OMNISCIENT POV
"Have they been black all this time?" Castyr asks as he looks at his reflection in the mirror, beads of water dripping from his hair as aftermath from the steamy shower.
Kilo nods from behind the star before planting a kiss on his neck, his arms holding Castyr lovingly.
Castyr's lips form into a small frown as he grabs a hand towel and pouts, "Do you not like them? Is that why you didn't tell me?" Castyr becomes self-conscious as he hides his face from the angel. "Are they ugly?"
Kilo is quick to comfort his star as he gently spins Castyr to face him before removing his hands and kissing both eyes. "They're beautiful."
"You don't think they're weird?"
The star slowly opens his eyes when Kilo answers, "No. I love them."
"Can you still see the stars?" Castyr asks cautiously.
Kilo nods as he gazes into the eyes of his love. The purple stars shimmer against the pitch black irises, causing Kilo's heart to flutter at the beauty before him. Castyr smiles at Kilo's nod and hugs his angel. Kilo smiles and wraps his arms around the star.
Castyr has been acting cutely since he woke from his coma, and he often performs little surprise actions to see if he likes it such as suddenly kissing Kilo or nipping at the angel's ear playfully. They sometimes lead to more intimate actions, which Castyr has found he loves. Kilo wishes Castyr could continue on without remembering the pain and struggles, but with the loving kisses and hugs comes torment. Every night, Castyr endures a nightmare, waking up in a cold sweat with memories of pain, fear, and heartache. There are breaks from the nightmares where the star will have a sweet dream and wake up humming, but those are few and rare.
With each passing day, Kilo sees more and more pain and hardiness in his star's expression. That is why Kilo cherishes these small moments when Castyr sneak attacks him with something cute and playful.
There are times when Castyr relapses and wakes up in shock; he will often be in an emotionless daze for the rest of the day, but hugs and comfort from Kilo always help him recover.
"Okay, Glow Stick, which is it today?" Kilo asks as he displays two choices: a black sweatshirt and a white sweater.
"Mmmm," Castyr ponders as he looks at his choices. "That one," the star points at the long-sleeved sweater. Kilo hands the white sweater to the star before slipping on the black sweatshirt. Castyr quickly unties the bathrobe and pulls the sweater over his head. Being that the sweater was stocked for Kilo, it covers the star's backside and shows just the bottom hem of his black underpants.
"What do you want for lunch?" Kilo asks once he is clothed.
"I can eat anything," Castyr answers with a smile.
"Anything in particular?"
"Mmmm," Castyr turns his head up as he ponders. "Pancakes?"
"Okay," Kilo smiles down at his star. "Pancakes it is."
Castyr smiles happily as he gazes up into those intoxicating purple eyes, but his breath suddenly hitches as a pain strikes his heart.
"What's wrong?" Kilo's brows furrow in concern.
"Nothing," Castyr shakes off the pain with a smile. "Just excited for pancakes. I haven't had them in a while."
Kilo looks his star up and down, unconvinced by Castyr's smile.
"You go on ahead. I'll be there in a little bit. Gotta use the restroom," Castyr lies with a smile and cute moon eyes. "Go on. I'll be right there," Castyr nudges the angel when he does not move.
"You sure you're okay?"
"Positive," Castyr assures confidently.
Kilo pets Castyr's head affectionately before reluctantly turning and leaving. As soon as Castyr perceives Kilo to be out of sight, he clutches his chest and falls to one knee. The star gasps as he releases the breath he had been holding and feels the pain fully. Castyr's vision blurs as the pain increases in his chest and travels to his head.
Kilo, who stopped just outside the door, comes rushing back into the room when he hears the star's strained pants. Kilo immediately begins channeling energy into the star. The pain gradually resides, and Castyr's vision clears. "Are you okay?" Kilo asks softly as Castyr clings to him and catches his breath.
Castyr nods as his breathing slows. "Thank you."
"How long has this been going on?" Kilo inquires.
Castyr releases a breath as he comes to a decision. He knows he cannot hide it from Kilo any longer and decides to tell him everything. "Ever since I woke up. It has never been this bad, though; it's usually just a tightness in my chest."
"Has it been happening more often?"
Castyr nods. "I'm sorry for not telling you. I just didn't want you to worry or be a bother."
Kilo brings his star in his arms and strokes the back of his head. "You would never be a bother. I love you, Castyr."
"Thank you, Kilo. I love you, too."
After a few moments of being in each other's embrace, Kilo lightens the mood by asking, "Still up for some pancakes?"
Castyr smiles and nods as Kilo stands to his feet and offers his hand. Castyr takes Kilo's hand and follows him out of the room and to the kitchen where Kilo begins the preparations for brunch.
"What do you think causes the pain?" Castyr ponders aloud as Kilo flips a pancake.
"It is most likely your body still adjusting to the darkness inside of you."
"Sooo...will it get better?"
"Overtime," Kilo encourages. "We can refine your energy to aid in keeping the dark energy in check."
"That could work," Castyr agrees as Kilo sets a plate of pancakes in front of him.
"Have you refined your energy before?" Kilo inquires as he sits across the counter from the star.
"Many times. That is basically all I did in Ithyos: cultivating."
"That's good. It will make the process easier. We can use some of my energy to help."
"Really?"
Kilo nods. "I've already helped you refine once."
"When?" Castyr's eyes widen with curiosity.
"The night before you woke up."
A wide smile appears on the star's lips. "So that was you!" Castyr exclaims with excitement. "How did you do it?"
"You pulled me into your subconscious when you began the refinement process."
"Ahh...Thank you, Kilo. You seem to be saving me every day."
"Don't you remember? I'm your guardian," Kilo smiles at his star fondly before following Castyr in digging into the stack of pancakes.
<<<<<>>>>>
"What happened after I fell?" Castyr asks as he and Kilo rest in the living area after having lunch.
"...Everyone disappeared. The king, all the demons, everything...except us."
"Us? Including Denzyl?" Castyr asks with hope, giving a sigh of relief when Kilo nods.
"Is Ilios really...?" Tears form in Castyr's eyes as Kilo nods, bringing Castyr into his arms when a tear falls down the star's cheek. The angel holds his star tenderly as he morns Ilios. After a few minutes, Castyr dries his eyes and inquires, "And Rae? What happened to Rae?"
"Rae is fulfilling Ilios last wish."
"Ah," the star nods before inquiring about the demon-human couple.
"As far as I know, Denzyl and Devyn are on Earth running Vaumyr and Co. together."
"What about that disgusting fiancé? Has he tried to hurt Devyn again?"
Kilo shakes his head, "I'm not sure, but I bet Denzyl has already dealt with him."
"I hope he kills him."
Kilo smiles at Castyr's determination to protect their human friend. "You know Devyn. I don't think Denzyl could bring himself to do anything that Devyn wouldn't like."
"Then I hope he makes his life miserable."
"I bet he will. Don't worry about Devyn; he will be alright."
Castyr nods before asking about Miren, in which Kilo tells him about the human helping them get to Mythos. "Orion is working on becoming Aklys' liaison with Heaven," Kilo informs Castyr when asked about the actaeon.
"I hope things work out for them. They've been through a lot."
"I'm sure they'll be fine. They've been fighting to be together for centuries. And now that Aklys is running Hades, they are free."
"As long as Heaven doesn't mess with them-" The couple's conversation is stopped abruptly when the alert system goes off and rapid pounding sounds on the door. The angel and star rise to their feet and advance slowly to the door, their training kicking in. Kilo draws Ymir as Castyr readies his fists. Kilo activates the screen as a voice calls his name from outside the door.
"It's Devyn!" Castyr says, opening the door as the frazzled human begins inputting the code.
"Kilo!" Devyn snaps his head up as the door is opened.
"What's wrong? Devyn, what happened?" Castyr asks in concern.
"Remember our deal?" Devyn wastes no time in confronting the angel. Kilo nods. "I need your help."
"What is it?"
"It's Denzyl..." Devyn says, his eyes hard with determination and tinted with fear. "He's been taken."
<3 THE END 3>
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT NEXT CHAPTER --->