KILO'S POV
The angel looks up in relief upon hearing the star's voice. I instantly recognize him as the angel from the tower fifty years ago. I leave Castyr's side and approach to the angel. I kneel on my knees and bow my head.
"Thank you for-" I am cut off when the angel reaches down and has me stand.
"Thank you for surviving. I don't know what would happen to Castyr if you hadn't."
I can feel he still wants to ask me a question, so I remain in front of him.
"Rae- the officer who stayed...was he taken with you?"
The angel looks into my eyes with hope.
"He was taken, but we were held in different places; I do not know where. I am sorry."
"Ok. At least he is still alive. Thank you." The angel turns to Castyr, "You did a good job out there. We're having a celebration tomorrow. Wash up and get some rest today. You've worked hard." He turns back to me, "I don't think we've been formally introduced. I am Colonel Ilios, Castyr's commanding officer," he tilts his head in greeting.
"Lieutenant Kilo, Guardian to Star Castyr," I bow my head.
"Get some rest, Kilo. You've fought hard," Ilios pats my shoulder before turning.
Castyr salutes his commanding officer as he walks away. I feel his hand grab mine and lead me to a different tent.
"Major, could I borrow a pair of your clothes?" Castyr asks the person in the tent.
"Castyr? Is that you?" A blue head pokes out. He looks up to see Castyr and smiles. "You made it back!" A man around my height exits the tent and embraces Castyr. "Ah, sorry!" The man lets go of my star when he sees me standing behind Castyr with my arms crossed.
"Ermm...Sinjae? Clothes?" Castyr reminds the major.
"Ah, yes!" The blue-haired man goes back into his tent and returns with a folded pair of clothes.
"Here you go," he hands the clothes to Castyr.
"Thank you," Castyr accepts.
The major retreats back into his tent as we walk off. Castyr leads me into one of the surrounding skyscrapers and up to the fourth floor. We enter a hallway lined with showers with a wall-to-wall counter with sinks and a mirror on one side.
"Thought we'd want to wash the blood off," Castyr says as he begins undressing. "Soap and shampoo are already in the shower."
Castyr takes off his shirt and begins unbuckling his belt. He turns around to see me just standing beside the counter.
"What?"
"Do you just undress like this in front of anyone?"
"What? No! We have our own separate showers. Why? Did you get jealous?"
"Pff, no," I deny in a lie. I still hesitate to undress to keep Castyr from knowing the real reason, though.
"Okay." Castyr fully undresses and turns on one of the showers.
My eyes wander up and down his lean body. I have to turn around to keep 'myself' under control. I begin undressing as I hear Castyr enter the shower. I take off my shirt to reveal the many gruesome scars covering my body.
"Hey, I forgot to grab some new clothes-" Castyr comes out of the shower suddenly. He stops talking when he sees my scar-covered body.
Aish. I turn around and put my hands on the counter. I watch Castyr walk up to me through the mirror.
"Kilo," he whimpers. I feel his hands touch one of the scars. I expect to flinch when the scar is touched, but Castyr's touch is overwhelmingly soothing.
My tense body relaxes when Castyr runs his hand over my back. Tears touch his eyes as he sees all the scars. A tear falls as Castyr gently kisses one of the more gruesome scars. His hands run along the side of my body and wrap around my waist. Castyr presses his wet body against mine and rests his head on my neck as he hugs me from behind.
The star loosens his grip as I turn around. I cradle his head with my hand and hold him tightly. My fingers pet his wet head comfortingly.
"It's okay. I'm here. I'm alright," I sooth as Castyr cries softly. "You should finish showering," I say gently after Castyr has calmed down.
"Ok. You should shower, too," Castyr says as he looks up at me.
"I will," I nod and brush a tear from Castyr's cheek with my thumb.
After we wash up, Castyr puts on his blood-stained clothes for the walk to the tent. Once inside the tent, he immediately takes off his shirt. My heart skips a beat as Castyr changes in front of me. He certainly has grown.
"There's only one bed," Castyr says shyly as he finishes changing.
"That's okay," I smile.
"And the only vacant tents are all the way at the edge of the base."
I nod. Castyr follows me onto the small bed. I lie on the side closest to the tent's opening and turn on my side. Castyr snuggles up to me, and I wrap my arms around him. I relax as I breathe in his warm, airy scent. Castyr hums happily as I kiss the top of his head. A light glow surrounds us as Castyr falls asleep. I look at the star in my arms one last time before closing my eyes and letting my exhaustion catch up to me.