Work Text:
Xylo’s heart skipped when Kivia walked in. She wore new white and red armor. Her long, navy hair was cut and tied back into a ponytail. He rose before he knew why and stepped towards her, his heart pounding. Her face had settled into forlorn. Tired didn’t even begin to cover what she looked like. Then she looked around; the collar of her shirt pulled down, and he noticed the mark on her neck.
No.
Xylo burst forward and grabbed her. He couldn’t make sense of the rush of emotions stirring in his gut.
"What did you do?” He hissed, knowing it was too harsh.
She looked away from him.
"What I had to Xylo.”
His gut twisted.
"Why the fuck did you agree?” He sighed. “Kivia?”
"I had to.”
"You had a choice. You didn’t have to . . .”
"Xylo, please.”
He let go.
"I’m sorry.”
She looked down, the hurt look on her face twisting in his gut, and he didn’t know why.
"Come with me. We should talk.”
She followed.
Teoritta came in bouncing like always.
"Where are we going?”
"I need to handle something.”
"I will assist my knight in any way he requires.”
Xylo felt his face match Kiva’s. “Teoritta. Please.”
She softened and nodded, stepping aside.
He led Kivia up to the roof, thinking that she’d feel more comfortable with open air. She rested her arms on the ledge and looked out at the setting sun.
"Talk to me,” Xylo said.
"My uncle . . . was . . . a coexister.”
Xylo felt his chest tighten.
"Why did you kill him?”
"When . . .” Her fists tightened. “When I told him . . . that I had to try to . . . protect everyone. That I didn’t want to prioritize my family, that everyone mattered, he . . .” she swallowed. “He tried to kill me.”
"So, self-defense.”
She nodded. He saw a tear streak on his cheek, and his chest tightened.
"I’m sorry. I know how much he meant to you.”
"How . . . how could he not care?” She clenched, and another tear streaked her cheek. “How could he give in? Why wouldn’t he fight?”
"He prioritized protecting those he cared for.”
"How could he think so little of us? So little of me? I trained my whole life for this.”
Xylo stepped closer.
"How many men do you watch die every day?”
"They died honorable deaths.”
"The day we met, you led your squad to slaughter over a foolish ideal that a few soldiers stood a chance against a demon lord and the blight.”
"Are you taking his side!” She hissed. “Are you saying we should give up! Surrender?! I chose to fight, Xylo. That’s the only thing I know how to do. I will be a slave if I get a chance to fucking end these monsters.” She sighed.
"I know.” He stepped closer. “No. I’m not taking his side.” Another step closer. “But . . . how has your mindset changed since meeting me? Since seeing the power of the Heroes’ Party?”
"I . . .” She looked down.
Xylo put his hand on her shoulder. “You’re not alone, Kivia. We’ll fight. I’ll fight. Not because I’m a Hero and if I don’t, they’ll blow my head off. I’ll fight because it’s the right thing to do. The only thing that makes sense. I’ve been honored to fight by your side these last few months. You’ve far surpassed my initial thoughts about you.”
She looked down.
"Thank you.”
He dropped his hand.
"You’re welcome.” Xylo felt his chest tighten as he looked at her. She looked . . . scared. "I know what you’re going through.”
She looked at him, eyes widened.
“I am guilty of the crime I was accused of. I killed my last goddess.”
She looked at him. He met her shimmering blue eyes and averted his gaze as his chest tightened. “I . . . I never told you why. Maybe . . . part of me wanted to give you a reason to hate me, but now . . . it feels like you’re the only person I can trust.” Xylo swallowed. “She had used up her miracles. She was injured and the demon blight was starting to take hold. She asked me to do it.” His fist tightened. “I’ve been a soldier my whole life. I’ve watched my commands fall. I’ve never shied away from spilling blood, but . . . I’ve never had to kill someone . . . care about.” He looked at her. “I know how much it hurts . . . to kill someone you love.”
A tear streaked her cheek, then another, and she broke. Xylo pulled her into his arms and held her. Her armor was hard, but everything about her felt soft. The way her body trembled. The way her voice broke.
She was always a wall, a symbol of strength. It was strange to see her like this, vulnerable. Human. Maybe he’d been hanging around Heroes too long. His chest ached for her in a way he hadn’t felt in years. He’d give anything to take her pain away.
"It’s okay,” he said, slotting his hand into her hair, holding her against his chest.
She trembled and wept.
"Why?” she whimpered. “Why did he make me?” Her voice cracked.
"I don’t know.” He kissed the top of her head. “Maybe he was tired of lying. Maybe he hoped you set him free, or maybe he wasn’t the man you knew.”
She gripped his shirt and sobbed.
"It’s okay. I got you.”
He meant it too. He never wanted to let her go.
Her grip on him tightened, her blunt nails digging into his chest. She was stronger than he expected. He didn’t wince or pull away; he let her dig.
"It’s okay, Kivia. Let it out.”
Her grip on him loosened, and her breathing returned. Slowly, she pulled away. She wiped her tears with her sleeve.
"Sorry. I must look like a mess.”
"It’s no worry.” A breath. “You look beautiful.”
She blushed and his chest tightened. He really wanted to see that again.
"Th-thank you.”
She moved closer, and Xylo wondered what was happening. Why didn’t he pull away?
“No problem. I—” she moved closer to him. His hand unconsciously moved to her hip.
What the fuck am I doing?
He looked at her lips, which looked as if she’d been biting them. Do I want to kiss her?
She moved closer, and his heart thundered in his chest.
"You can trust me. You can count on me, Kivia. We will—”
She kissed him. He shut his eyes and melted into her, then pulled her closer. His hand moved up to cup her cheek, and she pulled away.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”
“Kivia.”
She pulled back further. “Oh my god, that’s so wrong. We’re comrades, and you’re engaged. It’s wrong, I can’t. I’m sorry.”
"Kivia,” Xylo said, raising his voice.
She looked at him, and he moved in, grabbing her hip. “It’s okay. I don’t know what this is. I just . . . it’s been a long time since I’ve had someone I can count on. Someone who has my back for reasons other than having a bomb wrapped around their neck. You are so much more than a comrade to me. My engagement means nothing. I . . . I never loved her. It was a convenience, but you . . . you scare the shit out of me. You give me something to fight for. You want to fight for the smiles of everyone. I know what that feels like. I can’t help that . . . desire to help people. It’s why I became a knight. You . . . you make this fight make sense.” He cupped her cheek. “Let me fight for you, Kivia.”
She blushed.
"We . . . can’t.”
"You’re not a knight anymore, Kivia. You’re a hero.” He breathed, and she didn’t pull away. “I want to kiss you.”
Her blush deepened.
"Please.”
Xylo leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. Her lips seemed softer, fuller, and sweeter this time. She parted her lips with a breath, and they slot into place. His heart skipped, his chest warmed, and his nerves tingled. It had been years since he had kissed someone. He had a feeling it had been a while for her as well.
He held her tighter as she trembled and pulled away, slowly resting his forehead against hers.
She let out a breath, and it caressed his face, sending shivers down his spine.
"Again?”
Xylo smirked and cupped her cheek. He peered into her sapphire eyes.
He didn’t have words to describe what he felt at that moment. He couldn’t say it was love. Looking into her eyes, he was unaware of what that was, but he wished the moment would never end. He hadn’t felt that safe since before he died.
Xylo leaned down, and she closed her eyes. He wanted to say something. Anything, but he couldn’t, so he kissed her. Her lips parted, letting them fall into place. A second later, her arms were around his neck, fingers in his hair, sending shivers down his spine. Her tongue entered his mouth, and he swore he had never tasted anything so sweet. He cupped her face and slowed their pace. He wasn’t quite ready for something that intense, but he savored how she felt against him, wondered how wonderful she’d feel against him if they were naked.
She pulled away and looked up at him. “Thank you.”
"For?”
"Everything.”
He smirked. “I’m here for you, Kivia.”
“I’m here for you . . . Xylo.” A breath. “My name is Patausche.”
He smirked. “I’ll call you whatever you want, princess.”
She chuckled. “Don’t call me princess. I was a captain of the Holy Knights.”
“So was I.”
“And now we’re heroes.”
“Promise me something.”
“What?” he asked, looking her in the eye.
“When I die. Help me remember who I am.”
He cupped her cheek. “I promise. But I won’t let that happen.”
She nodded.
“I promise to fight at your side, Xylo.”
“We’ll stop them. We’ll stop the demons. Together.”
She nodded. “Together.”
He kissed her again.