The Summoning (Sleep Token FanFiction)

XXV - Gods

"JuJuuuuuuu!" II called as he walked into the front door of his large house. It was a gated property with a garden instead of a yard and was made of beautiful older architecture like the church was. 

He dropped our bags - after offering to bring mine up the steps along with his - looking around the house for the cat.

It was a light and airy entryway that opened straight into the living room, glass doors looking out into the back garden. The furniture in the living room area were matching browns and blacks, a TV on one wall and nicely hung awards and photos lining the walls related to the band and his instrument. 

A howling emanating from the hallway to the right rose to a climax, stuttering as JuJu galloped out of one of the rooms and right up to II. The cat meowed loudly until II picked him up - with a bit of difficulty, considering his size - and scratched into the thick of his neck fur. 

"There you are, Buddy!" II chuckled, moving to the side to get out of everyone else's way while he talked in cooing murmurs to the cat. 

"People are going to think someone's dying in here." III was laughing brightly with a wide smile as he set his bag down and walked up to pet JuJu. JuJu sniffed III's hands curiously before rubbing his face against III's fingers.

Vessel patted JuJu's head as he passed and headed to a room in the hallway, picking up my bag from the floor on his way. II let JuJu out of his arms and the cat landed on his feet with a thump to the floor, sauntering over to IV as he closed the front door. JuJu weaved between IV's feet, nearly making IV trip as he stepped into the living room before JuJu wandered down the hall. 

I tried not to think too hard on the simple act of care when II placed a hand on my shoulder. "Make yourself at home, Troublemaker."

With a sigh, II sat on the couch while IV settled into a barstool at the counter. III flopped down onto the couch next to II and draped an arm around him as he turned on the TV.

"Lunch?" IV stood and headed to the kitchen, looking through the fridge.

I decided to sit on II's other side on the couch while III scanned through channels.

"Whoa, III turn on Youtube." IV demanded and I glanced back to see him furrowing his brow at his phone.

III did as he said and IV connected his phone to the TV, playing some sort of news video IV was already partway into watching.

"... Seems that the anonymous band member left the stage to help someone in the crowd. According to fans, none of the band members have ever directly interacted with the crowd except in the beginning of their career. The bassist in particular seems to be the only one that has ever talked to the crowd, though this sort of direct interaction is a first for them, as well. Rumors are spreading that the bassist knew this crowdgoer as he had met with the woman side stage..."  

II clapped and I flinched when he whistled, facing III. 

III hid his face, shaking his head. "Alright, alright, turn it off, you knob." He waved a hand behind him to IV.

JuJu followed behind Vessel as he came back to the living room and sat down beside III even though there was barely any room left on the couch. Seeing what we were watching - a fan's video of III demanding the bodyguard take Isla out of the crowd - he opened his mouth in surprise and pointed to III as if to say they're talking about you!

"Yeah, yeah, shut up." III lightly swatted Vessel's hand down, a small smile on his lips. 

JuJu jumped up onto III's lap and settled in as III stroked a hand down JuJu's spine.