An Exception

Chapter Two

"Did Fu give you trouble?"

Slowly turning around, Zamasu found Hearts had been waiting just outside of the lab. "A bit, but it wasn't anything I couldn't handle." It wasn't anything Hearts needed to know about. Zamasu was quite capable of taking care of himself and wanted nothing more than to be left alone unless they needed his assistance with the seed. If it didn't pertain to the plan to kill the Omni King, he didn't want any part in it. He'd already done too much by having meals with these mortals. They were acting far too familiar with him.

"I wonder about that." Hearts folded his arms across his chest, "You are undoubtedly powerful, but we don't really know what kind of strength Fu has. I don't think I've seen him put any effort into a fight." Hearts leaned away from the wall, "Hey, do you want to go out somewhere with me?"

". . . do I what?"

"Do you want to leave the base for a bit? This planet is inhabited, but we're in a fairly desolate area so we aren't easily found." Hearts scratched at the back of his head and smiled sheepishly, "You don't have to if you don't want to, but I think out of everyone here, you could best appreciate the scenery this planet has to offer." He'd been thinking about it ever since Zamasu had gone into the lab that morning. He wanted some way to spend time with him away from the others. What could be better than showing him the natural beauty around them? Zamasu loved nature, right?

"The scenery?" Zamasu tilted his head a bit with slight interest, "It is true that I have no idea where we are. I've been inside this entire time while the others have gone off on missions." It would feel good to finally go out and slaughter mortals with them. He'd been feeling lethargic lately and that would surely raise his spirits. "Yes, let's go see what this planet looks like." He wouldn't let his guard down, though. This whole thing sounded like a ploy to get him away from the others so it was just the two of them alone. Hearts' ki had a powerful aura, but it was no match for Zamasu – assuming, of course, that he was at his full strength at this point.

- - -

The sun was further away than the suns on many of the other planets he'd seen, making for a more dimly-lit landscape with a cooler temperature than he had anticipated. As Hearts had described, the area their hideout was located in was seemingly in the middle of nowhere. The region appeared to be much like a valley. Rolling hills with tall, golden grass . . . it really was lovely. The way each blade of grass bent to the will of the wind, the way he heard nothing but the sound of insects and wildlife, the way the sun kissed the landscape as if plating everything in pure gold . . .

"It's beautiful." The words slipped from the god's lips as he took everything in. The last planet he'd been on was so full of human creations that had been turned to rubble. He hadn't had a chance to really stop and take in the beauty on any of his stops during his execution of the Zero Mortals Plan.

"Isn't it?" Hearts couldn't help but smile softly. He was more interested in watching Zamasu's eye soften and his ears lay down as he became entranced. "Then you will love what is on the other side of our hideout. It's difficult to see from certain angles due to the tall vegetation, but . . . well, you'll see." Hesitating briefly, Hearts held a hand out to the god. He thought for certain Zamasu would either ignore it or slap it away, but he was proven wrong quickly as Zamasu gently placed his hand in Hearts' palm. Did he realize what he was doing? He was so busy looking at all of his surroundings, it was possible that he'd taken Hearts' hand without thinking. No sense in dwelling on it, though. It was best to take full advantage of such opportunities as they presented themselves.

Zamasu's eye continued to wander as Hearts lead him around the building. At some point he did finally realize he was holding the man's hand, but he chose not to shake his free. There was something so incredibly familiar about it. When had he ever done something like this? Ah, Zamasu and Black had sometimes held hands when they were alone. It was like that, wasn't it? Hearts' hand was larger, though. Still . . . he'd never admit to it, but it felt nice.