Siren's Son ASMR Oneshots

Simply Divine - Part Six: Nix

When I got back to the house, I rushed up to my room and dug out one of the leather-bound notebooks my mother had bought me for school that I never ended up using. With a quill and ink that I snatched from my desk so quickly the inkwell nearly spilled, I opened the notebook. On the first page, I wrote:
What I know:
- Rex wants me dead
- Leo wants me dead or otherwise punished
- Bek and Daz (and maybe Kel) are on my side
- I shouldn't tell my family- that would likely be the final straw that would get Rex to kill me no matter what his brothers say
- Kel thinks that even the brothers on my side don't have my interests at heart (is he trustworthy?)
- DIVINES NOTES
- Leo: cruel, bossy, smug butthole, quick to wrath and ruthless, enjoys humiliating ("humbling") people (me)
- Daz: kinda dumb, likes entertainment (stay entertaining) but doesn't care who dies for his fun, annoying, arrogant, seems jovial/good-tempered so far
- Bek: kind, curious, somewhat innocent but eager to learn, well-intentioned (I think), I'd say most reliable to stay on my side
- Rex: superiority complex, sexist, anger issues, beats up anyone who says or does something he dislikes, holds a grudge, hates mortals (tempting to annoy, but can and would decimate me)
- Kel: quiet, reserved, thinks before acting, observant, intelligent (PAY ATTENTION to what he says, it's probably good advice)
- Nix: haven't met, but here's what I know. Promiscuous, more inclined toward romantic/sexual love than other kinds, maybe he's the graceful, kind, profound type of love god, the type to appreciate the gravity, beauty, and pain in a force that drives people to great lengths
- Vox: haven't met, but books say he's sullen, reserved, mournful, indifferent to most mortal affairs after what some sources claim was the death of his lover, a dragoness named Amia
- PLAN:
- don't seek out more divines, that's just stupid
- go to temple with mother for a while without complaining (she'll be confused, but whatever) to not attract Rex's attention
- stay OUT of the part of the woods where Leo was
- if possible, find way to thank Bek for coming to my defense
     - find out more about
"Aspen?" Ben came into my room without knocking.
I pressed my lips together. "Out!"
He stood by the bed, grinning as I scowled. I stealthily shoved the notebook under the bed.
"Mother wants you to come with us to the temple of Nix. Apparently she wants to prepare for her and Father's anniversary," he said, miming a gagging gesture.
I stiffened. I was scared to risk meeting yet another divine.
"There is no way I'm going to that glorified brothel," I said disdainfully.
Ben looked scandalized. "Sister! You can't say things like that!"
My heart twinged, but I just looked annoyed. "It's sibling, Ben."
"Whatever. You really must be more respectful of the divines," he lectured.
Ben had always been the most reverent child. He always behaved, always did as he was told. The teachers all loved him, and despite being my younger brother, he never got in trouble, while I was lucky to go a week without an incident.
He was the golden child. I was the one that fell short.
"Funny, here I thought I was the older sibling. Don't tell me what to do," I snarked.
He looked miffed. "Hmph. Fine. But if you don't come with us, mom said she'll make you muck out the horse stalls for a week."
I laughed. "Liar. I already muck the horse stalls; you two flakes never come help. Try something else."
"Well you're just gonna sit here bored for the rest of the day if you don't," he said.
"I think I'm be fine."
He paused for a second. "Alex will be there..."
My eyes opened wide. He grinned insufferably and I glared at him. We both knew I'd been defeated. I'd do a lot worse than sit through a couple minutes in the temple of Nix for a chance to hang out with my best friend afterwards.
I growled. "Fiiiiiine. When are we going?"
"In a few minutes. Dad's not coming, but Soren's having an episode and won't let go of mom's hand, so she's taking him with us."
I raised an eyebrow. "It's going to traumatize him."
"Oh, please," he said with an eye roll. "It's a church. They're not giving belly dances."
"His funeral," I said, shrugging.
...
Temple was actually pretty tame compared to my expectations. Alex had described it so that I was picturing a church version of a strip club, but I was pleasantly surprised. While the Lovebringers were scantily clad in translucent swaths of pink fabric secured with gold rings, they were meditative and serene. Two of them by the entrance welcomed us warmly and ushered us inside while scanned the crowd of patrons for my friend. Inside the temple, we stretched out on mats and crossed our legs. Amorous chanting filled the air, as did clouds of some kind of spice that tickled my nose and tinted the room coral and orange. The clouds poofed out periodically from vases when struck with a mallet that rang with a low vibrato.
I caught Alex's eye through a new orange cloud. Alex looked shocked, then delighted. He clearly hadn't expected to see me here. I waved, and he waved back much more enthusiastically. I nudged my mother and asked, under the Lovebringer cleric's loud droning, if I could go sit by him. She looked exasperated, but nodded. I rushed over as quietly as I could and plopped down on a cushion beside my friend.
He leaned over and hugged me. I squeezed back, then saw a Lovebringer in the corner whispering to another, pointing and smiling at us like Aw, aren't they cute?
I gave her a wide, sarcastic grin and the middle finger before quickly pulling back to giggle silently with my friend. I could hear the scandalized Lovebringer's gasp from across the room.
Alex chucked. "Another one assuming we're dating?" he said in a low voice.
"Think so," I replied. "How're you?"
"It's been a long day," he sighed.
"Same."
"Hey, do you want to go to the Castille de Amor tonight?" Alex offered.
I perked up. The Castille de Amor was a combination tavern and bazaar, with lively music, dancing, food, drinks, and strings of fairy lights hung from the trees, lighting the outdoor space that served as a dance floor. It was Alex's and my spot to escape from it all and have fun for a few hours.
"Of course!" I whispered back. "I'll meet you there at nightfall."
"I can't wait." He grinned.
We passed the rest of temple in companionable silence.
After temple, I lost sight of Alex in the crowd of people leaving the building. I caught up with my family and began the walk home. Mom was being rather passive-aggressive (she was mad that I didn't sit with the family) but I just completely ignored her. Soren and Ben just watched the standoff, looking mildly entertained.
I spun through my chores in record time. With the extra time my efficiency afforded me, I went to my room to get dressed.
I didn't usually spend much time on my wardrobe, but this was a special occasion.
The green collared shirt was a bit too formal for the Castille de Amor. My formal wear, a blue tailcoat and much-too-fluffy white cravat, was balled up at the bottom of my closet, and besides, I would rather give Leo a hug than wear that torture device of my own volition. I had already settled on a pair of black boots with steel-tipped toes, and a pair of loose black pants made of a flowy, stretchy fabric.
Finally, for my top, I settled on a black tank top and a translucent black blouse with star-shaped sequins of various sizes scattered across it. I pulled on the see-through blouse over the tank top and raked my fingers through my short brown hair.
Ready to go, I thought.
I caught a carriage into town like I wasn't poor. The footman was quiet during the entire ride, politely deflecting my attempts at conversation. That was okay. I was happy to jabber to thin air if it kept me distracted while we passed the arena.
The stench of rotting flesh wafted from the overwhelmed crematorium. Faint screams, followed by the exuberant roar of the crowd, washed over me from across the street. I held my breath, focusing on counting the flagstones until we turned a corner, leaving the arena behind.
When the carriage reached the Castille de Amor, I hopped out and flipped a coin to the driver. He tipped his head merrily and flicked the reigns, and the horses trotted on.
I approached the Castille, backlit by the setting sun. At the entrance, Alex leaned against a wall with one foot propped up behind him. He saw me and grinned, pushing off the wall and meeting my approach. We walked together into the bustling noise.
The second I walked in, I was nearly bowled over by a wall of noise and motion.
The tavern was busier than in the past. It was packed with laughing, shouting, drunk bodies, all vying for spots at the bar or in the booths.
What was going on?! There was no special occasion as far as I knew. There was barely room to breathe, but I don't think breathing was a concern for Alex. He barreled into the crowd, towing me by the hand, and I stumbled after him into the writhing masses.
It was like walking into the ocean.
Arms and legs were like waves, dragging me deeper into the depths of the horde. My head hurt- the music was too loud- I couldn't-
Alex yanked me between a kissing couple and an elderly cellist and helped me lean against the wall.
"Aspen, hey," he said loudly over the music. "Breathe. It's okay."
I gasped. I sucked in deep breaths that tasted like body odor and alcohol, which didn't do much to smooth my edges.
"Do you want to leave? I'm so sorry, I didn't realize it would be so crowded."
I shook my head, squeezing my arms. "I'm fine. Just didn't expect it. Let's go to the bar."
He gave me an odd look. "We're underage..."
"Not to drink, you moron," I retorted. "For space. And food. I want to eat something before we go to the dance floor."
He nodded, and together, we made our way to the bar.
After we split a small cut of pork, we were ready to get outside. This time, I led Alex by the hand, so eager was I to get out of the overwhelming tavern.
Outside was a little better. The dance floor was packed, but the rhythm of the merry, bouncing music helped calm my nerves. I finally mustered the courage to let go of Alex's hand and give a little twirl in unison with half the people out here.
The strings of lights strung between the trees cast the space into an almost cozy glow.
Then another song began. One where we had to switch partners several times- so I had to touch strangers. Ugh.
Obviously, I started with Alex. As the couples arranged ourselves in a circle, I took his hand and placed my other on his shoulder while he placed his on my hip. We stepped in time with the music swirling around us, and we smiled at each other in the dim light.
Then the music reached a crescendo, and it was time to switch partners. I put on my best mean face so that no drunk jerk would get any ideas. Alex squeezed my hand reassuringly before letting go, and we both twirled, Alex moving with the rest of the inner circle one partner to the right.
I wound up with a friendly looking woman who had absolutely no idea how to dance. I kept reassuring her that she was doing fine until finally it was time to switch again. With sore toes, I whirled to the next partner, a shy-looking teenage boy whose mother I could see watching him like a hawk from the sidelines. He knew the steps well enough as we spun, but his hold on my hip was barely there, as if he was afraid to offend me. I appreciated the sentiment.
"Well, hello there." A tall man with blond hair and blue eyes leaned in front of me, cutting off the boy and making him stumble.
My guard snapped up. "Hello," I said in my best go away if you value your kneecaps voice.
"Mind if I cut in?" he asked the boy confidently.
"Uh..." The boy looked nervous.
"Perfect," he interrupted. His smile never dropped.
Before I could tell him to screw off, he had my arm and waist in a deceptively powerful arm, and he twirled me to the left. I looked outraged at his audacity.
"Excuse me, that was extremely rude," I said coldly, trying to remove my arm.
The blond chuckled, or maybe snickered would be a better word. "Oh, honey, I did you a favor. That prepubescent loser looked like he was about to vomit all over this lovely top."
I don't know what it was, but something took over my emotions as I briefly met the arrogant stranger's eyes. Before I thought, my mouth was moving. "I'm a bottom, actually."
When the man bursted out laughing, I moved mechanically with the dance, shocked. This was a new level of impulsivity- what the heck was I doing saying crap like that? I moved on as quickly as I could.
"And I'm not interested in dancing with you," I said with scarlet cheeks. "Let go of me." With that, I swung out of his arms- or tried to. I immediately realized that his arms were around me in such a way that left no gap for me to swing out of. "Excuse me, what is the matter with you?"
"Aw, come on. I didn't mean to offend you."
"Well, you did." When I caught Alex's eye, him looking concerned, I pointed downward with two fingers against my leg. That was our signal in case one of us needed help. Instantly, he was on the move towards us with a scary expression on his face that made me love him all the more.
"Well, there must be something I can do to make it up to you," the man said in a devious voice.
"You're playing a dangerous game, sir. I said I'm not interested," I snapped, glaring up at him.
Just then, Alex arrived to my rescue. "Hey, is everything okay?" He faced the man with a warning, protective look in his eye.
He smirked with a look that made my scowl shift to concern. "Oh," he purred. "What a handsome one you are."
Now it was my turn to gape at him with outrage. First he hit on me, now my friend? That appalled feeling quickly melted to pure confused shock, however, when the worry and anger abruptly melted off Alex's face. He giggled and blushed, to which the stranger grinned smugly.
"Thanks," he said in a tone I'd never heard from him before. "You don't look too bad yourself."
"Wh-"
"Now, pretty thing," cooed the stranger. "Why don't you give your friend and me a moment alone?"
He nodded with no resistance. "Okay," he said goofily.
Next thing I knew, Alex was gone, and the stranger didn't spare him another glance as he left.
"Did-" I was flabbergasted. "Did you do something to him?" I demanded.
He gave me a secret smile. "Now, how would I do that?"
It clicked then. I knew why he looked so familiar, despite his blonde hair. I ripped my arms away, stepping backward with deadly cold in my eyes. If yet another divine had come to meddle in my life-
"Are you Nix?" I said quietly.
His grin broadened. "You recognize me!"
A low growl rumbled in my chest. I saw red, but rather than tackling the divine as I wanted to, I turned and stormed away through the throng. I was not letting this happen again. I forced myself not to look back and glare at Nix, but instead kept my eyes (and my wrath) directed on the people in front of me. Anyone who didn't move out of my way, I slipped around- all the better to hide where I'd gone.
I cannot believe that fvcking Nix just manipulated my best friend. I swear to the Creator himself, if I had an ounce less of brain I would have decked him. ONE more time, if a divine shows up near me ONE MORE TIME, I WILL-
Suddenly, there was a solid hand around my wrist. I moved without thinking, lashing out with my fist. It connected with a thud and a grunt, and Nix stepped back, chuckling.
"You. You get away from me," I said, my voice laced with exaggerated hate in place of the fear I could actually feel coursing through my veins.
"Aw," he clucked, "can't we have a reasonable conversation?"
I'm done having conversations with divines was the first thing I wanted to say, but I made myself lessen my venomous glare. As much as I hated it, the smartest thing to do was probably listen, learn, and try not to get killed in the meantime.
"You're supposed to have black hair," was all I said.
Nix snorted. "I'm a bit better at disguises than my brothers, especially when the person I came to see knows what we're supposed to look like while disguised. You've seen four of my brothers in their human disguises, which are so basic. I mean, Rex didn't even bother to take the orange out of his hair," he laughed.
"Okay, fine." I went on. "What do you want?"
He looked mockingly affronted. "Well, that's rather rude. Really, is talking to me so bad?"
I was about to answer with a resounding yes when something happened that I should have anticipated.
A wave of euphoria slammed down over me. My vision flickered with pink for an instant, and a giddy smile started to appear on my face.
My thoughts towards the man in front of me started to take a more... positive turn, and his smirk was suddenly one hundred times more alluring. For a short moment, the happy, pleasurable feeling took over my thoughts.
I took a tiny, hypnotized step towards the beautiful man.
Then it was gone. I crashed back into reality like someone had dumped freezing cold water on me. I stumbled back, horrified. My hands found my face, gripping like I doubted it was real.
Nix smirked. "Something wrong, Sweetheart?"
Something snapped in my brain. I couldn't believe my emotions had been so easily manipulated. The thought terrified me, and my heartbeat was ratcheting up, slamming against my ribs.
I jabbed a trembling finger at the man, advancing on him. He looked amused at me, but nevertheless yielded a single step back.
"Don't you ever," I said, voice shaking, "ever do that again. Do you understand me? I will rip your tonsils out, shove them back down your throat, and make you choke on them."
Nix looked mildly impressed and oh-so-very amused. "Sounds like a fun time."
"Ugh!" I threw up my hands.
He took a step towards me, then another. I started to step back, then mentally slapped myself and stood my ground. I actually leaned forward and glared up into his eyes as he came to stand over me, silently daring him. I hope my posture told him that I was one step away from hitting him again, in a place that it seems he valued much more.
"What," I spat. His nose was inches from mine.
He smiled slowly, and I felt a shiver slide down my back.
"I have an idea. How much do you think it would shake things up if I brought you home?" he asked. "It would make things..." he raised a hand to brush my cheek that I quickly smacked away, "...so much more interesting.
This time, I did take a step back. "No."
"Oh, yes," he said, sounding positively delighted. "I think I will."
His hand closed around my forearm, and with one final screech that I could only pray Alex heard, my world dissolved into pink light.