What Love Is…

OMNISCIENT POV

Kilo is stunned. No tears come, but his heart is crying. The angel keeps the star in his arms for a few more moments before reluctantly pulling away. Castyr does not stop Kilo from dropping his arms from around him. Kilo brings his hand to Castyr's head and ruffles the boy's hair. The star just looks up at him blankly in response.

Thousands of memories rush through Kilo's head as he looks at his star fondly, thinking of how he gets to love Castyr all over again. There is not a single thought of regret or disappointment. Kilo would hate himself if he felt disappointed in this moment. Castyr is awake and safe. That is all he could ask for. If Castyr does not remember him, so be it. That will not change Kilo's love. Nothing can change Kilo's love.

"How do you feel? Are you in any pain?" Kilo makes his voice as soft as possible as he remembers Adelle's words. Castyr is very vulnerable right now, especially to Kilo since he is the first person Castyr has encountered after his coma. Anything Kilo does and says will shape who Castyr will become. Kilo wants Castyr to be able to decide who he wants to be, but for now, the angel wants his star to feel safe and protected.

Castyr responds to Kilo's soft words by shaking his head slowly. Kilo gives a small sigh with relief; Castyr is not in any pain. "Are you hungry?" Kilo inquires. The star nods and blinks his big eyes. "Cute," Kilo smiles as he ruffles Castyr's hair before getting off the bed. Castyr slowly follows Kilo down the hall and to the kitchen.

CASTYR'S POV

I stand in front of the bar while Kilo rummages around for ingredients and cooking pans. Turning in a small spin, I look around at the house before my eyes land on Kilo. For some reason, my heart flutters when I look at him, though I do not know why. I have all my memories of Kilo, and I was smiling in a lot of them. But I do not know why I was smiling. Why do people smile? Why does Kilo smile at me? Why did he hug me when I woke up? I want to know.

I want to know these things as they are the first things I have experienced since waking up, so I walk around the bar and wrap my arms around Kilo just like he did when I woke up. Kilo freezes, but my heart does that thing again. It flutters! Is this why people hug? I do not know if this is supposed to happen, but I like it. Wait...how do I know I like it? My racing thoughts stop when Kilo turns around in my arms and holds me. I become extremely calm when I feel the angel's arms around me.

Instinctively, I turn my head into Kilo's neck. Ooohh. I like this. I like it a lot, his scent. My whole body relaxes, and a small sigh escapes my lips. What was that?? Why did I make that noise? Kilo seems to like it as he holds me tighter and begins rubbing my back. Again, I have no idea why he is doing this and why I feel tingly with his touch, but I do know that I like it. No...it is more than just like. I have been longing for this. I think I...missed this. Does that make sense? Eh, I don't know. Nothing has made sense since I woke up. I felt empty. I did not have any thoughts or emotions until Kilo saw me and smiled. Oh, how I love his smile. Wait...did I just say L. O. V. E?? I do not even know what love is, but maybe I did. Maybe I knew it before.

Does Kilo know what love is? I remember hearing about love. Did I experience it? Has Kilo experienced it? I feel like I am missing something, no, a lot of things. How do I get them back?

A teardrop pulls me from my thoughts. Is Kilo crying? Why? Why do people cry? I pull away to look at him. I have seen Kilo cry before...but why?

"Why are you crying?" I speak for the first time since Hades.

Kilo smiles at my question. "Because I'm happy."

Kilo's answer confuses me. "Why?"

"Because I've missed you."

Kilo's words strike me. There it goes again, my heart. It is thumping, and I do not know why. "Kilo..."

"Mmm?"

"Why is my heart beating so fast?"

My question seems to make Kilo happy as he smiles at me sweetly. "Because you're happy."

"...I'm...happy?"

Kilo takes my hand and places it on his chest over his heart. Memories from the tent on the base on Earth flash through my head as my cheeks heat just as they did that day. A small smile comes to my lips as I feel Kilo's racing heart. So he feels the same way. I could get used to this.