Author's Notes; Mythological AU. Shounen Ai. Lots of Fluff. Some Plot. I seem to unintentionally slowed this story's pace down..maybe is a good thing..Conflict isn't completely worked out yet, so please enjoy this something of a fluff tidbit..
The brunette snuggled the young vampire's chest, admiring the glowing of the crystal around his neck before noticing the black tiara on his brow. "Are you..royalty by chance?" The blond shook his head. "No. Mother madeth this tiara with her owneth hands and imbued it with her owneth power. She soughteth a device to protect me always. It shields me from thy harsh sun and helpeth my wounds heal faster, should I find mineself in a fight with nary the werewolves or the succubus." "What is it made of? I've never seen a black crown before." X asked. "It is onyx, which caneth grant strength, stamina, self-control, and aideth in decision making. It helps clear the mind." Zero answered. "Imparative for you, considering your circumstances. What about your pink crystal? It is strange to see males in pink." X asked. "Indeed. Dareth thou mock me? This crystal was mother's favorite. She loved the pink crystals. She is buried beside one in this very cave. She was quite skilled with metals, whicheth unfortunately made her seem liketh a witch to all. This crystal is to honor her." Zero answered somewhat aggressively.
"I'm terribly sorry, I meant no disrespect." X said shyly, starting to let go of the young vampire. Zero snarled playfully. "No, cometh hereth, thou devilish fish." The blond scooped the young merman up out of the water with his toned arms and licked X's cheek. "No offense taken. However, I am not doneth with thee." X blushed brightly when he was lifted out of the water and even more when Zero licked his cheek. He clung to Zero as Zero stood from the shore of the lake and carried him to another opening at the end of the cave. X was surprised that his sharp scales on his tail didn't seem to hurt Zero at all.
"This lake is called the Lake of Tranquility. The cave where I reside hereth is the Forbidden Cave." Zero said, stopping near the edge of the cave. Beyond, the lake fell into a waterfall before turning blood red. There was also a dense foggy forest below. "Many of the creatures I hath described live in yon forest. Everyoneth who dwelleth hereth call it the Forest of Chaos. Thou must haveth a death wish to wander thereth." He explained. "That is where the succubus lives too, isn't it?" X asked. Zero nodded. "Yes. She is nocturnal as I am, so thou art safe during the day." X let out a sigh of relief, but shuddered at the view beneath them. "Good, but this steep waterfall will be the death of me, I'm certain."
Zero turned and went back inside the cave, sitting down beside a clump of red crystals. X clung tighter, squeezing his eyes shut until he felt Zero stop moving. He slowly looked up at Zero. Zero smirked. "Better?" X nodded slowly. "Yes, but please don't do that again." Zero tilted his head. "Thou doth not liekth being held?" "You misunderstand me. Don't hold me over the waterfall, I mean." X told him. The blond smirked. "As thou seeth, I haveth no intentions of hurting thee or putting thee in danger's path." X sighed in relief, resting his head against Zero's chest. "Thank you." "Though, I must advise; In the day when I cannot beth by thine side, I urge thee to be careful. This meadow, the Forgotten Meadow, can beth dangerous and yon lake is not always so tranquil." Zero told him, mothering X a little. X nodded with a gentle yawn. "I will, Papa.." He said tiredly, falling asleep against Zero's warm body. The vampire's blue eyes glowed gently as he watched the merman sleep in his arms. He lowered his voice to a whisper. 'Lily, heareth mine plea; Watch over mine little X. Seeth to his safety as the sun riseth.'
When the sun rose, X woke on the cave floor next to the red crystal. Waking up slowly, he could faintly make out the shape of a small furry creature hanging upside down on the tallest red crystal and wrapped in its own wings. X wasn't sure what to think of the sleeping creature at first, but small marks on the bat's forehead and chest calmed him down. The red looked like the ruby of Zero's tiara and the pink was the crystal Zero wore. 'Sleep well, Zero.' X whispered. He received a tired squeak from the bat as Lily arrived outside the cave. X crawled to the lake and jumped in, swimming quietly to her, so he didn't wake Zero.