#zelthur

Zeldris was jolted awake, his upper body lurching forward from the nest of plush pillows, gasping loudly. His emerald eyes darted frantically around the darkened room, the glow of the moon illuminating the floor. His fingers dug into his chest as he fought to control his ragged breathing, his heartbeat pounding loudly in his ears.

The fire that had been lit long ago was smothered, not even the faintest flickering of an ember left. Zeldris scanned the room, gazing over the familiar items in the bedroom. A small oak desk was situated in the corner, papers from the previous day’s work scattered across the surface. A few clothes were discarded around the floor haphazardly. 

As he looked around the bedroom, his eyes shifted to the man sleeping peacefully next to him. Arthur Pendragon. The king of Camelot. His bright ginger hair was tousled from tossing and turning all night, his features smoothed into a calm, serene state as he slept. Zeldris slowly reached out a hand, lightly brushing his fingers against Arthur’s cheek. As he looked upon his lover, his mind continued to repeat the same phrase over and over again. 

It was just a nightmare. Arthur was alive. And he was safe. 

It had been several months since Arthur had been awoken from his brutal attempted murder, and awakened into the King of Chaos. The Holy War had finally drawn to a conclusion, with all the races living in peace. Although there was some initial distrust and hostility towards the Demon race, Arthur did everything in his power to prove to his people that Demons weren’t going to hurt them anymore. The time for violence and bloodshed was over.

Even after the end of the Holy War, Zeldris still had nightmares about that day. The day he thought he lost his second love. Zeldris had begged and pleaded for Arthur to stay away from the castle, saying that it was a death wish if he were to come back and demand Meliodas and the others left. The raven-haired male starkly remembered the sickening feeling that churned in his gut when his mentor had described to him how he disposed of Arthur. 

However tonight’s night terror was one of the worst ones that Zeldris had ever experienced in a long time, and even now he was unsettled. Instead of his usual nightmare, where he would walk up on Arthur’s bleeding body in a dark cave, Zeldris was forced to watch as Cusack stabbed Arthur himself, his feet glued to the ground. Zeldris was unable to move from where he was standing. His screams were silent, nothing coming out as he desperately tried to get Cusack to stop his assault. All he could do was watch through his own salty tears, horrified, as his own mentor stabbed Arthur through the heart with Excalibur, gazing upon the crimson blood that stained his uniform. 

For a fleeting second Zeldris thought of waking Arthur up to help him calm down from the hellish experience. However he hesitated, biting his tongue as he gazed upon Arthur’s sleeping form, his hand inches away from Arthur’s shoulder. The ginger had been working nonstop for weeks on end for his kingdom, barely getting enough sleep as it was to get through the exhausting days of politics and peace talks and fancy dinners. Arthur was one of the hardest working people he knew, giving it his all when he set his mind to a task. Zeldris did not want to disrupt what precious rest he got, not for such a trivial matter such as a nightmare. 

Feeling his hearts finally slowing from their rapid rate, Zeldris kicked the velvety covers off, slipping out of bed and padding silently across the wooden floors to the ornate glass doors. The cold of the metal handles nipped at the tips of his fingers as he briefly glanced over his shoulder to look at Arthur’s sleeping form one last time, before slipping onto the balcony. 

The evening was cool, autumn already having a firm grasp over the land. Winter was still several weeks away. The trees were washed in a stunning blend of orange, yellow and red as their leaves began to die. The full moon above cascaded a silver light upon the land, shedding the entire land in its glow. Zeldris leaned against the wooden railing of the balcony, feeling the autumn breeze shift against his hair. He closed his eyes, his breathing slow and steady as he immersed himself with the nature around him. 

The door gently opened behind him, Zeldris quickly turning around to gaze upon Arthur. Arthur blinked sleepily at him as he too stepped onto the balcony, stifling a yawn. “What are you doing out here, Zel?” Arthur asked quietly, his voice still groggy from sleep. “You should go back to bed,” Zeldris murmured as he faced Arthur fully, watching his lover grab his hand softly. Arthur shook his head, a soft smile playing on his face as he ran his thumb over Zeldris’ knuckles. 

“I’m not going to bed until my boyfriend tells me what he was doing out here.” Gazing into Arthur’s amethyst eyes, he felt himself getting choked up again, the memories of the nightmare coming back to him jarringly. He quickly looked away, unable to say the words that tingled on the tip of his tongue. Arthur was quick to wrap both arms around him, bringing the demon in close as he softly nuzzled into Zeldris’ raven hair. 

Subconsciously, Zeldris twisted in Arthur’s grip, his own arms snaking around Arthur’s muscular form. He pressed his forehead against Arthur’s chest, his fingers digging lightly into Arthur’s shoulder blades. Finally, Arthur broke the silence. “You had another nightmare, didn’t you?” Zeldris nodded, unable to hide the secret from him anymore. He swallowed, his eyes fluttering shut as he felt the ginger’s fingers weave through his dark hair, massaging his scalp in slow circles. 

“Why didn’t you wake me up?” Arthur asked quietly. The demon shook his head, grunting softly as he responded in a low tone. “I didn’t want to bother you with such nonsense,” he muttered, his eyes downcast. “You’ve been working nonstop for several weeks now. You barely get enough sleep as it is. I didn’t. . . I didn’t want to wake you up for a childish thing.” Arthur snorted comically, pulling away to look Zeldris in the eyes, an eyebrow raised incredulously. 

A playful smile donned his face. “All living creatures have nightmares, Zeldris,” he whispered. “ From street mutts to even you demons. There’s no shame in getting comfort from a nightmare.” His hands drifted back down, grasping Zeldris’ in his own as he gazed into his emerald orbs. “It’s not a bother at all, Zeldris. You’ve comforted me more times than I can count when I have a nightmare. I don’t mind losing sleep in order to help my boyfriend calm down and make sure he knows loved and alright. I always have time for you, even when it’s the middle of the night.”  

Both men fell silent, Zeldris tucking himself under Arthur’s chin again as he sighed. Arthur’s arms wrapped around him once again, cupping his neck as he kissed the top of his head softly. “The nightmare was about. . . that day,” he whispered. Arthur made a small noise of understanding in the back of his throat, subtly holding Zeldris closer to himself, his hand rubbing up and down his spine. The ginger always knew how to calm him down, the fingers that stroked lightly along his back making his mind melt. 

 “Just listen, Zeldris,” Arthur murmured, “Listen to my heartbeat. Feel my fingers stroking along your skin. Massaging your scalp. My whispered words in the chilly autumn night. I am alive, and I am safe. You have nothing to worry about anymore. Cusack is gone, and cannot harm me anymore.” Arthur brought Zeldris’ head up, his fingers gently cupping under his chin as they brought their heads in for a soft kiss. Blinking away fresh tears, Zeldris pressed the side of his head against Arthur’s chest. He could hear the faint beating of Arthur’s heart as it pumped blood throughout his body. 

Arthur was alive. He was here. They were safe.

Dim candle light flickered on the walls of a cave, providing the only light source from the dark night outside. The stars glittered in the sky above like small diamonds, twinkling alongside the full moon. Zeldris smiled as he stepped forward, his hearts nearly bursting in his chest as he wrapped his arms around a slender form. Finally, after nearly five months of searching, he had his Gelda by his side again. 

He felt her slim fingers brushing his hair back, her nails gently scratching his scalp as he closed his eyes, breathing in her scent. They were both silent, simply holding each other. Words did not need to be said. “My love,” Gelda whispered, Zeldris finally tilting his face up from where he had pressed his face. 

Zeldris could see her beautiful ruby eyes glittering with unshed tears, one hand cupping under his chin. Her sharp fangs peeked out from her upper lip as she smiled at him. “I’ve missed you,” Zeldris whispered, his chest tight as he struggled to maintain his composure, feeling tears starting to slide down his cheeks. 

The vampire’s smile remained gentle as she leaned forward, brushing a soft kiss to his forehead. “I did as well, Zeldris.” Zeldris turned around, holding his arm out. He paused, the young man he had been traveling with had slipped out. 

Arthur Pendragon. The young adult had helped him search for Gelda from the very first day they met. And now he had disappeared. Zeldris was not too fond of humans. They were weak and easy to kill. But Arthur? He was different from the others. 

“Go,” Gelda murmured, Zeldris turning back to her. His eyes widened slightly at the easy look on her face. She stepped back, dropping her hands. “Catch up to him, Zeldris.” Zeldris studied her for a few moments. It was like she knew his emotions. As cold-hearted as he seemed to be on the outside, Gelda always seemed to read him like a book. And this time was no different. 

With a quick nod, he slipped out from the cave to search for the human that had slipped away from him. Thankfully he didn’t get too far. He saw the familiar ginger hair as he walked through the mountain valley. “Arthur!” Zeldris cried out, forcing his feet to move as he tried to catch up with him. 

Arthur turned around at the sound of his voice, blinking in confusion as he allowed Zeldris to approach. “Wait,” Zeldris panted as he stopped in front of him. “You don’t have to leave.” Arthur raised a brow, his easy smile lighting up his face. “What do you mean?” he asked, his eyes flickering to the cave where Gelda was. “I helped you find Gelda. My job is done. Why don’t you go back to her?” 

Zeldris paused, hesitating slightly as he tried to think of the right words to say. How was he going to say what he wanted to say to Arthur? And this was his last chance to come clean. If he let Arthur leave now, he may never get another chance like this again. 

Arthur placed his hand on his shoulder, the two men looking at each other in the eye. Emerald and amethyst. Glimmering in the dim light of the moon above. “Where will you go now? Your home has been destroyed by the Goddesses.” Zeldris pondered. Arthur shrugged as he let his hand fall back to his side. “I’m not sure. Maybe I’ll see if anyone else has some righteous quest to find someone,” he chuckled. 

His smile fell, a solemn look sliding into place as he looked at the demon. “Look, I had a lot of fun with you these past few months. I got to experience things that I’ve never even heard of or seen with my own eyes. I mean, dragons? And riding a dragon in the sky with you? Facing off against a god? That was so much fun. And I will forever treasure those memories. But now it’s time for us to go our separate ways again.” 

Zeldris swallowed as Arthur stepped back, smiling sadly at him. “But I-.” His voice faltered, his words choking up in his throat once more as he looked at the human with pleading eyes. “I’ll always care about you, Zeldris. And who knows? Maybe we’ll meet again in a few months.” Arthur gave Zeldris a cheeky wink, before turning back once more to head down the road. 

“Arthur, wait!” Zeldris blurted out, watching Arthur’s retreating form. Arthur paused, turning around once again. Taking a deep breath, he started to hurriedly explain himself. “Look, I’m not good with words, and I may be a dumbass at times. But I… I care about you. Deeply. I enjoyed spending time with you with the dragon and fighting the god. B-but I can’t stand to see you leave. Not after everything we’ve been through.” 

Arthur turned around, focusing on Zeldris. “I care for you. Not as just a friend or a travel partner, but… something more.” His voice started to crack as tears welled up. The ginger sucked in a sharp breath, his eyes widening as he started to stride forward rapidly towards the demon. “I know that you want to go, but I don't. I love you-.” 

The demon was cut off sharp as he felt Arthur’s lips press firmly against his. Zeldris’ eyes fluttered shut,  sighing with deep relief as he melted into the kiss. Arthur’s hand tangled in Zeldris’ hair, their heads tilting as they shared a passionate kiss. Zeldris clutched Arthur close, his fingers digging into the humans’ shoulder blades as he forced himself not to cry. After a few moments they separated, Arthur’s hand sliding to his shoulder and squeezing softly.