The coming summer would be third one after he had met Seirios for the first time. Frankly, the medusa just couldn't take the hint. He had told him every single story about lovers he could remember, and he still wouldn't take the initiative.

Maybe he really should do it himself...But how? In every story, it was always the older man approaching the younger one. Men didn't usually marry other men, though. And for girls, their parents arranged their marriages.

Love pledged before the gods, between just the two of them, would have been fine too. He didn't need any kind of ceremony, and he was aware they would never have children. But he didn't know how to do that either!

Frustrated, he kicked one of the trees around him, scaring a few birds into flight.

Whether it was because of the noise the birds were making or because he was distracted with his own feelings, he didn't notice he was not alone until someone grabbed him. A man wearing leather armor – he recognized the texture pressing against his back - and smelling of metal and old sweat.

Chares froze completely. It had been a long time since he had encountered other people, and he found himself at a loss what to do. Was it a bandit? Someone looking for him? Surely not after all these years.

"This is supposed to be the legendary monster?" the man laughed. "I could snap his neck like a twig!"

A monster hunter. Seirios had told him that many people had come after his mother, lured by the promise of the fame that slaying her would bring. But none had come by after her death.

"He's certainly ugly enough," another man commented, his voice indifferent.

Chares's chest constricted painfully. Was he ugly? Was that why Seirios wouldn't...?

"None of us have been turned to stone yet," a woman added with disdain. "Probably just some runt with tragic past."

"A blind runt who's lived here all alone? I don't buy it." The man pulled his hair sharply. "Why don't you tell us? Are you the monster who lives here? Or...do you know him?"

If he told them the truth, they'd go after Seirios. "...Her," he quietly said. "She was my mother. Her power turned her to stone too. It didn't affect me because I couldn't see."

"He's lying," the woman huffed.

"No! I can show her to you." He had found her petrified body a long time ago, easily recognizable by the same hair of snakes that her son had. It was dangerously close to the cave, but hopefully Seirios would still be fishing at the river like he had said when they had parted ways this morning.

"If we take her head, we can still get the reward." That was the other man. Chares had gotten really good in telling individuals apart by voice even on first meeting soon after losing his sight.

They would let him go. Everything would be over peacefully. Seirios would not come to any danger.

The man holding him still tightened his hold. "I bet we'll get a nice chunk of gold for the medusa's son too. He's harmless, and I know a man who collects strange creatures."

The woman snorted. "Collects, huh? It would be kinder to kill him first and sell his corpse. He'll just be tortured to death."

"We'll get more money if he's alive. He's a monster. None of our business what happens to him after."

Chares had thought the whispered stories of such cruel men were only to frighten children and slaves into obedience. His heart started beating faster. His body trembled uncontrollably. "No! Please-"

A large hand covered his mouth. "Hush," the man whispered to his ear soothingly. "You'll be alright if you only do as you're told. Let's go see your mother, hmm?"

Chares was too scared to do anything else than guide them to the statue.

"She certainly was an ugly wench," the man said, never having completely let go of him. "Snakes for hair, huh..."

"Let's just take her head and leave," the other one snapped. "This place is creepy."

Chares knew that there were several petrified people here, some of their faces twisted in fear, but he had never considered it creepy.

Still, his heart almost skipped a beat when he suddenly heard a woman's scream. Surely Seirios's mother couldn't have still been alive?

"Kyros...Kyros!" It was the same woman as earlier, but she sounded desperate and in tears.

He was punched to the face completely unexpectedly. The hand still holding on to his arm had gotten clammy with sweat. This man had to be terrified.

"You lying little brat! You said she was dead!"

"She is. I don't understand-"

The man hit him again. "If she's dead, why did my friend just turn to stone?!"

"I turned him to stone," Seirios stated from somewhere very close. "I will do the same to you if you don't let Chares go right now."

The man pulled Chares close to his body. "Where are you?! If I die, I'll take him with me!"

He could hear the hissing of snakes. Then the body behind him started convulsing, like having a seizure. Taking his chances, he elbowed the man as hard as he could and made a break for it.

He didn't get farther than a few steps before another set of arms wrapped around him from behind. "It's alright, it's alright. It's me," Seirios's voice could be heard over the snakes hissing. The serpents gently nipped at his hair and ears, like trying to comfort in their own way.

"You monsters!" the woman screamed. Then there was the sound of metal against leather, no doubt a weapon being drawn from its sheath.

Seirios only looked at her. Chares could tell because...well, he didn't really know. It was like he could feel her life become extinguished, sense the faint straining sound as limbs turning to stone fought one last time to move.

"They can't hurt you anymore," the medusa whispered, his voice strained.

Chares wriggled around to face him and ran his hands over Seirios's face. It was wet. Tears. "I'm...sorry," he muttered.

Seirios hugged him tighter. "Don't be. I'll protect you. I'll never let you go as long as I live."

Chares kissed him. He didn't know why. It just happened. Despite all the worrying about their relationship earlier, it felt completely natural.

Who needed the blessing of the gods anyway? He certainly didn't.