Disclaimer: I don't own Saint Seiya characters!

Something Lost And Something Gained

It passed a few long minutes before the last words of Camus stopped to ring inside his ears.

"Say whatever you want, Degel. But when next time you will be kissing Milo, just watch how happy he is with you."

He knew it wasn't right. While kissing Milo he had the full glance into the bright eyes and he could say that the Scorpio was not only happy. He was sad, so full of sadness, that even Degel felt affected by this emotion. He was disappointed and in some way frightened. The Aquarius could understand all of these feelings inside his new fellow. Of course the green-haired Saint could as well see some strange heat inside these blue eyes, heat accompanied by happiness, the feeling of the exultation, some triumph that the Scorpio finally found someone fitting his small desires. But this happiness could mean everything. Milo could be happy just because finally releasing his tension. It could be because someone finally accepted him. Of course, it could be because of only being with Degel, but Aquarius doubted it was the real case. Milo loved Camus too much to be happy about being with someone else.

It surely wasn't the happiness of a man who found his love, of someone who felt comfortable in the presence of his beloved, who would give up his life for him, to do everything for the man he loved. Of course Milo was now in confusion with his thoughts and feelings, Degel couldn't blame him. With all these circumstances it was easy to be confused. To be lost. But soon it would disappear and many other feelings might be left inside.

But when he woke up from his thoughts to tell Camus all about it, his successor was already gone.

He cursed under his nose, leaving the coliseum in hurry, heading quickly to the hut, hoping that if he wouldn't find there Camus, he would talk with Milo and try to fix some things. It was the damn time to stop everything now.

Ugh, this wasn't supposed to happen. This kiss with Milo a few days ago, that started everything should be only a gentle dream inside their heads. He should stop Milo when he had the chance, before he fell into the trap himself and before Camus discovered this secret.

That evening, actually night, when he found Milo at the coliseum, Degel should stop an instant just when their lips met each other in a warm kiss the future Scorpio Saint started. He should withdraw the same moment his mind realized what was about to happen. The warm, soft skin of Milo's strong lips should never meet his own in this caress. If that evening would end in a different way, now no one would suffer.

Oh, how stupid he was for these whole days! He knew, he felt it would bring them more suffer than happiness. That the only one taking the advantages of it would be no one than him. It was sure that Camus would someday reveal this secret between them and the future Saint alongside with Milo would be hurt really much. Just like Camus suffered right now and how Milo would suffer really soon. Degel could prevent that all, he could not let this happen, but instead of stopping these awful events, he just let himself sunk into the trap of his own desires. It would be very easy. Just push Milo away. Just step away a few meters. Quickly end the talk… Or maybe just knock some senses into Milo's head. Talk with him and stop this kiss. And even if he would allow somehow that first kiss to happen, he shouldn't let Milo do that again in his damn library.

He had no idea what Camus would do now, what ideas were inside his mind. When he knew and when he thought it was the best to leave Milo and Degel together. What would happen to them all? Soon Lady Athena and Pole Sage could give them some solution in their frustrating situation of being trapped here and what next? Would Milo leave with Camus? Or would he stay here?

If Milo was about to leave, then Degel… He could accept that. Because when he saw this sadness inside Camus' eyes, when he saw this sorrow and suffering about being betrayed, he knew that the place of the Scorpio was with his lover. He would accept that, because the love between him and Milo was… impossible, it never existed. Degel knew he would never love Milo in the way these two visitors from the future loved each other. He had the whole nigh for thinking and right now, seeing in some way lost face of Camus, his brain started to work really hard, assuring him in his own feelings. The truth behind the fact he allowed Milo to kiss him, the reason why he didn't break it but sink into it was simple. These feeling inside him were new and he just jumped into the middle of it, taking everything he could, exploring, experiencing. Because for some time already he felt strange tingling inside his mind and even a pleasurable tension in his muscles. When that kiss happened he finally understood what it was, from where it came to him. The desire of being touched by the other one, the desire of having these caresses, the need of his body, yearning for another person who could care about him like Milo cared about Camus, and who could think about him. These two guests from the XX century unconsciously awakened these desires inside him and now Milo showed him how to release it all.

But right now, just now, Degel was sure it shouldn't be Milo. Something was missing in their so short and strange relation. He couldn't feel this deep calmness of his soul while kissing Milo. And this calmness… could fill him with only one person… With…

The strong, soft fingers closed around his arm firmly and he looked into the bright eyes of Milo. He shook his head, looked around and notice, that lost in his thoughts he already made to the small hut Camus and Milo were living in since their arrival.

He also blinked a few times, watching carefully the man in front of him. It could be clearly visible that this Saint had no sleep this night, even if the worried look was almost hidden deeply.

"I can't feel Camus' cosmo. He sealed it off," Milo murmured. "It is so strange about him, he never did this before without warning me. And I haven't seen him since yesterday after he left with me the Audience Chamber. He never just disappeared like that. Not for so many hours. He was always back home at the night time."

Greek sighed very long, with thoughtful expression all over his face. Degel just realized that it was true; Camus hid his cosmo. Even while their talk at the coliseum the spirit energy of his companion was sealed off – the current Aquarius Knight noticed it only now. Well, it was actually quite logical. If Milo would be able to feel Camus, then there would be no point of this searching.

"Don't worry, Milo. I just talked with him…" the French sighed. He had to talk with Milo too. Right now. He had to end the Scorpio's delusions, these fake feelings that now were filling the young, confused Greek. He had to show him the right path. It shouldn't proceed any more since he knew that Milo wasn't the right person.

"Really? Ugh, I'm so relieved. He never disappeared like that. Even here he was always telling me where he was off and with the sundown he was always at home. And yesterday after hearing these bad news… I'm glad he is fine."

Degel had no idea if he should smile or not. Milo probably didn't even realize how much concern he still had about his lover. It was clear for him that Milo never lost his love for Camus.

"He isn't fine, Milo," he said calmly, looking as the face of his companion turned pale, almost white under these news. "He knows."

The Scorpio blinked a few times.

"Knows…?"

The Aquarius Saint nodded.

"He knows about… us. He saw our kiss yesterday," he added quietly.

Degel knew it was actually impossible, but Milo turned much paler than he was a while ago. For a second he though his companion had a heart attack, or that he would faint right now because of these words.

But the blue haired man only looked at him with desperation. Then at the direction where his the hut stood between the trees. Again his eyes turned at his companion and the long moan escaped from behind his lips.

"Shit!" he cursed loudly. "Shit, shit, shit!"

He never expected to hear these words. Unconsciously he hoped Camus would never know about this, about all of these he did with Degel, about their kisses. He thought that maybe someday it would solve itself. That maybe this fire inside him would extinguish soon and everything would be back to normal. That maybe Camus would come to his senses and everything he did with Degel would be buried forever.

Ugh, what he was thinking all the time?! Flirting with Degel, giving up to his charm, to these compassionate, almost violet eyes?! Did he really think they would just be in such a situation together? Comforting himself just like that, without the consequences? It was certain Camus would someday knew about this!

Yes, he believed he could live like that for now. That Camus would never discover this secret and when the time of return would come, he, Milo of the Scorpio would choose: stay or go. He really, deeply believed it could work.

But what now? He was much more confused than before hearing this news. He had no idea what he should do now.

"Milo, are you okay…?" Degel asked and the next moment he just realized it wasn't okay at all. "It isn't everything," he added with almost trembling voice, as if he was standing above the bed of deadly wounded companion. "He is… He is ready to let you go, Milo. He said he would let you be with me, because he finally understands how cruel and emotionless he was towards you, especially these days and weeks. That he saw how much unhappy you are with him and that he would do everything to make you happy again."

Milo gasped. Was it true? Did Camus really say that? Could Camus realize how hurt Milo was these days?

But whatever Degel would say right now, these words were making him more and more confused. These last days he started to think that Degel could be the man he wanted to be with. He believed his love towards Camus could be easily moved, like it never existed. Or that it could be suspended for time being, till Milo would certainly know what to do.

"I saw it, Milo. He was so hurt, saying these words. He suffered only from the thought he would be alone again, and that because of his stupidity and selfishness he lost you," Degel continues calmly. "He still loves you, Milo. Whatever he did these past weeks, he still loves you."

Oh, Milo was sure about that as well. When he wanted to steal some lost kiss from his lover he could see this love deeply inside the dark eyes. But at that time it had the less matter for him, compared to all these days he felt alone, when Camus was taking big gasp on this new life.

What now then…?

"Oh, Degel…" he whispered, having his throat dry. "What I should do now, Degel…?" he murmured, probably not even aware of saying it at loud.

The Aquarius Saint sighed.

"There is only one thing you could and should do right now, Milo. Go after him. Find and talk. Fix everything. Because someday you two would have to go back to the XX century - there is no other option. And when you two will be there, you wouldn't have my love neither his love, Milo," the French said firmly.

The Scorpio opened his mouth to protest, but the other man was faster.

"Milo, whatever I feel now and whatever you feel now it has less importance. You should go after him. I won't allow you to leave Camus in this state, because you won't stay in these times, Milo. We, I and my comrades won't allow you to stay. If you will protest, we will use the force to send you back. You two don't belong here and would never do. You have to go back to your friends, your Sanctuary and your Athena. Of course if this chance would appear," the green-haired Saint smiled to him sadly. "I think I would tell you something I'm certain now but wasn't sure until this day. I'm really grateful to you, because you showed me something wonderful. Actually you two showed me something amazing. You showed me the meaning of being with someone no matter what, being in love, how it is to care about other and knowing the other one cares about you so much, how to feel being touched and kissed. But you are not the man I could love, Milo. Don't get it wrong. You are really nice, wonderful man. And I feel fantastic beside you. But I feel something is missing in this and I know where I could find it," he knew it these words were cruel. He took so much from Milo with these kisses and now was shooing him off. But he had to. Everything he said was true. He really meant that. He knew that Milo couldn't give him what he unconsciously desired and most of all, he couldn't let Milo and Camus destroy this bond that existed between them for so many years. Even if he would love Milo with his whole heart he still would try to change the Scorpio's mind and help him and Camus to be together again. Because he knew that when the time of goodbyes would come, these two Saints from the future had to go back. Both of them. "You still love him, dear Milo. And he loves you. He could see how he hurt your feelings and I bet Camus want to change himself. That he would never do that again, make you suffer and sad. You shouldn't let him go of your gasp, Milo. Save you both."

Milo blinked a few times, still not sure what he should do. Everything was mixing inside his head; these emotions he felt for Camus and these he thought were towards Degel. He couldn't tell which one was stronger and what path he should take right now. He somehow felt that this whole situation with Degel wasn't right and in the same way he felt that Degel truly couldn't love him. That it would be wrong. And there was another person waiting for this Aquarius.

He gasped a little, when his mind reminded him all these stories once he heard from Mu. Why he never thought about that? He actually knew his and Camus fate as well as Degel's one. Long time ago Mu of the Aries told them story about the times his master, Pope Shion was a young Saint himself. About two guests from the future that showed Degel and Kardia the right way to themselves.

"What are you waiting for?" asked Degel maybe a bit too loudly and aggressively, but it seemed it worked. Milo shook his head, looked inside these violet eyes he was so mesmerized of by a few days, turned around and quickly left the place.

So, he was walking as the fate told him to do, right? It was how it should be. Because he and Camus were these guests from the future. He should let the fate lead him to the path it chose for him at the beginning of the time. If because of his arrival Degel and Kardia could find themselves, then he had no right to protest. He had no right to do otherwise than accept the future destined for him and Camus. His and Camus' selfishness shouldn't destroy something beautiful, waiting for their ancestors. These times could be the happiest things in Degel's and Kardia's lives before rushing into their deaths in this Holy War, so he had no right to take them away.

And… Right now, running in the wild forest, wanting to find his Camus, he felt he chose the right path. He knew Camus loved him and… He loved his Aquarius as well. His feelings were deep, really deep and honest. Whatever Camus could be, this love couldn't just disappear. Right now he could see in such a dream he lived for these past days. Believing that he could love Degel as long as he remained in these times. That it was right and good to move his feelings to the man, looking just like his beloved. Putting Camus in some kind of 'waiting room'. Degel's words after all cleared his mind and helped him to understand his own feelings.

It should be this way. And not only he and Camus showed their ancestors the meaning of love and the feelings they felt for each other, but also this whole situation with Degel showed Camus what he could lose if he would behave so emotionless and selfish, also showing Milo how much he loved his wonderful, cold French. Maybe it was exactly what they needed? To see what they both could lose and what wonderful things they had in their possession?

His body bounced against something really hard and shining in the morning's sun. It passed a long minute before he realized that in his frustrated run he hit poor Shion that seemed to pass this area.

"Oh, for Athena's sake, Milo! You startled me!" cried the Aries Saint, looking at the Scorpio with a smile. After a while this smile disappeared when the Knight saw the worried and shocked by something young face of the young Greek. "What's wrong, Milo? You look horrible."

"Do you happen to see Camus? I'm searching for him since yesterday and now it is really important for me to find him," answered Milo, catching his breath.

"Camus? This morning I didn't see him. Actually I didn't see him since yesterday. We talked at the coliseum and then he departed to see you. He had something wonderful to tell," murmured Shion, wondering what happened. Milo surely didn't look as someone happy about the news Camus wanted to tell him.

Milo's blood turned into the ice. So, first Camus talked with Shion and then departed to see his lover… And probably it was the time when he discovered everything.

"Something wonderful?" he asked.

"Yes. He seemed to have an idea how to go back to the future. I have to say it is really good idea and it could work, even if I had completely no idea how," Shion smiled to his companion.

The Scorpio gasped. Camus… Camus found the way to… To bring them back to the future? But he seemed to feel so amazing here, he looked really relieved when Athena said there probably was no way back! And then he came to an idea… And probably he went to see his lover to share this news and then…

Milo knew he turned pale, when he discovered that it should be the time when Camus saw hm and Degel kissing. Ugh, how awful it was for Camus! Having so happy news for his lover and almost at the same time discovering that the same lover betrayed his feelings.

"Sorry, Shion. I have to go…" he murmured weakly and again rushed forward, hearing his blood boiling inside his head. He had to find Camus and talk with him. He had to apologize and fix everything he could!

He knew he wouldn't be able to survive the loss of his beloved Camus. Whatever happened between them, he shouldn't let it to destroy everything he and Camus built through so many years. Especially now, when Camus seemed to understand his mistakes. And when he was ready to make Milo happy even if it meant to leave him with someone else.

No, Milo couldn't allow it to happen. Not now! He had to find his beloved and bring everything back!