OMNISCIENT POV
Kilo is stunned. No tears come, but his heart is crying. The angel keeps the star in his arms for a few more moments before reluctantly pulling away. Castyr does not stop Kilo from dropping his arms from around him. Kilo brings his hand to Castyr's head and ruffles the boy's hair. The star just looks up at him blankly in response.
Thousands of memories rush through Kilo's head as he looks at his star fondly, thinking of how he gets to love Castyr all over again. There is not a single thought of regret or disappointment. Kilo would hate himself if he felt disappointed in this moment. Castyr is awake and safe. That is all he could ask for. If Castyr does not remember him, so be it. That will not change Kilo's love. Nothing can change Kilo's love.
"How do you feel? Are you in any pain?" Kilo makes his voice as soft as possible as he remembers Adelle's words. Castyr is very vulnerable right now, especially to Kilo since he is the first person Castyr has encountered after his coma. Anything Kilo does and says will shape who Castyr will become. Kilo wants Castyr to be able to decide who he wants to be, but for now, the angel wants his star to feel safe and protected.
Castyr responds to Kilo's soft words by shaking his head slowly. Kilo gives a small sigh with relief; Castyr is not in any pain. "Are you hungry?" Kilo inquires. The star nods and blinks his big eyes. "Cute," Kilo smiles as he ruffles Castyr's hair before getting off the bed. Castyr slowly follows Kilo down the hall and to the kitchen.
CASTYR'S POV
I stand in front of the bar while Kilo rummages around for ingredients and cooking pans. Turning in a small spin, I look around at the house before my eyes land on Kilo. For some reason, my heart flutters when I look at him, though I do not know why. I have all my memories of Kilo, and I was smiling in a lot of them. But I do not know why I was smiling. Why do people smile? Why does Kilo smile at me? Why did he hug me when I woke up? I want to know.
I want to know these things as they are the first things I have experienced since waking up, so I walk around the bar and wrap my arms around Kilo just like he did when I woke up. Kilo freezes, but my heart does that thing again. It flutters! Is this why people hug? I do not know if this is supposed to happen, but I like it. Wait...how do I know I like it? My racing thoughts stop when Kilo turns around in my arms and holds me. I become extremely calm when I feel the angel's arms around me.
Instinctively, I turn my head into Kilo's neck. Ooohh. I like this. I like it a lot, his scent. My whole body relaxes, and a small sigh escapes my lips. What was that?? Why did I make that noise? Kilo seems to like it as he holds me tighter and begins rubbing my back. Again, I have no idea why he is doing this and why I feel tingly with his touch, but I do know that I like it. No...it is more than just like. I have been longing for this. I think I...missed this. Does that make sense? Eh, I don't know. Nothing has made sense since I woke up. I felt empty. I did not have any thoughts or emotions until Kilo saw me and smiled. Oh, how I love his smile. Wait...did I just say L. O. V. E?? I do not even know what love is, but maybe I did. Maybe I knew it before.
Does Kilo know what love is? I remember hearing about love. Did I experience it? Has Kilo experienced it? I feel like I am missing something, no, a lot of things. How do I get them back?
A teardrop pulls me from my thoughts. Is Kilo crying? Why? Why do people cry? I pull away to look at him. I have seen Kilo cry before...but why?
"Why are you crying?" I speak for the first time since Hades.
Kilo smiles at my question. "Because I'm happy."
Kilo's answer confuses me. "Why?"
"Because I've missed you."
Kilo's words strike me. There it goes again, my heart. It is thumping, and I do not know why. "Kilo..."
"Mmm?"
"Why is my heart beating so fast?"
My question seems to make Kilo happy as he smiles at me sweetly. "Because you're happy."
"...I'm...happy?"
Kilo takes my hand and places it on his chest over his heart. Memories from the tent on the base on Earth flash through my head as my cheeks heat just as they did that day. A small smile comes to my lips as I feel Kilo's racing heart. So he feels the same way. I could get used to this.
DEVYN'S POV
The first thing I see when I wake is the fading scar on the back of my hand. It has only been a week since the conference, but my wounds are already turning a light pink color. They will be gone in a few days, not even leaving a scar. My heart drops when I am reminded of my time with Wil but lightens when I remember he will not be able to hurt me ever again.
A hand reaches over me and holds my wrist tenderly. I smile slightly as Denzyl's thumb strokes the back of my hand; his warmth spreading through me as the demon kisses the back of my neck. I roll over and snuggle into Denzyl as he wraps his arms around me.
"Morning," Denzyl's deep, morning voice greets me.
"Morning," my voice is muffled by Denzyl's shirt, causing the demon to smile as he plays with my ruffled morning hair.
"Did you sleep well?"
I nod into Denzyl's chest.
"How do you feel?"
I shift to look up at the man holding me. "Like I don't want to get up."
Denzyl chuckles as I roll back into him. "That's good. As long as you are not in any pain. Besides, you just got discharged and have at least another week before you can go back to work."
"I could go back today. I feel fine...but..." In all reality, I am still recovering emotionally and mentally. I would be worse off, however, if Denzyl were not here.
"Doctor's orders," Denzyl saves me from having to talk about my emotional state. I nod into him in agreement. "What would you like for breakfast?" Denzyl asks softly.
"Mmmmm. Eggs and toast?"
"Okay," Denzyl says before kissing my cheek. "I'll be back."
"Take me with you?" I smile up at the demon as he rises to his knees.
"Of course," Denzyl smiles as he scoops me in his arms and carries me to the kitchen. Denzyl fetches a frying pan, eggs, and a loaf of bread after setting me in a chair at the bar. I watch as Denzyl expertly fries the eggs while toasting the bread. "Any news from Kilo?" Denzyl inquires as he seasons the eggs.
I plop my elbow on the table and rest my head in my hand. "Nothing yet. Kilo hasn't messaged since they made it to Mythos." As soon as the words leave my mouth, a ping sounds from a tablet resting on the kitchen bar. "Speaking of the devil..." I comment while reaching for the tablet. My eyes widen when I read the message, "Castyr's awake!"
"Did he say how he's is doing?"
"Nope," I shake my head. "Just: 'He's awake.'"
Denzyl nods as he flips the egg and toast.
Feeling like I need to do something to help, I stand from the barstool and meander over to the fridge. "Want something to drink?" I ask as I open the door.
"Coffee."
"Cold brew?"
"Sounds good."
"Okayy." I reach down and grab the bottle of cold brew before stretching to reach up for a cup. I do not get to reach very far, though, as Denzyl comes to stand behind me and grabs two glass cups with ease. "Thank you," I smile up at the demon. Blush rushes to my cheeks when Denzyl steals a kiss before returning to the toast.
I return to the barstool to enjoy the view after pouring two cups of cold brew and adding a little bit of vanilla to mine. I am positioned just behind the chef, giving me the perfect angle to watch him work his magic. Denzyl is dressed in a thin shirt with a wide opening so it sits low on his shoulders, revealing a bit of the man's back and shoulder muscles.
"Enjoying the show?" Denzyl asks with a smirk as he puts the toast on a plate before setting the egg on top.
"Ahhh. I'm caught," I say dramatically as I lift my head from resting on my hand and lie my arm on the counter.
"Mm hmm," Denzyl cocks an eyebrow as he turns around with two plates of eggs and toast.
"Thank you," I thank as Denzyl sets one of the plates in front of me, earning me a kiss in return. Denzyl sets his plate down before grabbing two sets of utensils and joining me in eating breakfast.
✨✨✨✨
"Aaahhh. That was delicious," I compliment the meal as Denzyl gathers our plates and sets them in the sink. "Thank you-" I am rewarded with a peck on the lips. "Are you going to kiss me every time I say 'thank you'?" I stare up at the man standing in front of me.
"Mm hmm," Denzyl nods after kissing me again. "That is my solution. You love to thank me, and I love to kiss you." Denzyl is gazing into my eyes, making my face heat.
I smirk as an idea comes to my head. "In that case, thank you for break-" Denzyl's lips are quick to keep their promise, except this time, it is not just a peck. I gladly return the demon's kiss, placing a hand on his shoulder to keep myself from swooning too badly. Denzyl wraps one arm around my waist and the other under my knees as he scoops he into his arms. I fold my arms around his neck as he carries me to the bedroom where we resume the kiss.
Denzyl lays me down gently before wrapping me in his arms, giving me time to catch my breath. I snuggle into him and relax as his warmth spreads through me. My eyes eventually droop closed as Denzyl strokes his fingers through my hair. A kiss on the cheek ushers me back into a sweet sleep in the arms of the one I love.
One thought that has been weighing on my mind pokes up again as I fall asleep: what good did I do in the universe to have this man beside me?