Yes I know I am working on two big fics at once now. (This one here will be slow. I mean like really slow.)

Show Me Love does exist in a sort of abridged comic-version on my deviantArt account, but until recently I couldn't continue it because of lack of motivation AND because I have a hand that likes to hurt when I really need it. (Which is the bigger problem by far.) I am no crybaby when it comes to pain, but I have a limit. (yes I do know why it hurts. If anyone wants to hear the story…: when I was 12 I fell over a root and broke my wrist. End of story.)

Now! On with the real part. Unlike the comic version this here will be a lot more detailed. It will contain angst, hurt and comfort and … a loooot of depressing and emotional stuff. If Between the Lines 1 or 2 was too much for you, you should keep away from this fic. I warned you.

It will contain SLIGHT boys love. There will be nothing more intimate then kissing and cuddling without clothing (maybe). I don't want to spoil… so I can't tell why it is like that. Whoever Read Between the Lines 1 knows what I am talking about :3

Anyway~ I hold this universe really dear. If you want to write in it, it would be nice if you sent me a PM and asked me about it. I usually don't say no because I love to see how others mess around with my stuff. (When I know about it, or those people are good friends. They get away with it too ;3)

Alright. Enough talking :3

Disclaimer: None of the characters used in here belong to me. They belong to KoG and I only borrow them.

This Alternative Universe (AU) was created and set up and created by me. I do use some references to SuperPaperBags stories. Yes, SuperPaperBag knows about this. Check out her stories too.

The first day in Aernas was a torture. It was constantly raining And Zero had no choice but to sit under some sort of glass building that gave them shelter. It was cold and the storm only picked up. Dio was still unconscious, but he was clearly in pain. Zero wanted to find a warm place where he could properly treat Dio's wounds. For hours he just sat there, trying to keep Dio warm, hoping to ease the pain a bit. But it didn't work. Zero didn't know how wings worked, and there was no one left he could ask. Also, Aernas had changed quite a bit. He was too tired to take note of everything. All he could think of was taking care of Dio.

Even Lass ran off earlier. Zero didn't listen. Lass had followed them back to Aernas, as he would have been killed if he stayed in Elyos. Dio had been the chieftain until a few hours ago, now everything went haywire and they had to flee if they didn't want to get killed. Lass actually helped Zero carrying Dio until they found the glass roof. But then Lass had disappeared.

Dio moaned from time to time, and Zero gently stroke the hair of the taller demon. He was disturbed by all this, upset, furious. The desire to kill the one who did this to Dio was strong, but he knew he had to be reasonable. Revenge wouldn't gain him anything. And leaving Dio alone would probably kill the demon for good. The wounds didn't stop bleeding no matter what Zero tried, and a few hours ago the taller demon had gotten a fever. Zero couldn't recall a time when he had felt this miserable. He had been disturbed when he found out that his master had died due to his old age, but the feeling he had now was totally different. It was extremely close to the emotion he called panic. What would he do if Dio died?

Zero was glad that Lass came back at that moment. He had two men in tow, both seeming pretty strong. Zero was too exhausted to carry Dio anymore and he was somehow glad they took care of Dio. But he wouldn't leave Dio alone. Lass must have paid them.

Later Zero found himself in a small apartment. It had a bedroom, a living room a kitchen and a bathroom. But he didn't care at all. Not even the pretty pictures on the wall or the small white fur-ball of a kitten interested him. Lass and a woman were fussing over Dio. Zero had to admit it now. He was frightened. His shaking body had given that away a while ago but up until now he refused to admit it. His clothing was still drenched in rain as he had tried to shelter Dio from the rain earlier. It hadn't worked well. He saw Lass walking towards him, but the movement of the striker seemed slow and heavy. He was also drenched in rain, and he didn't seem any less frightened.

"…what if he dies…?" Zero whispered, not realizing he had said it out loud. Not even Gran made a remark.

Lass put his hands on Zero's shoulders. "We won't let him die."

Zero couldn't believe the younger man. Lass was nice, but he was also sneaky and lied a lot.

"That imbecile is like a cockroach! Freaking annoying and they never die!" Zero was almost glad to hear his sword ranting. He didn't know if it was intentional but it might have been concern. And even if it wasn't for Dio, Grandark knew that Zero would change even more should Dio die.

"We do not know what the loss of his wings might mean… I cannot ask anyone about it but Dio." Zero muttered.

The white haired assassin took his hands down and sighed. "We just wait until he wakes up."

The smaller demon wasn't satisfied with this answer. He would rather read books about this instead of waiting. Who knew if Dio was even able to talk when he woke up?

"Who are those people, Lass?" Zero whispered ,nodding into the direction of the woman, afraid to be heard.

"Some people. Hell I just ran into them and told them we that he didn't know where to go anymore… they seem to believe it. Now sit down, I don't want you to pass out on the floor."

Only slowly Zero sat down. His movements where stiff and he seemed absent. The last time he saw Dio like this…? Was there a last time? Dio had never been injured like this.

Zero flinched when someone touched his head. "Shh." The woman from earlier whispered.

"He is still unconscious, but the fever went down. You should get some sleep." She told him.

Zero shook his head, rubbing his eyes. He had to stay awake. What if something happened? But what would he be able to do? Tend to Dio's wounds and whisper that everything would be alright, like he always did? This one was different. The moment Zero had found Dio, the former chieftain collapsed.

Four nights passed until Zero was violently shaken awake. He refused to rest and only slept when he couldn't fight his body anymore. He lifted his head at the touch, looked around for a second, assumed the worst and jumped to his feet. He stumbled due to the lack of movement in the last days and almost fell down. Lass grabbed his arms. Only then Zero noticed that two eyes stared at him. Two magenta colored eyes, filled with tears in the face full of pain. But Dio was awake. The relief Zero felt almost overwhelmed him. His legs finally gave in and all he could do was grabbing Dios hand and squeezing it tightly. There were no words needed. Dio seemed frightened, even through the pain masked face.

"We… had to flee. We are in Aernas…" Zero tried to explain. But his voice was hoarse and weak and all he wanted to do was resting. Now that Dio had opened his eyes, exhaustion hit him hard.

"…they…. Took them…" Dio whispered, tears running freely. "They… took my wings…" it was as if he just realized it. Small sobs followed and Zero found it hard to calm Dio down. He tried to hug the demon without moving him, kissed his face, held him as tight as he could without hurting him. In the end Zero put his hands onto Dio's horns and the demon finally calmed down.

"…W-why did they do that…?" Dio asked.

"I do not know…"

"I-I am unable to rule t-this clan ever a-again now."

Zero frowned. What was that supposed to mean?

Dio was explaining more, but Zero couldn't listen anymore. It was as if something pulled him back into the world he had just been shaken awake from. He knew this feeling from some missions, but he usually returned before he fell asleep in the open field. His head dropped onto the edge of the couch and he fell asleep immediately.

When he woke up Dio was lying on his side, whimpering in pain. Begging for it to stop. Lass was fussing over the demon, but Dio moved too much to let anything happen.

"Hold still for fucks sake!" Lass yelled.

Zero moved towards Dio and held him close. Dio immediately grabbed Zeros shirt and pulled him close.

"Make it stop …" Dio begged.

"Hell that's what I'm trying to do!" Lass yelled yet again.

Zero put a hand on Dio's cheek, uselessly trying to comfort him. He couldn't imagine the pain as he never possessed wings or lost any part of his body.

Half an hour later Dio was lying on his stomach on top of Zero and was shaking madly. The people who had helped them had left them alone and didn't show up again, Lass had taken care of some things Zero didn't know about. All he knew was that they could stay here as long as they could pay the rent. Lass seemed to have found something to make money with. Zero didn't even want to think about what the half-demon was doing.

Zero was grateful that Lass had left them alone for a while, but right now all he could think of was Dio once again. He held the demon close, listened to the steady but racing heartbeat and the silent sobs. The pain seemed to come and go as it pleased. As long as Dio was lying still it seemed to be more or less alright. The second either he or Zero moved another wave of pain raced through him.

Dio reached out with his remaining arm and reached up to touch Zero's face. The tall demon was still whimpering in pain but he didn't know if his back or the expression on Zero's face hurt more.

Zero moved his arms around the shoulders of his lover and kissed the bright magenta hair. He would protect Dio as long as he needed to be protected. It was a promise he made with himself without ever telling Dio about it. He would be strong for him, provide all the strength Dio needed.

"It will be alright…" Zero muttered.

Dio bit his lip. "Do you…" he swallowed hard trying to hide that he was crying again. "Do you…. Still love me…?"

Zero's answer was immediate. He didn't have to think about it. "Yes. I will always love you Dio."

"…Even when I'm ugly like this?"

"You are not 'ugly' at all. You still look the same to me." Zero forced a smile on his lips. Dio knew it was fake but still it comforted him a bit.