Kilo was stunned. No tears came, but his heart was crying. The angel kept the star in his arms for a few more moments before reluctantly pulling away. Castyr did not stop Kilo from dropping his arms from around him. Kilo brought his hand to Castyr's head and ruffled his hair. The star just looked up at the angel blankly in response.

Thousands of memories rushed through Kilo's head as he looked at his star fondly, thinking of how he would get to love Castyr all over again. There was not a single thought of regret or disappointment. Kilo would hate himself if he felt disappointed at that moment. Castyr was awake and safe. That was all he could ask for. If Castyr did not remember him, so be it. That would not change Kilo's love; nothing could change Kilo's love.

"How do you feel? Are you in any pain?" Kilo made his voice as soft as possible once he remembered Adelle's words. Castyr was very vulnerable at that moment, especially to Kilo since he was the first person Castyr had encountered after his coma. Anything Kilo did and said would shape who Castyr would become. Kilo wanted Castyr to be able to decide who he wanted to be, but for now, the angel wanted his star to feel safe and protected.

Castyr responded to Kilo's soft words by shaking his head slowly. Kilo gave a small sigh of relief. "Are you hungry?" The angel inquired after a moment of silence had passed. The star nodded and blinked his big eyes in response. "Cute," Kilo smiled and ruffled Castyr's hair before getting off the bed. Castyr watched the angel leave before slowly following Kilo down the hall and to the kitchen.

The star stood in front of the bar while Kilo rummaged around for ingredients and cooking pans. Turning in a small spin, Castyr looked around at the house before his eyes landed on Kilo. For some reason, the star's heart fluttered whenever he looked at the angel, though Castyr did not know why. Castyr had all his memories of Kilo, and he was smiling in a lot of them. But the star did not know why he 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.

Castyr wanted to know those things because they were the first things he had experienced since waking, so the star walked around the bar and wrapped his arms around Kilo just as the angel had when Castyr woke up. Kilo froze, but Castyr's heart did that thing again. It fluttered! Is this why people hug? I don't know if this is supposed to happen, but I like it. Wait...how do I know I like it? Castyr's racing thoughts stopped when Kilo turned around in the star's arms and held him in his embrace. Castyr became extremely calm when he felt the angel's arms around him.

Instinctively, Castyr turned his head into Kilo's neck. Oooh. I like this. I like it a lot, his scent. The star's entire body relaxed, and a small sigh escaped his lips. What was that?? Why did I make that noise? Kilo seemed to like it because he held the star tighter and began rubbing Castyr's back. 

Castyr had not the slightest idea as to why the angel was holding him and why he felt tingly with Kilo's touch. What Castyr did know was that he liked 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 "love"? 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 pulled the star from his thoughts. Is Kilo crying? Why? Why do people cry? Castyr pulled away from the angel's arms to look up at the man before him. I have seen Kilo cry before...but why?

"Why are you crying?" Castyr inquired of the angel, speaking for the first time since Hades.

Kilo smiled at the star's question. "Because I'm happy."

Kilo's answer confused Castyr. The star's expression was blank as he asked, "Why?"

"Because I've missed you."

Kilo's words struck the star. There it goes again, my heart. It is thumping, and I do not know why. "Kilo..."

"Mmm?"

"Why is my heart beating so fast?"

Castyr's question seemed to make Kilo happy because he smiled at the star sweetly. "Because you're happy."

"...I'm...happy?"

Kilo took Castyr's hand and placed it on his chest over his heart in response to the star's curious inquiry. Memories flashed through the star's head, and Castyr's cheeks heated. A small smile came to Castyr's lips when he felt Kilo's racing heart. So, he feels the same way. I could get used to this.

<<<<<<<>>>>>>>

The first thing Devyn saw when he woke was the fading scar on the back of his hand. It had been only a week since the conference, but his wounds were already turning a light pink. They would be gone in a few days, not even leaving scars. Devyn's heart dropped when he was reminded of his time with Wil, but it lightened when he remembered Wil Kossen would no longer be able to hurt him.

A hand reached over Devyn and held his wrist tenderly. The human smiled slightly when Denzyl's thumb stroked the back of his hand; the demon's warmth spreading through the human as Denzyl kissed the back of Devyn's neck. Devyn rolled over in the bed and snuggled into Denzyl as the demon wrapped his arms around him.

"Morning," Denzyl's deep, morning voice greeted the waking human.

"Morning." Devyn's voice was muffled by Denzyl's shirt, causing the demon to smile as he played with Devyn's ruffled, morning hair.

"Did you sleep well?" Denzyl asked softly as he stroked his fingers through Devyn's soft locks. The human nodded into Denzyl's chest in reply as he let out a relaxed breath. "How do you feel?" The demon inquired after he kissed the top of the human's head. Devyn shifted to look up at the man holding him before replying, "Like I don't want to get up."

Denzyl chuckled as Devyn rolled back into him. "That's good. As long as you are not in 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. It would be worse if you were not here.

"Doctor's orders," Denzyl interjected, saving Devyn from having to talk about his emotional state. Devyn nodded into the demon in agreement. "What would you like for breakfast?" Denzyl asked softly after a moment.

"Mmm," Devyn sounded as he pondered his cravings. "Eggs and toast?"

"Okay," Denzyl said before kissing the human's cheek and sliding out from the covers. "I'll be back."

"Take me with you?" Devyn asked as he smiled up at the demon and rose to his knees.

"Of course," Denzyl smiled as he scooped the human in his arms and carried Devyn to the kitchen. Denzyl fetched a frying pan, eggs, and a loaf of bread after setting Devyn in a chair at the bar. The human watched as Denzyl expertly fried the eggs while toasting the bread. "Any news from Kilo?" Denzyl inquired while he seasoned the eggs.

Devyn plopped his elbow on the table and rested his head in his hand as he answered, "Nothing yet. Kilo hasn't messaged since they made it to Mythos." As soon as the words left the human's mouth, a ping sounded from a tablet resting on the kitchen bar. "Speaking of the devil..." Devyn commented while reaching for the tablet. His eyes widened when he read the message, "Castyr's awake!"

"Did he say how he is doing?" Denzyl inquired further as he flipped the toast.

"Nope," Devyn replied with a shake of his head. "Just: 'He's awake.'"

Denzyl nodded as he flipped the egg and toast. Sounds like Kilo.

Feeling like he needed to do something to help, Devyn stood from the barstool and meandered over to the fridge. "Want something to drink?" The human asked while he opened the refrigerator door.

"Coffee."

"Cold brew?"

"Sounds good."

"Okayyy." Devyn reached down and grabbed the bottle of cold brew before stretching to reach up for a cup. The human did not get to reach very far, though, as Denzyl came to stand behind him and grabbed two glass cups with ease. "Thank you," Devyn said as he smiled up at the demon. Blush rushed to the human's cheeks when Denzyl stole a kiss before returning to the toast.

After recovering from the stolen kiss, Devyn returned to the barstool to enjoy the view after pouring two cups of cold brew and adding a little bit of vanilla to his. The human was positioned just behind the chef, giving him the perfect angle to watch Denzyl work his magic. The demon was dressed in a thin shirt with a wide mouth, so it sat low on his shoulders, revealing a bit of the man's muscular back.

"Enjoying the show?" Denzyl asked with a smirk when he put the toast on a plate before setting a fried egg on top.

"Ahhh. I'm caught," Devyn sighed dramatically as he lifted his head from resting on his hand and laid his arm on the counter.

"Mm-hm," Denzyl cocked an eyebrow as he turned around with two plates of eggs and toast.

"Thank you," Devyn said with a smile when Denzyl set one of the plates in front of him, earning the human a kiss in return. Denzyl set his plate down before grabbing two sets of utensils and joining his love in eating their breakfast.

<<<<<<<>>>>>>>

"Aaahhh. That was delicious," Devyn complimented the chef as Denzyl gathered the two plates and set them in the sink. "Thank you-" Devyn was rewarded with a peck on the lips before he could complete his thought. "Are you going to kiss me every time I say 'thank you'?" Devyn inquired as he stared up at the man standing in front of him.

"Mm-hm," Denzyl sounded in response after kissing Devyn again. "That is my solution. You love to thank me, and I love to kiss you," the demon explained. Denzyl continued to gaze into the human's eyes, making Devyn's face heat.

Devyn smirked when an idea came to his head. "In that case, thank you for break-" 

Denzyl's lips were quick to keep their promise. Only this time, it was not just a peck. Devyn gladly returned the demon's kiss and placed a hand on Denzyl's shoulder to keep himself from swooning too hard. Denzyl wrapped one arm around Devyn's waist and the other under the human's knees as he scooped his love into his arms. Devyn folded his arms around the demon's neck while Denzyl carried him to the bedroom where the two resumed the kiss.

Denzyl laid Devyn down gently before wrapping the human in his arms, giving Devyn time to catch his breath. Devyn snuggled into the demon and relaxed as Denzyl's warmth spread through him. The human's eyes eventually drooped closed while Denzyl stroked his fingers through Devyn's hair. A kiss on the cheek ushered Devyn into a sweet sleep in the arms of the one he loved.

One thought that had been weighing on the human's mind poked up again as Devyn fell asleep: what good did I do in the universe to have this man beside me?