AkiBlue

The Power of The Fallen ~ PopeAlessandros x AkiBlue

“Make themselves… look bigger?” Aoba echoed Kuro’s comment, slowly stretching out his left wing all the way. He never thought spreading them out made him look bigger- in fact, he thought the opposite. He had a small frame as it was, so when his wings were stretched out he figured it only emphasized how small he was compared to them. Invested in the thought, he almost missed Kuro sliding next to him. Hearing Kuro would check where he couldn’t see made the small angel nod and turn for easier access.

His eyes drifted closed while Kuro inspected his wings. His mind wandered back to when he had first fallen, realizing the pain wasn’t there anymore- or if it was, it wasn’t as noticeable as before. However, the gentle touch over more sensitive areas of his wings made him straighten his back a little more. His wings ruffled ever so slightly in response but they quickly relax when Kuro continues on. Still in a bit of a relaxed daze after, the demon is met with a hum after the inspection before Aoba opened his eyes, blinked a few times, and nodded. “Oh, oh good. I won’t be a, uh, de-featherd bird. That wouldn’t be a fun sight to see.” A soft chuckle followed as he watched Kuro go about cleaning up. The mention of stress induced feather loss made Aoba’s eyes widen just a bit until he realized Kuro was teasing him. “Hmph. I’m gonna go. I’m gonna go.”

Aoba had made his way to their now shared room and sat on the edge of the bed. For a few moments, the angel looked around the dark space and took a deep breath in. When he exhaled, his hands gripped the sheets under him but they were let go seconds after. The day was… a lot. And it wasn’t the best. And no matter how much Aoba wanted it to get better, he knew there were things that weren’t going to change. “It’s… gonna be okay.” His whispered attempt to motivate himself was weak, but it was at least a start. “I have to make it okay.” The angels had put him on Earth, sure, but on the bright side, it wasn’t the worst thing to happen. It had its ups and downs and nothing was actually easy, but at least the work was something he enjoyed. It made him feel useful and with Kuro around it made him feel… important. And that was the thing he was going to hold on to. Sure it wasn’t going to happen over night, but Aoba was determined to start reminding himself that things would be okay.

Hearing Kuro coming up to the room, Aoba relaxed and shifted out the way so Kuro could climb into bed and Aoba could follow suit. His wings stretched out behind him and he got comfortable next to Kuro. He watched the demon yawn, mimicked it before rubbing a palm over his eyes to stop the tears. Despite sleepiness taking over, Aoba scooted a little closer and whispered. “Thank… Thank you Kuro. For, uh, everything really.” It was much too late to go into specifics and Aoba was much too tired, so instead the angel decided to be a little brave. He sat up just a little, enough to reach Kuro, and placed a kiss right at his jaw. They had kissed before, so Aoba hoped it was okay, but his sleepiness started to take its toll as he laid back down to sleep.

The next early morning, Aoba woke with a new vigor and determination. He wanted to prove himself that things were gonna be okay like he said and that meant getting his farming life and his regular life and his emotions- and maybe a list of other things together. And keeping busy was the only thing Aoba knew how to do. So, early as it was, Aoba was careful not to disturb Kuro too much and slid out of bed, getting ready for the day. Before he could get too far, he turned back to Kuro and gave him a soft and endearing kiss on his temple before going off. He still wasn’t too sure how to make food yet, and it was definitely something on the list to figure out, but for now, Aoba decided an apple was enough for the time being and headed towards the barn.

When Realms Collide {AkiBlue & PopeAlessandros}

For a brief moment, Enasi watched Seishu float off, half making sure that the guardian didn’t stumble in the process. And when he was out of view, Enasi exhaled and leaned against the wall, letting his eyes close for a minute. It didn’t last long however, because soon Inui was speaking again. Enasi’s attention went down to the little one before gazing around the room. “Ah, you’re not weird, dear. You’re special. And a nightmare minion. And it’s nothing to be ashamed of.” He returned Inui’s sheepish look with a smile before straightening up and stretching his arms above his head. “Let’s teach you about the ways of the world, shall we?” With hand outstretched, Enasi began to take steps towards the adults in the kitchen, only to pause when he noticed Inui hesitating. “Hm? Oh, no worries Inui. So long as the bonds of the guardians are strong, they won’t be able to see us. And humans are weak creatures. They couldn’t hurt us if they tried.” He led them into the kitchen where the adults, both parents Enasi could assume, were cleaning up what was left of their dinner.

“Humans, well,” Enasi let go of Inui’s hand and walked between and around the two as they talked and cleaned. “Some of of the dream minions mimic the way they look because they’re fond of it. Seishu and I have similar looks because, well, we were created to bring balance between the seen and unseen. Though, we can change if we wanna.” He stepped to the side as the woman danced over to her husband, laughing away. Enasi couldn’t help but smile a little. “They do similar things we do really. Eat, sleep, play, work, and grow old- except humans grow old a lot faster than we do. But they enjoy what they have.” Enasi playfully mimicked the woman’s playful twirl while she moved around to put away dishes before eventually stepping back at Inui’s side. “When humans sleep, they usually dream. We got the luckier end of the bargain as dreams are usually seen as what my realm does but,” While Enasi spoke, his arms were crossed and he continued watching the two clean and dance. His voice didn’t hold any bias or malice. He simply explained. “Nightmares are dreams too. The act of dreaming is something we all know, it’s just what it makes you feel is where the realms come in.” He waved a hand in front of his face. “But that’s a lesson for some other day. You asked me about the humans.” He rested his head in one hand.

“I prefer being home really, so I’m probably not as knowledgeable about the ways of human life- at least as thoroughly as I should. Or as thoroughly as the ones that come to collect may. My knowledge of humans is simply, they mimic the lifestyle we have- almost- except they grow and adapt much slower than we do. And when they dream we take what’s positive and what’s lost… and what’s positively lost and bring it home. Other times, we give it back in return when there’s too little positive dreams around.” Enasi gave a small sigh. “It’d be much easier to show you through their eyes, but I don’t want to expose you to something so full of opposing energy that it hurts you.” He gently ruffled Inui’s hair and gestured them back into the living room to take a seat. “I wish I could say I’ve never met such complex yet such simple beings but,” He gave a soft laugh that eased some of his stress from before. “I’ve met Seishu and he’s as confusing as it gets.”

Never Ending Battle ~ PopeAlessandros x AkiBlue

The Emperor, at first, didn’t seem to believe Hiro’s statement, until he was eating the soup ever so casually. Eventually, he gave a nod and turned his attention to Akito instead. For a few moments, the Emperor gave an unreadable gaze as the soon to be prince apologized. It wasn’t a noticeable moment, at least to the Empress or Hironori, but it was still a quiet heartbeat before the Emperor gave Akito a wide grin. “Ah, my boy I don’t expect you to control the weather! You kept Hironori safe and happy and that’s what’s important.” He let out a hearty chuckle. “As a soldier you and I have to be strong against sickness, I’d expect nothing less from a champion such as yourself!” His laughter died down a bit, but he kept his smile. “It’s these two,” His hand gestured to Hironori and his wife, “we have to keep an eye out for. They’re not as sturdy as us, have to keep them safe.”

Both Hiro and the Empress looked up at the same time, the latter raising a brow. “Is that so dear?” She smirked. “Surely, because of my pregnancy you don’t think of me as weak?” She was teasing him, but the surprised look on his face made her give a smug grin.

“No love of course not! You’re a very strong woman. It’s just that you’re due any day dow and we can never be too careful about yours and the baby’s safety.” He pouted when she began to laugh, realizing she was teasing him but relaxed when she gave him a soft kiss on the cheek.

The Empress turned her attention back to the boys and smiled. “Did you find anything interesting out there in the wild world Hiro’s father boasts on about?”

The young prince had been silently eating, not paying much mind to the antics. When his stepmother chided her husband his gaze went back to his food. Though when he heard his name he looked up, with the spoon in his mouth. “Hm? Oh, lof o’ ni’e sc’ery-” He paused and removed the spoon when his mother scrunched up her nose. “A lot of nice scenery and a peaceful conversation. With the preparations taking place, it was helpful to have it be a little quieter. Just for a moment. It’s been a long time since I’ve gotten caught in the rain but it wasn’t so bad. Nature’s really pretty.” He sounded a bit dreamy for a moment, before turning his attention back to his food. “I’m glad we got to go.”

The Power of The Fallen ~ PopeAlessandros x AkiBlue

“Bah.” Aoba made a face and a playful sound when his cheeks were squished. He knew well enough that Kuro wouldn’t talk down to him about his rank as an angel- or a fallen one for that matter. In fact, he didn’t feel much of anything when he mentioned, but that wasn’t what was important.

The talk of the Ocularus made Aoba nibble his food quietly and more thoughtfully. He tried to remember the countless library escapades he had been on, combing through books to figure out all he could that others wouldn’t teach him about. The name itself sounded familiar, but he couldn’t fully remember the details of it. He was sure the books skewed information for safety anyway. Fortunately, he had Kuro to give him that.

It was a much bigger deal than the demon made it sound, but Aoba nodded and hummed to show he was still listening while he was eating. “Wouldn’t want your head to explode, that’s not ideal.” Aoba said to no one in particular, before his attention focused fully on Kuro once more. “What kinds of things would you even want to know? About the future at least? It sounds useful learning about the past or the present… but the future?” He set his plate down on the side table and leaned back, pulled his knees to his chest. The young angel pulled a wing across him to fiddle with his feathers. “The future has… so many possibilities. So many things that could go right or wrong. Wouldn’t it be better to live in the present and wait for those experiences to happen?” At some point, Aoba was moreso talking to himself than Kuro.

There were many things about the future he couldn’t- or didn’t want to think about. When he was first tossed down to earth he knew there was a possible chance in the future that he could redeem himself and go back home. But when Kuro came to him, in some odd debt, he knew the future for him was wildly unclear and so many things could go wrong or right. And almost everyday something new presented itself, causing that to change and-

His train of thought snapped back when he plucked a loose feather. “Ah.. It just sounds like a lot is all.” He continued, combing through making sure all his feathers weren’t just falling out until he lost his wings completely. “Hey, weird question.” He seemed to shift the conversation again without realizing it. “Have you ever seen an angel without wings?” A thought crossed his mind that made his wings pull closer to him. “Wait, better question. Have you ever seen an angel without wings- that weren’t forcefully taken? I’m just, uh, curious. I didn’t realize how many feathers I lost until I got here. I don’t think I actually lost many back… uh, there actually. No reason to. Could be the extra maintenance.”

When Realms Collide {AkiBlue & PopeAlessandros}

Enasi waited for both nightmare guardian and minion to gather themselves a little before adjusting his hold on one and taking the hand of the other. After the portal disappeared completely, they were able to see their surroundings more clearly. For miles it looked like empty fields, with animals grazing here and there. The sun was setting off to the side and in front of them, an old farmhouse that looked a little worse for wear rested. Behind it, there was a barn and some pens, indicating that the place was still active- just worn with age.

“Ah, wait here.” Enasi spoke finally, sitting Seishu down on the rocking chair on the porch and gestured for Inui to sit in the chair next to him. He was well aware that his minions checked the area, but he wanted to be sure things were safe and that they couldn’t be seen. The last thing he wanted was a repeat of what happened before. With each step away from the portal and into the farmhouse, he subconsciously began to lower his own energy, keeping true to his word that Seishu would have as little positive energy to hinder his healing. With as much energy he had in reserves, it didn’t phase him either way.

With a small sigh, Enasi phased through the door with ease. At first, he peeked his head in, immediately spotting three children walking past. He hesitated at first, but when he realized they didn’t notice him, he relaxed and walked completely through. Stepping inside, it was obvious that this home was a generational heirloom, to say the least. Enasi’s knowledge of the human realm was somewhat limited as he kept to his own home most of the time, but even he could tell that the inside of the building was… dated. The walls were covered in floral pastel wallpaper and the furniture itself- besides not matching the color scheme (or lack of one), looked as though it stopped being comfortable ages ago. He walked further inside, spotting more people as he further. In counting, he spotted three children and their parents, but when he wandered up the steps he noticed grandparents prepping for bed as well.

“Ah, a full house. I s’pose that’s helpful. Thank you Harper.”

Soon, he returned to Seishu and Inui, giving them both nods. “It’s safe. Nothing out of the ordinary, and there’s plenty of people so it’ll be easier for you to… space out the nightmares I suppose.” He gave a small shrug before helping Seishu up and nudging Inui forward. “It’s not… ideal.” Enasi said as they walked through the door so the other two could see where they would be. “But… it’ll work.” It was obvious even Enasi wasn’t too fond of the decorum or the building itself, honestly so used to his own home, but he didn’t let it sway him. “There’s seven people here so there’s plenty of room. The children from what I hear are going to bed soon. So are their grandparents.” His grip loosened on the nightmare guardian and he gave a gentle pet to Inui’s cheek. “I think after Seishu gains a little bit more energy you’ll be safer to tag along to see how nightmares work. After all, I don’t think you’ve ever gotten the chance to see- or really explore the human realm.” He gave a gentle smile and kissed Inui’s head. “For now, if you’d like, we can wait or we can check around this place to see what else is around here?”

Never Ending Battle ~ PopeAlessandros x AkiBlue

Hiro watches Hoko float around for a bit before leaning against the wall of the tub again, listening to Akito. Without missing a beat, the prince replied, “Adjusting to a new life doesn’t make you a mess Akito. It just,” He turned his head to look at the man across the tub and raised a brow. “It just means you’re learning and well, adjusting. There’s no need to apologize for it.”

He really wanted to find a way to help his betrothed relax, considering it was a roller coaster of ups and downs with him. A few times, he’d seem fine and calm while more often than not, he was high strung. With about three days left before the wedding ceremony, Akito would definitely need to be able to stand in front of other royals without feeling like he needed to escape. But really, Hiro just wanted Akito to be more comfortable around him. There was no audience, no one to impress, and no one that would judge and Hiro felt a little bad that Akito couldn’t consider that as a safe space to relax.

The gears turned in Hiro’s head while he gently nudged a floating Hoko until an idea popped into his mind. He wasn’t sure if it would work, but he figured it was worth a try nonetheless. “You know, Akito,” He started with a soft voice, not wanting his tone to imply anything and spook the male. “Rivers and bathing with your unit... may have been relaxing in their own ways, I wouldn’t know for sure, but I always found hair washes relaxing and calming sometimes too.” He sat up a bit, giving a genuinely curious look. “You seem tense, so I figure it might be worth a try? If you don’t mind me washing your hair of course?”

A small smile appears as Hiro immediately tries to make him feel better. 'He really is a kind man. . .' The smile lingers as they fall into a more comfortable silence, Akito relaxing a bit and letting himself sit comfortably in the tub. He looks over at the mention of his unit and nods, remembering all the fun times of water wars with them. His body tenses however, eyes fixing on a spot in the water as his betrothed asks to wash his hair. He can feel his skin getting tight, ready to either decline or run, but a thought keeps him from doing either, forcing it way to the front of his mind.

'Kaede was right. I'm going to have to get used to being around this man. We are. . . We are going to be together for life, so what's wrong with letting him. . . touch me in some small way? I mean, we will have to. . . . Eventually, but maybe this? Maybe I could. . . I mean, all I have to do is stay still and let him work. And it's not like I have to worry about him going too far. I'm stronger, and he's too kind and considerate for something like that. . . . I have to get used to it, and it's not like I can just ask him at random for some contact, so, he's offering, so. . . .This is a good time, right!?' He keeps his breathing under control, looking over at Hiro with shy eyes. “Um, sure. That sound. . . I mean, I've never had anyone help me since I was very young, but it sounds nice.” He pauses, then adds quickly, “As long as I can return the favor!” He shrinks a little, realizing he was talking a little too loud and fast at the last part.

Hiro watched for a moment, slowly inching back to lean against the wall, almost expecting him to decline his offer. So when Akito agreed, Hiro couldn’t help but look pleasantly surprised. And when Akito offered to do so in return, the prince smiled even more. “Yes… Yes, of course. That sounds nice.” Well, he wasn’t going to deny a generous offer like it. Hiro sat up again, and waded closer to Akito, settling by his side and gesturing for him to move in front of him a bit. At first, Hiro’s hands rested on Akito’s shoulders, just for the sake of adjusting his legs in order to be comfortable. The moment he started, he began to hum a soft and gentle tune that Kaede sang to him often when he was a child. He didn’t know the words, but he enjoyed the melodic tune nonetheless and not knowing exactly what to say to Akito, he figured he’d fill the silence with a soft tune. His fingers gently combed through his betrothed’s hair, being careful of any tangles that may have been there. He was no professional, but he had gotten his hair washed enough times to at least know what he was doing.

He's glad to see Hiro looking pleased and forces himself not to curl into a little ball as the other man approaches. He follows the direction to shift in front of the prince, tensing against his will as he feels hands settle on his shoulders. 'Relax, relax, he's just shifting, calm down!' Breathing slowly, he adjusts so his hair is easier to reach and closes his eyes. Fingers begin moving through his hair, making his skin tingle. He feels himself tensing more, but keeps his eyes closed, trusting the other man. Then, music starts. It's only a soft humming, but it's soothing and helps Hiro keep his calm. Despite the enjoyable feeling of his hair being worked on, he can't quite calm down completely. Visions of the man behind him keep flashing through his mind, images of what he's seen, and what he hasn't. He worries that his tenseness will cause problems, but as Hiro doesn't chide him, he does his best to focus on the nicer feelings.

Aware of the movements under him, Hiro raised a brow every now and then as Akito tensed but never said anything of it. In fact, he didn’t stop his washing, trying not to make it seem so obvious that he was focused on it. Hiro was just happy that he didn’t shy away, so it was a start. And besides the lighthearted kiss he had given him days before, he realized this was about as close as he had been to Akito since they met. ’Baby steps as they say.’ He had met other suitors that wouldn’t hesitate to get so close to royalty so it was a different and relatively nice change of pace to say the least.

His focus didn’t stay on those subjects for too long, as he found Akito’s long hair much more lovely to focus on. At some point, the song had ended as Hiro washed through his long hair. “How do you manage such nice long hair with a job so dirty?” His question was rhetorical, as he was simply admiring Akito’s hair, but he did offer him a moment to respond.

The question is unexpected, but after a moment, Akito realizes Hiro was actually talking to him. He flushes, trying to think, his mind scattering after being focused on staying calm for so long. “I, when I had the time, would rinse it every night, and then my father had oils I could use to keep it from tangling. I would brush it before and after I slept, and then it would spend most of the day tied up, as you saw. I mean, it would get dirty, but I found it relaxing to have something to do, a kind of ritual I suppose, when I went to bed at night and woke in the morning. Just a little time all about me. . .” He scrunches a little. “Sounds a bit selfish, I know, but, I felt good about it. . . . Still do actually.” His hand comes up, running through his hair thoughtfully. His hand stills as it comes into contact with Hiro's. He freezes, then gently squeezes the man's fingers before quickly pulling his hand back. 'Keep going. Keep trying. Have to get used to this. . . .' His heart thuds against his chest, his slow breathing the only thing keeping him from panic.

Hiro couldn’t help but smile at the answer and continuing his soft smile when Akito squeezed his hand. His answer was cute and it was rather amusing he thought that as selfish. “Akito I’m a prince,” He chuckled softly. “That’s far from a selfish thing to do. It’s just you taking care of yourself.” He hummed in thought for a brief second. “If you’d like some of those oils, feel free to ask. Kaede is usually who I go to when I need things, but any of the servants will be able to fetch things for you.” He gave a small nod, even though Akito couldn’t see before adding. “And you should be, your hair is lovely.” He continued washing Akito’s hair, moving much slower now that he found something to talk about. “I cut my own hair when I was younger.” He chuckled at the memory. “It was always in the way and I managed to always get twigs and leaves in there. Not very… prince-ly I know.” He scratched his own head for a brief moment before continuing.

“It was also a rebellious thing I suppose.” His laugh was a little sheepish again as he remembered it thoroughly. His father would constantly say that he looked ‘just like his mother’ and in one fitful event the young boy had a messy and disastrous haircut and a few scratches from not using a sharp enough knife. It was why his hair was layered now. He let it grow out to his shoulders, but refrained from letting it grow any longer and now that it wasn’t completely even, his hair had a tendency to fall over one side of his face quite often. Realizing he had slowed, Hiro came to a complete stop and put his hands at his sides. “Ah, I think you’re good to go.”

He would never dream of calling the man he's to marry selfish, but thinking about it more realistically, he supposes the man is right. If he were a prince, Akito supposes he would have far more wants and luxuries. 'Well, I am, now, kinda. Or I will be. . . . I suppose I will soon have more time for relaxation, and maybe I could stop feeling so bad about time to myself. . . .Though I suppose much of my life will become about Hiro too. . .' He smiles at the thought, wincing a little at the idea of his betrothed lopping off his own hair haphazardly. He keeps his mind on thoughts of what Hiro must have looked like as a child until at last his hair is finished.

“Thank you.” he murmurs, shifting away and standing up a bit to check Hiro's work. The hair feels smooth and without tangle as he runs his fingers all the way through, and he smiles gratefully at his companion, hair falling against his chest, shoulders, and back like a shroud. His flush returns as he takes the spot Hiro had just been in and he stays completely still as the prince settles in. He takes a moment to relax before setting to work.

There's a lot less hair to deal with than he normally has to mess with. It feels a bit strange, but as he slips his fingers slowly over and over the ends of the longer bits after the tiny end knots, he finds himself relaxing in the same way he does when working on his own hair. Smiling to himself he lets out a soft sigh. “Um, by the way. Taking care of my own hair has helped me become quite skilled with trimming hair. So, if you ever feel the urge to attack yours again, I would be more than happy to help save some inches from early graves.” He tries to make a slight joke, working his fingers further and further up towards Hiro's scalp.

Hiro returned the smile and sank a little lower into the water to get comfortable. The prince immediately relaxes under Akito’s touch, only to cover his mouth and begin to laugh. It was a genuine laugh compared to his soft chuckles and it was one he tried to stifle. “Fortunately, I’ve learned my lesson. I believe I am one and done with that experience, but I trust you and you’ll be the first I go to should I feel my hair has gotten too long for my liking.” When he had settled again, he absentmindedly pushed hair out of his face and relaxed again. “Thank you, by the way. For offering to do this.”

The laugh concerns Akito for a moment, but he relaxes when he realizes it was his joke striking home. He lets himself laugh a little as well and murmurs, “It would be a pity to lose it now it's come in so pretty.” He flushes again, but focuses on his work. A warm fire settles in his belly as Hiro thanks him and he realizes he's more than happy to be assisting the prince in this manner. It feels genuinely good to not only help out, but to enjoy the feeling of hair between his fingers as he does so. His fingertips finally reach his betrothed's scalp when he responds. “It's my pleasure. . .” His voice is lower than usual, more calm, relaxed, and honestly pleased sounding. “I think. . .” He flushes a little more. “I think, I could get used to this. . . If you don't mind my helping on occasion. . . .” he coughs a little, embarrassed, but not upset. His fingers scrape gently along the skin beneath them, working on the bits of sweat and grime that their outing worked in there.

There was a faint pink to Hiro’s cheeks that he could play off as the heat. Nonetheless he smiled with eyes closed, replying with, “Thank you.” Hiro further relaxed under the touch, debating if he should or could lean back against him. But, he figured that wouldn't be a good idea so he stayed right where he was. The suggestion of this to become a regular thing made Hiro open his eyes in slight surprise. It was much too good an offer to pass up. So with a purr-like tone. Hiro stretched his arms forward. “Youuu can do this as much as you like love, trust me I won't complain~” He had a cheeky grin as he settled back and let Akito work. “Feels wonderful.” He was no stranger to being pampered and it wasn't something he was against. However instead of servants this time around, this was a lot more personal and a lot more intimate. It was definitely nice and he could get used to it. He couldn't help but wonder why he was so eager to help than be helped but decided it was curiosity for later.

The prince's tone sets a heat deep inside Akito's chest and he wonders if the man even realizes he is causing such a response in his betrothed. He swallows hard as the man between his knees shifts in closer, but his fingers continue working diligently, unwilling to do a sub-par job just because he's feeling warm and tense. He makes sure to get to all the grime he can find, running his fingers over and over through Hiro's hair until he's absolutely sure that he's gotten out ever bit of dust and every snarl. Testing himself, he reaching down and gives Hiro's shoulder a squeeze once he's finished. “All done.” he manages to say without sounding completely pathetic and smiles as he draws his hands back to rest on his knees. He feels good. He did a good thing, and did it well. 'Not only did I help him clean and detangle his hair efficiently, but I. . . . I touched him without shaking, even thought we're both. . . . Less than decent' He smiles wider, letting himself relax a little as Hoko comes over to see what's going on.

Hiro’s eyes slowly open when Akito stops and tells them they were done. As he drifted forward, he playfully pouted. “Aw, but I was soo comfortable.” He laughed a bit and ran fingers through his own hair. “Ooh, it feels softer and cleaner. I gotta keep you around, you do good work.” Of course, he was only joking, but nonetheless he had a grateful look in his eye. It was hard to say whether or not Hiro knew just how flirty he was being, but after their bath, the prince playfully smiled and turned to stand and get out of the cooling tub. “Ah, this was nice.” He looked over his shoulder, back to Akito. “I wouldn’t be opposed to doing this again if you aren’t.”

Servants had slowly began to file in, staying close to the walls and out of the way. It was a sign that they were ready to clean up after them. As Hiro got out, he was handed a towel to dry off and his new set of clothes- nightwear - had been set out in the room to change into. The servants followed suit for Akito as well, waiting for him to step out. Just as he was finished dressing, Kaede stepped in. “Your father insists you have soup for dinner this evening your highness. Consider it a sickness prevention.” Before Hiro could actually take the towel, she dabbed it on his neck and head You as well, young lord.” She acknowledged Akito as he filed in just after Hiro. The rooms were close in proximity so she was sure he had heard as well.

This was also an acknowledgment that the dinner was approaching and it was best that the two headed that way. After her message, she left the boys to their own devices. Hiro patiently and quietly waited for Akito, admittedly trying not to let his eyes linger too long and make him uncomfortable.

“I’m not terribly hungry, but soup won’t hurt.” Hiro commented and gestured out the door. “Shall we head to dinner?”

Knowing the palace like the back of his hand, Hiro had his eyes closed with his hands behind his back while the two walked together. The servants that passed stopped to bow or nod in respect, but he paid them little mind. Instead, he hummed that familiar tune from the bath only to stop when he heard the shuffling of utensils and smelled food.

“Are you two-” The Emperor raised a brow at his son, who seemed a lot more peaceful than most times he had come to eat meals. “Hm, you look well. How are the two of you feeling?” The Empress, of course, next to him gave a gentle smile and wave. She was quiet for the most part, seeming to be catching her breath from the movement she had been doing before. There was a woman close by, a nanny of some sort most likely, quick to check on her every so often.

“Well, I feel fine. A little tired after the trip and the bath, so I don’t think I’ll be here too long.” He had managed to ‘nab’ Hoko as they walked and now the furry little creature crawled through his clothes to find a place in his lap, sniffing a bit for food.

“And what about yourself Akito?” The Empress chimed in while her husband raised an admittedly curious brow.

The Power of The Fallen ~ PopeAlessandros x AkiBlue

Aoba had settled into the couch, with his chest to the back cushion so he could watch Kuro. Getting comfortable, he rested his head on his arm. After the first three powers on the list, Aoba closed his eyes to imagine the demon actually using said powers. He had of course seen Kuro fly, more often than not and he had to admit that he was slightly envious of how easier his wings were to manage. Aoba’s own fluffy wings couldn’t be put away or hidden, but unlike Kuro’s they were definitely more sturdy, which he was thankful for. The brief thought of being able to make his wings disappear reminded him of his halo, which he absentmindedly reached up for. But when he realized what he was doing, Aoba put his hand back down and focused on the rest of the list.

He imagined all of the flames Kuro conjured up, noting that he was able to do so better than his siblings. He remembered something about Homura having fire, but Kuro was the only one that he could remember clearly at the moment. The weapon, he remembered. And he remembered that portal he made once before. For a short moment, Aoba tried to imagine visiting his home- hell- and a sickening feeling rose in his stomach. Not so much out of disgust, but for the same reasons he felt sick when surrounded by too much demonic energy.

His feathers ruffled a little, almost on instinct, when he mentioned being able to contact his father. It wasn’t… a bad thing for Kuro, but it wasn’t ideal. He went to patting down his feathers, only to raise a curious brow at the idea of ‘ripe souls’. “Sounds like not very good food.” He muttered more to himself than out loud, before continuing to comb through his feathers. Him being able to contact his siblings didn’t cause the same reaction as his father did, except when he thought of Issho- Issho was a lot more intimidating than the others he had met. And his threat wasn’t so easily forgotten. Sure Aoba didn’t plan on hurting Kuro, but the thought of accidentally doing so could have made him cower had he not turned his attention away from Issho and back to Kuro who was still naming things off the list. Kuro was safe and comforting. There was no need to be scared all of a sudden.

“Hm, a lot of things. That’s..neat.” Aoba nodded after finding the right word. “I guess the lower level demons are limited on what they can do?”

When asked to fetch the drinks, he did just that, claiming one for himself as he took a sip out of it. The Ocularus sounded familiar, but he couldn’t quite remember what it was. However, consistently jumping from topic to topic, his attention turned to his food. The light tug on his hair made him smile but his gaze didn’t break from the plate on his lap.

Adjusting to his life as a human, he was grateful that Kuro was willing to cook all these different foods for him. He was also grateful Kuro paid attention to the little things because in all the time he had been on Earth, he hadn’t realized how much he preferred non-meat things like fruits and veggies compared to the rest. It wasn’t that he wouldn’t eat it or didn’t like it, it was just that Aoba was finding his preferences. He started to realize a lot of those preferences more and more now that he had all this time not running around a medical hall. Besides food, Aoba realized he liked to face the wall while he slept so his wings could stretch out. He realized he always wanted some sort of background noise because the quiet was much too unnerving at times.There were simpler things too, like he liked the color of Kuro’s flames and he liked petting the curious dogs that came up to him when they went to town. His thoughts would have continued on for who knew how long had he not realized he spaced out while eating his salad.

“...Hm? O-Oh, yes. I don't mind going to town early. Uh,” He paused to eat the salad threatening to fall off his fork. “Remind me, what’s the Ocularus again?”

When Realms Collide {AkiBlue & PopeAlessandros}

The siblings could see Kaila’s eyes, along with the rest of himself, clearing up. It was obvious that he isn’t all there, but the brothers were patient. Lan and Ran both shared the same understanding of pain that Kaila felt and knew that he would need time. It was quiet for a long while, both glancing from Kaila to the camp a ways ahead.

“The plan worked.” Lan said in soft reassurance.

“It’s… It’s true. As you said, Gin needs information. Who else better to grab if not you?” Ran continued. “He thinks he has Jentou as leverage against you. But what he doesn’t realize is… we have the upperhand.”

Lan began to look more determined as he agreed with his brother. “Just as you could feed him information, he can do the same. You both are so strong. Just as we were sure you wouldn’t break, we’re just as sure about Jentou.” He gave a firm nod, trying to get Kaila to see the light at the end of the tunnel. “We’re going to turn this around for the better. We will make things right. For our Guardian. And for everyone here. But we can’t do that without you.”

Slowly but surely the second in command was responding. He closed his eyes for a brief moment, letting out a deep and shaky sigh. While he didn’t want to believe it at first, he knew the brothers were right. They had to use this opportunity before things got out of hand. He knew Jentou would have felt exactly the same if the roles had been reversed. Without him though, things may have gone a little differently in the camp as well…

Kaila slowly stood to his feet and nodded. “Right… You two are right.” He started off to camp, fixing his demeanor along the way. Lan and Ran followed behind him in silence. There wasn’t much they could do until Jentou gave word, so for now continuing to keep the camp safe and calm was best.

~~~~

For a moment, Enasi could only stared at Seishu sympathetically. He hated to see him so hurt. It pained him, both figuratively and literally at times. The only reason he was sure he couldn’t feel the pain Seishu was in now was because he was surrounded by his denizens. He was home.

Almost at a whisper, the guardian responded with, “Yes. Of course.” He didn’t even need to glance Harper’s way for the bunny to dart out the door. Hearing the door open and close made Enasi sit in his usual seat, mainly to prevent himself from pacing. He watched Crios’ meticulous inspections, comforted to know how hard the doctor was working just to keep the Nightmare Guardian alive. He couldn’t thank the doctor enough, but he’d find a way to make it up to him when it was all over.

Realizing Enasi had yet to release the bubble around Rasha, he did so with a soft snap. Both Rasha and Rue quietly scooted their way to their guardian. Rasha hopped into Enasi’s lap, nuzzling and purring in both reassurance and also to make sure he was okay. It earned him a soft smile and some quiet scratches. Rue on the other hand was quieter with his approach, unlike his usual nature. The fairy didn’t say a word. Instead, he simply rested his head on Enasi’s shoulder and watched Crios work as well, smiling gently when he got a pat on the head.

“Besides the older injuries, Seishu’s fine- well,” He caught himself and clarified. “He isn’t getting worse than before. Some of his wounds have opened but it’s nothing too serious. You’re free to take him.” Crios bowed and stepped to the side, shuffling some of his supplies together. At this point, he was more prepared with “to-go travel kits” with the record of injury they had going back and forth.

“Thank you Crios.” Enasi stood, setting Rasha the chair and walking over to Inui and Seishu. “Can’t guarantee how long we’ll stay, but I can promise that things will be a little better.” He gave a soft smile before offering to carry Seishu once more or let him stand on his own.

~~~~

Harper darted off to the gardens, spotting both siblings tending to it. “Finn. Starla. You’re needed.” The seriousness in his voice made them quicken their pace out of the garden and hurry after the rabbit. “Lord Enasi is taking Night out to the Human Realm and I need you to double check to make sure the area is clear. But I also need you to find out what’s going on in the Nightmare Realm.” He slowed his pace to continue debriefing them, “Lord Seishu’s connection with Kaila… well, I’m not sure what happened, but by the looks of it, it wasn’t good.” He frowned a little. “I’m not sure how long Lord Enasi intends but expect a few trips there to make sure things are clear. However he is avid that Seishu and Inui are around as little positive energy as possible.”

Both siblings gave a firm nod as they approached the portal. “We’ll do what we can.” Finn reassured.

“This is important.” His tone made both of them stiffen slightly. “Starla do not put your foot in your mouth. Now’s not the time for you being snide with the nightmares.”

“Yes- Yes sir.” Starla nodded before both of them were jumping through.

Harper watched for a moment before returning to the room. “The portal and the, uh, camp is all set up.” His ear twitched slightly. “Camp, shelter, whatever you prefer to call it.” He started to ask just how long his guardian planned to reside in the human realm, but quieted down. He knew it was important for both nightmares and decided against questioning it.

~~~~~

The nightmare camp was relatively the same as the group had left it. There were excited murmurs and chatter to know that they had rescued another of the many who had been captured by Gin and his forces. Nurses immediately began to do what they could to help the injured minion.

It didn’t take too long for curious eyes to notice that one was missing from the party. Specifically, the one that was never too far from the second in command. It wasn’t until one was bold enough to step forward and ask Kaila himself. Tiski and Tyar had eventually made their way near Lan and Ran, giving subtle looks amongst themselves- save for Tyar of course who floated around the small group. They watched as Kaila stood a little straighter, carrying a visage of calmness as he looked around at the camp.

“Jentou is currently on an important and very dangerous mission… The tides of this battle are going to change soon. And it’s going to be for the better.” His matter of fact tone sent almost a wave of excitement through the crowd. They started to murmur about what was happening next and how change would be made. All of them quieted down as Kaila raised a hand. “So, I need all of you to continue to have faith in both us and our Guardian.”

Never Ending Battle ~ PopeAlessandros x AkiBlue

Hiro’s eyes were still covered by one of the fluffy, warm towels that one of the servants left for thm so he didn’t notice Akito approaching until he was submerged in the water. The other wasn’t exactly loud, but the gentle splashes still gave away where Akito was. It wasn’t surprising that he was on the opposite end of the tub either. Hiro wasn’t going to question it so long as Akito was comfortable. Speaking of comfortable, the prince hummed a greeting, much too comfortable to peek from under his towel. “S’one thing I do love is a nice hot bath after the cold weather. Feels nice. Then again, hot baths after long days are quite nice as well. Almost as good as the massages, which also sound like a nice idea.” Hiro spoke loud enough for Akito to hear should he want to respond, but he was mainly speaking his thoughts aloud. It was something he was used to doing, not really expecting much of a response either way.

His arms stretched over his head and he stay up straight so he wasn’t mostly submerged. “It was really fun though Akito, than-” The towel fell into the water as he stretched, leaving him to finally gaze at his betrothed across from him. It had only been for a short few moments, but he stared wide eyed at the ex-soldier in surprise and in silent awe.

He wasn’t sure if it was the heat of the bath after being in the cold for so long or thanks to that particular moment, but he was sure he could feel the faint flush in his cheeks. Why was he getting so lovestruck now? He had seen Akito countless times. He had memorized those timid expressions far too well. Hiro was well aware of just how cute Akito was. Nothing had changed, had it? Surely it was obvious Akito had long hair judging by his ponytail alone, but it hadn’t dawned on him that he had never seen it down. And for some reason, the soon to be prince looked even more lovely than he had known he could. ’Wow, I’m getting a bit sappy now, aren’t I?’

“Ah, yeah.” He laughed a little sheepishly before clearing his throat. “It was really fun. Rain and all. Thanks for joining me today.” He knew that his dad would fuss over his health at some point, but in the end Hiro thought it was worth it. Being in the rain was fun, a little too cold, but the moment was nice.

His gaze went downwards to what was floating out the corner of his eye. “Oh?” Hiro paused for a moment, sinking neck deep into the water as if to get a closer look. “Aw how cute, Hoko floats.” He focused on the animal, not wanting to send Akito in some sort of tizzy for accidentally staring. Hiro had missed Akito’s inclination to get in the tub before, but he could imagine it must have taken a little push from Kaede. As gentle as Hiro could be, he nudged Hoko in order to alter the animal’s float back.

The Power of The Fallen ~ PopeAlessandros x AkiBlue

The realization that the two of them were left with nothing to do started to worry Aoba a little, however it quickly went away when Kuro suggested they read through the farm books. “Right, we should definitely do that.” He sounded a little too eager and cleared his throat. The last thing he wanted at the moment was to have free time to think about what happened today. The more he kept himself busy, the less he had to focus on anything else. It was how he coped. And it worked for him.

The fallen angel got comfortable under the shade with Kuro, happy to take the lead and read through the book for the both of them. He did need the information more than Kuro after all. So far, his farming skills came from a demon’s instruction. While it worked out, it was probably still best to know the mechanics of it all. He was a bit curious about the other powers Kuro had that didn’t know about, but decided to save it for later. For now, being engrossed in a book, whether it was interesting or not, with Kuro behind him was calming. It made him relax even more.

He only really noticed the setting sun when it became harder to read. “Oh.” Was his only response to it being time for chores. Aoba didn’t mind. Everything was like clock work. First the smaller animals were wrangled and put where they belong- this time Aoba wrangled pigs in line. And then the pasture animals were marched inside the barn. When Otto demanded attention, Aoba happily gave it to him.

Finally, night had came around and for a moment, Aoba couldn’t help but stare at the stars. They were pretty and calming. “It’s quiet.” He spoke more to himself than to Kuro before letting out a heavy sigh. “It’s quiet… but it’s nice.” He dared himself to reflect on the day as it ended, appreciating the tranquility a bit more.

“You sure you don’t need my help?” Aoba started, only for Kuro to insist that he stayed put. “Well alright.” His cheeks puffed up but he leaned over the edge of the couch to watch Kuro. “Oh, right. Kuro? What other powers do you have? I’m curious. And also, what’re you making? Smells good.” The questions started to pour like a waterfall. “Oh, tomorrow, if we’re not too busy, can we go into town too? For no real reason though, maybe just to get off the farm… Hm. Maybe a change of scenery for a little bit.” He rubbed his cheek and slumped over the edge of the couch, stretching his wings out as far as he could before letting them flop behind him. “Sorry, one question at a time, right.” As peaceful as the silence had been, Aoba found himself appreciating the background noise a lot more. If it hadn’t been obvious, the fallen angel was trying to keep himself occupied by simply talking to Kuro instead of doing work. It was working for him, more or less.