An Exception

Chapter Two

"See? Isn't it- ah . . ." As he'd turned to see Zamasu's reaction to the lake he'd brought him to, he found the god wasn't paying attention at all. He was staring right at their hands. Even after Hearts had stopped walking, Zamasu's gaze did not falter. What was running through his mind right now? His heart was a mix of happiness and sadness, from what Hearts could hear. His expression looked so soft, so full of . . . longing? His ears were still down and his lips were slightly parted as he stared, unblinking, at their joined hands.

What he would give to be able to pull Zamasu's hand to his lips and kiss each knuckle. What he would give to pull him into his chest and just hold him for a while. What he would give to lay him down on the soft grass by the lake and-

Ah, those kinds of thoughts were dangerous. It was best if he did not let his mind wander further.

"Zamasu . . ." He smiled when he watched the god's silver eye finally blink, then widen with the realization that he'd spaced out.

"O-oh, I . . . where . . .? Oh!" How long had he been staring like that? He'd lost himself in the memories of Black and Zamasu and had forgotten where he was for a moment. He almost wished Hearts hadn't interrupted it. Perhaps he could continue those memories in his dreams later that night. "This is . . . a lake?" The water was very calm and quite clear. The surface glittered to match the sunkissed surroundings.

"Mmhmm. A lake." Hearts couldn't help but notice that Zamasu still had not pulled his hand free. Was he fine with it, then? "I come out here when the noise inside is too much and I just want to think or even just be alone for a bit." Finally tearing his eyes away from his companion, Hearts gave his attention to the water. "It's very quiet out here. You'll hear animals, insects, the leaves rustling in the wind . . . it's-"

"-comforting." Zamasu chose to finish the sentence for him, regardless of what Hearts may have been about to say. "I'd like to come here sometimes." Now when Fu was acting up again, he could just come out here to get away from him. To get away from all of them. Why would he want to spend any time with mortals?

Again his eye went to the hand that currently held his own. Hearts was a mortal. Why did this mortal think he could so casually touch him like this?

. . . and why was he letting him do it?

"Come on; let's just sit for a bit." Hearts reluctantly released his hold on Zamasu's hand so he could ease himself down on the grass right by the water's edge. "You can see the fish in the water a bit from this angle." He had come out here plenty of times himself, but it was nice to have someone at his side who wouldn't irritate him. He cared for the others in that they were his teammates, but Zamasu was different. Zamasu was someone who he would like to have at his side when he finally took down the Omni King. Someone who he would like to have at his side for, well . . . forever, really. He was quiet, intelligent, attractive . . . he was a god and yet he wasn't quite like Hearts expected him to be. How had he changed his mind about him so quickly? Wasn't he supposed to kill Zamasu along with the other gods?

Zamasu's eyes widened briefly as the hand suddenly let go of his. His own hand felt cold now. It bothered him and he almost felt the need to laugh at how ridiculous that was. Bothered that a mortal had let go of him? Since when did he feel such a way? Having this fused body had surely corrupted his mind as well. Could Fu fix that, too? No, it would be a stupid question to even ask. This was all the fault of those damned Saiyans.

"Sit here? On the ground?" Zamasu furrowed his brows as he stared at the grassy surface. Wouldn't that be dirty?

"Yeah?" Hearts tilted his head at the god before huffing out a laugh, "What? You're wearing clothes that are so tattered you're missing an entire sleeve, yet you're afraid to get a little dirt on your ass?" He shook his head, unable to stop the smile that stretched across his lips, "Stop acting so spoiled and just sit down already."