Malakai and Winfrey sat at a plush red booth, Winfrey sipping her Fantastic Blackout special she whipped up. Malakai drinking another root beer as He watched with great amusement as Almonda and Rickter teaching Jag how to dance.
"Well all in all, that was one traumatizing yet fulfilling day we had! Wouldn't you agree?" Winfrey asked softly of Malakai as she leaned on his shoulder, the drink slowly beginning to take effect. Malakai felt himself panic at the touch but willed himself to calm down.
"Yeah you could say that." Malakai agreed.
Winfrey struggled to keep the conversation going before she realize there nothing else that needed to be said. So she enjoyed the sight of Jag tripping over his metal feet as Almonda panics and goes to help him up and Rickter laughs at the sight.
Dialoco and Uniqula walked in and to Dialoco utter surprise, the wall that was separating the kitchen from the rest of the club area was patched up completely.
"Free of charge. Sorry again about the wall." Malakai called out to them. Dialoco nodded and smiled. At this point he was glad to be alive.
"Um Mr. Malakai sir." A robotic deep male voice called out to him.
Malakai look to see one of the security automations that helped Zylon standing in front of the booth they were sitting in.
"Auto-one? What is it?" Malakai asked of him, slightly concerned. He had noticed that one of the automations was feeling a little off. Auto-One certainly did a great job tonight, helping that forest nymph and breaking Zylon free from that ice imprisonment.
"What will happen to me...well to us?" Auto-One asked, a hesitancy in their voice.
"You and the rest will be working here for as long as you needed or in some cases want to." The God answered honestly.
"Can I...leave? And be by myself? Can I explore the world if I really wanted?" Auto-One asked of it creator hesitantly.
Malakai smiles as Auto-one for the most part looks nervously as he is able to at his creator.
"Of course you can. You can do whatever it is you need to do. Will you be alright by yourself?" The God asked of his creation genuinely.
Auto-One nodded, feeling a lot better now.
"Yeah I be fine. I want to see more of this world, you know? See what people there are and what adventures I get myself into." Auto-One further explained.
Malakai understood completely, he was proud of this automation for coming to self-actualization much faster than he himself ever could. The fact that the automations continued to evolve made him excited and honestly a little fearful about what this could entailed.
Auto-one took a awkward bow.
"Um thanks for creating me, I wouldn't have gotten this far if you haven't. Jeez I'm kinda awful at conversations aren't I?" Auto-one said awkwardly.
"You get better with time. Just keep working at it and you improve little by little. It may not seem like you making progress sometimes but you are with every little step you take. I would know after all." Malakai advised the automation gently.
Auto-One nodded and left. But then right before Auto-One reach the exit door, he turn and gave a thumbs up to Malakai and Malakai returned it. Malakai wonders how the automation would fare out there. He keep an eye on Auto-one just to be safe.
Winfrey got up and made her way to the audio room and put on one of Swano's hits.
"Anxiety=Annihilation. Feat. The Big Town Boys"
Malakai look at Winfrey funny, She shrugged and gave one of her smiles that soothed his soul.
"Hey she a sociopathic bitch but she made some bangers." She said as another automation bring them a large plate of spicy buffalo wings and fries.
"I don't think she a sociopath." Malakai said honestly.
"You didn't disagree on bitch tho." Winfrey noted as she sat down next to him.
"No comment." Malakai said before cracking a smile.
They both started laughing. Winfrey offered her drink to Malakai and he thought on it.
"You know what I think I will." Malakai told her as she look worried.
"Are you sure? I call this the fantastic blackout for a reason you know?" Winfrey told him now a little concerned. She could handle it no problem but Malakai was more lightweight than a white girl fresh in college. She still remember the drunk white girl committing arson and grand theft auto at the same time, what a legend.
"What the hell was i thinking? Come on Winfrey you just had a whole experience in your mind and sorta came out a better person. (No you didn't) (SHUT UP I THOUGHT I KILL YOU!) Don't fuck this up." Winfrey scolded herself for falling back into her carless habits. Malakai stops his hand when he saw the concern written on Winfrey's face.
"I..." He thought on it some more.
"You know what? I stick with my root beer." Malakai said as he went back to sipping his drink.
"Good call. Sorry about that, don't know what my dumb-fat ass was thinking." Winfrey said, smacking herself on the head.
"It alright and You're not fat. Even if you were you still my best friend and i wouldn't care." Malakai said to her as he placed a comforting hand on her own hand that was coated with wing sauce. The Goddess of Wine was surprised at how he sentimental he could be. It was very sweet to her as a light blush made it way to her face.
"No, what I'm saying is I'm dumb but my ass is fat and very juicy! But thank you...you're my best friend too. Well after Thermes. Sorry." Winfrey awkwardly told Malakai who also blushed as well.
"Oh, of course! No need to apologize." Malakai agreed.
"So now let dig in before this food get cold." Winfrey told him before devouring wing after wing.
Malakai did the same, he saw Auto-One talking with Jag. Almonda spinning on the ground while Rickter failed to do the worm and he saw Winfrey stuffing fries into her face and felt a true happiness he couldn't describe.
The Next day,
Malakai awoken to a familiar warmth, he was under his covers back at his house. The feeling of safety made him happy and content. It was like being a kid again, him and Cheelege wrapped up in blankets that twisted around them like snakes after their mother Eris told them a story. He felt a pair of lips hit the crook of his neck and heard the sound of someone breathing. His heart started to beat erratically.
"So...warm" Winfrey said as she drooled on him. She wrapped her arms around him.
Malakai silently went into a panic, but a internal one as he didn't want to wake her up. That would be rude. He could tell that they both had most of their clothes on still.
"That a relief. We didn't do....that." Malakai thought to himself as thoughts begin to flood his mind and he did his best to ignore them.
He felt creepy thinking this but he loved the way he felt when Winfrey hugs him, he could feel all his anxiety melt away. He felt secure in her arms.
He tried to come up with a way to move her off him while still keeping her in the realm of dreams.
A pair of hands gently held onto Malakai's head, as the Goddess of Wine rose to Malakai's field of vision, and slowly opened her eyes.
"Ugh who I am sleeping with-" Winfrey muttered.
Winfrey crimson eyes glared into his own for a good five seconds.
"Good morning! I'm assuming it's morning." Winfrey greeted casually as she went back to snuggling with Malakai.
"I didn't mean to wake you." Malakai apologized.
"Jeez with the way your heart was banging around like a drum. It would be impossible to lull myself back to sleep without the help of some vodka infused tea." She told him playfully.
"You can have the bed, I can sleep on the couch!" Malakai told her hasitly.
"No. You're my personal blanket." She happily told him, feeling the tendrils of sleep dragging her back into a peaceful abyss.
He slowly arose from his bed, Winfrey still clinging onto him. He saw his three friends Jag, Almonda, and Rickter along with Cheelege and Thermes staring at the two. All of them had a big smile on their faces. Rickter gave a thumbs up to his creator.
"We let ourselves in." Cheelege answered the question on Malakai's face.
"They're so cute." Thermes commented warmly as she leaned her head against Cheelege's shoulder.
"I'm glad you two are alright, quite the harrowing adventure you three went through. But it was fun, right?" Cheelege asked of the two Gods.
"I think 'fun' is a bit of a stretch." Malakai told him seriously. Cheelege chuckled nervously.
"I mean besides the whole traumatic ordeal of reliving through your painful memories and insecurities, and being confronted with the fact that you're a complete piece of shit and the rather obvious fact that you can't change the horrid past. Yeah I say it was really fun!" Winfrey happily told the group.
Thermes couldn't help but worry about Winfrey. She didn't know the specifics of what happened at HoneyDogs last night, she knows what happen to Malakai due to Cheelege being there and telling her what happen. But with Winfrey she could only imagine and she had a pretty good idea of what Winfrey saw.
"Speaking of which, why are you here Thermes?" Malakai asked of the Goddess of Death. It was true they didn't interacted much outside of Cheelege, it didn't stop them from getting along fairly well. Even if they didn't have any conversation at all and it was just them sitting in silence while Cheelege did something that was beyond mortal comprehension, they consider that a good time.
Thermes produced a long scythe that was broken at the blade, the pole was bent and crooked.
"My daughter got into a fight in Sappy Sirens, you know the one? The bar itself was flipped upside down and Mori's scythe was damaged in the aftermath." Thermes told him, sighing a little.
"Yup that's our little reaper!" Winfrey said proudly.
Thermes facepalmed, she knew if her daughters Alice Palmer and Mori ever hung out there would be a surge of new souls coming into her realm. She shuddered at the damage they could cause. And yet there was a sense of twisted pride that welled up in her at the destruction her daughters can get up to.
"Oh like you haven't crack a few heads open!" Winfrey accused playfully which made Thermes gasped, causing Cheelege to wrap his arm around his mouth to keep from laughing.
"I at least try to keep damage to a minimum." Thermes defended herself, a pout made it way across her face.
"I get it fixed for you." Malakai said as he attempted to leave the bed only for Winfrey to hold on to him.
"No, no. Take your time. I'm just going to leave it here." Thermes told them cheekily, a small smile on her face as a yellow portal opened behind them.
"I see you two tomorrow!" Cheelege told his brother and Winfrey as they both stepped into the portal. Just leaving behind the Automations.
"Jag, Rickter, Almonda. Can you three give us some privacy?" Malakai gently asked of them.
"Ah, no problem boss!" Rickter said with a sly grin.
"Treat Mr.Malakai right! Or else!" Almonda threatened. Jag sighed and pull the two into the stairway leading up to the living room.
"Soooo.....Wanna fuck?" Winfrey suddenly asked.
Malakai stared at her, his eyes widen comically and steam was practically bellowing off him.
"I'm just kidding! relax....unless..." The Goddess of Wine said playfully. Malakai didn't know how to answer that, he didn't want to ruin his friendship with this wonderful woman.
"Um look i-i wanted to say that you're amazing and I'm very lucky to have you as a friend." Malakai told her truthfully.
Winfrey shifted and adjusted herself so she was sitting up in bed.
"Malakai I'm not amazing. I'm kinda-no ok a big disaster. I was just about to say that I'm the lucky one having you as a friend." She told him seriously.
"Well I'm not an shining example of a God either, But however we can change. I know we can. It like Cheelege always tell me. We have complete "control" of our lives." Malakai told her, Winfrey giggled.
"Well that kinda ominous, why the quotation marks around control?" She asked.
Malakai laughed a little.
"It a little theory he had, try not to worry about for now." Malakai told her, remembering the disturbing details of Cheelege's hypothsis.
Winfrey laid back down and stared at the molten lava pit that reminded her of a lava lamp.
"I'm glad that you're my friend Malakai for real. Thank you." Winfrey said again.
Malakai smiled, Winfrey wished she had a freaking camera because that smile is the most precious thing she seen since she saw Thermes's smile.
"Damn I'm hungry. What should we eat?" Winfrey asked as she stretched her arms.
"I could fix us something, what do you feel like having?" Malakai suggested.
"Didn't know you can cook!" Winfrey said astonished.
"I'm not Garwik or his father Bartholomew but i can make a decent meal I guess?" Malakai said meekly.
"Can i help? I know some recipes that would be perfect after an emotional draining night like the ones we have!" Winfrey asked of Malakai who nodded, a small grin on his face as he arose from the bed. Winfrey still held onto him, she was basically in a piggyback ride with Malakai.
"Sorry about this, I don't think I can actually walk properly at the moment. My legs are killing me." Winfrey said, her legs still felt like pure jell-o from last night.
Malakai chuckled to himself as he walked upstairs carefully.
"Been there before." Malakai told her.
"Right...sorry." Winfrey cringed at her own previous comment.
"Winfrey, you have nothing to apologize for." Malakai said, bringing some comfort to the Wine Goddess.
"Hey Malakai?"
"Yes?"
"Here to a brighter future." Winfrey happily said.
Malakai nodded in agreement. He opened the door and went into the living room with Winfrey.
Aphros arrived accompanied by her lovely Pegasus, Rhodes. A burst of rose petals flew up in the air as she landed in front of the one place she thought she would never be caught dead in ever again.
Malakai's house.
"Alright Rhodes, wait here for me. This won't take long." Aphros said as she flipped her hair over her shoulder, a trail of sparkles followed suit.
Rhodes neighed in protest.
"I understand your concerns but i have to do this. For my sake." The First Goddess of Love said as she rested her head upon her trusty companion.
Rhodes whined softly.
"No I'm not doing this to assuage my guilt! Ok maybe a little bit, but Malakai deserved a proper apology, wouldn't you agree?" Aphros asked of Rhodes who nodded it head. The Goddess of Love was satisfied with her best friend's answer. She look at the house of Malakai and felt nostalgic. The first time Malakai brought her here and all she could think was that it was surprisingly quaint. She was even more surprised at how it look on the inside.
"I mean considering he a God of Engineering you think it wouldn't be something so simple and cozy." Aphros thought after she left the house two hours later after receiving golden earrings and giving him the biggest hug for that.
There was a delectable smell wafting from the house as Aphros walked to the front door. It reminded her of when Malakai would make breakfast for her as she would mediate lover's quarrels.
"You gotten quite good at cooking Malakai." Aphros thought fondly as she remembered the time Malakai went to Bartholomew for tips and advice on cooking. He even found out some of her favorites like the Strawberry delight pie with whip cream on top sprinkled with chocolate shavings. Aphros chuckled at the first time he presented his take on her favorite dish, while the presentation was lacking, the taste was immaculate.
"OH MALAKAI IT SO BIG!!!" Now that was definitely Winfrey, there was no denying that. Aphros stood at the door where Winfrey was apparently behind. An shocked expression on her face as she heard fumbling behind the door.
"MALAKAI I'M SO CLOSE!! I'M ABOUT TO-"
The door opened to reveal an extremely flustered Malakai who was also shirtless with a Winfrey who seems to be sitting at the table, whistling innocently.
"Aphros?!" Malakai was flabbergasted at the sudden visit of the first Goddess of Love.
"U-um he-hello Malakai, if I was interrupting something then I will come back!" Aphros hastily said, hating the quiver in her voice. It just-she didn't think Malakai would- With Winfrey. It was shattering her whole image of the once sad and downtrodden God that screamed innocence. Especially now looking at him. He was shirtless, revealing his chiseled six-pack, his body sheen in sweat. She almost forgot how good he looked with his shirt off.
"It seems that he actually happy. That good." Aphros thought to herself, that gnawing feeling of guilt coming back from earlier. She thought back to her days spent with Malakai, how despite his awkwardness and clear lack of self-confidence he still try his damn hardest to make her happy.
And how did she repay that? With insults and cheating. She held back the bitter chuckle. Her daughters were better Goddesses of Love. At least they understood that a relationship should be a special bond between two (Or three or more if willing.) lovers.
"No, it fine. Why did you come to visit me?" Malakai asked hesitantly as Almonda was barely being held back by Jag. Aphros could just barely hear the disturbing threats coming from Almonda.
Aphros took in a deep breath and look her former lover in the eye.
"I would like to apologize to you Malakai. I'm sorry for playing with your emotions and I'm deeply sorry for cheating on you. You didn't deserve that. You were extremely sweet and kind despite your clear infinite self-hatred. And that a rare trait in a God much less a man." Aphros told him, looking him straight in the eyes.
Malakai was really surprised at this and he wasn't the only one as Winfrey looks towards Aphros, a strip of bacon hanging of her mouth as she had to make sure what she heard was correct. Almonda scoffs, hoping her creator wouldn't buy this as Jag looked on, intrigued.
"Cut the Cappery." Rickter said quietly.
"I know that saying sorry doesn't absolve the pain I caused you but I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me. If not then I truly understand. And for what it worth, probably very little but I think you and Winfrey will be truly happy together." Aphros said to him, a smile on her face as she saw the probable future of these two Gods.
Malakai didn't know what say so he said the first thing that came to mind.
"Ok." Malakai told her, he felt surprisingly good after that.
Aphros wasn't sure what she was expecting. A tearful Malakai hugging her perhaps?
"Aphros thank you. I knew it wasn't easy to come here and say that. And i would also like thank you for helping when Swano trapped me and Winfrey in our mind palaces. I was surprised that you was willing to give me advice. I'm truly grateful for what you did." He said, bowing to show his gratitude.
Aphros blinked. Was that what was happening? She just assumed Malakai just locked himself into his mind chamber and started to breakdown as his insecurities attacked him. Wouldn't be the first time he did that.
"Although I did hear about something going down at HoneyDogs and that beautiful singer Swano was blessed by my lovely Apollo was involved. It not impossible that she could do something like that." Aphros rationalize in her head.
"Well don't mention it, it was the very least i can do after everything i put you through." She told him honestly.
"Aphros, we're alright. Let just put all of that in the past and look forward to a brighter future where we learned from our mistakes and use them to become better." Malakai told her as she stared wide-eyed at him. He truly had came a long way and it made her happy and a little regretful that it took her cheating on him to be the catalyst but hey you can't win all of the time. Even if you're a divine being.
"It may be a generic life lesson but it not a bad one!" Winfrey exclaimed as she finished her plate.
Aphros chuckled at this. "Well I must be off, you two enjoy yourselves now." Aphros said in a suggestive tone that was not missed by Malakai who blushed.
"Wait does she think me and Winfrey are a couple?!" He thought as he tried to clarified to Aphros that they were just friends but by that point she was already on Rhodes, flipping her hair and soaring through the skies.
"Now that I think about it, Cheelege and Thermes thought the same thing didn't they?" Steam arose off Malakai. He wasn't opposed to the idea of a relationship but he and Winfrey needed to work on themselves before attempting something like that.
He watched her get on her friend's back and ride away into the sky. He turn back to the door to see Winfrey looking at him with a suggestive smirk.
"Shall we finish what we started?" She asked playfully.
"Why did you make those noises?" Malakai questioned her, embarrassed.
"Call it me having a bit of fun, I just wanted to see her reaction to you not being the pathetic being she thought you was. Didn't know she was here to apologize though, Redemption seem to be a running theme these days. But just so you know i didn't fake my reaction." She explained, finishing the last line flirtishly.
"Uhh I-" Malakai started before getting interrupted by Winfrey.
"BECAUSE THIS BREAKFAST YOU MADE IS UP THERE WITH BARTHOLOMEW'S COOKING!" Winfrey exclaimed as she took another bite of the perfectly cooked bacon.
Malakai chuckled, he was happy that he didn't mess up with cooking. He wasn't as skilled as Bartholomew who he swears must be the God of Cooking or even his brother Cheelege who took it on as a hobby and as an excuse to try more imaginative dishes. But he worked hard to improve himself, he couldn't wallow in depression forever.