C:SOD Chapter 17 (Patreon)

"I worked for him. Told him all the bad things the students confessed to me. He has a list of students to get rid of... all because of me."

Hermes shakes his head in disbelief, crying heavily. "No, no no that's—"

"But I quit reporting to him! I stopped, I'm not loyal to him anymore! Hermes believe me, I don't want anyone to die. But this man is insane, and he kept record of everything I gave him!"

"Those people died because of you!"

Daniel harshly pulls him by the shoulders, "They died because they did something wrong! Angela Smith's boyfriend impregnated another girl. She told this girl to either kill herself or take care of the child without a father. If this girl aborted the kid, Angela would expose her pregnancy to the school and her parents."

"I thought the confessions stay in church..." Hermes spits at him, "But of course, you're a corrupted priest. Let go of me."

"Hermes, I don't want you to end up like Thena—"

"If you love me, you'd let go of me!" Hermes yells at him, "But I guess all you wanted was someone to fúck, huh?! You don't fúcking love me! You can't claim to protect me from those who will hurt me and then proceed to fúcking beat me up for not answering your question! Let go of me!"

Hermes didn't wait and kneed him in the crotch, finally taking away the strength holding him down. He immediately ran outside to escape, ignoring Daniel calling for his name. As he slams his fist against the elevator buttons, he can't help but cry heavily. His heart has too much weight in it; he just lost his sister, a lover, and a friend. And he is about to lose his mind.

3RD FLOOR CLASSROOM,

"Au?!" Hermes calls out for him, wiping his nose and eyes as he keeps calling out, "Au! Are you there?!"

Please... I need... I need someone... Hermes leans against the classroom walls and sinks to the floor, unable to handle being alone anymore. He can't put up a cold face anymore; Carvalle is hell, and the warmth melted the walls that protect him. Now he is vulnerable, sinful, trapped, and alone.

He has always been an isolated young man, with nothing but Thena by his side. And when she died, he almost killed himself because all he worked for will be for nothing without his sister. But...

"I'm not dying without killing the person responsible. I'm not dying yet. I'll drag him to hell with me."

"Hermes?" Calls a deep, yet soft voice coming from someone almost 6'5 tall. Hermes looks up from sobbing, seeing Au standing in the dark with the moonlight behind him. His hair in a stick bun, and in his hands... a single freshly picked red rose.

"Au..." before Hermes could stand up the younger man kneels to his level and reaches for his tear-stained cheeks, wiping the blood that is trying to escape the small ugly cut. Au scowls, and he is wondering what the hell made him cry this way. Worse than the first night they were together.

Au pulls him in for a hug, allowing Hermes to cry heavily on his shoulders. He cried like a little boy who hurt his knees badly, or a mother who lost her child. Au didn't understand what was happening, all he can do is hold him very tight until the crying fades.

And, it did fade away after a full 5 long minutes. Still, Au didn't let go even when Hermes' sobs turned to sniffs. He waited until Hermes was the one to pull away. Cry cry, little butterfly... why is he cry? Why the blood?

"I'm sorry..." Hermes sniffs, pulling away and wiping his nose. "I got tears and snot on your shirt..."

Au said nothing, but he places the rose on Hermes' lap and suddenly removes his shirt before wiping the thing all over Hermes' wet face. "Mmff!"

"Ta," whispers the tall man, standing up and pulling Hermes gently by the elbows.

"Huh? What?"

Au turns around and bends his knees as if telling Hermes to get on his back. The teacher hesitates, but he doesn't want to keep Au waiting while squatting, so he climbs on his back until Au got a hold of the back of his knees. "Uhm... what are you planning?"

Au didn't answer and he just calmly walks out of the classroom and onto the stairs. Hermes is still confused, but he puts his jaw on top of Au's shoulder, making himself feel at home on this shirtless man's back.

"Where are you going?" Hermes whispers.

Au shrugs, proceeding to more stairs until they reach the entrance of the building where they exit. Hermes is a little scared, but he grew to trust Au. He took Hermes inside the students' Dorm and hummed a tiny little tune as they rode up the elevator. That tune almost drifted Hermes to sleep, feeling the safest when he's on the tall man's back.

He hugs Au tight, not only for him to hold on but as thanks for Au to come and comfort him without any violence. His heart beats steadily because Au made him feel warm, and this warmth has been what he's seeking after a failed relationship. Hermes soon dozed off in Au's shoulder.

later on, Hermes woke up in a very familiar place, which turned out to be Au's cluttered dorm room. The tall guy lowered him to the floor before patting his head like some kind of kid.

"O... kay? Why'd you take me here, Au?" Hermes patiently asks as the guy proceeds to his kitchen without a word. Also, not before turning on the modern record player and blasting some classical music in the speakers surrounding the room.

"Oh... Bach," Hermes recognized, now watching Au take out something from the fridge and brush the fish with a toothbrush under the running faucet. "Uhm... what are you doing?"

Au didn't answer. Hermes went beside him, a little weirded out as Au brushed a very dried and solid fish. "Do you need any help?"

Au said nothing once more, but leans down to kiss Hermes on the forehead. No one can hear his thoughts saying, 'Go play. I cook.'

"Hmm. Okay, call me if you need any help..." Hermes proceeds to the very messy living room filled with instruments and music books. I've never seen a fish so rigid like that before... and he's brushing it with an unused toothbrush?

Hermes decides to properly straighten up the violin which is at risk of falling from the coffee table. Then, he picks up the books on the floor and places them on the nearest table so Au won't have trouble finding them. He picks up the pages of music notes but made sure to keep their order and only move them to the nearest safe table. He removes the cups and mugs too, keeping the cluttered place as neat as it can get.

"Men," Hermes sighs, understanding that Au may not be the type to organize that much. He used to be like this as a student, too. But as a professional, he knows his responsibilities now.

Hermes was scanning the many music albums Au owns until the man surprised him with a kiss on the nape. "Oh! Geez, Au!"

The man said nothing but takes Hermes by the hand to lead him to the kitchen. There Hermes is surprised at the unfamiliar scent of fish; a fried one that looked really rigid and crispy. Au prepared spices and vinegar for it, so they sit side by side for the meal. "Mmm, this smells good... what is this? Uhm, I'll go get utensils?"

Au glares at him and shakes his head, before he grabs the fish by his bare hands and snaps off its head. Hermes swallows his attraction to such a sudden move.

"H-hands...?" Hermes stares as Au takes the fried fish off his place and picks the bones off it with his bare hands. Then, places the de-boned fish on Hermes' plate. "Oh... uhm... thank you, Au. I will use my hands, then..."

Hermes carefully picks it up and curiously takes the dried fish into his mouth, with Au observing him while chewing. At the first taste, Hermes cringes. "Mm! This is... err... salty... uhm... oh wait, wow. Mmm! This is really good! Like, salted fish but crispier..."

A smile grew on Au's face, putting more fish into Hermes' plate. The man then tries taking some from Au's plate, "Can I de-bone them myself? I wanna try..."

Don't choke... Au lets him strip bones off the fish, as Hermes really enjoys this strange dish that barely anyone enjoys. The darker man is just carefully watching to make sure he doesn’t eat anything with bone. Au is proud that Hermes is doing well, and he tries speaking out, "My.. ma..."

Hermes suddenly looks up when Au starts speaking. "Au?"

"My... Ma..." Au does his best to speak when he usually doesn't, "... don't like... But... I like..."

Au turns silent once again, as he really doesn't like talking at all. He attempted to, all for Hermes. He understood that he really likes it when Au talks, so it is more of a reward. The teacher understands this. "Your mom doesn't like this. But you do? Aww... but this is so tasty. Especially when you cooked it."

Au's eyes are significantly happier than his usual blank ones. He really enjoys being with Hermes and watching him not cry anymore.

"Your mom is so beautiful," Hermes says while eating his fish, recalling when he saw the family picture of when Au was younger. "No wonder your Dad fell in love with her. Such cute woman... your Dad is very handsome, too."

Au looks up and glares at him, but this time Hermes just laughs at his reaction. "What? You took after your Dad, carbon copy! You're very handsome, Au."

Tall, too... I don't know if it was his Mom that's 5'0 or if his dad was 7ft. Because they had such a great height difference in the photo: small Asian woman married to a tall Black man, and created an equally tall kid whose hair and eyes he got from his mother. Hermes then stares at those possessive lips, Well, he got his mom's pretty lips too...

"Thank you for being here for me, Au..." Hermes mumbles. Last time I sought comfort from someone... he... "I don't regret being with you tonight. You made me feel a lot better and..."

Au stares at him with the tiniest bit of smile in his eyes, before placing another piece of fish on Hermes' plate, a lot better and cleaner than what he has done. After they ate, Au prevented Hermes from washing the dishes by pulling him into the cleanest part of the dorm to dance to an acoustic version of a song for no reason.

“Hey, I have to wash!” Hermes complains despite laughing, but Au is swaying him around.

🎵Tama na, yeah

Sakto na, yeah

'Di na nako kaya

Ang tanan, yeah🎵

(Palayo - Felipe)

TRANS:

Enough, yeah.

I've had enough, yeah.

I can't handle

all of it, yeah

Hermes laughs as Au spins and sways him around, but the music is louder. "Oh come on, I don't dance!"

Au forces him by holding onto his hands and waist, their bodies always pressed onto each other unless Au spins him again. He is very happy that Hermes sounds happy.

🎵Abi mo ba

'Di ko mo lakaw

Palayo sa...

Sa imoha🎵

TRANS:

Did you really think

I won't walk

far away from...

from you

Hermes still couldn't dance well, so he resorts to wrapping his arms around Au's neck, staying close to him and just swaying. His laugh still contains sadness, and his smiling eyes remain teary from what he's been through. Au's hands feel protective on his waist, and his lips seek to protect Hermes' own.

Hermes has never given himself so willingly to such a deserving person; that he himself pulled Au into the bedroom to play. No penetration is needed for their intimacy, for Au's kisses are more possessive than his thrusts. He holds Hermes like he's a tough stem of a delicate flower, as rough as he wants to.

Oh no. Am I... falling for... Hermes gasps when Au trailed kisses down his soft abs.

🎶Diri nalang ta (No, no, no)🎶

TRANS:

This is how far we go (no no no)

the next day, Hermes curses when he meets Father Daniel in the hallways. He rolls his eyes and avoids the man, not wanting to cause a scene among many students.

"Hermes, you weren't in your room last night--"

Hermes snatches his arm away from the priest, spitting out, "I was trying to avoid you kidnapping me and chaining me to the bed. News flash, not everyone likes being that kinky."

Father Daniel follows him, trying his best to be subtle even though students are already looking at them. "Then where were you..."

"We are done," Hermes faces him and looks up at the tall man with anger in his eyes. "I am not your concern anymore. I'm moving back into my dorm."

"You'll put yourself in danger—"

"Just leave me to die, Daniel." The priest's eyes soften at the sight of Hermes' eyes begging. “I'd rather die trying to find out who killed my sister than live in the shadows. Now excuse me, I have a birthday party to organize."

With that, the teacher left the priest in the middle of the hallways, whose fist is curled and shaking.

"The twins' party is a costume party! I'm gonna be Cinderella, but with a fitting gown and a huge slit..."

"I bet Rain will like my costume, he's a cat person!"

"Au will attend! Ohhh, I can't wait to dress up for him!"

"I'm definitely wearing white for Frost... a wedding dress!"

"I'll be a sexy nun for Father Daniel, I'll never lose to you slúts!"

"You lost him, how amusing."

Father Daniel turns to glare at a person who appeared before him in the hallways, blending in among the students. The priest spits out with a low voice, "Don't fúcking start, this is your fault."

"This is my victory, not a fault..." The man chuckles as Father Daniel walks past him. "You failed in protecting him."

"Not quite yet," Father Daniel mutters under his breath.

a month later,

AT THE CARVALLE GYMNASIUM

🎵 ...난 여기, I be chillin' 무소식 희소식

K Town to Seoul city

What's poppin'? 인기 blowing like a 뻥튀기

다 알지 날라리

All eyes on me, 날 따라 🎵

(HWA - CL)

Hermes is instructing the caterers to organize the food in a certain way, from the main course to dessert. For some reason, the chocolate fountain is at the front, a 4 ft mechanism at the center of the table. A waterfall of milk chocolate to the highest caliber. No wonder Ray really liked this, it's very fancy and the 'childish treat' goes along with the mature party.

"Guests arrive in an hour, let's finalize everything! Lights? The DJ?"

🎶무궁화 꽃이 피었습니다

넌 꼭꼭 숨어 머리카락 보일라 🎶

The twins' birthday party has Hermes turn the Gymnasium into a nightclub with a large catering station for food. Most of the money went into drinks and surrounding the area with black silk, the ceiling with white silk held by a centerpiece at the top. Red fire in torches built by professional pyrotechnics stands 8 feet around the gym, leaving a dim natural light amidst flashing nightlights.

And yes, a red tiger sitting in a glass cage at the center, dyed red by the blood of the deers and other wildlife thrown in its cage. Such a scene is used as entertainment for the guests, at the request of the Twins.

"Ugh, I really don't like this exhibition... poor guy," Hermes Quinn, the organizer, puts a hand on the glass cage of the tiger, who is actually happily tearing the flesh off bones inside.

"We told you we'll make sure he's happy," says the birthday boy, Rain appearing behind him in a red varsity jacket, while the organizer is in a formal suit similar to the employees. Rain faces him, not talking about the tiger anymore. "We make sure everyone in our care is happy. Free of all worries. You should try it sometimes."

"Thank you for the offer Rain, but I doubt this tiger is happy no matter how many carcasses you throw at it," Hermes answers in a more professional tone. "But, Happy birthday."

I hope you won't notice your watch missing... shít, I feel so guilty. Hermes pulls on his sleeve, cursing Daniel once more.

"Why, thank you, Mr. Quinn." It isn't visible, but the younger man's mouth twists upwards for a slight smile behind that polished mask. He then casually pulls on Hermes' collar as if fixing it, "Although, didn't we agree on you wearing a... very nice maid outfit? It is a costume party."

Hermes carefully removes the hand that dare touch his collar. "I've hired a stripper for you and Ray to enjoy in Classroom 1-C. Either you enjoy her with your brother, or with friends, I don't care. See, I've kept my word."

Rain's visible eye dropped low, disappointed, but his mouth released a chuckle. "You impress me, Hermes. Good job. Thank you for all of this."

Rain scares me, to be honest. But I feel bad now that I've lost his watch. Hermes changes the subject, giving Rain a tight smile. "Enjoy the party. Where is your brother?"

Rain nonchalantly points upwards where all the lights are, "My darling brother is trying to push that poor employee in the cage. How cute."

"RAY, NO!"

later when the guests have arrived, Hermes has finally taken a rest at the fruit punch station, now that the MC has taken over everyone's attention.

Everyone... so beautiful, as beautiful as Carvalle in their expensive, fit costumes. None that cost under $500, the women expensive from head to toe, lips to áss. The men all decked up from arms to legs. Fairy tales, anime characters, Western to Asian movie characters... all glitz and glammed up when cosplayed in the hands of rich kids.

"Remember in 8th grade when the twins pulled a prank on the principal?!" Everyone cheered as the projector shows a picture of their middle school principal whose skirt was lit on fire, then another one where she was pushed into the pool. "Thank God our twins rescued her!"

Hermes shakes his head, a little disgusted at them glorifying such horrific actions. No matter how nice and polite they seem to be... they act like sociopaths.

"Everybody let us welcome... The Student Body President, here to offer words of wisdom to the birthday boys!"

Frost. There he is standing in a white suit with white wings behind his back, making the girls squeal with how angelic he looks. The symbol of brightness with his fair skin, bright blue eyes, and bright blonde hair. Hermes can only stare from afar with a light squint…

"The twins are the toughest men... this school has ever had enrolled..." Frost announced to the entire gym, offering a glass of champagne to the Masked twins who are dressed in matching red suits with gold details. Frost seriously looks very charming up on the stage right now. "One of the only people who survived the toughest games... where only the best of the best can finish and stay. They are above that. And now..."

The exhausted teacher drinks from the fruit punch, but in his peripherals stand a handsome young man. Hair tied in a low braid, a faded blue streak standing out from his dark hair and dark skin. His suit blends him in with one of the employees, except for a little mask covering his eyes. Must be a requirement for guests to enter an event; Au complied with the bare minimum.

Hermes can't help but smile at him, although subtly hid it and kept drinking the fruity alcohol. He glances at the stage where the twins look applauded Frost's speech, and everyone cheering at the many roasts thrown at them.

"Indeed I don't know why it's their 18th when they've been acting 12 all the time. Tell me boys, is it true your penises are aged 30?"

As everyone yells in excitement, Hermes sneaks a white wine in his jacket and secretly runs to Au, both sneaking to the storage room where all props are kept. All out of the party's eye.

Hermes laughs, "How long have you been staring at me back there? So mysterious..."

Au takes the wine and opens it with his teeth, impressing Hermes even more. The teacher lets him drink first, straight from the bottle, before he takes some for himself. The wine wasn't the only thing they shared, for they hungrily took each other's lips when they shared a passionate kiss.

I'm currently in an affair with Au. Unofficial relationship. I can't call him a boyfriend because... because he is a student. That doesn't stop them from acting beyond what labels are put in place. Hermes is still traumatized from his last relationship, so Au is simply a casual lover.

"Wait! Baby wait," Hermes pulls away from him, whispering against his lips, "Have fun at the party first. Meet me in my homeroom classroom in an hour... I want to prepare so I can take you deep..."

Au internally curses because Hermes is leaving him with a massive hard-on. But, if he wants to fúck this guy he has to be patient. And there's nothing he won't do for Hermes Quinn.

🎶Even though you ain't mine, I promise the way we fight

Make me honestly feel like we just in love🎶

(Boyfriend - Ariana Grande and Social House)

Outside, everyone's having fun dancing and being gluttonous at the party. Frost is sitting in the twins' seat because he can't be bothered with such pop dances.

"They won't play Opera here, Frost... no waltz or ballroom here," says a devil who climbs up the stairs, eyes covered with a mask and horns that stand one foot out. His suit is as dark as the night, limbs covered in bandages including his neck. A horned mummy, his costume is.

"What are you doing here, I thought you wouldn't come," Frost rhetorically asked, but he answered.

"It's the twins' party, of course. My Knights... I had to congratulate them. Where are they, anyway?"