Devyn led Denzyl out of the common room and to his bedroom. He turned to face Denzyl as the demon closed the door to the room.

"What did you mean?" Devyn's voice was not blaming or angry.

"I meant what I said. You own yourself. You're not indebted to Wil anymore. You don't have to obey him-"

"But what about you? I'm indebted to you now. Should I-"

"No! No, never," Denzyl cut Devyn off, afraid he would get the wrong impression. "You don't owe me anything. I just want you to be free and happy. I didn't get you out of my clan just to be some human's slave." Denzyl could feel a low growl grow in his throat at the thought of Devyn being owned by anyone.

"But you used your money to...save me. I feel like I should do something."

Denzyl looked down at Devyn's big, green eyes and began thinking of ways to make the human feel like he was not indebted to him. The demon smiled softly when a solution came to mind. "Then, do me one favor."

"Anything."

"Be happy."

Devyn sucked in his breath as he looked up at the demon. Denzyl's words stunned Devyn. No one had ever told him to be happy, to do the things that made him happy. A certain look entered the human's eye as he gazed up at the demon. "But...what if I'm scared." Devyn looked at Denzyl with wide eyes, awaiting the crimson-haired man's reply. Denzyl's next words would have a great effect on Devyn's next actions. The human's heart pounded in his chest as he wondered how the demon would respond.

Denzyl smiled down at the human tenderly before brushing a strand of hair from Devyn's glistening eyes. "It's okay to be scared...but how do you know if-" The demon was cut off by soft lips on his. Denzyl's eyes widened as Devyn stepped back and pursed his lips together hesitantly.

"You make me happy," Devyn confessed, his green eyes flitting back up to see the demon's reaction.

Devyn's words sent Denzyl over the moon. The demon's heart raced as he heard Devyn's confession. Before he knew it, Denzyl had grabbed Devyn's waist and pulled the human into his body. Denzyl heard Devyn gasp softly as the demon cradled the human's neck and kissed him. The kiss was sweet and passionate. Denzyl had clearly been waiting for this moment for a long time. After a moment, Devyn opened his lips, and Denzyl slipped his tongue in, tasting the human's sweet mouth. Devyn fisted the front of Denzyl's shirt, his eyes closed as he gave his heart to the man holding him.

Denzyl pulled away after a moment and stepped back as a fear grew inside of him. "This isn't because you feel indebted to me, is it?"

"No," Devyn shook his head. "I genuinely wanted to kiss you."

Denzyl's heart fluttered in relief. "Me too," the demon said as he stepped back in and kissed Devyn's soft lips once more. Devyn welcomed Denzyl's lips and tongue and released a moan as the demon made Devyn's mouth his. Denzyl could feel himself heating up and growing more passionate, so the demon broke the kiss as his want rose. Denzyl kept his eyes from turning red as Devyn opened his eyes slowly. "I'm sorry," Denzyl panted, fighting to control himself. "I don't want to hurt you."

"It's okay," Devyn smiled, much to Denzyl's relief. "Thank you." The human glanced at the floor before looking back at the demon. "About what you said about me not being indebted to Wil..."

"What is it?" Denzyl asked softly, taking the human's hand.

"I can't break the engagement."

"Why?"

"My parents signed a contract with Wil before they died."

Devyn's words enraged the demon. "Your parents? But you are so young! How could they?!"

"Don't worry. My parents would never do something like that. I think Wil fabricated the contract. I just haven't found out how."

"Okay." Denzyl nodded in relief. "I'll look into it. I'll find the evidence. You are not marrying that bastard."

Devyn nodded and smiled. "Thank you," the human reached up and pecked the demon on the cheek before wrapping his arms around Denzyl's neck while continuing, "for being protective of me. It feels nice."

The human's words brought a smile to Denzyl's lips. "Thank you," the demon returned the peck, "for letting me protect you."

"Denzyl." Devyn's eyes narrowed seriously as he gazed at the demon. His next words sent Denzyl to the moon. "I think I'm falling for you."

Denzyl's eyes brightened at Devyn's words before the corner of the demon's lips curled into a smirk. The demon brought his left hand to the small of Devyn's back while his right cradled the human's neck. Before Devyn knew it, Denzyl had pulled the human flush against his body and had enveloped Devyn's lips once again.

Heat flooded the human's cheeks as Devyn's fingers curled onto Denzyl's chest. A soft moan escaped the human's lips as he opened his mouth to the demon. Devyn's eyes were glistening by the time Denzyl pulled away. The human's face was red as he looked down and bashfully said, "You didn't say anything back." It was more of a tease as Devyn knew his confession had been accepted, but he thought some form of verbal confirmation would be nice.

A soft smile appeared on Denzyl's face as he cupped the human's cheek in his hand and answered, "It's because I've been falling right beside you."

Devyn's face grew beet red, and the human hid his face in his hands. "You're so cheesy!" Devyn laughed before looking back up at the demon who had a smirk on his face.

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

"I'm hungry," Castyr said cutely with a yawn while clutching his stomach dramatically.

"What do you want to eat?" Kilo asked with a smile after planting a kiss on Castyr's forehead.

"Hmm." The star's sky-dark eyes turned up as he pondered. "Pancakes."

"Pancakes?" Kilo raised his brows at the strange request.

"Mm. I haven't had them in FOREVER!"

Kilo could not help but smile at the star in his arms. "Anything else?"

"No."

"No? Just pancakes?"

"Yes." Castyr smiled in confirmation.

"Okay, Glow Stick, let's get you some pancakes." Kilo gave Castyr another kiss before standing from the bed.

"Can you carry me to the kitchen?" Castyr asked adorably, stretching out his arms toward his angel. He had thoroughly enjoyed being carried around the night before. 

Kilo's heart shattered into a thousand pieces as he stared at the star's big eyes. "Why are you so cute today?" The angel chuckled as he lifted the star from the bed.

Castyr laughed lightly and said, "I don't know," as Kilo picked him up.

After setting Castyr in a stool by the bar, Kilo fumbled around the luxurious kitchen, searching for ingredients and cooking ware. After spreading out the food items and putting a pan on the stove, he dug out an apron and tied it around his waist. Castyr watched with wide eyes as Kilo measured out each required ingredient and placed a slab of butter on the pan.

"Where did you learn to cook?" Castyr inquired as Kilo poured the first blot of batter onto the pan.

"Watching you."

"Eh?" Castyr's brows scrunched in confusion.

"Mm hmm," Kilo voiced in confirmation. "I watched you try many, many times."

Castyr chuckled dryly when he realized what the angel was referring to. "Did you have to add the 'many, many?'"

Kilo looked up from the stove and smirked. "It wouldn't be complete without the 'many, many.'"

"Ughhh. Those were dark days." Castyr lied his head on the white granite counter, recalling his cooking days. "I was so bored, so I thought I'd try cooking. Not a good idea."

"Yeah. I think you caught the kitchen on fire, like..." Kilo paused to think, "four times?"

"Five," Castyr corrected, looking back up at the angel. Kilo could not help but chuckle at the pouty star when Castyr asked, "So you were able to learn from watching me fail?"

"Basically."

"That is SO not fair!"

Kilo laughed lightly as he flipped the pancakes, revealing perfectly golden delicacies. Castyr's eyes widened as Kilo set the plate containing a mountain of pancakes in front of him. The angel then retrieved two smaller plates, utensils, and the bottle of syrup before joining his star at the bar.

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

A small smile was on Devyn's lips as he woke to find himself in Denzyl's arms. The demon's fingers stroked through the human's hair, soothing Devyn as he woke.

"What time is it?" Devyn inquired sleepily as he opened his eyes.

"Noon," Denzyl's deep voice sounded softly as Devyn looked up at the demon who was propped up on his elbow.

"I'm glad I took today off," Devyn yawned as he stretched and sat up. Denzyl adjusted his position as the human turned to face him. Cute laughter caught the human's attention through his advanced hearing, and the smell of something cooking wafted beneath Devyn's nose. The human's mouth began to water as he smelled the food.

"Are you hungry?" Denzyl inquired as he noticed Devyn turn his head toward the door.

"What do you think they're cooking?" Devyn pondered aloud as he turned to face the demon in his bed.

"Let's go find out." A smile came to Denzyl's lips as he slid out of the covers and stood to his feet. Devyn pursed his lips and wondered if getting out of bed would be worth it only to follow the demon to the door just a few seconds later.

Denzyl stopped in his tracks just before the door, and his heart began to race as he felt Devyn slip his hand into his own. The demon looked down to see the human's hand in his, a smile coming to his lips. Denzyl looked to the human to see Devyn's head turned away. The demon heard the human's heart pounding in his chest and decided to reinforce Devyn's action of affection.

Devyn whipped his head to look at Denzyl as the demon took the human's hand out of his before interlacing their fingers and strengthening his grasp on Devyn's hand. Blush flooded Devyn's cheeks as Denzyl opened the door and led the human into the hallway. Devyn kept his eyes glued to his and Denzyl's interlocked fingers as the two made their way to the kitchen where laughter and giggles could be heard.

The words, "That is SO not fair!" greeted the demon and human as they entered the kitchen. Castyr was seated at the bar at Kilo turned from the stove with a plate full of perfectly golden delicacies.

"Something smells good," Devyn complimented as Kilo put four pancakes on Castyr's plate.

Castyr and Kilo looked to see Devyn and Denzyl standing at the entrance of the open-plan kitchen. "Would you like some?" Castyr offered as the pair neared the star and angel.

"What is it? Pancakes?" Devyn inquired as he observed the heaping stack of flapjacks.

Castyr nodded before gesturing to the angel sitting across from him. "Kilo made them!" Castyr smiled widely as he beamed at Kilo happily.

Devyn looked at the pancakes longingly, his mouth watering at the delicious aroma. "It's okay. I made enough for five, and I can always make more," Kilo said as he noticed Devyn's hesitation.

Devyn looked up at Denzyl as if to inquire if the demon wanted some as well, who nodded and led the human to the bar in response.

They are so cute! Castyr linked his angel as Denzyl sat beside Kilo with Devyn across from him and beside Castyr. Kilo nodded in agreement as Castyr scooted the plate of pancakes to be between the two couples. Denzyl grabbed two more plates and handed one to Devyn who blushed as he accepted it. The human's face grew even redder as the demon placed three pancakes on his plate.

Kilo switched his fork to his left hand as he and Castyr rested their arms on the bar and held hands while they eat. The angel watched with satisfaction as a huge smile appeared on Castyr's face when he finished his plate.

"That was so good!" Castyr sighed as he patted his full tummy.

"I'm glad you liked it," Kilo responded with a small smile.

"What smells so good?" A tired, feminine voice asked. All four of the males turned to see the one female entering the kitchen. "Pancakes?" Miren smiled as she saw the four enjoying their lunch. Kilo grabbed a fifth plate as Miren sat at the end of the bar. "Did you cook this?" The woman asked the angel as he handed her the plate. "Wow!" Miren exclaimed when Kilo nodded in reply.

Castyr hopped off of the barstool and waddled over to the fridge. He pulled down five glass cups after retrieving a jug of orange juice from the refrigerator. After dispersing the five glasses, Castyr returned to his stool and enjoyed the refreshing juice. Kilo watched him all the while with soft eyes.

This is so domestic. I love it. Castyr smiled at his angel from across the counter.

It is nice.

We're all together and safe. This is perfect.

Mm-hmm. Kilo looked around at the small, content smiles on everyone's faces and agreed with Castyr. Kilo wished everything could stay this way: warm, peaceful, and safe. But a feeling deep down reminded the angel that Hades was still on their tail.

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

"So what are we going to do about Aklys?" Miren asked after the meal when the five had moved to the common room.

Kilo began rubbing circles into Casty's hand when the angel felt the star tense up. "I figured Castyr and I should go back to Heaven and regroup with our unit. We appreciate your help and hospitality, Devyn, but we've been gone for a while. It is time we returned."

"I understand. And you are always welcome here," Devyn replied as he observed the angel and star. Devyn knew Kilo and Castyr did not want to drag him into the danger filling their lives, and he was thankful for their consideration, but Devyn had promised himself fifty years ago that he would do whatever it would take to keep Kilo and Castyr safe, and he was not about to give up when they were being pursued by the king of Hades and his demon general.

Kilo nodded in thanks. "Thank you for saving Castyr and me," the angel addressed Denzyl, who inclined his head in response.

"When do you plan to leave?" Miren asked.

"Tonight," Castyr answered; Kilo nodded in agreement.

"I've been wondering, though, why Aklys attacked you in Ithyos." Castyr leaned into his angel when Miren brought up the demon general. Kilo wrapped his arms around the star as the redhead continued, "He would have had a hard time actually getting Castyr out of Heaven without falling to who knows where. What if his plan was to get Castyr out of Heaven to a place where he could easily take him?" Miren hypothesized.

Kilo tightened his hold around Castyr as the possibility became very real. Devyn clasped his hands together as he thought of the probability that it was all a trap. "Could he know where Ithyos leads to?" Devyn inquired of the angel.

"He could," Kilo answered. "I am not sure how, though, since I didn't even know."

"You have to remember, Kilo, Aklys is the demon general. His sources are out of this world," Miren warned.

Kilo had to admit that Miren was right. Aklys was the demon general. They had no idea what he was capable of.

"But, regardless, it is best if you get Castyr back to Heaven," Devyn intervened. That was the option that posed the least amount of danger.

Kilo nodded in agreement. "We'll leave after nightfall. It will be safer. Hopefully, we won't be spotted."

"We can go back to the river outside the city," Castyr quietly told his angel about the river into which they fell from Heaven.

"Good idea, Glow Stick," Kilo responded in a whisper before smiling and kissing the back of Castyr's neck, which brought out a quiet hum from his star.

"I know a quiet spot outside the city. I can bring you there," Devyn offered as he could not help but overhear the couple's conversation.

Castyr nodded at the human. "Thank you."

Kilo pressed his head against the back of Castyr's neck and inhaled his star's warm scent while praying they would make it back to Heaven safely.