The Oracle of Tartarus [malexmale]

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Fifteen

I woke up to warmth and comfort the next morning.

For the first time in a very, very long time, I woke up feeling refreshed and alive. My muscles were relaxed and soothed by the soft caresses of blankets and sheets, and a very delicate arm wrapped around my torso. My eyes flickered open and my morning was a hundred times better as I woke up to Noe hugging me around the torso, his face buried against my chest as he slept in silence.

I smiled, reaching down to stroke his hair. He sighed in his sleep and snuggled closer, tightening his grip around me. I wanted to stay here and savor this forever, but a tingling sensation at the back of my mind told me someone was trying to contact me through my laptop.

I sighed, reluctantly slipping out of Noe's grip and pulling the blankets over him as he grabbed onto a pillow to replace me in his arms. I smiled lightly, then went to shower before changing into a pair of loose white pants and a matching v-neck shirt with loose sleeves. I went to my office right afterwards and took my laptop out, and sure enough, there was a message from Hades. I grimaced as I popped it open and found several attachments titled "Logs", which meant I'd just been sent two more weeks worth of work.

I resisted the urge to reply with a photo of my middle finger and sat down, immediately getting to work. Part of me wanted to put it off until later so I could at least make Noe breakfast and leave it for him when he woke up, but I wasn't a very good cook and the sooner I got this work done, the more time I could spend with Noe.

Of course, it didn't take very long for Noe to figure out where I was and what I was doing, because a couple hours later, Noe came into my office, dressed in his uniform, and looking upset.

"I knew you'd be in here," He complained instantly, shutting the door and coming to my desk, "Why didn't you wake me up?" I typed my response and turned the screen for him to see. He scanned it briefly, then looked up at me with a pout. I smiled and he relaxed, coming over to my side of the desk and leaning on my shoulders as I returned to work. He stayed with me for a while before his growling stomach urged him to eat breakfast.

A few moments after he'd left, there was a knock on my door. I looked up, frowning as someone entered. The water daemon servant from before came in, wearing a loose green velvet dress over black leggings designed with teardrops. Her icy blue hair was tied up into a loose bun, whisps of hair hanging near her young heart-shaped face, green eyes looking at me expectantly. I gestured for her to come to me and she approached my desk. I typed out the question who are your parents and turned the screen for her to read. She cocked her head, looking down at it with a confused frown before looking up at me.

"Medea and Alexander Prothesius, my lord. They were both water daemons from Athens, but they died, ah, quite a while ago. May I inquire as to why you need to know?" She asked. I typed out a response, being we're searching for someone, but your parents don't fit the description, I apologize for any inconvenience. She read the screen and her cheeks flushed as she reached up to brush the hair from her face shyly.

"No inconvenience at all, Lord Zelios. Actually," She paused to laugh a bit nervously as she tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, "I've missed being here. I work for Lord Cain now and, well, I'm just so used to Tartarus. Not many people can say that, can they?" I smiled at that and she smiled back before the door to my office opened and Noe came in, pausing to frown at the sight of the servant.

"I didn't know you were here." He deadpanned. I frowned at his rudeness, but obviously couldn't say anything. Thankfully, the water daemon didn't seem to notice and just smiled warmly.

"My apologizes, Master Noe. I'm just used to coming in and out as I please. I'll be sure to check in with you next time." She gave him a polite nod. Noe didn't react to it, just ignored her and looked at me.