The clock on the shop wall finally ticked over to 3 PM — end of Dove's shift.
He stretched, stepping outside into the bright afternoon light.The sun was warm on his face, and the streets were alive with people going about their day.
"Nice day," Dove muttered, glancing up at the blue sky.
Krishna strolled up next to him, hands tucked in his hoodie pockets, his blue hair catching the sunlight like it belonged there.
That's when Dove, feeling bold enough to ask, glanced at him sideways."Hey," he began, "you gods — where do you even live? Do you all have some kind of apartment in the clouds or something?"
Krishna chuckled — a rich, easy sound."Oh, it's not quite so simple," he replied."There are the Many Realms — Dev Lok, Svarg Lok, Patala, Brahma Lok, Kailash… Olympus too but that's an entire different pantheon," he went on, weaving the words together like a story."Every pantheon has its place. Even worlds you mortals hardly speak of anymore."
Dove listened, utterly hooked as they walked."Sounds huge," he murmured."You guys probably don't fight for a tiny apartment like I do."
That thought gave him an idea — they had no extra bed at home.And Thor had been sprawled across the couch like it was his personal throne.
"Hey," Dove cut in as they crossed into the mall."I gotta get you a proper bed if you're staying too. Let's hit the furniture store."
Krishna nodded casually."Sure," he agreed — then paused, his gaze already drifting across the shops."Oh — what's that?"
Before Dove could answer, Krishna was inside one of the gleaming retail outlets.
He was like a kid in a candy shop — admiring gadgets, stylish clothes, even the occasional trinket that caught his eye.
And without hesitation, he picked up what he liked — a pair of wireless earbuds, a slick jacket, a watch with an intricate face — and went straight to the counter.
Dove raised an eyebrow."Uh," he began as Krishna handed over his card."You could just… y'know. Make all this stuff. Right? Why buy it?"
Krishna glanced back at him, a glimmer of mischief in his eye."That would be cheating," he said with a wink."These mortals put effort into their work. The least I can do is pay them fairly."
That left Dove speechless — and maybe just a tiny bit impressed.
After that, Dove led him to the furniture section.Together they picked out a big, comfortable bed — solid wood frame, a soft mattress.The salesman assured them it'd be delivered the next morning.
And that was when Dove remembered —his new suits, clothes, even that crazy-expensive watch were also scheduled for tomorrow.
He felt a ridiculous grin spread across his face."Tomorrow's going to be awesome," he murmured, excited despite himself.
On their way home, they grabbed some vegetables and groceries.As they loaded up a basket with crisp green veggies, Dove glanced at Krishna."You eat vegetables too, or is that also optional for gods?"
Krishna laughed warmly."Of course," he replied."Your food is part of the mortal experience — I appreciate all of it."
Dove nodded, satisfied.And soon they were back at the apartment.
When they opened the door, they found Thor exactly as they'd left him — lounging across the couch, a beer in one hand, eyes glued to some loud TV series that clearly had him hooked.
He barely glanced up."About time," he rumbled."You missed the big reveal."
And Dove?He just stared at the scene — gods on his couch, new purchases on the way — and felt his life had officially crossed into the absurd.
Krishna sauntered over and flopped onto the couch next to Thor, who was happily surrounded by empty beer cans and sporting a very not-so-godly odor.
Krishna wrinkled his nose dramatically."You stink," he declared, sounding half amused, half offended.
Thor glanced at him lazily."Do I?" he grunted, cracking open yet another can.
"Do you shower?" Krishna asked, eyebrows raised as if genuinely curious.
That was Dove's cue.He appeared with a garbage bag, sweeping up empty cans."Alright, Thor," Dove cut in, giving the god of thunder a tired look."You definitely need a bath."
Thor made a face but, surprisingly, didn't argue."Fine," he muttered, heaving himself up with a grunt."Where is your bath?"
"Through there," Dove replied, gesturing toward the bathroom before turning to Krishna."You can make yourself comfortable."
"Already am," Krishna replied breezily, reaching for the remote.He began flipping channels — pausing on cartoons, then sports, then a loud reality show — clearly entertained by mortal entertainment.
Dove disappeared into the kitchen to whip up something for dinner, the clatter of pots and gentle chopping filling the apartment.
And just as he was rinsing vegetables —KNOCK KNOCK.
The sharp rap at the door made him jump.
"Oh, for crying out loud," Dove groaned."First of the month… rent day."
Before he could move, Krishna rose gracefully and went to answer.
He swung the door open to reveal a slightly cranky-looking landlord — expecting Dove's tired face — only to freeze.
Instead of the usual tenant, there stood a lean, charming stranger in a white hoodie, blue hair tucked under the hood, and a playful glint in his eye.
The landlord blinked, clearly thrown."Uh…"
"Yes?" Krishna asked smoothly.
The landlord stared."You… live here too?"
Krishna chuckled."You could say that."
That only deepened the landlord's confusion."You— uh, the rent," he mumbled awkwardly.
"Of course," Krishna replied as if this was a perfectly casual transaction.He smiled like someone who had a pocket full of secrets — and the landlord wasn't sure whether to feel at ease or even more nervous.
And behind them all, Dove paused mid-chop in the kitchen, listening with one brow raised — wondering just how much more bizarre this day could possibly get.