Candy Coated || Buddha

The Calm Before the Storm

The time is nigh.

Ragnarok draws near and you are not hardly ready to witness the bloodshed that will come with it. How is a human meant to take on a God? The thought plagues you well into the evening, so much so that you chose to remain in your room.

This marks the final day of your residence in Saṃsāra, the Realm of the Gods, and the gospel truth is you do not want to leave. It isn't fair. How can Yue-Lao tether you to a God and then take him away from you, as if he means nothing? He does and you–

An embarrassed heat spreads across your face as you realize just how much Buddha means to you.

"You have every right to be mad...but you aren't the only one. I'm sure Bu-chan was just as upset as you and she isn't even a human. Leave this to her and focus on us," he had told you.

It must have been then, through the irritation and the bafflement, in his arms, when you knew. Perhaps it had been sooner, but you were too fixated on the effects of the tether to notice. Or too oblivious.

But what did he mean? Why did Buddha tell you to focus on the two of you?

You honestly don't know but with Ragnarok coming, the feelings are there, albeit too late you fear. Why does this happen? Why do humans realize too late how they feel about someone who has been nothing but kind to them?

With a deep sigh, you set out an outfit on your coffee table. It will be the one you wear tomorrow to the arena. You consider wearing your human clothes, the ones you died in, but opt not to. It's silly, but you don't want to draw more attention to the fact you are a human tethered to Buddha.

But perhaps that's what I want the Gods to see.

Your head is a labyrinth. Needing a moment to breathe, you leave the room and head outside. The sky is so clear today. It's ironic considering how bleak you feel.

For the next hour, you wander around the abandoned village, doing the best you can to entertain your thoughts and relax. It seems to work, however, anxiety clings to you like a monster, whispering in your ear and reminding you that tomorrow is the tournament.

You head toward the river in hopes to rest your legs but as you approach, you see Buddha sitting near the bank. An air of calmness washes over you as you stare at him, putting to rest your thoughts. Had you looked at the red cords around your ankles, you would have seen that he was nearby. Your face heats up and though you consider turning around, you opt not to.

"May I join you?"

Buddha peeks over his shoulder and grins; a lollipop rests in the space between his cheek and teeth.

"If you want."

You do. Sitting by his side, you notice a package on his lap, but you don't ask about it, turning your eyes to the river. Sadness washes over you as you stare at the clear water. This will be the last time you see it, you are sure.

"There is a lot on your mind," Buddha remarks.

You hum in agreement knowing that he can feel your emotions via the tether, both good and bad. That means he probably already knows what you mean to him.

"I'm not ready for tomorrow, but I know that it can't be prevented. And then I–"

Pausing a moment, you take an uneasy breath.

"I don't want to leave this place. I want to stay with you."

Turning your eyes to him to gauge his expression, you jerk in fear as an uneaten lollipop appears in your line of sight. Your cheeks heat up as he laughs at your response.

He didn't have to scare me like that.

You take the lollipop from him, spinning it between your fingers.

"Then stay with me," Buddha states. "You can reach enlightenment with me if that's what you want."

It's not that easy. The humans would have to win for you to stay with him. Or else you will face extinction. Hesitantly linking your arm with his, you lean against his shoulder. Your body and mind feel so rested like this. If only it could last.

"I'm not sure why, but I feel calm around you. Like my worries are gone."

"It isn't the tether making you feel that way, nor me," Buddha mentions with a smile.

You raise a confused brow. If not influenced by him, then who. You've been a nervous wreck all morning and now there is nothing.

"Who–"

"I'm not telling," Buddha teased, removing his lollipop to poke his tongue out.

You huff in response. Sometimes he can be childish. Releasing his arm, you snag the candy from him.

"Then I'll just have to borrow this."

With a cheeky grin, you lift the candy to your mouth, giving it a lick. The wide-eyed expression on his face makes you laugh.

"Greed is a root evil, you know," Buddha states.

"I never said I wouldn't give it back," you retort, holding the candy out to him.

Instead of grabbing it with his hand, he leans forward and takes the candy into his mouth. Your face heats up. Somehow it feels like your attempt to tease him backfired. Buddha laughs in response and reaches into his lap for the package, offering it over.

"This is for you. I was holding onto it."

For me?

You open it, stunned to see an outfit inside. It's modern, a bit like the one you died in, but on the upper left chest area is a stencil of Usa-chan, the rabbit with the eye patch that is on the front of Buddha's shirt.

"You had this made for me? When?"

"Before we attended the council meeting," Buddha answers.

He's thoughtful. This, along with the other clothes, is more than you could have ever asked for.

This made up my mind.

"I'll wear it tomorrow. Thank you, Shaka."

You want the Gods to see you dressed as a human. If you could do more, you would. Though, it does make you wonder if Buddha wants to see humans live too. He once was one, before he attained enlightenment.

Lifting on your knees, you lean forward and kiss his cheek.

"Even though it has no purpose, as far as we know, I've rather enjoyed being tethered to you."

Buddha turns his eyes to you and grins. He doesn't comment, but you can sense that he feels the same. For the first time today, you are hopeful for the future, for your afterlife at your soulmate's side.

Leaning your head against his shoulder, you take a deep and relaxed breath. A moment later, you feel Buddha's cheek rest against your head.

"I do too, you know, want you to stay here," he utters.

Your face heats up. It makes you happy to hear that you aren't the only one.

I don't care if we ever find Yue-Lao. I want to stay here. I want to be with Shaka. The tether means nothing.

Or so you think.

Unbeknownst to you, however, the Chinese God of Marriage and Love was not one to play tricks. His set futures were never unplanned. However, as a favor to a certain someone, he made an exception.

The tether between God and mortal was simply a tool in someone else's plan.