Dead Roses

Okay, so here I am, after nearly a year (or more), am finally updating. I’m very sorry for the huge delay.

Unfortunately I stopped talking to Emi, or haven’t spoken to her in a long time and I’m not sure she’s interested with RP’ing with me. I might of scared her away. I am kinda creepy…

Sorry to you Emi, I hope you don’t think I’m some weird stalker chick or something…

Sorry to everyone else for not updating earlier.

Warnings: This fic is not a nice one and is not one for the younger crowd. It involves rape, yaoi, and general dark themes. (Though Yaoi isn’t really or necessarily a dark theme.)

Disclaimer: I don’t own TOS, Namco does.

-

“...Uhn, what hit me?” Was the first noise that omitted in over three days since Yuan lost consciousness.

Blinking, Kratos looked up from the other side of the room. Since the…‘incident’, he’d taken to doing his work in Yuan’s room to keep an eye on his friend. “…Yuan?” He asked quietly.

Yuan looked over at Kratos, trying to open his eyes fully to see him, but when he tried to he nearly threw up. “Light...hurt...”

Striding quickly over to the bed, the taller angel reached for the light switch. “You’ve been out for quite a while, Yuan.”

“...Have I?” Yuan asked quietly. His head was pounding and even soft noises hurt him. He silently cursed his angelic hearing.

Sitting slowly on the edge of the bed, Kratos tusked and ran his un-gloved fingertips over Yuan’s forehead. “Need some water?”

The blue haired angel nodded his head winced again when even that brought pain. “Did I get drunk?”

“I…really don't think so. I found you wandering the halls.” Grabbing a pitcher and cup, he hastily poured the other angel some much-needed water.

Yuan glanced over at him. “I ...see” he closed his eyes, trying to remember what had happened before was unconscious.

Setting the water down on the nightstand, the taller man stood awkwardly, not really knowing what to do in a situation such as this.

Yuan smiled, he could feel Kratos fidget. “It's alright; just tell me, what happened in my absence?”

“Nothing much…” Kratos shifted from one foot to the next, glancing down at the man on the bed. Yuan just looked so fragile.

“I see…” Yuan sat up slowly, his body wincing at the movement after three days of laying still. He grabbed the water and slowly brought it to his lips, sipping slowly and allowing his mind and body a chance to wake up.

This was so bloody awkward, and Kratos not enjoying it at all. Looking away, he crossed his arms, one foot tapping.

Yuan chuckled. As lousy as the situation was he couldn’t help but smile. Even in 4000 years, Kratos had not changed a bit. “Have there been any movements by the renegades?”

“…No. They seem to be rather quiet at the moment.” He murmured, running a hand through his messy hair.

“I see.” Yuan finished the water and moved to put his feet on the floor. He stood up shakily having to place a hand on his nightstand to keep himself upright.

Moving a bit closer, Kratos bit the inside of his lip, unsure if it was okay to help him.

“Ah, sucks being old.” Yuan half joked. Truth was as soon as he stood up he nearly screamed and fell back down. His entire lower torso ached terribly and memories were starting to flood in. He kept his face away from Kratos so he wouldn't see the pain etched in his features and bit his tongue to keep from hissing out loud.

Though Yuan hid his face, the way he carried himself, it was easy to see something was paining him. Taking a step closer, Kratos hesitantly put his hand on Yuan's shoulder.

It took all of his self-discipline to will away his hurt and look at Kratos. “Ah, seems I am still not fully awake…”

“And it seems you’re in pain as well.” Kratos’s voice broke no argument as he gently pushed his friend back onto the rumpled sheets.

Yuan sighed, “I’m not a child Kratos. I can take care of myself, and I have work that needs to be done.”

“Bed, Yuan.” This time, the push was slightly firmer as Kratos non-too-gently pressed his friend back onto the bed.

Yuan growled a little to show his dislike of the idea, but did not resist other wise, instead laying back down and closing his eyes.

Nodding in satisfaction, Kratos once again ran a hand through his hair, a nervous gesture. “Now, what happened?”

Yuan visibly tensed and looked away. “N-Nothing.” He silently cursed his stuttering.

“You’re not very convincing, Yuan,” he murmured, tipping up his friend's chin to look at his face. “Now spit it out.”

“It was nothing Kratos.” Yuan said this time keeping his voice even.

“No, it wasn’t. Or else you wouldn't be so upset about the whole thing.” Kratos’s voice was harsh; his grip on pale skin was tight.

Yuan winced as panic filled his mind again, more memories flooding in. “S-Stop.” he pleaded, though to whom it was too was unknown.

“Not until you tell me what in the world happened to you.” Kratos ordered sternly, giving Yuan a hard look.

Yuan looked for the entire world like he wanted to disappear. Closing his eyes he tried to will down the shivers that were threatening to over take his body. “I was...talking with Mithos and we got into a fight...you know how it usually is.”

“That doesn’t explain why your shaking, Yuan,” his voice was calm as usual, seemingly unfazed by his friend's behavior.

“This fight got a little more violent then usual nothing more, now let me go Aurion!” Yuan said. It was unusual for him to use his friend’s last name unless he was deeply angry or troubled by something. He hadn't used it since Martel had died.

Taken back, he let go of Yuan's shoulders, taking a quiet step away from the upset half-elf.

“...” Yuan looked away. “Just go Kratos. I’m tired.”

“Not until you tell me what has you so upset, Yuan.” His voice wasn't as harsh as before, more subdued.

“...” Yuan prayed that there would be something that would call away Kratos's attention from him.

Staring at him, the bigger of the two males crossed his arms, waiting for the answer. “I’m not going to leave until I hear the words from your mouth, or would you like me to go ask Mithos what happened between you two?” Kratos was getting tired of this game; he wanted answers, now!

“No!” Yuan shouted bolting upright. Hissing lightly and the jarring motion, he glared at his friend with all the hate he could muster. “Shouldn’t you be attending your duties?” He asked venomously.

“You are my duties as far as I’m concerned, Yuan.” His voice was cool, eyes staring into Yuan’s without emotion. “Now will you tell me what I need to know?”

“Damn you Kratos.” Yuan said in his mind, franticly trying to think up an excuse.

Just about at his wits end he heard an announcement. “Lord Kratos, report to Lord Yggdrasill immediately, I repeat...”

Yuan almost sighed in relief but held his tongue, looking back at Kratos.

Glaring at him, Kratos grabbed the front of his shirt. “Good, then I can just ask him.” The words were a quiet whisper as he let go.

Yuan fell back into the bed a shell-shocked look on his face. He tried to scramble to get up but quickly fell the floor with a shout.

-

Yggdrasill sighed, sitting back as he waited for Kratos to get here. He'd been skimping on his duties for the last few days, and he wanted to know why.

Kratos entered the throne room and bowed to his lord before standing upright and asking “You asked for me my lord?”

“I’ve heard that you haven’t been.... performing as well as expected as of late.” Looking up, Yggdrasill raised one fine, pale eyebrow. “Care to tell me why, Kratos?”

“I have been looking after Yuan.” Kratos replied evenly.

“Yuan?” He blinked slowly, face taking on an expression of almost comical surprise.

“Yes, and about that. Do you know what happened to him three days ago?” Kratos asked calmly, displaying no emotion.

“Three days…oh.” Laughing happily, Yggdrasill leaned back, grinning wide. “Me and him had a little fun, that’s all.”

“Fun my Lord?” Kratos asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes…he had been rather distant, so I just had a little chat with him. We ended up playing a rather fun game, that’s all.” He said lightly, smiling gleefully.

Kratos gave him an even stare. “Game?” He didn't like the way Mithos was smiling, it was unnerving.

“Yes, though he was a bit of a spoilsport.” Yggdrasill sighed, leaning back.

“My Lord, what sort of game was this?” Kratos asked.

“Something him and Martel used to do, don't worry yourself.” Waving a hand dismissively, he grabbed a sheet of paper, reading it. “You’re dismissed.”

Kratos kept his emotions in check and bowed to his lord, leaving the room only to run into Yuan.

“…Yuan.” He greeted him, hands’ going to the half-elf’s shoulders to help and steady him. “You should be in bed.”

“Yggdrasill didn't tell you anything. Did he.” It was not a question. “Good.” Yuan promptly fainted.

Catching him, Kratos frowned, easily lifted Yuan into his arms. What had the other gotten himself into?

Yuan whimpered in his arms, but otherwise made no movement to reawaken or move.

Carrying him back to the rather desolate looking room, Kratos gently sat the limp body back on rumpled sheets.

Yuan stirred lightly eyes moving behind their lids as if to open, but then the movement stopped and he slipped deeper into sleep.

Looking down at the sleeping figure, Kratos sighed, tucking him back into bed.

A knock was heard at the door. “Lord Kratos?” A voice asked him.

“Who is it?” He practically snapped, rather annoyed now.

The voice on the other side quieted for a moment, but then replied, “It is angel #283, messenger class.”

“What do you want?” He growled, flinging open the door.

“You have a mission down on earth sir. You are to see to the chosen of Tethe’alla, it seems he has gotten himself in trouble.” The angel replied.

Rolling his eyes, he grabbed the message, nearly storming down the hall, if it where not for the fact that Kratos did not storm.

The angel stood there quietly, thankful that he was still alive.

-

Once he was in Tethe’alla, he was searching for the redhead. What had that idiot done this time?

Zelos was in his mansion nursing a wound received after last nights bar fight. “Damn those men are grumpy.” He looked out his window to see Kratos approaching his manor. “Speaking about grumpy.”

Nearly throwing the door open, he didn’t even pause to greet the poor butler who usually kept watch over Zelos. Walking up the flight of stairs, he opened the door with a rush.

Zelos looked up at him with a raised eyebrow, “Why hello old man. What's up?”

“I heard you got yourself in trouble, again.” To say he looked agitated was an understatement.

Zelos gave Kratos a once over, “What happened to you?”

“Problems at my other job.” He didn’t think Zelos had any right to know what was going on.

“Unkay.” Zelos said skeptically. He returned to nursing his wound.

Rolling his eyes, Kratos grabbed one wrist, pulling the redhead up so that he had a better view of the wound.

Zelos yelped at the rough treatment. “Hey watch it old man!”

Not bothering to rise at the ‘old man’, he inspected the wound, not bothering to be very gentle with the smaller man.

“Oww! Kratos be gentle!” Zelos whined.

“You’ll survive,” he said flatly, shaking his head. “You’re careless.”

“I’m not careless! There are just to many people jealous of my beauty!” Zelos said in his usual cocky manner.

“Then maybe you should learn to avoid them. Your just careless.” Kratos knew he was being rather rough, uncaring if the wound was still fresh.

“Hey, hey!!! That hurts you know!” Zelos shouted, now trying to pull away. “What happened to you that would have you so cranky? Haven't been laid in a while or something?”

“Stand still.” He was not in the mood to play games, not now. “Sit down, be quiet, and don't move. I’m going to get some bandages.”

Zelos pouted at him, but other wise didn't move

Grabbing a role of white cloth and some iodine, Kratos frowned. He wished he had something better, but he wasn't pulling out his healing ability for something like this.

Sighing Zelos studied Kratos's figure, something was defiantly wrong with him and though Zelos usually didn't care about other people’s problems, it intrigued him that the seemingly unemotional man could be this upset.

Kratos returned with what he needed and began to bandage Zelos up. “You should be more careful, you could have been killed.”

“And what do you care?” Zelos said, no malice or hate in his voice, just general curiosity.

“I’d be out of a job if you were killed.” Kratos replied impassively.

“Gee, glad to know I’m loved.” Zelos said with a roll of his eyes. When Kratos was done with his wounds’ treatment he examined himself in a mirror. “Not bad old man.” He remarked.

“I wouldn’t have had to do it in the first place if you had been more careful.” Kratos reprimanded him.

“Still on about that?” Zelos said dully. “I’m sorry all right? I won’t do it again.”

Kratos sighed, looking away from Zelos. “We should continue your training.”

“What?! But I’m still recovering!” Zelos whined.

“You’re not that badly injured. If you had trained harder you wouldn’t have even been caught in that fight in the first place.” Kratos said, moving towards the door. “Or in the least you wouldn’t have suffered those injuries.”

Zelos humphed and followed Kratos out and towards their usual training grounds, his backyard, after all, it was the only place big enough to actually do practice.

Once out there they quickly began their mock fight, Kratos barking out orders every once in a while. By the end of it Zelos was sore, and tired. He had gotten thoroughly thrashed. He lay in the grass of his yard just trying to breath, just barely having the strength to do even that.

“You’re out of practice.” Kratos observed.

Zelos glared at him, “You nearly killed me!” He growled. “I don’t know what upset you so much, but you don’t have to take it out on me!”

Kratos stared down at the boy. “Perhaps…I was a little harsh.” He finally relented, moving down so he could help the boy sit up. He called to Sebastian to bring them some water, and once retrieved he helped Zelos drink it. “Are you all right?” He asked.

“I’ll live I suppose.” Zelos said grumpily.

“Good. That’s enough for today, though I will be back tomorrow, so I expect you to be ready for me.” Kratos said, helping Zelos to his feet.

“What time?” Zelos asked.

“In the morning, just after when you usually eat breakfast.” Kratos answered.

“Fine, but you better not try to kill me again, remember who’s paying your salary.” Zelos said with a humph.

Kratos showed no reaction to the statement though inwardly he rolled his eyes. “Indeed Chosen.” He turned and left before the chosen of Tethe’alla could say anything more. He had to quickly return to Derris Karhlan and make sure that Yuan was all right and that Mithos had not done something else to the poor angel.

Taking out his wings when he was far enough away from Meltokio, he took off into the skies towards the Tower of Salvation.

-

And it’s a wrap! By the way I didn’t write all of this myself, a good chunk was written by Emi, so she also deserves praise. Also all of you who commented on how good Mithos was done, you could also chalk that up to Emi.

Other wise I hope you all review and tell me what you think, and Firewraith, thanks for the lovely comment.