Disclaimer: I do not own Servamp of any of the characters
Mahiru woke up to something tickling his nose. He tried to brush it away but he felt something soft press against his hand. Opening his eyes, he found a cat sitting next to him and rubbing its head against his fingers. He sat up and it took a moment for him to recognize the room he was in. He remembered the previous night and the weight of the situation finally fell on him.
He was married to Sleepy Ash, the God of the Dead.
It still seemed surreal to him. He looked at his hand and saw a fire tattoo circling his wrist. Kuro said that he absorbed the flame into his body but he didn't feel any differently from before. Mahiru shook his head and decided that it was better to face his new life than to stay in bed worrying. He stood up and walked to the wardrobe. Opening it, he found that it was filled with fine robes. Mahiru didn't feel comfortable taking the silk garments so he wore the simple chiton he found.
Mahiru walked out of the room and looked down the hall. It was quiet aside from his footsteps echoing through the halls. The cat danced around his legs as he walked and he tried not to accidentally step on it. It affectionately nudged his leg and Mahiru knelt to pet it. He remembered the hounds that chased him but the cat was surprisingly docile now. It was hard to believe that the two were one in the same.
"Kuro called you Black Cat, didn't he? And he says that the name I gave him was uncreative." Mahiru gently scratched its chin and it purred. This black cat was the dangerous servant of Sleepy Ash? "I got up pretty late so your master is probably in the kitchen and eating breakfast already. How about we join him? Can you take me to Kuro?"
The cat nodded and Mahiru thought that it was going to simply lead him to the kitchen. Instead, it turned into black smoke and Mahiru took a sharp step back from it instinctively. The smoke gathered around his feet and then he felt himself being lifted. Mahiru found himself on a black lion's back and he clutched onto its fur to keep himself from falling off as it moved forward. "Wait, Black Cat, stop!"
It didn't follow his command as it bounded onward. Black Cat trotted down the hall despite how Mahiru tried to make it stop. When he saw it run towards a door, he buried his face into its fur. He heard something break and hoped that it wasn't anything important to Kuro. The lion came to a sharp stop and Mahiru look up cautiously. He scanned the dark room and his eyes widened.
"Look at the mess in this room!" The door was broken by Black Cat forcing his way through and the wood pieces littered the ground. Among the splintered wood were countless books and scrolls and Mahiru worried that the beast had destroyed Kuro's study. He turned back to the lion and lightly lectured it. "Bad cat! Transform back and help me clean this mess you made. Kuro's going to be mad."
"Well, aren't you two getting along just fine." Mahiru winced when he heard the lazy drawl. Then he realized that the voice seemed to come from beneath the lion and he climbed onto its head. He leaned over and saw Kuro laying on the ground, trapped beneath the lion. He was being licked by the beast and Kuro looked less than happy but Mahiru had to note that he gave the lion a kind pat. "If you two want to play, do it outside. I was sleeping."
"You're sleeping at this hour?" He screamed and Kuro groaned in response. It didn't seem like he was the least bit guilty for sleeping in as he merely pulled a blanket over his face, muttering something about it being too bright. Mahiru leaned over the lion's head and tried to take the blanket from him. "It's time to wake up! You can't sleep in and waste the day away when you have a job to do."
"Man, you two are heavy. Black Cat, transform back." Kuro ordered and it readily turned into smoke. Mahiru, who was still on the lion's head, began to panic as he started to fall. He closed his eyes but then he felt a hand on his cheek and he stopped falling. He opened his eyes and blushed when he saw how close they were. Kuro sat up, keeping his hand on his cheek, and their noses brushed for a moment.
Suddenly, Kuro took his hand back with a light curse. Without his powers keeping him afloat, Mahiru crashed into his chest. He groaned at the slight pain he felt and rubbed his head. As he sat up, he noticed Kuro looking down at his burned hand. Quickly, Mahiru took his hand. "Wait, did I do this? I'm so sorry. Does it hurt? We need to get something to treat this. I'll get a cool towel for you."
"It's really nothing," Kuro stopped him. He had to question why he didn't take his hand back from Mahiru immediately. Even though his skin burned him earlier, now his touch eased that pain a little. He didn't know what caused Mahiru's power to suddenly activate and burn him but he hoped that it wasn't fear. Mahiru looked genuinely remorseful so he reassured him. "I'm an Olympian so it's going to take a lot more than that to hurt me."
Kuro stood and placed his hand behind his back. He was grateful when Black Cat knocked off several books from his desk, distracting them. Mahiru hurriedly scooped the cat into his arms before it could make a larger mess. He was certain that there were more books on the floor than on the shelf. "You should really keep your study more organized. If you want, I can help you put away these books."
"Don't touch them. This is my room and what I do with it is my business. It doesn't affect you if it's a mess or not. We're married in name only." Kuro's voice became sharp and Mahiru flinched back from him for the first time since they met. Seeing that, Kuro turned away from him. He should've been used to people looking at him with horror but seeing his expression still hurt him.
"This is your room? You don't even have a bed in here. Were you sleeping on the ground?" The only furniture in the room were shelves and a small desk. But Kuro seemed to forgo using the desk. He was laying on the ground when Black Cat stormed into the room. At the time, Mahiru thought that it was because the lion knocked him over. "You're going to ruin your back sleeping on the ground! No wonder you're always slouching. Even if you don't want me touching your books, I think they're a tripping hazard. Thinking simply, you need to clean this mess."
Kuro honestly didn't know how to react to his reprimanding for a minute. Just a moment ago, Mahiru appeared scared but he didn't hesitate to chastise him now. He looked down at the ground and the books. With a simple wave of his hand, they arranged themselves in the bookshelf. "I'm going to have to take them out later and it's just going to end up becoming another mess, you know? Can't deal."
"I didn't take you for a reader." Mahiru looked over the books lining the wall but they didn't have any title on the spines, only the author's name. "You know, I can help you make a system for all these books. Thinking simply, if it's organized, you'll know where each book is and you won't make a mess when you go to read one. Maybe we can sort them by genre—"
"Mahiru, those aren't normal books. They're the book of the dead." At his words, Mahiru sharply stepped away from the books. But Kuro continued in a small voice. "Each one contains a record of someone's life before they died, their virtues and sins. I need to read each human's story and decide their fate; if they go to Elysium, stay in the Forest of Ash or be given a punishment for their sins. Slow and troublesome process really. Not to mention that work has been piling up because of Tsubaki's winter."
Mahiru turned to Kuro with wide eyes but he appeared exasperated at best. He could understand why Kuro didn't want him to touch the books. There were so many books and Mahiru couldn't imagine having to read each human's life and be responsible for their afterlife. "You never told me why you decided to marry me. Is it because I said I wanted to help the humans with fire. It would lead to a lot less death."
"Death is something you can't avoid." Kuro brushed aside his assumption. He was far from willing to tell him the truth but he didn't want Mahiru to think that he was a better person than he was. Like Mahiru, he had his own regrets. Kuro ungracefully changed the topic by gesturing to Black Cat. "I'm going to feed him. We don't need to eat but he does. Breakfast time, Black Cat."
The cat excitedly jumped out of Mahiru's arms and ran to his side, unaware of the tension in the room. Mahiru watched him leave without a word and he felt like Kuro was suddenly putting walls between them. They only knew each other for a night so he understood the distance. But, considering their situation, it would be simpler if they could be friends.
With that thought, Mahiru ran after him and caught his cloak. Kuro looked over his shoulder and Mahiru started cautiously. "How about the three of us have breakfast together? You, me and Black Cat. My friend always says that your day can't start without light and fluffy tagenites. Gods won't die from hunger but we still need to eat for energy. I'm a good cook so I can make you anything you want."
"… Black Cat filled the kitchen with food so you can make whatever you want. Do you know where the kitchen is?" Mahiru nodded. "Can you bring breakfast out to the garden? This little troublemaker usually has his breakfast outside and I need to watch over him while he's eating in the garden."
"What can Black Cat eat? I'll make something for him as well." He leaned forward and lightly scratched its ear. The cat enjoyed having two people's attention on him so it took Mahiru's hand in its paws and placed his hand on its head. Kuro was already petting his head so their hands brushed when it did so. Mahiru blushed and moved his hand away. "I don't think he can eat tagenites."
"He eats the foolish souls that try to escape the forest." Kuro answered him, deadpanned. He couldn't maintain his uninterested expression when he saw Mahiru's eyes widen and Kuro burst out into laughter. "It's a joke. He eats the fruits in the garden but certain leaves can make him sick. This curious cat will put anything in his mouth if you don't keep an eye on him."
"There's nothing wrong with being curious." Mahiru relaxed when he heard Kuro's deep laugh. His expression was much softer now as he petted the cat in his arms. With all the horrifying tales about the man, he didn't think he would be one for jokes or animals. He smiled up at him and said, "I'll make breakfast for us and meet you in the garden."
"Hurry it up, Shit Rat! How long are you going to make me wait on this stupid island?" Licht kicked Hyde to knock him out off his chair. It irritated him to no bounds that the man took him to Crete instead of the Forest of Ash. He should've never trusted the Olympian to begin with. He didn't know why he did either. Licht considered shoving him into the Labyrinth and be forever rid of him but he still needed his help to find the Forest of Ash.
"Now, just be more patient, Lichtan." Hyde skilfully dodged his next kick with a confident grin that only irritated Licht more. Even though his quick temper was amusing to Hyde, he was cautious of it as well. Even if Licht claimed to be an angel, he was a demigod with the strength of a god and the stubbornness of a human which was a dangerous combination. "We're just here to pick something up and then we'll go to save your friend."
"You brought me to this island for a fucking errand?" Licht grabbed his shirt and shook him violently. Any other person would've stopped but Hyde goaded him further. He controlled Licht's chlamys and lifted it over his face. As Licht struggled with the short cloak, Hyde slipped out of his hold. He laughed all the while and dodged the attacks Licht made blindly.
"Don't be so angry, Angel Cakes. I'm getting something for you." Hyde noticed someone enter the room from the corner of his eyes. He nimbly took Licht's cloak off his shoulders and threw it aside. Licht's eyes flashed as he turned to kick him but Hyde merely floated into the air, out of his reach.
"Get down here! If my wings had grown properly, you wouldn't be able to run away from me so easily!" Licht went to pick up his chlamys but Hyde grabbed it before he could. Tired with his games, he turned to leave. Searching for the Forest of Ash blindly would be faster and less tedious than relying on the god. It was a wonder that he even followed him to the island.
"Don't leave before I can give you your present." Something fell over his head and Licht groaned. He pulled it off and saw that it was a short cloak with feathered wings sewn onto it. Hyde landed in front of him and took the cloak from his hands. "I asked Daedalus to make this for you awhile ago as a gift but I didn't know if you would accept. I think you will now."
"Why would I accept it now?" Licht challenged and tilted a glare up at him.
"Well, we can reach the Forest of Ash faster if we can both fly." Hyde wrapped the cloak around Licht's shoulders and tied it securely. Licht was a little confused by his words so he didn't fight him even though he was still wary of the mischievous god. Taking advantage of that, Hyde leaned down and slyly kissed his cheek. At the same time, feathers burst around them.
"How dare you?" He screamed and pushed Hyde away. The god showed no shame as he flew into the air again. Licht rubbed his cheek and glared up at him. He took a vase and hurled it at Hyde but he merely caught it. "I'm going to kill you once you get down here! You can't float up there forever."
"If you want to punish me for stealing a kiss, just fly up here." Hyde prompted. At first, Licht thought he was mocking the fact that he couldn't fly despite being an angel. Then, he gestured to the cloak he gave him. "Look at your back."
Cautiously, Licht looked over his shoulder. His eyes widened when he saw that the wings on the cloak had come to life. He reached behind him to touch the tiny wings and the soft feather were surprisingly warm. The awe in Licht's eyes made Hyde smile because the almost childish expression softened his hard features. Since he discovered that he was one of the Eight Olympians, Licht would only give him a scowl.
"Do you like them?" Hyde asked, hope and nervousness made his voice a little unsteady. He flew closer to him when he was certain that Licht wouldn't kick him. "I blessed the cloak so you can fly as long as you're wearing it. They're an extension of you like your arms are but it might take a little practise for you to get used to them. Try moving them slowly."
Licht flapped the small wings a few times and his feet lifted off the ground a few inches. He couldn't keep his balance in the air very well so Hyde controlled a breeze to help him. A smile spread onto Licht's face as he flew higher. "I can really fly?"
"I'm the God of the Sky so what I say goes. As long as you're wearing that cloak, you have free passage through my skies. You can keep it after we save your friend as long as you promise to visit me often, okay?" Hyde winked at him. Licht rolled his eyes at his words. With a powerful flap of his wings, he was in front of Hyde in moments and he kicked him into the wall.
"Looks like you can't use your flight to run away from me anymore." Licht grinned, immensely satisfied with his new gift. He flew in a languid circle, quickly becoming accustomed to the wings. Even Hyde was impressed with how quickly he mastered flight. Then he landed in front of Hyde and grabbed his shirt. He dragged him out of the window. "Now, take me to the Forest of Ash or else I'll drop you to your death."
"I can fly too, remember Licht?" Hyde laughed and took his hands as they flew out the window. He turned in the air until they were facing again. "We're going to cross the ocean to return to Athens and then I'll take you to the Forest of Ash. But you need to be careful of fire and water damaging your wings when you fly. Fire will make the wax melt and water will clot the feathers. Promise me that you'll be careful."
"Fine, I'll be careful but an angel doesn't need a god to watch over him." Licht couldn't remember seeing Hyde so serious before and nodded. Relief appeared on Hyde's face and he nodded. His carefree expression quickly returned and Licht wondered how much he should read into the concern he saw a moment earlier. The Eight Olympians treated him and others like toys so he knew he shouldn't trust him.
"Why did you give me wings? You said that you had your friend make this for me awhile ago but you never gave it to me until now." Licht had to ask as he flew next to Hyde. "You're annoying but you're not stupid. With them, I can fight you in the air and you won't be able to run away from me easily anymore."
"I just felt like giving you wings." Hyde shrugged off his question but from Licht's expression he knew that he wasn't satisfied with his answer. "It's for saving me. I owe you my life but it's embarrassing for an Olympian to be in debt to a delusional demigod. With those wings, we're even now."
"I'm an angel! How dare you suggest that we're similar in any way?" Licht kicked him and then flew ahead of Hyde. He should've guessed that the god was only thinking of himself in the end. Still, Licht whispered to Hyde as he flew past him. "Thank you."
"Kuro, when are you going to teach me how to use the fire?" Mahiru asked as they ate in the garden. Black Cat was excitedly playing in the garden but Kuro was lazing in a chair. It was surprisingly bright in the garden and it was almost as if they were above ground. But he could see the cold cave walls past the trees and flowers, reminding him that he was underground. The garden was beautiful but the walls were stifling.
"Whenever you want but let's wait until after we finish eating." Kuro answered with a shrug as he finished off his plate. He set it aside and Mahiru was glad that he seemed to enjoy the simple the meal. He was a little worried that an Olympian wouldn't like something so modest. But the small smile Kuro had while he ate assured him otherwise.
"Is fire hard to control? I'm the Deity of Noon so I don't do much but help guide the sun in that hour and clear the clouds. But he does it so often that he doesn't need our help anymore." Mahiru sighed and hugged his knees to his chest. He wanted to help the humans but he understood that his power had its limit. Kuro saw his frustrated expression and stood from his chair to sit next to Mahiru.
"Fire is very different from clouds. It's much more dangerous and harder to control. Lose control of it and it will consume you." Kuro warned. Mahiru looked at the tattoo on wrist and remembered how the fire protected him in the river. It didn't feel as treacherous as Kuro was describing it. In fact, it was warm and comforting. Kuro poked his chest and added. "But it can be swayed like clouds."
"Well, the fire did choose me as its host so this might be easier than I first thought." Mahiru jumped to his feet and pulled Kuro out of his chair as well. "You're finished eating so we can start now. Every day we waste is a day where more humans die. So, what should I learn first?"
"Troublesome." Kuro groaned but reluctantly followed his lead. He took Mahiru to the fountain in the center of the garden. The fire chose Mahiru but Kuro thought that it was better to be cautious of such a dangerous element. He didn't know how well he could train Mahiru either. "I guess the first thing we should work on is summoning fire."
"Okay." He nodded and sat on the edge of the fountain. Mahiru cupped his hands and tried to draw the fire into his palm, similar to how he controlled the clouds. His brows furrowed when not even a spark appeared in his hands. He could barely feel the fire within him so he didn't know how he could sway it to appear before him. "I don't know why it's not responding to me."
"How about you think of something specific you want to use your fire for." Kuro suggested and placed his hands around Mahiru's. "Fire is passion and life so try to relate to those things. Close your eyes and think of something you want."
Mahiru closed his eyes with a deep breath. He could feel Kuro's warm hands around his and they felt similar to the fire. Once again, he tried to call upon the fire. He pictured his friends and the humans, braving the winter storm. He wanted to ease their lives after everything that happened. "The flame's pretty small but I guess it's a start."
At his words, Mahiru opened his eyes and saw a small, flickering flame in his hands. Kuro had let go of his hands and the warmth he felt was from the fire now. The flame was tiny but it made a bright and proud grin appear on his face. Even though Kuro already commented on the fire, Mahiru excitedly held out his hands to him. "Look, Kuro!"
"I am looking," Kuro muttered even as he turned away. He didn't know if it was the fire making his skin seemingly glow or if it was something else. He wasn't used to seeing something as bright as Mahiru's eyes because he lived in the constant bleakness of his forest. Looking at his smile, Kuro was certain that it was the closest thing to the sun in the Forest of Ash. Beneath his breath, he muttered. "Too bright."
"I'm sorry, that was short-sighted of me." Mahiru thought that he was referring to the fire. He took his hands back and looked down at the dwindling flame. It was too small to be used effectively and he wondered if he could draw out more. He tried to make the flame larger but it stayed the same.
"Don't force it." Kuro saw his frustration and placed his hand over his again. He meant to stifle the small flame but it burst to life between them instead. They both struggled to contain the fire and Kuro groaned. "Looks like we need to work on controlling it next."
Black Cat, thinking that they were in danger, panicked and pushed them into the fountain. Water splashed around them and Kuro swore as he pushed his wet hair out of his face. Mahiru coughed out some water beside him but he didn't appear to be hurt. Once he caught his breath, Mahiru found himself laughing at their situation. "You look like a wet cat, Kuro."
"You're making fun of me when you don't look much better than me?" Kuro countered and splashed water at him. He stepped out of the fountain and held out his hand to help Mahiru out as well.
"I'll dry us off. I can't control fire very well yet but I mastered clouds." He made a warm cloud surround them to dry their clothes. Kuro took off his heavy cloak and shook out the water. His tunic beneath was soak through and clung to his skin. Mahiru quickly turned away for modesty sake. The cloud around them became hotter in time with his blush.
"Hey, are you trying to steam us in here?" Kuro dispersed the cloud around them.
From the corner of his eyes, he saw an image ripple in the fountain. Dipping his hand in the water, the scene became clearer. His eyes narrowed when he saw the image of someone being guided into the forest. Kuro sighed, "I need to go. The ferry is bringing a soul to be punished. From his book, he's probably going to be troublesome. Stay here while I deal with him. Black Cat, protect Mahiru."
The cat nodded and climbed onto Mahiru's shoulder. He looked down at the scene in the fountain and saw the soul fighting the ferryman. He worried over Kuro facing that man without his loyal beast but Mahiru doubted he would let him go with him.
"Umm, Kuro." Mahiru said as he started to leave. "Be careful."
"I'm an Olympian so you don't need to worry about me. I'll be back soon and help you train more." Kuro ruffled his hair before walking away.
This is going to be a very KuroMahi filled week XD I didn't know if I should wait to post this because I already have a lot of KuroMahi stuff queued for KuroMahiWeek. I told myself that you're used to me spamming the tags so here's the next chapter.