Kikidori lay sprawled across his obsidian bed, his arm draped over his face as if trying to block out the eternal glow of the molten rivers outside his window. Despite the scorching heat and perpetual flames of Flame Island, his room was one of the few places that felt calm. The occasional crackle of fire outside provided an odd sort of background noise that lulled him into a rare moment of relaxation.
Cerberus, the ever-energetic Chihuahua, padded into the room, his tiny claws clicking against the black stone floor. The dog tilted his head, observing his master's prone form with his beady little eyes. Then, without warning, he barked—a sharp, high-pitched sound that echoed against the obsidian walls.
Kikidori groaned, his voice muffled by his arm. "Cerberus… not now."
But Cerberus wasn't listening. The little dog crouched down, wagging his stubby tail before leaping onto the bed with surprising agility. He landed right on Kikidori's stomach, eliciting a grunt from the fallen angel.
"Seriously?" Kikidori muttered, peeling his arm away to glare at the Chihuahua.
Cerberus barked again, his tiny frame vibrating with excitement. He wasted no time snuggling up against Kikidori's side, burrowing into the crook of his arm.
Kikidori sighed, his irritation melting away as he gave the dog a half-hearted scratch behind the ears. "You're lucky you're cute, you little gremlin."
Cerberus let out a contented yip before settling down, his head resting against Kikidori's chest. Slowly, the steady rhythm of the dog's breathing began to soothe Kikidori, and before long, his own eyelids grew heavy.
Within minutes, both master and pet were fast asleep, their breaths rising and falling in unison.
Far above, in the radiant skies of Heaven, Ere'ana stood at the edge of the golden lake, staring into its shimmering waters. She had been thinking about Kikidori more than usual lately. Despite his rough exterior, she had come to understand the tender heart he kept hidden from the world.
With a determined nod, she spread her angelic wings and took off, her graceful form cutting through the heavens as she made her way to Flame Island.
The journey wasn't particularly long—Heaven and Flame Island weren't exactly neighbors, but Ere'ana's wings carried her swiftly. As she descended into the fiery domain, the stark contrast between her glowing aura and the dark, molten landscape was striking. The demons milling about gave her curious, wary glances but didn't dare approach. They knew better than to mess with Kikidori's guest.
Ere'ana landed softly outside Kikidori's castle. The imposing structure loomed against the burning horizon, its obsidian walls glinting faintly in the flickering light of the flames. She pushed open the heavy doors and stepped inside, her bare feet silent against the cool stone floors.
The interior of the castle was just as dark and foreboding as the exterior, but Ere'ana paid it no mind. She had been here enough times to know her way around. She ascended the grand staircase, her footsteps light and purposeful as she made her way to Kikidori's quarters.
When she reached his room, she pushed the door open just enough to peek inside. What she saw made her pause.
Kikidori was sprawled across his bed, one arm draped over his head, the other resting protectively around a small, curled-up figure. Cerberus, the tiny Chihuahua, was nestled against him, his little body rising and falling with each breath.
Ere'ana couldn't help but smile at the sight. It was rare to see Kikidori so at peace. His usual sharp, guarded expression was gone, replaced by a calm, almost serene look. The way his hand rested lightly on Cerberus spoke volumes about the side of him he rarely showed—gentle, caring, and deeply protective.
She stepped into the room quietly, her glowing presence casting a soft light over the scene. For a moment, she simply stood there, taking in the sight of the fallen angel and his unlikely companion. It was endearing in a way she hadn't expected, and it made her heart ache just a little.
Ere'ana moved closer, careful not to make a sound. She sat down on the edge of a nearby chair, her wings folding neatly behind her as she watched them sleep. The room was quiet except for the faint crackling of flames outside and the soft sound of their breathing.
Her mind wandered as she sat there. Despite everything—their vastly different natures, the tensions between Heaven and Flame Island, the constant chaos that seemed to follow them—moments like this reminded her why she had fallen for Kikidori in the first place. Beneath his gruff demeanor and sarcastic remarks was someone worth loving.
Cerberus stirred slightly, his ears twitching, but he didn't wake. Ere'ana smiled and reached out, gently running her fingers over his tiny head. The Chihuahua let out a contented sigh and snuggled closer to Kikidori.
"Kiki…" she whispered softly, more to herself than to him. "You're such a mystery sometimes."
She stayed there for a while longer, content to simply watch over them. Eventually, she stood and made her way to the door. She didn't want to wake them—this was a moment of peace they both deserved.
As she stepped out of the room and closed the door behind her, she couldn't help but chuckle softly. "Happy dreams, you two."
With that, she spread her wings and took off, leaving the castle behind as she returned to Heaven. Back in the room, Kikidori shifted slightly in his sleep, his hand tightening ever so slightly around Cerberus.
For now, the chaos of their lives could wait.
The End of Chapter 45