Author's Notes; Semi-mythological Egyptian AU. Plot. Backstory. A smidge more Shounen Ai, but not a lot. The boy starts getting to know the demon, but the boy will owe the demon his own backstory later. Please enjoy.

A chance had come for the boy to approach the mysterious demon. The demon had settled not far from the boy in the oasis as dusk fell and the temperature dropped. The boy saw him light a bonfire for warmth as he carefully and slowly came closer. The demon already seemed to be onto him. "Come closer, human. What do you truly seek?" The boy shivered, kneeling in front of the demon as he tried to piece his words together. "Please, gentle guard, I-I-I wish to know why you linger to guard these ancient pyramids..Why you were commanded to do so..I wish..to get a better look at you..and..I wish to know that if you truly are demon, why you must toil on the surface..Why you might be above ground instead of below where demons are said to live.."

The boy had closed his eyes as he kneeled. The demon used that chance to come closer. The boy could hear sniffles from the demon, not daring to move. The demon sniffed the boy's skin gently. "Hmm...Hatshesput..It is she who is your true ancestor...Not Narmer nor Zoser...You relate to a great regent queen...one who treated me kindly." The boy slowly looked up puzzled. The blue eyes of the demon closed. "Very well, I shall provide you the answers you seek. You are correct. I am originally from the Underworld, as all demons. Because I was viewed as weaker and more vulnerable than most, I was driven from the Underworld and emerged here many years ago. Your forebears did not know what to think of me. Most feared my very appearance. I inadvertantly showed my use by stopping a graverobber running away with treasures of their already deceased kings. This made the pharaoh Zoser put me in charge of protecting burial sites of the pharaohs. This I did for many years until your foremother, Hatshesput came along. She alleviated me of this duty and instead not only gave me a taste of royal luxury until her son was old enough to take the throne, but also drafted me to aid in expeditions to other lands. It was a nice change of pace. Though when she passed on, I was returned to this endless duty. I am fated to it until the day of my own death." The boy was still puzzled. "But..why..? Why have you not tried to flee..? The pharaohs are long gone now..What purpose does it all hold for you..? Also, I want to know your name.." The demon shrugged. "I saw no logic in fleeing. I have nowhere else to go. As for a name, I was not given one. However, when human researchers first found me and taught me their language, they gave me a nickname of Zero. Why is unclear to me. This duty now merely serves as nostalgia to me in purpose, a fair bit of pleasure reminiscing on ancient times as my time draws nigh."

The boy slowly sat up, looking at the demon. "You are mysterious, perhaps that's why they gave you that name. Zero can mean both everything and nothing. I think it fits you very well. If your words are true, that means you're several thousand years old. Though, I thought demons were immortal, unhindered by age and able to torment others for aeons. Also, most think of demons as ugly and repulsive..but you..you are rather...pleasing to the eyes.." The boy blushed with his words, able to spot snake armbands of black on the demon's upper arms and noticing blood red body hair on his chest, stopping at his navel and then again at his loincloth. The demon chuckled and shrugged. "I have no opinion on the name. If it works, it works, I suppose. Demons generally are not immortal. Few have a gene for immortality that can manifest. Demon lifespan is many thousands of years. If a demon is lucky enough to get that gene, he can become immortal if he happens to find a truly fulfilling purpose for himself. If not, the gene cannot manifest and it shortens the lifespan. I bear the gene, but I have found naught truly fulfilling. It was nice when Hatshesput gave me more charitable work, but a pity her child king never saw me in the same light. My time here whithers away, so I fear it may be nigh." A tiny tear formed in the boy's eye. "That's sad, though. You don't look like you're old at all. You wear age very well. Its a shame you didn't find anything fulfilling to you to give you your immortality. I can't shake the feeling though, since you were happier with a more charitable task, perhaps that might be the key into getting your immortality. Would you allow me to work with you on that?" Zero nodded. "Yes, I would. I would like that very much. Tell me your name, little one." The boy sighed. "As far as I'm concerned, I no longer have a name nor home. My former name was Xavier..and I used to live in Cairo..I was born there." Zero held X's chin, looking at him. "I only know this from the researchers, but your former name has given me this thought; X is a variable and can bear limitless potential, though also limitless danger. Would you be content with me calling you X?" The boy nodded. "If it works for you. My dad sometimes called me that when I was younger, so it brings back memories."

Zero grinned slightly. "X it is. If I remember correctly, you wanted a better look at me." X nodded gently. "Y-Yeah..if that's ok." Zero nodded. "It does not bother me." X moved a little closer. There were old scratches all over Zero's arms, some even near his neck and chest. He finally saw that the black eye marks on Zero's face resembled thick Egyptian eyeliner, helping him blend in a little. "Your skin and marks are curious. Not red, but not too tan either. And the blacks, like you were meant for desert life." Zero nodded. "I was born in a desert-like area of the Underworld, so it only makes sense that my body be tempered to hot and cold conditions. In the form of day it had, it was blazing hot. In the night, a steep freeze replaced it." It made sense to X. "Just like surface deserts." X looked at Zero's mane, noticing a strange mark on Zero's back. When he moved Zero's hair, he jumped back in horror. "What in the-? What happened to you?" Zero sighed. "I failed to mention this. The deities of your ancestors clipped, or rather, tore my wings off to ensure I could not flee the land. Another reason why I did not leave, even though I had chances to do so. I cannot regrow them and the wounds will not heal until my day of judgment by those deities." X shook his head, losing a tear. "I feel so bad for you. Those are huge weakspots if they can't heal. I hate to say it, but if this area were flooded with robbers, you would be an easy target if they saw those wounds." Zero nodded. "This I am aware of, though I know naught what to do for it." He looked at X's ragged loincloth. "By the way, I have been meaning to ask if you would prefer a better loincloth. The one you have looks a bit rough."

X blushed a little. "That would be very nice of you, Zero." Zero came closer, using a faint red glow, turning the ragged loincloth into a long black flowing loincloth, similar to his own. X looked at his new loincloth, spotting intricate designs like swirls, snakes, and curls on it. "Wow, this is far more comfortable. Thank you." Zero grinned a little. "You are quite welcome. Might I have my turn for a better look?" X blushed more. "If you want I guess I'm ok with it." Zero edged closer, looking X over. He could see the starts of chest hair and a thin stripe of hair going down X's body, ending at the loincloth. X followed the blue glows that were from Zero's eyes. Zero chuckled. "You have girly hips like me. Very nice." X just blushed more as Zero's eyes returned to his face. The brunette felt a long wet lick on his cheek. "Where I come from, demons use licking to communicate with friends and mates. That one means, 'I like you.'" X nervously returned the lick. "I-I like you too."

Zero put the bonfire out before curling up to sleep. X shyly crawled to him. Zero watched him quietly. X stopped when he saw Zero's glowing eyes watching him. Zero lifted his red mane up, gesturing X towards him. "Your body is not as accustomed to the heat as mine. You must be cold. Get under my hair, it will keep you warm." X slowly crawled beside Zero and under his thick mane. "Thank you. This is very cozy." Zero nodded. "You know my ordeal. Tell me yours in the morning." X nodded back as the two of them fell asleep under the starry desert skies.