"I...I really just..."
"Yeah?"
Eric paused.
"What?" Flavius asked.
"I...I can't...you...you wouldn't..."
"Wouldn't do what you ask me to? Buddy I don't know what that is yet, so how the hell can I say no?"
Flavius was still laying on Eric's bed, carefully combing his golden hair, as if he hadn't a care in the world.
"I..."
Eric swallowed.
"...NOBODY likes Jake at school. He's a total nightmare! All he does is piss people off! He makes life a living hell for a lot of kids...Flavius...what would it take for you to...make sure he doesn't pick on anybody at school ever again?"
Flavius snorted.
"Literally nothin'", he said. "I can make that happen dude. Don't worry. Once I'm done with him you'll never see him again..."
"What, like...kill him or something?"
"HEY!" said Flavius, "Excuse me!?"
"I...s-sorry! I...I didn't mean..."
"I'm not your fucking HIRED MUSCLE, Eric!"
"NO! No I didn't mean that! I meant!...I didn't...I just want him to leave us ALONE!"
Flavius nodded.
"Sure", he said. "What will you give me in return, Eric?" he asked.
"...give...? Dude you know I can't possibly PAY anything!..."
"Not money, no..." said Flavius, "But there is something else you can give me", he said.
"W-what?"
Flavius held out his hand. "Obedience", he said.
"What!?"
"You asked me to help you. The price for my aid is your obedience. You will recognise me as your God, and you will obey me when I order it".
"I...but we're friends!"
"Of course we are", said Flavius, "But I am STILL your GOD, Eric, and you will OBEY me when I order it...or else...hey, have fun licking the toilets clean at school..."
There was NO way Eric was doing that...again, anyway.
"I..."
"YOU ASKED ME what it would take for me to do it. Nothing. Nothing except that you recognise me as your divine superior, before whom you will KNEEL!" he said, firmly. "Or else I'll just walk off and you can sort it out yourself. And you know you can't do that, Eric. Only I can do that for you. If you could do it yourself, you wouldn't be asking for my protection. And my protection comes at a PRICE. And that PRICE is your recognition. NOW KNEEL!"
Eric gulped. He got to his feet. Then he knelt and bowed his head.
"...Your Majesty, Flavius Aurelius...God-Emperor...your obedient subject begs for your protection!" Eric said, bowing and kissing Flavius's golden ring.
Flavius snorted.
"That's more like it", he said.
"But you will..." Eric began. Flavius shot out and grabbed Eric by his shirt and pulled him in TIGHT, twisting the fabric in his fist!
"Don't you DARE second-guess me, boy", he said dangerously. "Flavius SAID he will deal with it...and Flavius..."
He relaxed his grip.
"...will deal with it. Understand?"
Eric nodded.
"Attaboy!...Now...is that new?"
"Huh?"
Flavius was pointing to a toy boat on a shelf nearby.
"OH! Yeah! I bought it last week...it's cool, huh?"
"Totally...nice choice dude...Well, I gotta go. I'll be in touch, bruh".
Flavius got to his feet, cricked his neck, and then vanished in a flash of gold!
"Flavius!"
There was a BLINDING flash of gold and Flavius returned.
"Yo?"
"Uh...thanks! Also, don't forget to get my phone back, too!"
"No problem, dude! I'll be seein' y'round...hehehehehe...this gon' be FUN..."
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