whelve (verb) - to hide

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ wonder by morgxn

IF IT'S ONE THING CUE IS,
IT'S FUCKING TIRED

Cue manages a grumble to himself while adjusting the safety glasses over his face. He's glad that none of the other's are around, mostly because he knows the majority of them would just poke fun. They are necessary, however, and Cue's made it thousands of years without injuring an eye, he's certainly not going to just ignore the precautions.

Instead, he turns his attention to the two thick wood doors in front of him. One of them is Echo's old door, and the other is Joons. It's become painfully obvious that Echo's house is pretty much beyond repair, so instead, Cue's gonna carve one out for the both of them to put on Joon's house again. It'd be a few days before Echo's old one vanished, just as long as Cue had removed all magical implements. Fortunately, most of them were connected to the front door, so it shouldn't be too much of a problem.

It was true that he could simply just reset Echo's house, but that could potentially take much longer than just meshing the two together. Once Cue finished the inscription for the both of them, the house would adapt as needed, following the guidelines of said implements that arcanically connected the carved runes to Echo and Joon themselves.

Sighing softly, he shook the thoughts from his head, pushing up the glasses to pinch the bridge of his nose. Maybe he was too old for this. Certainly, he wasn't going to say that however, because he was still in the best shape of his life - or, lives, but exhaustion was weighing heavy on his shoulders. It was probably just from flying for a couple days straight, which admittedly, might not have been the best idea, but Echo had been gone.

And maybe just a little bit of it was Cue's fault.

He's not saying all of it was, but he's also not going to brush aside the overwhelming sense of strangling guilt that seems to have a chokehold on him. He should have taught her better, should have looked more into her abilities, should have done something.

Certainly, he could have done something, couldn't he?

God, I'm exhausted.

Shaking the sleep from his head, he pushed off of the bench he'd been sitting on in front of his worktable, moving around to select a good carving knife. It hadn't been that long since he'd done this, only around eight months, but he hadn't done a jointed door in a while. Not that they were that much harder, but it did require special precision.

It was fine, he had to practice anyway. He was pretty sure at some point in the future, the other's would want to move in with their significant others anyway. Cassian already spent the majority of his time at Asia's, so it wouldn't come as that much of a surprise. That being said, he'd have to get their confirmation before actually doing it. He only had a few days to complete Joon's anyway, even if his house was long from beginning to deteriorate. Calloused hands skimmed over the arrangement of carving knives, before selecting a set that he'd gotten only two decades ago from one of his own old friends.

It was delicately made, with aspects of traditional Japanese culture painted over the hilts. It had been a very kind gift, although Cue's Japanese was rusty at best, so he wasn't completely sure of the inscription.

Perhaps he'd ask Joon. He was pretty sure he spoke both Korean and Japanese, but he'd have to check again just to be sure.

On the other hand, Cue would rather be eaten alive by a bear than ask Joon to translate something. Knowing him, he'd probably say some bullshit rather than the actual transcription, so maybe he should just take it to an appraiser instead, or at the very least brush up on the language. 

Cue shakes his head again, half in spite, and half in temporary amusement, before picking up the set of knives to move it back over to his work table. Sparks of lightning ache shoot through his spine, encircling the broad scars on his back that his wings have left. They're hurting more than usual, and Cue's decided to blame it on his fervent activity as of recent, rather than actually look at them.

They've only been infected once before, and he really, really, doesn't want that to happen again, so maybe if he just ignores it, it'll go away.

That's so stupid, just check them.

Instead of doing the rational, logical thing, he waves off the thought, casting attention back to the twin doors in front of him. The wood coloring is the same, so it shouldn't be too difficult to transcribe as needed onto one of them. He's hesitant to cut on Echo's, only because her magic is so burnt-out, there's almost nothing at all for the door to respond to, however, he's worried because of that the arcanic properties of the living wood won't transfer over properly if he chooses to cut on Joon's. 

Rays of early morning light beam down towards him, where he is in the back of his house. The fresh air feels better than any kind of stuffy inside does, so he prefers to do his work here. Unfortunately, that does mean more than a few things could interrupt him.

"Cue." It's Cordelia's thin-witted voice, and Cue mentally exhales, looking up to see her walking out of his back door. Cue only casts her a sparing glance, looking past her towards the interior of his house.

"What, my house just lets you in now?"

"Your house likes me Cue, and you know what that means?" Her question is rhetorical, because of course it is. It's Cordelia, she doesn't ask that many things, she doesn't know the answer too, and if she doesn't have the answer, her question is gonna come out more demand, than anything else. Instead, she takes steps down into the flowering grass, walking over to inspect the doors herself. "What are you doing anyway?"

That one, Cue does answer. "Working on Joon and Echo's door – I'll have to do it at some point, and sooner than later is typically best for these kinds of things."

"These kinds of things," She's mocking him, and he knows it, but her sarcasm covers up her own curiosity. "How often do you exactly even do these kinds of things?"

"More than you have."

"Low blow, Cue. I expected better."

"Well next time, don't." Cue shakes his head again, blatantly ignoring the soft-hearted feeling worming its way up his ribcage. He turns back to the doors, watching Cordelia in the corner of his eye while she inspects them herself. She shakes her own head briefly before turning back to him.

"I'm not here to play, Cue. I'm here because you're supposed to be at breakfast."

"You're one to talk."

"Cue!" Her gasp is borderline playful, and the snaking sensation rips into his heart as he looks back over to her expectantly. Cordelia's own amusement fades, mouth contorting as vivid eyes search his own. "..is it your back?"

"That's not relevant."

"So, yes." Cordelia's frowning for sure now, an almost implemented scowl adoring her pretty face as arms cross over her chest. Cue huffs again, removing his safety glasses entirely to set them aside. Her eyes are sharp against his, but for a moment they seem to lighten, and she blinks, shaking her gaze from his own. "Cue." It's softer now, and Cue's own voice shoves out an answer.

"They'll be fine in a few days Cordy, It's not that bad."

"I don't see why you won't let Asia at the least check them, she's good with medical shit."

"Because Asia doesn't believe I should even have them in the first place."

"She's over that." Cordelia points out, pointedly using her hands as she speaks, "Especially now that Cassian has wings, she should learn more about them anyway on a medical standpoint. Having someone who knows how to treat them properly could be a good thing."

"A little pain is normal."

"A lot of pain isn't, Cue." She's clearly determined, but Cue really can't bring himself to agree to it. Seeing that she isn't getting anywhere with that debate, at least for now, she half-softens again. "At least come to breakfast. The others are waiting."

Cue hesitates, looking back to his unfinished project.

"Please?"

Dammit.

Seeing that he's not going to win this one any time soon he looks back to her, nodding his reluctant agreement. It seems to satisfy her for now, although he really doesn't doubt that she'll be back on his case soon afterward. But he couldn't very well keep arguing after she used that, it's a wonder that she hasn't used it for the wing argument yet. Then again, it's only been a couple days anyway.

"How did you sleep?" Cue's voice is soft as they take the next few steps on the walk back, pushing aside any sort of disagreement about his wings or otherwise. Cordelia doesn't really sleep well all that often, or sleep at all, all that often.

"Fine. I guess." She shrugs, and Cue sees right through it.

"Did you sleep?"

"None of your business."

"So, no." Cue knows he really doesn't have that much of a right to push her on this when he doesn't accept anything about his wings, but anxious pride bites him right back in the chest. "Why not?"

"That's not your business either." Her response is sharp, and it's pretty obvious that she also thinks Cue's being pretty fucking hypocritical right now too. Which isn't unwarranted, or unsurprising, but it doesn't do anything to ease the tension that's settled in his stomach. 

"Cordelia." His own voice is soft, mirroring her own from earlier, and her features shift again into something less defensive and angry. Again, she lifts her arms to cross them over her chest as she walks, shaking her head.

"That's not fair, Cue."

"I know." And he does. He really does understand that it isn't fair to all of him, but he really can't help it. It's much easier to take care of others than yourself, especially when acknowledging that you might be hurt or injured has the chance to strip away a part of your very identity. 

She's quiet then, and he echoes the response, instead shoving his hands in his pockets as they approach the main house. Upon opening the door from outside into the kitchen, he's greeted with lively looks from each of them. Cordelia ducks past him, sending a half-warning glance that if he so much as says anything, his back problems are suddenly going to be very public knowledge.

Cue decides to ignore the silent threat, instead looking at Joon as a sleazy grin works it's way over his face, pausing his movements in the kitchen with Cassian. "Hey mom, hey dad, it's great to see you too up, finally."

"That's mature, Joon." Cue takes a seat at the table, nodding his thanks as Cassian absently sets a cup of coffee in front of both him and Cordelia. Echo buries a smile, and for a moment, delight scours over Joon's face at the sight, before turning back to the bread he's cutting for toast.

Cassian grins back at his friend, swatting Joon on the back of the head lightly before looking back to Cue, "Don't worry Cue, I got you, since you're so old I'm sure it's hard for you to be a bully now."

Oh my God.

Soft amusement runs in racetracks up his spine, encircling the painful scars that have grown almost uncomfortably hot in the last couple hours since he's been up. "Very funny, Cassian."

"I know, I'm hilarious, you're all welcome." He took a mock bow, and while he was down, Joon turned his own hand and swatted him in the head, petulance outlining each word of his response.

"That's for hitting me."Joon turns back to the bread, sighing in mock disappointment. Cue just huffs again, shaking his head as he lifts his coffee to his mouth, taking a much-needed drink.

Cassian half-heartedly scowls, but there's no real malice behind it. "What's it like not having wings, Joon?"

Joon smiles then, almost sweetly before responding rapidly, "What's it like needing to depend on magic to save your soulmate, Cassian?"

Cue chokes on his coffee, burying a deep rumble of laughter as he promptly puts his hand over his mouth to avoid spewing it out across the table. He coughs, once or twice, ignoring all seven stares that are now directly on him. It wasn't even that funny honestly, just incredibly unexpected. He shakes his head, waving them off, coughing a soft, sorry.

Joon's eyes however, are glittering, and a slow, cocksure grin works its way up his features. "Oh my God- you guys, Oh my God, I just made Cue Hathor laugh." Cassian coughed, and Joon paused, "We just made Cue Hathor laugh." Pseudo emotion chokes up his voice, "I'd just like to thank my parents for this opportunity, and for gifting the word with such a blessing as myself."

Cassian nodded solemnly, wiping away invisible tears, "To our friends of course, who've never given up on us, or Cue's emotional constipation so that this day would go down in history."

Dramatically, Joon clasps his chest, sniffling, "And finally, the man of honor, Cue Hathor, for letting us be a part of this monumental moment for all of immortal-kind." Both Joon and Cassian took bows, murmuring their thanks.

Cue can only manage a deep, heavy sigh, looking back to his coffee. "Are you done?"

"Don't be such a sourpuss." Joon hums back, clearly delighted as they set the remainder of the finished food down on the table, taking their spots beside their respective partners.

Asia, who was just staring blankly at the two of them, managed to shake her head, "Why are Freddie and Amir the only normal couple here?"

"Because Freddie is perfect, obviously." Amir's response takes less than a second, and it sears heat up Freddie's cheeks about as promptly as the words come out. Amir's boyfriend swats his chest.

"Amir."

"What? I'm just saying."

Echo laughs then, a soft, almost nervous thing. "He's got a point though Freddie, you're amazing."

Asia inclines her head, "It's true actually, and besides, If Amir says one bad thing about you, I'll slit his throat before he can apologize."

"That's a little dark, don't you think?" Freddie raises his eyebrow expectantly, but Cue watches Asia and Amir share a witty, playful glance before Asia returns to her younger brother.

"I think it's the appropriate amount for the situation." Cue had just taken another sip of coffee, when he heard Asia direct her attention towards him, "Are you sure you want to keep drinking that Cue, I thought your dentures might have fallen into it when you spit everywhere."

So Cue choked on his coffee, yet again, only this time, his chuckle was loud enough for everyone to hear. Deep and rumbling as he set his cup back down, shaking his head slightly. There was a beat of silence for a moment, and then Echo's voice, soft and dry, still holding on to the latching after-effects of burning magic.

"So, Cue, would you say you're having a drinking problem?"

There was silence again, just for a moment, then a soft, muffled giggle from Freddie. Evidently, that caused a few more spatterings of warm-hearted laughter around the table, and soon enough everyone was sharing in the rumbling joy that vibrated through the kitchen. Although Cue's own amusement had faded, he couldn't help the soft warmth that had bloomed deep in his chest, glancing towards Cordelia when he noticed she was smiling too. Something warm, and soft, solely reserved for when absolutely no one in the world was looking.

Fortunately for him, and his health, he managed to look away before she looked back to him, lowering her voice before offering her own cup of coffee to drink. "We don't have any more in the pot, so you can have some of mine if you want."

Cue watched her for a moment, before taking the cup from her, "I'm not going to drink this at all if you don't sleep some." Vaguely, he registered the slightly quieted conversations of the other's around him, but he didn't dare break eye contact from Cordelia, whose own was shining with vivid persistence.

"..deal."

Cue smiled right back at her, before it vanished once more, turning his attention back to the cup at hand. After he'd taken a drink, and set the cup right back down, he finally looked up, meeting the grinning face of none other than Amir Kibe.

Cue rolled his eyes, looking back at them all before leaning back in his chair a little, ignoring the sudden uprisal of pain that uprooted through his back as he shook his head, "What?"

Cordelia's smile was innocent, taking a sip of the same drink before speaking. "Is it not normal for lovers to share drinks now or something?"

꘎♡━━━━━♡꘎

wyn !!

twenty-third chapter done !

...surprise <3

i just LOVE me some cuedelia