After breakfast, I called Cloud, “So… it’s done?”

“Yeah,” he said over the phone. “Got rid of all his shit, too, ‘cept the somewhat useful stuff we can pawn off. How you holding up?”

“...I’m not sure,” I breathed, laying on the bed. “Can you explain something? Like, in detail? So I just understand everything that’s going on?”

“Sure, anything.”

“Why me? Why did you choose me?”

“...I didn’t,” Cloud said. “My grandfather--great-grandfather, honestly, but everyone calls him Grandfather--is the god of creation and matchmaking. He’s the First God, the first of all of us and the reason everything exists.”

“That’s not intimidating at all,” I mumbled.

“Yeah, he can be a bit… scary,” Cloud chuckled. “At least, as far as I can remember. Not many have seen him outside occasional dreams. That’s where he appeared to me. Told me that he had, as he says, sewn me together with a human boy. He said it was a boy as calm as rain and as beautiful as a swan. He likes to speak through riddles like that. The moment I saw you enter my town, when I discovered your name, I knew.”

“Beautiful as a swan?” I breathed. “He said that? The most powerful god, the First God, called me beautiful? Me?”

“My family doesn’t just see the physical, Raine,” Cloud explained. “Not that you’re not physically beautiful. Besides, who knows what Grandfather’s process of creating partners is. Anyway, can I pay you a visit later? Maybe… meet Amelia and Cedar? I know they want to meet me. I promise I won’t come through the window, I’ll knock on the front door like a polite guest.”

“Can I stop you?” I scoffed.

“Well, technically, yes, but I’m not sure how long I’ll be able to stay away from you,” Cloud replied. “The thing with Grandfather is that…. Once he decides that two--or more--people belong together, they have the irresistible urge to be close to each other. I can resist just because I’m a god and related to him, but, you…. Well, humans are deemed one of the weakest species for a reason. Not that you’re weak.”

“So… what’s gonna happen if I don’t see you?” I questioned.

“...I’m not sure,” he slowly said. “It’s not like me or my brothers have been sewn with a human before.”

“What do you mean by sewn?” I asked.

“You’ve heard of the red string of fate?” Cloud asked in response. “The legends go that, when he makes partners, Grandfather creates little dolls and connects their hands with red thread. Hence, sewn together.”

“...I don’t know what to think about that.”

Cloud gently laughed, “So, can I come over later?”

I thought for a moment, then asked, “Where do you live? Alpha Rose mentioned something about me going to live with you. I mean, I’d have to make the commute to work everyday.”

“It’s actually not that far from Ivory Tower,” he replied. “The commute would probably be ten minutes tops. And, I did make sure to clean one of the spare bedrooms for you if you do decide to stay here.”

“So… you have an actual house.”

“A cozy little cabin in the forest,” Cloud said. “Been here for at least a century. We got our own generator, a lot like Ivory Tower. It’s right between….” His voice slowed, faltering and coming to a stop. “It’s not far from Ivory Tower.”

“Is something bothering you?” I asked, now concerned.

“It’s nothing you should worry about,” Cloud quickly said. “I-I’ll explain later, once all this is straightened out. You never answered my question. Can I come over later? Or… maybe… pick you up? For… for a date?”

“I…. I’m not sure,” I whispered. “I-it just feels… fast, you know? I-I don’t even know how long it’s been since I first met you. Everything feels so… blurry. I think I just want to wait until everything blows over and…. I don’t know.” On the other side, Cloud was silent, so I slowly continued. “Amelia wants the names of the other men. She said…,” I hesitated, biting my lip. “She claims that I was trafficked to them or something…. I don’t know what to do.” My voice cracked.

“...Do you want me to come through the window?” Cloud whispered. “We can spend all night talking if you want. And, if you don’t want to talk about it, I have a few billion years’ worth of stories.”

“...Okay,” I breathed. “Y-yes, please. I…,” I bit my lower lip, taking a deep breath, mentally preparing myself, “I… I need you. You’re the first man I’ve ever actually wanted to be close to…. Is that because of the whole sewing thing?”

“Maybe,” I could hear his little laugh. “Okay, I’ll be there soon.”

Before I could stop myself, the words left my mouth, “Bye, love you.”