KILO'S POV
"I'm hungry," Castyr whines cutely while clutching his stomach dramatically.
"What do you want to eat?" I ask after planting a kiss on his forehead.
"Hmmmm," his sky-dark eyes turn up as he thinks. "Pancakes."
"Pancakes?" I raise my brows at the strange request.
"Mm. I haven't had them in FOREVER!"
I cannot help but smile at the star in my arms. "Anything else?"
"No."
"No? Just pancakes?"
"Yes," he smiles.
"Okay, Glow Stick, let's get you some pancakes." I kiss him again before standing from the bed.
"Can you carry me to the kitchen?" Castyr asks adorably, stretching out his arms to me.
My heart shatters into a thousand pieces as I stare at his big eyes. "Why are you so cute today?" I chuckle as I lift the star from the bed.
Castyr giggles and says, "I don't know," as I pick him up.
After setting Castyr in a stool by the bar, I fumble around the modern kitchen, searching for ingredients and cooking ware. After spreading out the food items and putting a pan on the stove, I dig out an apron and tie it around my waist. Castyr watches with wide eyes as I measure out each required ingredient and place a slab of butter on the pan.
"Where did you learn to cook?" Castyr inquires as I pour the first blot of batter onto the pan.
"Watching you."
"Eh?"
"Mm hmm. I watched you try many, many times."
"Did you have to add the 'many, many?'"
I look up from the stove and smirk. "It wouldn't be complete without the 'many, many.'"
"Ughhhh. Those were dark days," Castyr lies his head on the white granite counter, recalling his cooking days. "I was so bored, so I thought I'd try cooking. Not a good idea."
"Yeah. I think you caught the kitchen on fire, like..." I pause to think, "four times?"
"Five," Castyr corrects, looking back up at me. I cannot help but chuckle at the pouty star. "So you were able to learn from watching me fail?"
"Basically."
"That is SO not fair!"
I chuckle lightly as I flip the pancakes, revealing perfectly golden delicacies.
"Ooooh," Castyr's eyes widen as I set the plate containing a mountain of pancakes in front of him. I retrieve two smaller plates, utensils, and the bottle of syrup before joining my star at the bar.
"Something smells good," a voice sounds as I put four pancakes on Castyr's plate.
Castyr and I look to see Devyn and Denzyl entering the open-plan kitchen. "Would you like some?" Castyr offers as the pair nears.
"What is it? Pancakes?" Devyn inquires.
Castyr nods. "Kilo made them!" Castyr smiles widely as he beams happily.
Devyn looks at the pancakes longingly. "It's okay. I made enough for five, and I can always make more," I encourage the human.
Devyn looks up at Denzyl, who nods and leads him to the bar. They are so cute! Castyr links me as Denzyl sits beside me with Devyn across from him and beside Castyr. I nod in agreement as Castyr scoots the plate of pancakes to be between the two couples. Denzyl grabs two more plates and hands one to Devyn who blushes as he accepts it. The human's face grows even redder as the demon places three pancakes on his plate.
I switch my fork to my left hand as Castyr and I rest our arms on the bar and hold hands while we eat. I watch with satisfaction as a huge smile appears on Castyr's face when he finishes.
"That was so good!" He sighs and pats his full tummy.
"I'm glad you liked it."
"What smells so good?" A tired and the only feminine voice says. "Pancakes?" Miren smiles as she sees the four of us enjoying our lunch. I grab the fifth plate as Miren sits at the end of the bar. "Did you cook this?" She asks me. "Wow!" She exclaims when I nod.
Castyr hops off of the bar stool and waddles over to the fridge. He pulls down five glass cups after retrieving a jug of orange juice from the refrigerator. After dispersing the five glasses, Castyr returns to his stool and enjoys the refreshing juice.
<<<<<>>>>>
"So what are we going to do about Aklys?" Miren asks after the meal when we had all moved to the common room.
I begin rubbing circles into Casty's hand when I feel him tense up. "I figured Castyr and I should go back to Heaven and regroup with our unit. We appreciate your help and hospitality, Devyn, but we've been gone for a while. It is time we returned."
"I understand. And you are always welcome here," Devyn replies.
I nod in thanks. "Thank you for saving Castyr and me," I address Denzyl, who nods in response.
"When do you plan to leave?" Miren asks.
"Tonight," Castyr answers. I nod in agreement.
"I've been wondering, though, why Aklys attacked you in Ithyos." Castyr crawls into my lap when Miren brings up Aklys. I wrap my arms around the star as the redhead continues, "He would have had a hard time actually getting Castyr out of Heaven without falling to who knows where. What if his plan was to get Castyr out of Heaven to place where he could easily take him?" Miren hypothesizes.
I tighten my hold around Castyr as the possibility becomes very real.
"Could he know where Ithyos leads to?"
"He could have," I answer. "I am not sure how, though, since I didn't even know."
"You have to remember, Kilo, Aklys is the demon general. His sources are out of this world," Miren warns.
I have to admit, Miren is right. Aklys is the demon general. We have no idea what he is capable of.
"But, regardless, it is best if you get Castyr back to Heaven," Devyn intervenes.
Castyr nods in agreement.
"We'll leave after nightfall. It will be safer. Hopefully, we won't be spotted," I pray.
"We can go back to the river outside the city," Castyr tells me quietly.
"Good idea, Glow Stick," I respond in a whisper before smiling and kissing the back of Castyr's neck, which brings out a quiet hum from my star.
"I know a quiet spot outside the city. I can bring you there," Devyn offers.
Castyr nods. "Thank you."
I press my head against the back of Castyr's neck and inhale his warm scent, praying we make it back to Heaven safely.