A/N: Tadah~ The promised Caelus/Firefly fic~
Initially I planned this to be a fluffy one-shot with a smattering of plot, but it's grown somewhat into a budding story. Unlike other story fics I've written in the past I think I'll leave this one to grow organically, see how it goes~
Hope you enjoy~
Light
Chapter 1: Saviour
'Firefly... where are you?'
That was the thought that echoed through Caelus's mind as he and his two comrades, Black Swan and Acheron, descended down the elevator. Firefly's words echoed in his mind and he struggled to arrange them in a way that would explain what she was doing here, why she was still within the Dreamscape, and this haunted version of the Reverie at that.
No answers were forthcoming unfortunately, and in their absence the harsh jolts and uneven thrums of the elevator were all the more apparent. He glanced left to Black Swan, who had her eyes closed and was presumably keeping track of their location – manipulating the space around them so that the elevator took them to where they wanted to go, rather than halfway across the space. Acheron on the other hand seemed more tense, her brow furrowed and her lips pursed, one hand toying with the hilt of her sword. She'd been invaluable thus far at cutting down their enemies. Hopefully she wouldn't have to do that again anytime soon – because if so, then that meant Firefly wasn't in danger.
His heart ached at the thought of her, even as he kept his face neutral lest he worry his companions. Firefly didn't deserve this. The echoes she had left behind told of confusion, of panic and fear, of worry and uncertainty – and he hated himself for not being there. Logically he knew there was no way in hell he could've been there, hell even if he knew where she was without Black Swan it would be impossible to navigate these halls. But emotionally, he still kicked himself for not being there to protect Firefly. To keep her safe from the monsters that seemed so focused on her.
Especially that one. The Something Unto Death.
Caelus shook his head then as the elevator suddenly came to a stop, the ding it made stilted and warped, as if the noise was carried down a long tunnel. Acheron swept out of the canister that served as an elevator box and looked about, only signalling for them to exit when she was certain nothing was laying in ambush, prompting Caelus to walk out with Black Swan at his side.
''Watch out! A dangerous presence lurks nearby... everyone, be on your guard.'' Acheron called out, a sudden tension filling her.
Yet no sooner had the words reached his ears, a whisper reached Caelus.
A whisper carried upon an unfelt breeze from a million miles away, a passing remnant of a soul plagued by desperation and despair as it tried to revive the one it loved. A soul that foresaw, and sought to intervene as much as its meagre existence could allow.
''It's coming.''
The two words were softly spoken, the faintest hint of a masculine tone brushing against Caelus's ear, yet they conveyed an urgency that set the hairs on his neck standing up. Flashes to the past struck, of being too slow to help, of hesitation and uncertainty costing him or others wounds, came to him – and all of that bubbled over as Caelus broke out into a run.
''Wha- Trailblazer!''
''H-Hey! Be careful!''
Black Swan and Acheron's calls went unheeded, however, the faint pang of urgency echoing through Caelus's chest as he rushed into the lobby area, nearly tripping over himself – when he saw her. Firefly, poised in the centre of the C-shaped lobby platform and seemingly just waiting. His sudden entrance drew her eyes, her twilight eyes bright even in the dim light as they widened; preluding the smile that spread across her lips.
''Caelus...!'' The sheer happiness colouring her tone was almost enough to make him break out into a smile too; his cheeks warm, his heart light, his movements slowing.
But then he felt it. The cold tinge against his nape, the incorporeal breath from behind, the phantom scythe poised before his neck.
Death.
It had returned.
''Firefly-!''
Steps, fed with instinctual desperation, carried him forth. Distance shrunk. A crash echoed from behind, air displaced as it lunged – not for him, but for Firefly.
When he tackled Firefly to the ground, covering her body with his own. Wind rushed and he felt the Imaginary Scythe whizz mere inches from his head as the Something Unto Death flew past them, yet his instincts warned of the danger poised for them both – a danger that made Caelus stumble to his feet, eyes flitting through the darkened room until he found the spectre in the air. As if in fury of being denied the entity let out a terrible shriek, one that felt like it shook the very space itself and drove its piercing gaze deep into his soul.
And then it was coming again.
'Like hell-'
A familiar bat manifested between his fingers, clutched in two hands as he spun.
'-I'll let you hurt her!'
Death bared its fangs – and Caelus smashed his baseball bat straight into Death's face, an explosion of pure Destruction blasting it backwards.
Alas it couldn't be so easy. Though knocked back some distance into the air the Something Unto Death seemed to recoil into itself, its back arching and sending it curling under itself until it was back into the position it started, seemingly bleeding off most of its momentum with the act. One thing he noticed though was that its face had cracks running along it, faint but present. He had wounded it, even if only slightly.
He glared at it, raising his bat threateningly. ''There's more where that came from asshole.''
A shriek shook through the air, enraged, and without so much as a flap of its ocular wings the entity shot towards him – when a body dashed past his own and intercepted it, blade flashing as it swung and carving a gash straight along the Something Unto Death. A pained shrieked echoed through the vast room and it soared straight past them; crashing down into the centre of the lobby and writhing in place before managing to flip itself, its many eyes glaring not at Firefly, but at him.
'That's right.' Caelus glared right back. 'Come try me.'
The entity didn't get a chance before a magic circle manifested – and as if gravity multiplied it suddenly found itself squashed down into the lobby, its shrieked distorted by the dull roar forcing it down. Black Swan.
''Acheron!'' The woman's shout carried over the thing's wails.
To her credit Acheron didn't hesitate, crossing the distance in seconds – but it was too late, as the Something Unto Death broke free and lunged up into the sky, successfully dodging the slash aimed for its face. Black Swan seemed to anticipate that though, a gesture causing opaline hands to burst through the ceiling and grab onto the beast, restraining it in place even as it flailed and screeched its rage.
Caelus was distracted from the sight of it though by a tug on his wrist, his eyes flitting down to meet Firefly's own. The mere sight of her soothed the pounding of his heart and without thinking he wrapped on arm around her, pulling her into an abrupt hug, but she didn't resist. If anything she clutched onto the back of his jacket and buried herself into his collarbone, a shudder roiling through her form as she did so.
''I've got you.'' Caelus murmured.
Firefly just nodded, the motion jerky as she wiped at her eyes. ''Sorry, I just-''
Alas she was interrupted by Acheron. ''You two need to get out of here.''
''Indeed.'' Black Swan added, her expression tight. ''I don't believe I can restrain it for much longer.''
As if to affirm that several of the opaline hands cracked, the splinters widening rapidly down the length of them. They had seconds.
He almost wanted to agree. Getting Firefly away from this thing was clearly their best option to keep Firefly safe and sound.
Yet this thing had appeared out of nowhere and could presumably flee whenever it wanted to. Who was to say it wouldn't simply vanish the moment they left and come after them – only now they wouldn't have Acheron and Black Swan to protect them? No, the safest place was with a Galaxy Ranger and a Memokeeper, not without them.
''I'm staying.'' Thusly Caelus declared. ''With all of us together, we might be able to put it down, right?''
''Put it down? That's a rather lofty ambition.'' Black Swan murmured, but one look at his face apparently convinced her – her hand falling and the portal she was conjuring fading as a result. ''Very well. I shall try and limit its movements-''
That was all their planning time allowed, however, as with an almighty crash the opaline arms shattered into thousands of tiny pieces. Not a second later the Something Unto Death rushed them, fury in its eyes as it went straight for Black Swan, nearly reaching her when Acheron once again intercepted it. The entity evaded her sword swing though, its lithe body unnaturally twisting away from the blade's edge as it landed atop the reception desk stand, claws breaking apart wood as it seethed at them.
Caelus pursed his lips and dared to take his eyes off of it, looking into Firefly's eyes. There was no time for words, for declarations, for promises. But she understood, and with pursed lips let go of his arm, her nod slight but trusting.
And in a burst of movement Caelus rushed forth. Instantly the Something Unto Death locked onto him, numerous eyes focusing and directing their malice for him and him alone – shrieking as it lunged, crossing the distance in what felt like a second or less. But Caelus was ready, yelling as he swung-
-but the meme anticipated that, suddenly ducking its head low and practically crawling across the ground to avoid his attack. Undeterred Caelus flipped his grip, muscles straining as he brought his baseball bat down – shattering the ground, but missing the entity as it once more dodged, slithering to his right. The displacement of air was his only warning before a clawed hand reached for him but it never connected before a crystalline hand burst out of the ground, hand-holding the creature – and when it tried to pull back the opaline fingers dug in deep, restraining its hand.
He saw his chance and rushed it, the familiar crackle of Destruction beneath his skin and channelled into his bat – and with a furious yell Caelus swung, smashing it into Death's face. Pinned it couldn't recoil smoothly and instead jerked harshly to one side, its shriek warped as it staggered. Acheron was there not a second later, silent as a ghost as she brought her katana down and slashed down its back, attempting to bisect it. Alas the entity's body was not so fragile; her blade digging deep but not enough to split it in two.
Another shriek – and with a crack and crash, the opaline hand restraining it shattered.
Then without warning the entity spun, its tail sweeping and crashing into Caelus's side, knocking the air out of him and sending him flying across the lobby, smashing through one, two, three chairs – and then a fourth killed his momentum, landing in the seat and tumbling over the side of it, landing in a heap.
'Shit.' The thought echoed even as he clutched at his side, wincing. 'Fast.'
However another shriek, this one more pained than enraged, coaxed him back to his feet. The meme thrashed as Black Swan marched towards it, hand gesturing at it and summoning small blasts that disoriented it somewhat with each implosion – its eyes all flitting about.
'Wait.' Caelus's own eyes narrowed, the hairs on his neck standing up. The eyes were moving in sync – left, right, up, right, left, right, up... 'It's following a pattern.'
It was when he looked at Black Swan that he noticed it. Her hand.
Left, right, up, right left-
It was trying to find her pattern.
Caelus didn't waste time speaking. Using the chair next to him he threw himself into a sprint, crossing the short stairs and rushing the entity. Yet it was too late, its body tensing as it prepared to lunge, its opening found. Acheron was too far back, yet she must too have seen it as she was already raising her arm, sword aloft and purplish light flickering along the blade's length – but would it be fast enough?
He didn't want to take that chance. Destruction energy coalesced in his baseball bat and without hesitation Caelus slammed it into the ground, the explosion of force launching him up while his weapon was left behind. Instead as he flew flames gathered between his fingers, bringing forth a familiar flaming lance.
The knell of Cocolia's ambition, and the hope for Belobog.
'Flaming lance-' He tensed – and then threw it. '-forwards!'
The command, even if unspoken, was heard – and of its own volition the lance shot forth just as the memetic entity lunged.
Only to screech as the flaming lance embedded itself into the centre of its chest, the momentum packed behind it sending the entity crashing into the reception desk. Not a second later a towering column of fire boomed upwards like a fiery mushroom cloud, the gust kicked up enough to send chairs flying overboard and shattering plants upon the walls of the vast room. Black Swan herself wasn't spared from the gusts but was at least able to float backwards rather than be blown away; one arm raised as she endured the heat against her face.
Caelus utterly ignored it, having experienced it many times by now. The flames as expected were soon to die – but alas the entity wasn't, proven as a pained shriek rattled through his bones. However contrary to his expectations the thing didn't lunge out but instead tumbled out of the lingering embers, thrashing about as it shrieked, its claws carving gashes through the floor or swiping at the air. As if it was in immense pain.
''What the hell?'' Acheron murmured what he was sure they were all thinking.
Was it weak to fire? Or was it because his lance was embedded in it and it was just wounded? But if a bat to the face did nothing but piss it off and a deep cut from Acheron only wounded it, why would a lance through the chest be enough to cause it such agony? Pain, yes, but to make it thrash like this...
''What was that?'' Black Swan's voice came from behind him and he fought the urge to flinch, his nerves high-strung as he watched the entity claw at its chest, trying to rid itself of the lance.
''Flaming lance.'' Was his lame answer.
''Really? I couldn't tell.'' Black Swan drawled as she floated next to him, brushing some embers off of her dress. ''I meant what is it. To do this to a memetic entity...''
He didn't know, and they didn't exactly have the time to have a whole discussion over its origin story. ''Qlipoth gave it to me to stop a disaster a few months ago.''
''The Aeon of Preservation.'' Black Swan noted, her contemplative expression replaced by dawning understanding. ''I see, whatever this thing is made up of, the Preservation must be interfering with it – opposing concepts!''
''Then let's not stand here and wait for it to remove it!'' Acheron barked, sprinting past him.
Caelus shook his head and summoned his baseball bat back to his hand, sprinting after her. Even in its agony though the entity saw them, its pained shriek becoming tinged with fury as it swung one clawed hand out at them, its erratic movements making it even harder to predict, not helped by its non-adherence to traditional biology. Not that it seemed to hinder Acheron as she danced between the entity's swings, the sharp claws missing her by little more than an inch.
Until she got within close range and drew her blade, purple energy crackling along its length – before with a single swing she unleashed a narrow crescent of purple light, one that cut deep into the side of the flailing meme. A claw swiped for her face but her blade intercepted it, sparks flying from the grating collision, and despite her heels digging in she was pushed back by the creature's strength.
But in turn gave Caelus an opening, ducking under the arm and bringing his bat down with a yell, channelling the Destruction into his swing and smashing it into one of the giant eyeballs on its torso. It popped like a water-filled balloon, purple fluid splashing across his chest – and an almighty wail fled the creature, its claws coming for him.
They never reached him, caught by two crystalline hands that struggled to restrain the flailing beast. He rushed in, hands squeezing the handle of his bat – and another shriek deafened him as he popped a second eye, causing the entity even more pain, its ocular wings tearing through the ground under it as it tried to swing them at him.
Pop went a third eye. A claw came for him and rather than dodge he leaned into it, the back of his jacket cut but his body spared as he stepped inside the meme's guard, one foot touching its body as he launched himself atop it – his right hand clutching onto the handle of his lance.
For a split second, the meme seemed to freeze up.
''Flaming lance-''
A shriek-
''-forwards!''
The lance sunk deeper – and then scorching flames engulfed him, roaring in a towering column of vengeance. Though the flames did not hurt the temperature did, his lips drying and his eyes stinging as he was exposed to the intense heat – but he didn't let go of his lance. Not even as the entity thrashed under him, its terrible cries ripping through his skull as it tried to get out from under him, the Preservation doing more damage than any amount of bat swings would.
Alas the flames didn't last, petering out, and Caelus was forced to leap off lest he be thrown. Landing in a roll he spun to face the beast and because of that narrowly ducked under the incoming tail-swipe, using his bat to block the second swipe and stumbling back from the force behind it, but not falling. Not now, not while they had the monster on the back-foot.
''Stand back!'' Black Swan called out.
Caelus obliged – a wise move, as not a second later a magic circle appeared beneath the monster and from it came countless opaline hands, each clutching onto a different segment of the nightmarish entity. It screeched its protest, throwing its body about and slowly cracking the many hands holding it down. Even now, with the Preservation interfering with it, it still had the strength to fight back against them.
''Acheron!''
''Right!'' The woman's voice drew his eyes onto her, only then taking note of the soft glow her eyes held, the cross shape in her eyes made more apparent.
As was the glow along her blade. Once purple it now shone red as the blade itself vibrated from the energy within it, exuding a dangerous aura. One that didn't slow Acheron down as she leapt from opaline hand to opaline hand, launching herself high into the air before gracefully twisting, reorienting herself as gravity pulled her down-!
And then in a flash of lightning she was kneeling next to the beast – and countless red slashes exploded across its form, slicing it into innumerable pieces that evaporated into black mist, the entity perishing with a wail and leaving the opaline hands grabbing nothing but smoke.
''Is it... over...?'' Acheron panted as she straightened up, the glow in her eyes settling.
Silence answered her as they all waited for it to reappear, half-expecting it to emerge from the lingering wisps of smoke, but it didn't. The air was still, but the Imaginary Scythe had disappeared. Death had tasted itself.
''Unbelievable.'' Black Swan murmured then, her opaline hands disappearing back into the ground. ''I hadn't thought it killable, in truth.''
''Well, guess you were wrong then, huh?'' Acheron noted, flicking some purple blood from her blade before sheathing it. ''You good, Caelus?''
''Mm.'' The Trailblazer nodded, fatigue starting to settle in as the adrenaline left him. ''Not sure why it wouldn't be killable though. I've fought bigger monsters.''
Black Swan hummed at that, levitating a foot off of the ground. ''Because that entity was no mere monster. It was, in a sense, 'death' itself. And as I'm sure you can surmise, death cannot be killed; it's a contradiction. So for death itself to be felled by just the three of us...''
She crossed her arms, looking over at Acheron. ''...the circumstances must be quite unique indeed, don't you agree?''
Acheron just blinked. ''I guess? Are we sure it's really dead though? Last thing I want is to let my guard down and have it come back at us.''
''I cannot sense it nearby, that much I can say. Whether it's perished for good or not is impossible to tell, but I am at least confident its existence is no more.'' Black Swan remarked.
Acheron looked his way then. ''Could the Preservation have done it maybe?''
Black Swan also looked at him. ''Hm... perhaps. That's what interests me the most, admittedly – how the Preservation was able to interfere with the entity is no doubt key to figuring out its origins.''
''But for now-'' Black Swan looked over her shoulder, a fond smile curling at her lips. ''-isn't there someone else you should be paying heed to, Trailblazer?''
Caelus blinked, and then flinched as he remembered Firefly had been there the whole time. Politely excusing himself he hurried over to where Firefly was waiting, her face lighting up as he neared – and before he could get a word out she threw her arms around him, burying her face into his shoulder.
''Thank goodness.'' Her fingers curled, clutching at the back of his coat. ''I was worried that...''
That it would kill you was unsaid, but not unheard.
''It's fine.'' Caelus whispered, hugging her close. ''You're safe now. I promise.''
Firefly squirmed in his hold until she could look at him, the light from behind them illuminating her gentle visage. The softness to her expression, the small smile on her lips, the tint of pink on her cheeks... he was captivated in that moment and she shared the sentiment, neither taking notice of how close they drew.
Until a polite cough from Acheron snapped them both out of it; warmth colouring their cheeks as they drew apart; Firefly staring at her feet whilst Caelus looked over at his ally. ''Y-Yeah?''
Acheron was straight-faced, as opposed to the smiling Black Swan behind her. ''Are you two ready to leave this place?''
''Yeah.'' Caelus glanced down at Firefly. ''Right?''
''Oh, um, r-right!'' Firefly stammered out, her embarrassment only growing.
Caelus found himself blushing a bit too, suddenly aware of how close they'd come to doing something; his embarrassment only growing when Black Swan tittered. Nevertheless the Memokeeper flung one of her cards out to the side, the card seeming to shatter space and opening up a rift for them to venture through.
''This should take you back to Golden Hour, considering the last time I sent you both to reality it ended somewhat poorly.'' Black Swan remarked mirthfully. ''Please go first – I'd like to discuss some things with Acheron before we too part ways.''
''...this isn't the part where you two reveal you secretly have beef or anything, right?'' Caelus cautiously checked.
Acheron for her part just looked at him, brow scrunched. ''What does food have anything to do with this?''
''He means a dispute.'' Though Black Swan sighed mirth twitched her lips up. ''And no, we do not – just some things I'd rather only share with a Galaxy Ranger. Nothing to concern yourselves with. Especially after everything you've both been through in this dream.''
Caelus was about to probe further but a tug on his arm reminded him of Firefly and so with a nod of thanks he obliged, one arm wrapping around Firefly's shoulders as he led her over towards the rift – and as one, they stepped through.
It was strange – there was no nausea, no twist or turns, one moment he was staring into the turbulent purple-red rift of the portal before suddenly he stepped out of a doorway somewhere in Golden Hour. The sensation ironically left him feeling a bit disoriented, what with how abruptly his surroundings went from dismal gloom to bright and cheery; the onslaught of sudden music, laughter and cheers almost deafening compared to the stilted silence that had existed beforehand.
''Woah...'' Fingers gripping his own lured his gaze over to Firefly, his companion stumbling in place slightly. ''That felt weird.''
''Same.'' He agreed, looking around. If his guess was right, then they were near the front of Golden Hour; the place where he had a bit of crash landing upon first entering the dream.
Good thing he was durable. He was pretty sure skydiving into solid concrete wasn't intended to be part of the Penacony experience.
''What do we do now?'' Caelus mused as he turned his focus back onto her.
He needed to contact the others, that was for sure – both to warn them of the monster, and of the odd happenings he'd noticed thus far. However as urgent as that issue was he really didn't have the energy for a face-to-face meeting this very second, and quite frankly he didn't want to wake up from the dream either. Namely because that meant leaving Firefly behind, and even though the Something Unto Death entity seemed to be dead... he wasn't taking any chances.
He had almost lost her twice now. First in the room of TVs, and then in the dark lobby area. He wasn't about to let there be a third chance.
'What was that whisper too...?' The fleeting thought struck him.
But he was distracted from that line of thought as Firefly spoke up. ''I'm not sure. Touring the sights to take our minds off of things could be an option, but...''
''Not really feeling up to it?'' At her nod he smiled wryly. ''I feel the same. Is there anywhere we can just... I don't know, rest for a while? Feel like I could sleep for a week... actually can we even sleep when we're in a dream?''
Firefly giggled. ''You actually can. I heard it can be a bit weird since the time doesn't pass here, but there's hotels where you can spend the night. I can take us to one if you want.''
At his relieved nod Firefly smiled kindly, squeezing his hand as she led him through the streets of Golden Hour. The streets were as crowded as when they left them and the pair of them had to weave past groups and wait for cars to pass by, crossing over to the leftmost section where the plaza was located.
It was there, just off to the left and overlooking the plaza, that Caelus noticed a towering hotel easily ten stories high and with a yellow-painted exterior, each windowsills brown and giving it an almost cartoony colouration to it. If anything though that just made it feel cosy, doubly so when facing the cheering Pepeshi group organising a game or a band of instruments playing themselves, the merry classical tunes soothing the soul.
Venturing up to the front an youthful man in a vest waited, welcoming them with the usual pleasantries and questions about their experience thus far, and after some small talk they managed to get themselves a room – 10k credits a night, but he had more than enough to pay for them and pointedly did so. He still felt bad for letting Firefly pay for his food shortly after they first met, considering how many credits he had on him.
The interior was nice and warmly lit, the numerous bright lights and yellow walls giving the whole place a cosy feel, whilst the wine-red carpets gave off a vibe of luxury. He didn't let himself get lost in the feeling though, following just a step behind Firefly as she led him through the corridors – the keys in her hand magically pointing in the direction they needed to go. Which, as it turns out, was up two flights of stairs, along a winding corridor, and then up another set of stairs.
Any complaints about the directions were quickly quelled as they reached the door, the key flying itself into the lock and the door opening too, revealing a grand room that outshone what even the Express could offer. Pale wallpaper with intricate flowery patterns upon it in gold interspersed with mocha beams, spacious floorspace that held everything from a bed to a wardrobe to a dresser – hell it even had a small kitchenette over to the right side next to the bathroom door, all shining under the chandelier hanging overhead, the ceiling high up yet not so much it felt imposing.
''Woah...'' Caelus could only murmur, stepping inside after his partner and looking about in undisguised awe. He felt almost out of place in it – a rough Trailblazer amidst gold and luxury.
The row of paned windows also offered a perfect view of the plaza too, the curtains tucked between each segment and with a note left next to them, assuring that they were only one-way.
''What do you think?'' Firefly's voice lured his gaze over to her, her smile enchanting as ever.
''It's nice. Feels like I'm out of place, heh.'' He chuckled sheepishly; abandoning the note where it was. ''The bed looks comfy though.''
Indeed it did – king-sized with perfect fluffy pillows and a thick blanket, it looked ripe for sleeping in. Even the Express's beds didn't compare. Something that tempted him over, groaning as he flopped down onto it, just staring at the ceiling for a moment.
A little grunt made him glance right, meeting Firefly's eyes – a giggle escaping her not a moment later and coaxing a soft laugh from him too. The noise fluttered through the air as easily it did his heart, his right hand instinctively gravitating towards her, brushing her cheek with the back of his fingers and enticing Firefly to nuzzle it, her warm twilight eyes never leaving his own, the quiet that fell upon them cosy.
It must've been a small eternity before they broke eye contact, with him looking away first. ''Guess we might as well make use of this bed, huh?''
''Mm.'' Firefly hummed – her cheeks reddening a touch. ''...though we probably shouldn't sleep in these clothes, huh...''
Her words perplexed him until he looked down at himself, only then remembering the dried blood on him – the purple fluid the Something Unto Death let out. It had dried by now and for the most part looked more like paint, which was probably why nobody said anything until now, but it still wasn't a good idea to sleep in it. If not to avoid staining the bed, then to avoid any prolonged contact with the meme's blood, even if had been dead for a decent time now. One could never be too careful, after all.
That, and sleeping in these clothes probably wouldn't be too comfortable anyway. With that thought in mind Caelus uttered an agreement and shed his jacket before hauling his shirt over his head, tossing both into the corner of the room just to keep them some distance away from them – feeling more than seeing Firefly stare at him. For probably a bit longer than she meant to, his cheeks warming as her gaze became near-physical as it traced down his back. He didn't have any scars or anything, so what was she looking at?
''Firefly?''
A squeak. ''S-Sorry!''
He quirked a brow but when he dared look her way he noticed her taking off her outer layers; the sight quenching his voice as he realised she also meant to strip down for bed. Which he probably should've realised ahead of time but it was too late to take back now, and so with embarrassment fluttering in his stomach Caelus undid his belt, suddenly self-conscious about sleeping in his underwear with her.
Maybe all those times March called him a 'dense idiot' wasn't without merit, after all...
The thought was pushed from his mind, and within the minute he was down to his boxers. He was half-tempted to put his shirt back on but given it was covered in the entity's blood, probably not – and so without a spoken complaint he slipped into bed. Immediately he was taken by how soft it was. He expected it to be comfy, but there was something almost impossibly soft about it in way that just made him want to melt into the sheet and pillows; the latter squishing down but not so much they became flat.
The comfy bed served as a good distraction, and he nearly very well fell asleep then and there – had the quilt not been tugged back. Drawn back to reality Caelus blinked and lifted his head-
-and found Firefly slipping into bed with him. Even though he knew it'd happen, in that moment he was captivated – her bright blush and pursing lips, emphasising her dipped chin and demure twilight eyes. Leaning forth as she was he got a rather generous view of her cleavage, only then becoming aware of how truly busty she was, her ample bosom within the confines of a green bra that squished them a little. Her slender arms slid across the sheet as she eased under the quilt, creamy thighs catching his gaze as did the matching panties, the sight of her in so little clothing leaving him suddenly thinking of anything but sleep.
His eyes still flitted back to her face, captivated most of all by her delicate smile. Wordlessly he slipped an arm around her and pulled her close, his forehead touching her own and just... breathing. There was no dramatic nosebleeds or cries of 'pervert' to ruin the moment, no inconvenient disaster outside, no untimely visit from a friend to break the spell – it was just them, the quilt tugged up to their shoulders and encapsulating them in each other's warmth.
Reminding them, perhaps, of how close both had come to never feeling such a sensation with one another.
''...I thought it was the end then, you know...?'' Firefly whispered to him softly, needing to be no louder when their noses were practically touching. ''When that monster showed up... I was so scared. I thought that was it.''
''It almost was.'' He still remembered the feeling of the entity flying right overhead, barely inches away from hitting one if not both of them in one fell swoop.
''But you saved me.'' Firefly whispered, fingers brushing along his cheek as she held it. ''I never thought I'd see you again, but it was you that ended up saving me. Funny how that works out, huh?''
He hummed, feeling her hand drift from his cheek to his jaw, then to his chest – resting over where his heart was. Her touch felt embarrassingly intimate, her palm flush with his pectoral, yet he didn't brush it off. Not least because of the look on her face, her smile soft and eyes distant. Until she blinked away the distance and peeked back up at him.
''...can I ask you for a favour?''
''Anything.'' Was his immediate answer.
Firefly hesitated for a few moments, her lips pursing cutely, before at last she spoke. ''Could I... listen to your heart?''
The request was softly spoken and, after a second, Caelus murmured his assent. Flashing him a small smile Firefly shuffled in, her long hair splaying behind her as she rested her ear against his chest. She said nothing and he didn't either, simply laying a hand on her head and stroking his fingers through her hair, growing a touch drowsy as she just cuddled into him.
When her words reached his ear. ''Thank you... I've always found this soothing, after listening to my own heart beat so very often...''
Caelus hummed quietly as she pulled back. ''...could I listen too?''
''A-Ah? Well, I guess so...'' Firefly glanced down at herself. ''...let me take this off first though – close your eyes!''
Blushing Caelus obliged, closing his eyes tight. After a few seconds he heard the noise of her shifting, the noise easily picked up when she was right in front of him – the soft hiss of her bra strap across skin, the little grunt as she arched her back, the click of the latch coming undone; all the small noises painted a picture in his mind. One that was completed as Firefly gently ran her hands along his cheeks and behind his head, pulling him in – and then his face was in softness, plump and warm.
However beyond that, he heard it. The fast, muted thumps beneath skin and bone. He let his eyes close and just appreciated the noise, the sign that she was alive. He could tell how flustered she was with how fast it was beating but gradually it slowed as she calmed down, and with his eyes already closed he felt drowsy, the warmth of the bed and the comforting embrace of Firefly lulling him into a daze.
''-ve you, Caelus...''
''Hm...?'' He stirred briefly. ''You say something?''
''No.'' She answered quickly, stroking his head.
Dazed as he was he let himself be pulled under the tide of sleepiness, her touch coaxing him deeper.
And sooner than he expected he was fast asleep, his companion soon to join him; their dreamless slumber free from terror, from risk, from death.
[END]
A/N: Bit of battle, bit of fluff, bit of intimacy~ Thoughts~?
To note, since at the time of writing this only 2.0 has come out and the rest of the Penacony arc is still ongoing, this'll diverge from canon.
That said, see you next time~