Devyn woke to the smell of cooking food. Recalling being sold just before falling unconscious, Devyn kept his eyes shut as he took in his surroundings. He was lying on a blanket which felt as if it was laid out over the hard ground. Devyn's eyes swelled as he feared what was to come. He was now a slave to a demon. A knot formed in the human's throat as he wondered how he had come to be a mere slave.

How did this happen? I was living my life just a few days ago.

However, through the despair, Devyn felt no regrets. He saved them. He saved Kilo and Castyr. Even though he had just met the two, Devyn would have done anything to help them. And he did. He saved them. If everything went well, the two would be on their way to
Earth right now with Miren.

Ahh, Miren. Please forgive me. Devyn fought the tears swelling as he thought of his female friend and ally. Please take care of them for me. A smile now formed on Devyn's lips. He had come to terms with his life. It was worth it. He could rest peacefully as long as Castyr and Kilo were safe. What possessed the human to care so deeply for an angel and star whom he had met but a few days prior to him being captured? Devyn smiled as he recalled the small star running up to him frantically. Devyn had just landed on the planet Megran to secure a business transaction and was walking down the ramp of his ship when a small body rushed into him. The human looked down to see the most beautiful eyes the color of the night sky staring up at him eagerly.

"Can I help you?" Devyn asked the boy softly as he looked down at the silver head in front of his chest.

"Help! My friend needs help!  We were walking and some men..." The boy's words faltered and trailed off as he choked on the tears that were threatening to come pouring. Devyn's heart hurt as he saw the panicked boy struggling to ask for help. Devyn found himself turning around and walking back into his craft. He could hear the smallest whine escape the boy's lips as he watched Devyn disappear. The boy was preparing to run off to find someone else when he heard Devyn returning. The boy turned to see Devyn exit with a rifle, his lips curling into a hopeful smile.

"Where is your friend?" Devyn asked.

The boy smiled widely in thanks and quickly led Devyn down the ramp. It was not long before they came into view of a young man fending off several assailants. The bodies of four men lied on the ground as the warrior fought the remaining four attackers.

Observing the fight, Devyn stopped at a distance and aimed his rifle. With three swift shots, three assailants fell dead; the second boy swiftly defeated the remaining attacker with a slice across the neck. The boy with a sword stood and turned to look at Devyn as the smaller boy rushed to him.

"Are you alright?" Devyn heard the one with the sword ask the small one.

The smaller boy nodded. "Are you okay? Did you get hurt?" Devyn watched as the small one patted the taller one's abdomen and checked his arms for wounds.

"I'm fine." The tall one shooed the smaller one's hands away.

Devyn slung the strap of his rifle over his shoulder as he curiously looked at the small one. The space around the small, silver-haired boy seemed to be brighter than their surrounding environment. Was he glowing? Devyn's assumption was confirmed when the tall boy's eyes widened, and he instantly took off his jacket and threw it over the small one.

"Keep this on until you calm down, Glow Stick." The taller one stepped in front of the glowing boy as Devyn approached the two. His voice was surprisingly deep for his young appearance. The taller boy placed his arm around the smaller one's back and held his sword in front of him in warning.

"Are you alright?" Devyn asked.

The one with the sword nodded shortly in response.

"Your friend was really worried about you," Devyn gestured to the small boy.

The taller one tightened his grip around his sword.

"It's okay. I'm not gonna hurt you or your star." Devyn set his rifle on the ground and raised his hands above his head. He wanted them to know he meant no harm. The two looked frazzled and exhausted. Devyn did not know why they were being attacked, but he wanted to help when he saw the exhaustion and fear in their eyes.

"Who are you?" The tall one inquired defensively.

"Devyn, a human from Earth," Devyn answered truthfully.

"It's okay, Kilo. I don't think he wants to hurt us. I trust him," the small one said quietly after observing Devyn for a moment.

"You trust people too easily," the tall one replied.

"But I trusted you," the small boy responded rather quickly and confidently.

The one called Kilo closed his eyes and let out a breath before swiveling his head to look at Devyn. He nodded in approval and lowered his sword. Devyn slowly lowered his arms and retrieved his rifle. "Do you guys, uh, need a lift? I'm on my way to Borum for some business," he offered.

The tall one's eyes widened when he heard the word 'Borum.' He hesitated for a moment before nodding and accepting Devyn's offer.

"Follow me," Devyn turned and began walking away from the battle scene, the two following him cautiously. Once back in his craft, Devyn returned the rifle to a weapon rack stationed on the wall and sat in the pilot's chair.

"You fly alone?" Kilo asked as he and the small one positioned themselves in the two passenger seats.

"Mmm," Devyn nodded his head. "I'm pretty efficient," he smiled. The human flipped a few switches on the control board and closed the craft's door.

"So, how'd you end up on Megran?" Devyn struck up a conversation as he checked his craft's stats and condition.

"...We...fell..." The small boy answered as he looked up at Kilo.

Kilo looked down at the boy and nodded reassuringly. "We fell from Heaven," Kilo added.

"Ah...You haven't gotten your wings yet?" Devyn asked as he prepared for departure, assuming Kilo was an angel.

Kilo hung his head.  "...No...That's why we need to get to Earth. They have a bridge to Heaven."

"Mmm. I have a contact on Borum who can get you to Earth," Devyn offered. "I have business on Borum, so I can't fly you personally, but my contact is a good friend, so you will be able to get to Earth safely." Devyn increased the power of the ship's thrusters, and the craft hovered into the sky.

Kilo thought for a moment before accepting Devyn's offer. "Thanks. I owe you. If you need any help, I'll try my best."

"Ah! I'm sure there won't be any situation like that!" Devyn exclaimed as they entered Megran's atmosphere and began making their way to Borum.

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

A few hours into the flight, Devyn looked back to see Castyr, the smaller boy, asleep with Kilo, the taller one, watching over him. Devyn lifted a brow in amusement as he watched Kilo's head race with thoughts. The boy let out a huff of air and ran his fingers through his raven hair. Devyn watched as Kilo stood from his chair and left the sleeping star. The human paused the music in his ear buds as the angel sat in the empty co-pilot chair and began staring off into space. Devyn switched the craft into auto mode before turning to look at the angel.

"What's wrong?"

"Hmm? Oh, nothing," the angel shrugged off Devyn's inquiry.

"Something's bothering you."

Kilo sighed and leaned back. "Castyr. I'm worried I won't be enough...to keep him safe, I mean."

"Hmmm," Devyn bobbed his head. "That's not something you need to worry about," he said matter-of-factly.

"What do you mean? Castyr almost died!"

"But he didn't. You protected him."

"But what if I slip up?"

"You won't. You have a, uh, how do I say this? You have a drive. You'll be enough because you care about him."

"He's my star. I'm supposed to protect him."

"Yes, but you care for him more than how an angel cares for his star." Devyn could not believe he was saying this to someone he just met, but after observing the two for a while, he was sure Kilo had special feelings for Castyr and vice versa. So, he is taking a chance and hopes he can help the young, blossoming couple. "Something...maybe like l-"

A moan from Castyr cut off Devyn. The two turned to watch the small star open his big eyes. Castyr sat up sleepily and looked around.

"Have a good nap?" Devyn asked.

Castyr nodded. "When will we arrive?" He asked Devyn.

"In five hours."

Kilo nodded in confirmation and looked back to see Castyr slipping on his coat. The angel let out a chuckle as the coat engulfed the small star. Castyr was used to his warm residence in Heaven. He had probably never been that cold.

Castyr left his chair and waddled over to Kilo. He plopped himself in the angel's lap and looked out the window. Kilo's eyes widened as he stared at the silver head in front of him.

"Ermmm....Castyr..."

"Can I stay here? I want to look at the stars." Castyr turned and looked at the angel. "It reminds me of home."

"...Uh...ok."

Castyr smiled at Kilo's answer and leaned into him. "Also, I thought you might be cold since I'm wearing your jacket and your coat."

"Uh...I'm fine...but thanks." Kilo glanced at Devyn to see him putting in earbuds. The human began to bob his head to a song within a few seconds.

Devyn smiled slightly at the cute couple as the small star nestled into his angel. The human let himself get lost in the music playing in his head as he steered his ship.

A sudden rumble and jerk of the craft startled the two cuddle doves. Devyn looked to watch Kilo instinctively wrap his arms around Castyr's waist and pull him in. The rumble stopped after a few short moments.

"Sorry about that," Devyn apologized once the two recovered from the shock. "We just went through a small meteor field," the human added to his apology before putting his ear bud back in.

Devyn could not help but smile at the two's cuteness and innocence. He envied them. He had not been allowed to remain innocent. Devyn became tainted long ago. His life had never been the same after that one night. The night with the fire. The night with the screams filling the hot air. The night when his heart broke. The night when those hands touched him for the first time. The night when his innocence was stripped away.

This, in a way, was the driving force of Devyn's commitment to help the angel and star. They were innocent. They had not been tainted by the cruel worlds. Devyn wanted to help them keep their innocence. The innocence he could never have. Not without blood.