Blinded by love

For Malachi to say that his twin brother Grigori was being unusually strange would be an understatement. Anyone who knew the red twin would know that he was NEVER quiet. He was an Eye of Ether who enjoyed nothing more than to be loud and annoying. Especially when he was around Malachi.

Grigori was the one who would drag him everywhere against his will. Dragging him around dimensions and worlds, anywhere he thought would be remotely fun or exciting. His energy was so limitless that no one would ever be able to keep up with him.

No one who wasn’t related to him, anyway.

Of course Malachi could keep up with him. Being dragged everywhere would be enough reason to keep up after all. Still though, with how much his brother moved around, Grigori’s energy never seemed to falter. He was always exploring, and trying new things. It was kind of admirable in some sense. A lot of other Eyes couldn’t match his sheer energy.

Though as of late… Grigori, wasn’t acting the same. Instead of exploring a lot of other dimensions, he only ever seemed to want to go to a quiet little town on earth. And his focus was definitely something far from being admired. He never seemed focused, and he was acting oddly quiet. Normally Malachi would like a little quiet, but that was just not something that came with Grigori. Energy and sarcasm, yes. But not silence and lack of focus. Something HAD to be up.

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Enough was enough. Malachi was tired of trying to figure out just what the hell was up with Grigori. So it was time to be direct and blunt. After all, it was Grigori. The guy could handle a little blunt honesty, surely.

They now sat at a small outdoor cafe, and Grigori was actively watching the street. He was tapping the table a bit, as if he were anxious. Figuring this would be the best opening he’d get while his twin was silent, he spoke out. “Alright Grig. Just what the hells going on with you?”

“Eh?” Grigori responded, whipping right around to face him. His face the perfect picture of surprise, and annoyance. “What are you talking about? What, is having a quiet morning coffee too much for you?”

Aaaand straight to the sarcastic jabs. At least he was somewhat normal through his silent behavior. “No. Having a quiet morning coffee with “you” is too much. Why are you acting so weird?”

Grigori’s cheeks turned a slight red to that question as he turned away. Malachi trying to figure out what that meant. Was it embarrassment? Was it anger? It was it… shame? It was a bit hard to tell since he was glaring too. It did look more like shame than the other two options to him, so… did he, run into some kind of trouble, and he was too ashamed to ask for help?

Hoooo. If one of Malachi’s enemies was targeting Grigori, heads would start rolling.

As he went to ask if someone was harassing him, he stopped as Grigori’s attention landed on something in the distance. His face turning a whole new shade of red, so Malachi followed his gaze. It looked like an earthling had Grigori’s attention. A being with four arms and platinum blond hair. And a spider like appearance all together.

The wide smile that crossed his twins face proved that, indeed, it was this earthling that had his attention. Hell his tail was wagging even. So… it was this boy, that had his twin so distracted? But why? That being didn’t look like he was any kind of threat. He just had his spiral pink eyes glued to his phone, not doing anything remotely threatening-!

“Ooooh…” Malachi finally got it, eyes going wide for a moment. Mentally smacking himself for not realizing something this obvious sooner. This was nothing to do with any kind of enemy or threat. No… it was something a bit more serious. A crush.

Unbelievable… his brother actually fell in love with someone. No wonder he was acting so bizarre lately. Thinking back on it a bit… this spider person came to this little cafe fairly often. No doubt Grigori kept coming here to potentially bump into him. Strange though… as far as he knew, Grigori didn’t talk to this man much. Maybe he got nervous once he realized his feelings? It was fairly possible. Strong or not, Grig knew the rules to love for their kind: it only happens once.

Maybe he was afraid of getting rejected… it made sense, but still. It was worth a try, if for no other reason than to get him some closure.

“… you gonna talk to him or what?” Ok, a bit more blunt than he meant, but hey. It got his attention; those eyes that were once locked on that tall blond boy were now focused on him. The other Eyes face now a whole new shade of red as he turned to him with a start.

“Excuse me?!” Grigori half yelled before lowering his voice a bit. “What are you talking about?!”

“Come on. Thought I wouldn’t notice those goo-goo eyes you were making at that spider guy?” Malachi shot right back, having no choice but to match his twins intensity if he were to have any chance of getting through to him. “Talk to him. You clearly want to.”

“Wh-no I-!!”

“Hey Spider guy!” He called out, waving his hand rather exaggeratedly at the earthling. Much to Grigori’s sheer horror. The earthling turning to him in confusion, as he continued. “Come over here. My brother has something to say to you.”

Despite the confused look, the man came over to their table and sat right across from Grigori; who looked like he wanted to die right now out of pure embarrassment. A look like that didn’t suit his twin, buuuut it was a bit humorous to see. If this situation wasn’t so important, Malachi was certain he’d be laughing at the look his twin had.

“What is it Grigori?” The man spoke, voice alarmingly smooth considering his mildly intimidating appearance. It was definitely intriguing, he would admit.

“Oh, Sterling, I-it’s uh…” Grigori tried, voice failing him miserably. Laughing awkwardly as he rubbed his neck, trying to avoid the subject entirely. “Oh it’s nothing! Hahah! I-I think my brother here is just being a dork! Sorry!”

Naturally… Grigori received a harsh kick from beneath the table for such a remark. Causing the Eye to Yelp, mildly jumping in his seat as he began rubbing the sore spot. Glaring daggers at his twin, who just couldn’t care less about that expression. Sighing, the red one tried again. “Ok ok- fiiiiine. There, IS, something I wanted to say…”

Sterling looked to be stifling his laughter a tad, before he’d settled. Taking a breath, and asking patiently. “What is it?”

“… w-well… do you, think that we could, m-maybe…” Grigori was struggling quite a bit to say it, but finally, he managed out. “H-hang out… sometime…?”

Sterling didn’t look even remotely shocked by this. Instead… he smirked playfully at the other. One arm propping itself on the table as he spoke. “Why Grigori. Are you… asking me on a date~?”

Ooooh the look of embarrassment on Grigori’s face was PRICELESS right now. He looked like he wanted to just disappear, as he nodded his answer. Sterling simply chuckled to this; standing up and patting the others shoulder as he spoke. “I’d be delighted. Say… next Friday at five?”

Once again Grigori nodded his answer. The Spider smiling and once more speaking up. “Sounds lovely. See you then~” Before walking off all together.

Malachi returned his eyes to his brother, who looked like he was in a state of shock after such a thing. He just sat there wide eyed with the goofiest smile plastered on his face. Before… he suddenly fell out of his seat, landing right on his back. Still smiling and goofy looking.

Getting up from his own seat, he moved over to his twin. Crossing his arms, and asking calmly. “You good there?”

Grigori didn’t say anything to this. Instead, he lifted up his foot… and kicked him HARD on the leg! Now it was Malachi’s turn to cry out and move back, holding the afflicted area before snapping out. “What was that for?!”

“Don’t ever kick me again Mal.” Was all Grigori said in response as he finally picked himself off the ground, and began to walk away. There was a slight spring to his step now, as his tail was wagging.

“… yeah… he’s fine.” Malachi grumbled as he soon headed after his brother. At least Grigori was acting somewhat normal again…