Disclaimer: I don't own SSTLC characters!
Author's Note: The another and at the same time the last sequel for my stories "The thing, that won't happen again" and "The thing, that might happen again". I planning to write a few chapters to make it longer than then the previous one, and I hope you will enjoy the another appearance of our beloved Degel and Kardia ;)
The Protectiveness
The very first thing that reached Degel through the remains of his dream was the warm fingers on his cheek that were rubbing his skin gently. Then he felt the heating him body by his side and he heard the quiet breathing alongside with the quick beating of someone's heart. It took a few minutes for him to remember what happened yesterday, and where he was. And with whom he was laying. He opened slowly and hesitantly his violet, cold eyes, blinking a few times to accustom them to the morning light, trying to get rid of the trace of his drams he still had inside his mind. For some time Degel wasn't even able to make any move, waiting for the painful spasm, that could come any moment. But when nothing like that happened, the Aquarius turned his head to the side and looked at the blue curls of his friend. Kardia was lying beside him, warming his cold body and touching his cheek slightly.
"Kardia…?" Degel whispered hardly, raising his heavy hand, and placing it on Scorpio's hair, starting to stroke them.
Kardia moved his head slowly and looked at his injured friend.
"How do you feel, dear Degel?" he asked with weak and tired voice. He looked like he would fall asleep at any moment.
"Kardia, what's wrong? Why are you so tired? Don't tell me that you haven't sleep tonight!"
The blue-haired man smiled widely, stroking Degel's cheek lightly.
"You were really restless this night, Degel. I didn't sleep, because I was afraid that you would have another nightmare. And that your heart would stop…" answered Kardia with the quiet voice.
Degel sighed and moved his hand from the blue curls to the Kardia's heart. Fortunately it was beating strongly, quickly but with the rhythm of the healthy heart. Then he hugged his friend, touched a little by his sacrifice. He never expected that Kardia would do something like that even for him…
"Oh, Kardia… You are so reckless… You shouldn't do that…" whispered Degel, catching his friend's chin and placing the thankful kiss on Kardia's warm lips.
The Scorpio smiled more widely, but he didn't return this kiss on his own way, like the wild animal. He only pressed his lips against Degel's one a little more, and for the Aquarius it was the irrefutable proof that he was really tired.
"Your heart was beating so quietly and weakly," started Kardia, resting his head against Aquarius' shoulder. "But sometimes that beat was getting faster, just like my heart when it seemed to be close to stopping finally… And I thought it is a good idea to watch over you the whole night."
Degel felt the slight twitch of his heart. But it wasn't the twitch of the painful spasm, but the twitch of the emotion. He tightened his hug around his friend, wondering what was happening with his mind. Weeks ago, before the night they slept together in the Kardia's bed, he wouldn't react like that on that recklessness of the blue-haired Saint. He would rather say something really cold, maybe something malignant, trying to reject his friend's feelings away. But now… Now he wanted to hold Kardia in his arms forever, lying in his bed, kissing him and feeling the nice warmth of Kardia's body.
"And you were incredible cold the whole night, Degel. Normal people should have the fever, but you were cold like the dead corpse. I couldn't help it; a few times I was sure that you passed away… Especially when your heart was beating so weakly…"
Degel chuckled quietly.
"It seems that I hurt you even while the sleep," he said, kissing the blue curls of his friend. "You should rest finally, Kardia. I'm sorry, that I didn't allow you to sleep this night."
"Don't mind it, my Degel. After all it was my fault that you are in that shape…"
The Aquarius gasped with the surprise. It was the very first time since they met, when Kardia apologized for his stupid action. It was really incredible, and unnatural to hear these words coming from his mouth. Degel couldn't deal with it peacefully; it was like seeing El Cid giving up his dream about the most sharp fist in the whole world. When did Kardia change so much?
"What's wrong, Degel?" asked suddenly Kardia, raising his head, and looking at his friend with worry. "Your heart is so anxious. Did I upset you with something?"
That was enough for the Aquarius. Firstly Kardia was apologizing and now he was wandering if he didn't angry him accidentally! That should be the end of the world.
"Nothing wrong, my dear," he answered to Kardia, catching his head firmly and kissing really deeply. He couldn't hold himself back; he had to feel Kardia's lips and his strong tongue. The Scorpio was surprised for a few moments, but finally he found some energy inside himself and he returned that kiss hard, just like Degel wanted.
When they finished after a few long and passionate minutes, Degel couldn't calm his heart. He felt heat inside his body and that strange feeling, the same as last night, when he almost forced Kardia to do something. But last night he wasn't in the best shape to do that so Kardia stopped him. Now it was Kardia who should rest finally, so Degel should do the same.
"I never expected this passion from you, Degel. I always though that you are the cold bastard without emotions…" murmured Kardia laying his head on the Degel's chest.
Degel chuckled.
"You should go sleep, Kardia. You are starting to talk nonsense," said the Aquarius, stroking gently his friend's blue curls.
"But don't go anywhere. I wouldn't be there to rescue you again, dear Degel…" whispered Kardia, at the same time falling asleep.
"I won't, Kardia," Degel smiled, looking at the ceiling, and holding tightly his friend. Even if he wanted to move from the bed, he couldn't. He was aware that all of his muscles would disobey his will immediately.
Degel closed his eyes, and stroking gently his friend's hair, he felt asleep as well.
Degel looked at the blue sky above his head, standing near to the exit of his Temple. It was really nice day, with the slight wind blowing between the buildings and the soft sunbeams spreading around the Holy Land. Even there, in the Eleventh Temple of the Sanctuary it could be heard the happy trills of the birds, that was occupying many trees around, and sometimes even the sound of training boys was reaching this place. The Aquarius didn't remember, when he last time was able to take the deep breath of the fresh, summer's air without any difficulties. But his lungs were healed already, and lately even his heart wasn't giving him too many sights of its wound.
It was wonderful to wear finally his Gold Cloth of the Aquarius in the full glare of the morning, even though he knew that Kardia would be really upset to seeing him like that so early. Recently the Scorpio Saint was unnaturally touchy about the condition of his cold friend; very often it seemed that he had the obsession about him. Sometimes Degel was cursing the blue-haired Saint for that. After all it passed already three weeks since that small battle with the unknown warriors and his heart was twitching in painful spasm just time to time. Really often… But Kardia didn't believe him, making him to lie in the bed the whole days, usually even forcing him to not going to the meeting with the Pope. Of course, the Aquarius Saint didn't obey him very well, and he was leaving his Temple as often as it was possible, without even informing his extremely caring friend. He was visiting the Pope by himself, but the head of the Sanctuary wasn't angry at all, that his Aquarius Saint was avoiding all the meetings. He understood.
Degel had no idea how, for the Athena's name, Kardia for so long time could be so protective and at the same time wildly and bloodthirsty like always. These two personalities were so different, that they should collide with themselves at the very beginning. But no, Kardia was taking care of him very well, at the same time treating other Gold Saints with his usual self.
Degel stretched his body, covered by the golden armor, feeling the nice tension in his muscle. He had the big plans for today, and he wasn't gonna let the Scorpio to stop him. The time, when he was forced to stay in the bed was the forgotten past!
He almost run through the stairs between the two last Temples, going to see the Pope. His body and mind were so light, that he even didn't felt the small, really small twitch of his heart. He passed through the Pisces Temple, meeting there quiet and always lonely Albafica, who seemed to be really glad to see his already healthy neighbor.
He didn't wait for too long to get the permission to see the Pope, the guardian let him pass through the big, wooden door almost forthwith like the head of the Sanctuary was waiting for him the whole time.
The old, silver Pope Sage smiled, seeing him so healthy, with the internal energy emanating from his body.
"Degel! I'm glad to see you in so good shape!" said the Pope from his throne.
The Aquarius bowed before him with the whole respect he felt to the old Saint.
"How is your heart? Kardia said that you should rest a few days more…" started hesitantly the former Gold Saint, looking at his young subordinate, searching for any sights, proving the Scorpio's words.
"My heart is healed already as well as my lungs, Pope," answered Degel with official voice.
The Pope laughed lightly.
"What brings you here so early, my dear Aquarius?" he asked with the wide smile.
"I was wondering if you could send me for a mission, Pope. I'm tired of sitting idly in my Temple," said Degel, hoping that there was any mission for him.
"Mission? Isn't it too early for you? You were badly wounded when these warriors break into the Sanctuary."
"My wounds healed already. And it would be the shame for the proud name of the Gold Saint to making more excuses for my alleged indisposed. I'm the Gold Saint of Athena, and three weeks is more that enough, Pope."
The Pope smiled.
"That's the spirit of my proud Aquarius. If you want it so bad, then I can send you for a mission. I was about to ask Shion for doing it, but since you are here, then I will let you do that."
"I'm really grateful, Pope, for your approval."
"For some time something is disturbing my mind, Degel. In the Indian Ocean is a small island. Recently there was some missing of people there, but the Silver Saint who was stationed on that island didn't come to report if he explained everything."
"There were no sights from him?"
"Even his cosmo disappeared some time ago. I sent already a few Saints there, but it was two months ago, and they didn't return yet. There wasn't and message from them either. I would like you to go there and check everything. I'm afraid that it could be done by the Specters," said the Pope, thoughtfully.
The Aquarius bowed his head before him, glad that he could free himself from the Sanctuary for a few days.
"I will depart at once, Pope," he said, leaving the Chamber of the Pope, and heading to his Temple. Of course, before his depart, he should go somewhere else…
Kardia was sitting on the big stone in the front of his Temple, looking at the Sanctuary and thinking. It was really rare for him to do that, usually he was just acting. Thinking was good for the Saints like Degel, calm, cool-headed warriors, who liked to analyze everything before taking any action. For the wild beast like him, reflecting everything around always was heading to the bad end. For example thinking could end for him with beating the enemy without the fun.
But now he was really doing it, his thought was traveling around the previously unknown path, and every minute ended with his friend, Degel. Lately the Aquarius Saint was really strange, barely talking with him. Oh, yes, the green-haired man wasn't the type, who like to talk a lot, but he always have something to tell to his wild friend. Now Kardia was hearing only the incomprehensible murmuring almost every time he was in the Aquarius Temple. Degel's voice became cold again like the old days, when they weren't so close to themselves. In some way the Scorpio was aware why Degel was treating him like that. After all he was making his cold friend to stay in the bed for the last three weeks, like the Aquarius was just a baby, who couldn't take care of his own. But Kardia had many reasons to do that, to watching over his friend day and night. Because he knew about the fragility of hearts, and he just didn't want to see as Degel's one was stopping in the front of his eyes.
Oh, any other Saint could just die because of the heart's wound and the Scorpio wouldn't care about that. Actually he didn't care about almost everyone on the world; the people were for him nothing more than the moving and talking corpses. But Degel… Degel was different. He was the very first person, who didn't saw in Kardia just stupid, wild beast that soon would be killed by his own heart. Many Saints around were telling him, that he never would become the Warrior of Athena, with his weak condition he surely would die in the first fight. But it was the Aquarius who told him to not give up, to live the fullest life as a Saint, and doing everything by his own way. It wasn't the case that he cared about Degel, because the green-haired man had the abilities to keep him alive for such a long time. It didn't matter if Degel was helping him with living. He cared about the Aquarius because without him the Kardia's life would be grey. Kardia long time ago found the fun with doing many reckless things and hearing many complains from the cool-headed Saint. He enjoyed their talks like Degel was considered the Scorpio not as a wild monster, but as an ordinary, smart man. Earlier no one was talking with him like that. And… And the main case was that, Degel was the second person who cared about him. Really cared, like it would be the tragedy if he would die somewhere…
He was in the middle of thinking about his dear friend, when he felt two muscular, covered by the Gold Cloth of the Aquarius hands, that encircled him from behind. Someone placed the slim chin on his shoulder, hiding his face into the blue curls of the Scorpio Saint. Kardia turned his head a little and looked inside the two, violet eyes of Degel.
"How is your heart, Kardia?" asked the Aquarius Saint, placing his hand on his friend's chest and sending his own cosmo into the ill heart.
"My heart will be in the good state for another few days, and you certainly know it. So why are you cooling it right now? And why do you put your Cloth? I believe, I told you not to do that when you are still affected by your wounds."
Degel sighed with the irritation.
"Watch your mouth, Scorpio. You are talking to the Aquarius Gold Saint of Athena, and I don't want you to talk to me like that," he said coldly, pressing his armored chest against Kardia's back, and tightening his embrace. "I'm cooling your heart now because for a while I won't be able to do that, so if your disease will cause you some problem I couldn't help you."
Kardia frowned a little, with the surprise.
"What are you talking about, Degel?"
"It's really simple. I'm here to say farewell to you. The Pope just gave me a mission."
"What?! A mission?!" asked the Scorpio, freeing himself from Degel's arms, turning around and looking at his friend with the disbelief.
"There is no reason to get angry, Kardia. As you heard, I'm going to the mission now," answered the Aquarius Saint, coming closer to his friend and again placing his hand on Kardia's chest.
"But Degel, how could the Pope send you for a mission with your condition?!"
"I asked him for that. I have enough of lying in the bed the whole days. My wounds are healed already and I see no reason to do nothing anymore."
"What about your heart, Degel? I doubt, that it is healed by now…"
"It is. You are just too numb to realize it," murmured Degel, stroking gently the blue curls of his protective friend.
"Then I will go with you!"
"You won't, Kardia."
"Why? You can't force me to stay here…"
"First you have to go to the Pope to get the permission for leaving the Sanctuary. But before you would get it I will be already gone, dear Kardia. And now stay still and let me cool your heart finally."
Kardia gasped angrily, obeying the Aquarius without the words. After a while he reached Degel's head, took it into his hands, and approached their lips. He looked inside the violet eyes, checking if his friend was in the mood to do that, and when he saw approval inside them, he kissed Degel, firstly really gently, like they were doing it the very first time, but after a while more emphatically. The green-haired man allowed him do to that, sinking his long fingers in the soft, blue curls, tasting slowly his friend, and breaking into Kardia's mouth with his tongue, seeking for that incredible feelings that could be feel only when their two tongues were licking themselves and dancing together.
"Degel…?" murmured Kardia, when their lips departed finally.
"Hmmm?" Degel muttered placing another kiss on Kardia's lips.
"Could you be careful on that mission? For me, please."
Degel smiled slightly to his friend.
"Of course I can, dear Kardia."
