember much of when I was younger.”
“He did a number on you, that’s for sure..” Julius looks over only to find he’s vanished, “Rude….”
Cupid takes a breath of relief.
“How did you get him here?” Reaper questions.
“He was already here. He was in the library!” Cupid smiles, “This is what’s supposed to happen!”
“If you say so….” Reaper looks down at Julius.
    Julius lays down, letting his feet rest in the water. Nyx walks outside, being prompted by an odd set of power surges.
Nyx looks around to see Julius.
“What are you?” Nyx lightly kicks Julius in the side.
“A guy who just got ditched by the god of death,” Julius chuckles, “Didn’t even say goodbye.”
“Tch, I could see why. You’re not good enough for even death itself. Loser,” Nyx rolls his eyes.
“Uncalled for, but blunt, I like it,” Julius sits up, “What’s your name?”
“Why does it matter to you?” Nyx glares.
“I’d like to know who is verbally harassing me,” Julius stands.
“Nyx. Now, what’s your name, stupid.”
“Julius, but people call me Jules,” He offers out a hand to shake. Nyx only swats it away.
Cupid grins as she loads her bow. The boys continue exchanging hateful conversations. Nyx begins laughing at Julius's lack of social skills and witty remarks. Julius smiles. He had never made someone out of his realm smile before. Cupid fires it at Nyx. Julius tilts his head, seeing Nyx wince.
“Are you alright?” Julius puts a hand on his shoulder.
    “I’m fine, you weirdo.” Nyx shoves him off.
    “What happened?” Julius attempts to put his hand back but stops himself. Only to have Nyx lean onto his hand.
    Cupid fires yet another arrow, this time at Julius. Julius jumps at the feeling of Cupid’s arrow.
“Ow! What the-” He looks around, “What was that?”
“How should I know?” Nyx growls.
“I don’t know! You’re the only other person here!” Julius huffs.
“Zip it,” Nyx grabs him by the collar of his shirt.
Cupid fires two more arrows. Both at Nyx. Julius blushes and looks down at Nyx’s grip on him. Nyx huffs, feeling something odd in his stomach.
    “A-are you feeling weird too?” Julius practically whimpers out.
    “No. W-what on earth are you talking about?” Nyx hides his face by turning away.
    “Stop lying. It’s a weird fluttering feeling,” Julius snaps at him.
    “It is not! I don’t feel a thing,” Nyx lets him go, “Why would I feel something for a sweet loser like you.”
    “I don’t know, maybe it’s a poison we inhaled? Maybe stop being stubborn and just let me help. Mr. I’m Stubborn and too hot to care for anyone,” Julius turns around, trying to avoid eye contact, but he can feel Nyx’s eyes all over him.
    “Oh please, as if turning around is going to stop me. I’m just going to stare at your ass!” Nyx shouts, making Julius go bright red.
“Shut up! Why the hell would you yell that?!” Julius shuffles his feet, not entirely sure how to respond to any of this.
Nyx growls, getting annoyed. He grabs Julius and spins him. Julius tenses and stares. Suddenly, two more arrows, aimed at each of them.
Their hearts begin to pound, everything feeling wrong yet perfect. Nyx leans in, grabbing Julius’s head gently and pulling him close.
“I hate you,” Nyx whispers.
“I hate you too,” Julius responds, leaning in as well.
Their breath unevenly heaves from their chests, making the fluttering feeling worse as their lips meet. Julius wraps his arms around Nyx, deepening their kiss. Never wanting the moment to end.