Check one angel and boy.

[valueofnothing]

[There's a new face wandering confusedly around Campus today! It's a young boy who's age is hard to tell -- likely somewhere between 14 and 17 -- who's dressed in some kind of weird medieval hoodie and pants with rather thick, metal-plated boots. The bag slung on his back is definitely big enough that he must be hauling a bunch of stuff, while the sword tied to the top of it has an odd sheath that's almost too ordinary.

Whoever he is, he appears to be completely lost, occasionally peering out of windows or looking into doors, as if he's trying to find someone or something. He looks almost terrified of any actual technology that he stumbles across and sometimes just stops in the middle of the hall to tilt his head, as if he's listening to some far-off voice.

For anyone with a high magical or spiritual sense, the boy is absolutely radiating a holy, angelic aura, to the point that it's almost visible. For everyone else, he seems completely normal, if with an odd, comforting aura instead.]

Comments

[valueofnothing]

[When he's pulled into the hug, Zero stiffens, confused. For a moment, his mind just stops, this affection so long since forgotten that he isn't even sure how to react to it at first.

After a moment, his hands release Ryou's, going around the taller boy's body. Though the tough is light at first, it quickly turns into a tight cling, Zero burying his face into Ryou as his shoulders begin to shake. This burning at the back of his eyes...

It's been a long time since he's actually cried like this.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

Zero-kun... [He rubs the boy's back soothingly as he hugs him close. There's nothing but sympathy and kindness in his touch, or in his feelings towards the boy.]

It's alright... If you need to cry, go on. I won't judge you... [It's not in his nature to push the boy away. Even if it's a little uncomfortable for him, not being used to close contact, he doesn't mind it.]

[valueofnothing]

[It was already worth it. To be able to feel this, to have someone pull him close like this, it was worth being pulled to this place. It didn't matter if they were trapped. It didn't matter if this place did have enemies or demons or whatever it did. It wouldn't even matter if they didn't go home for decades or longer. As long as Rufael was in him, after all, he was immortal... and the angel was in no real hurry to be unsealed either. They could wait, and in the meantime...

He had something like this, now. As long as he kept that "real self" away... would he be able to keep it?

He quietly mouths the name "Ryou," even as it seems like he doesn't want to let go anytime soon despite the grime and blood.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Truthfully, Ryou wouldn't have judged him even for that 'real self'. Not knowing about it, however, he simply lets him cling as long as he wants, slim fingers stroking through his hair and rubbing his back to try to comfort him. It was its own reward, bringing comfort to someone who obviously needed it.

Loneliness was a curse, and this boy had obviously had his share of it despite the angel's presence.]

Come on. You don't have to let go, but let's get you cleaned up.

[valueofnothing]

[He sniffles a little bit, nodding and leaning back enough to rub at his eyes. His hands go back to Ryou's, Zero smiling even through the wet face he's got.

He nods a bit, seeming to be a little more at ease now.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Ryou smiles brightly, steering him towards the bathroom.]

You've got another choice now. I can just wash your hair in the sink, or you can take a bath and I'll help with your hair when you're done. If you decide to take a bath, I can wash your clothes too, if you don't mind wearing some of mine while yours dry.

[valueofnothing]

[The smile only kindles his a bit more, and for a moment he really does look like nothing more than a simple child.

Bath... that sounds like the better option, so he holds up two fingers to try and indicate it. It wouldn't be the first time he's worn oversized clothing, after all. They didn't tend to make armor or adventurer garb in child sizes.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Setting the bath waters running, he kneels beside it and keeps testing the temperature with his hand. It takes an irritatingly long time to fill up, but when he turns the tap off, it's full enough to be luxurious. There's a lot of bubbles too, since Ryou never really did grow out of that phase.]

There we are!

[Getting up off the ground, he turns his back so that the boy can get undressed and get in in peace.]

If it's too hot, just put some more cold water in, okay? We've got a pretty limitless supply of most things here.

[valueofnothing]

[Bubbles.

Bubbles.

Bubbles!

Zero can't help but stare in awe and delight at those, though he patiently waits until Ryou's done messing with it. He blinks a little confusedly at the turning around, but drops the armor in the corner, out of the way for now so he can clean it later.

After a moment of thought, he puts his clothes up on the counter, then carefully gets in. It is a little hot, but it's a pleasant kind of heat, and definitely not too much.

Now that he's actually in it, of course... he can't resist playing with the bubbles, giving a soundless laugh even as he does.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Ryou glances around and giggles a little at the sight. He really is a child at heart, huh? They're going to get along famously, he can tell.]

I'll be back in a minute, okay?

[Taking the boy's clothes, he disappears into the kitchen to put them into the washing machine. That done, he carefully picks out some of his own clothes for him to wear, bringing them back in with him and setting them on the counter.]

Here you go.

[valueofnothing]

[He's not seen this kind of thing for a long while, so it's a blessing he never thought he'd have to just play around and forget for a while. He looks up when Ryou comes back in, waving a little and still grinning brightly.

Curiously, he leans on the side of the tub a little to peer at the clothes, wondering a little. How did that kind of thing feel? It looked different...]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[He waves back, wondering curiously how long it's been since Zero got to relax like this. Probably a long time. If he was an adventurer, like Rufael had said, he probably had a hard life.]

Take as long as you need. There's no rush.

[valueofnothing]

[He blinks a little at that, smiling again and nodding. Oh, he'd be happy to!

...first, however, he feels a bit mischievous. Grabbing a handful of the bubbles, he leans out and blows them at Ryou.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

Ahaha! Zero-kun!

[He blows them back at him, unable to stop some of them landing on his nose.]

[valueofnothing]

[Zero giggles a little, swatting at the bubbles playfully even as he tries to splash Ryou some.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

Pff- [He splutters and grins, retaliating by splashing him back. It's like he doesn't mind the soaked clothes at all. Hell, water was better than blood.]

[valueofnothing]

[!

Zero is definitely surprised by the resistance, shaking his head a little and giving a glare that's so far from actually glaring that even Ryou could easily tell. After a moment, he reaches over and grabs the other boy, yanking him with the intention of pulling him into the tub.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

Ah-?! [He falls into the tub in surprise, spluttering a little and laughing. That was unexpected. Guess the kid isn't really shy, that's for sure.]

[valueofnothing]

[It seems not... because now, he's moving to snuggle against Ryou again, even despite the wet clothing and... well, utter lack of such on his side.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[His face burns a little, but he's sure there's no ulterior motive to this, so he hugs him close again.]

[valueofnothing]

[Zero blinks a little, pulling back to look up at Ryou curiously. He tilts his head, then reaches up, pressing his hands against Ryou's cheeks questioningly.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

Ehe... Don't worry. I'm not thinking anything weird. It's just kind of strange, being hugged by someone who's in the bath. Where I come from, it's considered inappropriate for me to even look at you like this. Kind of silly, huh? But it's how I was raised. Usually, you only see family naked until you get married.

[Scooping up a handful of water, he casually pours it on Zero's head.]

[valueofnothing]

[Ah! Zero suddenly looks embarrassed, glancing away and rubbing his arm sheepishly. After a moment, he looks back at Ryou in apology, moving back some so he can get out easily.

...and then the water falls on his head and he jumps a little, pulling his bangs out of his face and blinking.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

Hehe. I told you. I'm not thinking anything weird. You give off more of a little brother vibe than anything else.

Even if it's a little embarrassing, if it makes you feel more at ease, I don't mind.

[Retrieving the shampoo, he moves Zero carefully so he can reach his hair, beginning to lather it up.]

[valueofnothing]

[Ryou...

It's been a long time since he's felt this warm, both inside and out, and he smiles again, nodding in understanding. He moves without a fuss, trying to settle as Ryou directs him and resisting the urge to shift as he feels the hands go through his hair.

Little brother... he was already being treated as something like that, and he wants to keep that forever.]