Accidental Demon Slayers: Melody of Light pt. 3

Long after everyone else had gone to bed, Kurt stayed up.  Still sitting in that temple, Doctore sitting across from him, Kurt stared down at the chessboard. 

“I never knew anyone who was such a fan of this game.”  Doctore watched him.  “Although, technically, I don’t think I’ve ever known anyone before.” 

“You might have.”  Kurt contemplated his next move.  “We don’t know your full story, yet.  Your history.” 

“My history may not be real.”  Doctore stretched, his old bones creaking.  “That’s the joy of being a mythological creation.  Your history is not your history.  It can all change with the flick of a pen, or the telling of a story.” 

“Did you not exist before the Scribes connected us?”  The game was forgotten for a moment. 

“I am not entirely sure.”  Doctore smiled.  “Does it really matter?” 

“I guess not.”  Kurt stood, stretching his legs.

He was still not entirely use to being in two worlds at once.  While in his every day world he was lying in bed, sleeping, in this world his body was still activity.  It wasn’t his body, though.  It was a spectral version of him, and yet he could still feel.  It was confusing, but exciting.  It was like a whole new plain of existence was opened up to him. 

“Why do you spend so much time here?”  Doctore was watching him. 

“Curiosity, I guess.”  Kurt glanced out the doorway to the temple, towards the garden, which was now bathed in silver moonlight.  “Bobby has been able to experience this for a while now.  This is all still new to me.” 

“Is that all?”  Doctore stood up slowly. 

“It’s peaceful here.”  Kurt glanced at him.  “After everything that happened, after our first run in with Grath, and the whole ordeal at Fantasy Land, it’s nice to escape to somewhere that is just… peaceful.” 

“I understand.”  Doctore nodded. 

Kurt could see someone standing at the far end of the garden, bathed in shadow.  The person was walking towards them, slowly. 

“Kurt,” Bobby’s voice drifted through the night air.  “You’re still up?”

Bobby stepped into the light, his arms wrapped around his body as if fighting off a chill.  He looked tired. 

Kurt was starting to notice how much his boyfriend had aged in the past year or so.  There were slight lines forming around his mouth, and little flecks of gray at his temple.  The work was getting to him, both in the real world, and in the world of the deities.  As much as he was putting on a brave face now, Kurt knew that he was still healing, and it was starting to take its toll on him physically. 

Would that happen to him?  Had it happened to him?  He hadn’t asked for this life, but he had taken it, willingly, to be with the man he loved.  What was it doing to him?  He never really thought about the danger he faced every day, or about the risk that Bobby put himself in.  The idea of death, the idea that one of those creatures that they were fighting could kill one of them, had never really crossed his mind.  They had always escaped.  Sure, others had died, but never one of the team. 

Then Brittany was killed.  That changed everything. 

She was strong.  She knew the world of the demons better then anyone, because she was one.  She knew how to fight, and she knew how to kill, and yet that didn’t save her.  All it took was one moment of weakness, and…

“What are you thinking about?” Bobby stepped into the temple doorway, looking up at him. 

“Nothing.” Kurt smiled.  “Doctore and I were just finishing up our game.” 

Kurt glanced over at the old man, who was watching him, his already wrinkled face lined with worry.  He slowly stroked his beard.  He had heard everything that had just gone through Kurt’s mind.  He knew the truth, and he knew he was lying. 

“You sure you’re okay?”  Bobby reached up, gently placing his hand against Kurt’s cheek. 

“I’m fine.”  They kissed. 

“Well, don’t stay up all night.  You may not realize it, but you still need to sleep.”  Bobby smiled, turning back towards the garden.  “I’m looking forward to our trip.” 

“Me, too.” 

“Well, goodnight.”  Bobby gave him another, quick kiss, then walked back through the garden, vanishing into the shadows. 

“You should be honest with him.”  Doctore was standing behind him now.

“I can deal with it.”  Kurt turned towards the old man.  “He doesn’t need to worry.” 

“It doesn’t mean he doesn’t.” 

“Come on, we have a game to finish.”  Kurt walked passed Doctore, and took his seat at the table. 

He could hear the old man sigh, then slowly walk back towards his seat.