Dio was already curled up on the couch, a movie playing, but he wasn't watching. He was managing, somehow. He still went to work every day to keep the apartment, there was no way he'd give it up because it just held too many memories. But Zero wasn't there. Sighing he looked out of the balcony window. First week of march. It had been over a month since Zero disappeared. By now he didn't expect the demon to ever return, and even if, Dio had no idea what to tell him. He still loved Zero, but leaving him without any notice for over a month was enough. He even thought about breaking up. But for that, Zero had to come home first to talk it over. Maybe it was just an accident...
Dio scoffed at his own thoughts and threw the remote on the coffee table as he got up. "Yeah Dio... people leave on accident." He grumbled to himself, went to the kitchen and opened the fridge. He wasn't hungry at all, but ever since Sieghart showed him how to cook he found it quite fun actually. It made him forget the world. He could do what he wanted, try out what tasted good and what didn't and sometimes he was done with a big meal before he realized it. Still, he never had anyone he could share it with. At that point he usually returned to reality.
It was just past midnight, Dio back on the couch, dozing off. He was imagining what Zero would do now, how his new life was. Maybe he was on a deserted island, reading a book, perfectly fine. But he was alone. A smile made it's way to Dio's face. Even in his imagination Zero couldn't have another man other than him. Why would he? Zero had agreed to be his lover forever. But that didn't stop Dio from having doubts. Maybe Zero just had enough of how much his lover had changed. Dio himself couldn't explain it very well, but that was what happened. He wasn't overly perverted anymore, he snapped even faster, and he started to find pleasure in the small things. His selfishness had faded. Maybe the whole thing in Elyos wasn't such a bad thing after all.
The door bell made Dio jump in surprise, forgetting everything he had thought about. Not even Sieghart dared to disturb him that late! He chose to ignore it. If it was a prank by some kids they would get bored soon enough. The bell rang three more times, then someone slammed his fist at the door.
It sounded panicked.
Dio frowned and got up, taking a look through the spyhole in the door. A green haired man was slamming his fist at the door, having an expression of anger and slight worry in his face. He was a demon, Dio noticed.
"Who are you?" Dio yelled at the door.
"Open up you imbecile!" The man shouted. "Or I break the freaking door!"
Dio got pale. "Gran?"
"That's Grandark for you! Open the damn door!"
Surprised Dio unlocked the door, took a step backwards when he saw the other man. It took him two seconds to realize that it was Zero. The silver haired demon looked like a zombie. He was thin, his skin a pale gray color, bleeding scratches all over his body, his arms bandaged and covered in blood, the long silver hair full of knots and a dull and ugly color. His black shirt was torn, his face flushed.
"...Z-Zero?!" Dio was now sure he was dreaming. Zero wouldn't return, would he? And why did he look like someone had beaten him up?!
Grandark forced his way into the apartment and just placed Zero on the ground, then he turned to leave. "Take care of him." He ordered.
"Where are you going?" Dio asked, still confused.
"I left the sword behind." The other demon explained, quickly leaving the apartment.
Dio swallowed hard, not sure what to do. Zero was in pain, exhausted, probably sick too. He tried to wake the silver haired demon, but he got no reaction. His body was cold, and he was shivering.
Dio brought new clothing and tended to Zero's wounds as good as he could. He couldn't lift Zero with only one arm, so he threw all the blankets he could find on the ground and covered the other demon in them. But that didn't satisfy him.
Swallowing hard Dio crawled under the blankets and lay down next to his lover. The demon was so cold that it made Dio shiver. But he was alive, and that was all that mattered. Gently he rested his hand against Zero's cheek hoping the coldness would disappear soon.
"What the hell happened to you..." He silently asked, not expecting an answer.
Slowly he reached for his cell-phone on the coffee table, looking at the time. It was almost 1 am. Slowly he dialed Sieghart's number, not caring that he probably woke the immortal. It only rang once before Sieghart picked up.
"...Something wrong?"
"No... H-He's back..." Then Dio finally realized it. Tears filled his eyes. "He's back!"
"Did he find a decent excuse?"
"He's in really bad shape... I don't know what happened yet but... I know that I takes quite a bit to make him pass out. He has wounds all over his body...I don't want to move him..."
"Did you treat the wounds?"
"I tried. I... suck at this." Dio didn't care how desperate he sounded.
Silence. Sieghart seemed to move around in his house and keys could be heard. "Where did you find him?"
"Grandark brought him here..."
"The sword?!"
"I don't know but... that thing was a demon! He ran off though."
"I see..." the immortal muttered. "Try to wake him up. We need to know what happened."
"I tried. He doesn't respond to anything." Panic chased away all the joy he had felt just seconds ago. What if Zero died?!
"Shit... hold on Kid. I'm almost there."
Sieghart didn't bother to take off his shoes when Dio let him in. Zero was lying on tons of blankets, looked even worse than the immortal had imagined. Quickly he examined the demon, found a few broken bones but nothing too serious.
"Looks like he lost a lot of blood... Give me a glass with water and a towel." Sieghart ordered.
Dio complied, a little surprised when Sieghart used the water to splash it into Zero's face. The demon's eyes opened in shock as he took in a sharp breath and sat up. He stared at Sieghart for a moment, then he was about to pass out again.
"Oh no you're not going to pass out again." The immortal warned, grabbing the shoulder of the demon so he wouldn't fall back down.
"...S-sieg...hart?" Zero whispered, voice weak and trembling. He seemed quite out of it.
"Who else?" Sieghart laughed and gave Zero the towel.
The immortal stood when he was sure Zero could sit on his own and came back a little later with a plate filled with cut up and neatly arranged fruits. He placed it on the coffee table, then needed a while to convince Dio that it was better to let Zero rest on the couch.
"Here." Sieghart pointed to the plate. "You'll eat this. No matter how bad it tastes you are going to eat it. I'm calling a doctor..."
"Why?" Dio protested.
"No..." Zero muttered. "It will heal..."
Sieghart sighed. "If you pass out again I call one."
Zero nodded, then finally looked at Dio who was on his knees next to him, worry spread over his face.
"...Dio... I apologize... "
Dio looked away. "Where were you Zero?!"
Zero lifted his arms to hug Dio. Gently he pulled him down into an embrace, kissing his lips. "When I woke up Gran told me that one month had passed already." The silver haired demon explained. "I do not know how this occurred..."
Dio nodded, choosing not to ask more. Zero was weak and needed to rest.
"So you don't know where you were and what they did to you?" Sieghart wanted to know.
"No. I had to release Gran from the blade, I assume he brought me here..."
"I see. Go eat something. Then you can sleep."
Dio frowned when he woke up. His back hurt like hell and he felt as if he had been drinking too much. That was probably true too, considering the weird dream he had. Also he was sitting next to the couch instead of lying on it. Yawning he tried to find a more comfortable position, until he noticed the person lying on the couch. Zero. It wasn't a dream. Zero was back!
The silver haired demon was sleeping, still pale and not looking too healthy, but his body felt warm and he even opened his eyes when Dio touched his cheek.
"...Dio...?" The demon whispered. His voice was still silent, but it didn't sound as weak anymore.
"Yes. How do you feel?" Dio asked, concern clear in his voice.
Zero lifted an arm to move the dirty strands of hair out of his face. "Better. I apologize..." the shorter demon muttered. "I was not aware-"
Dio shook his head. "It's alright... I'm... I'm just glad you're back and that you didn't leave me on purpose."
Zero frowned, then rested his hand on Dio's shoulder. "I told you I will not leave you... have you been alright?"
Dio sighed. "No. ...I... I even thought about killing myself."
Zero's eyes widened and he sat up in alarm. "Dio, why would you?"
Dio swallowed and stopped suppressing the tears. "I can't live without you! It just doesn't work, Zero!"
Zero moved his arms around the taller demon, held him close. His body was hurting, but it was bearable. Dio seemed to be in a lot more pain.
"I apologize..." Zero repeated, gently stroking the back of his lover.
"I... I'm sorry. For being selfish..." Dio muttered, slowly backed away and wiped his tears. "Are you hungry?" he asked with a smile.
Zero had to smile back. Dio did look tired and exhausted, but he was still switching emotions within seconds, and his smile. To Zero it felt like years had passed since he had last seen it.
"Yes."
Dio's eyes lit up. "Great! Just wait a little I will prepare something!"
Zero tilted his head in confusion. "No pre-made food?"
"No! That stuff is bad for health!" Dio protested. "I will cook something."
"That sounds nice." Zero smiled. "Thank you, Dio."
"Wait until it's finished!" Dio grinned, dashing into the kitchen. There was something he had yet to tell Zero, but that could wait for a better moment.
Half an hour later Dio came back with a tray balanced on his arm, a bowl and a spoon on it. Zero took the tray, surprised at how neatly the food was arranged. He didn't know exactly what Dio had made but it smelled nice and he had decorated the tray with a flower as well.
"I'm... not that good yet... but I'm learning! Julio even said I'm worth two of his workers because I may not be as fast, but I don't work as messy as the others."
"Julio? The chef in the restaurant?"
"Yes!" Dio grinned, waiting in excitement when Zero tasted the soup he had made.
"It tastes good." Zero whispered in surprise. "Thank you."
Dio's smile got brighter. "I can make deserts too! Julio taught me!"
"You used to hate cooking." Zero noted, still smiling. Dio's sudden optimism made it hard to feel bad any longer.
"I did. But... It distracted me from thinking about you all the time, because thinking about you hurt so bad... and When I asked Julio to teach me more about cooking, because Sieghart is a horrible teacher, I was suddenly working in the kitchen. Fulltime."
"That is wonderful, Dio."
Dio shrugged. "I get more money... But I had nothing to spend it for. So I kept it. But now... now you're back and... and when you feel better we can..." Dio bit his lip. "Can we go on a date?"
Zero's smile got a little wider. "Of course."