The first anniversary is vital to any couple, especially the DeathStar pair. The two took this day seriously. Perhaps, some of the pride came from how they proved everyone wrong, even Lord Death— who wasn't the most approving. When they initially came out about their relationship to their peers, the two either weren't believed or told it wouldn't last a week. How could anyone put up with BlackStar's arrogance, let alone love him? And how could someone like Kid loosen his grip for a boy like BlackStar? Opposites attract, they say, but no one expected this to last as long as it has.

"That was so fucking fun!" the Bushin exclaimed as the two walked into Gallow's Mansion. It was currently 1 AM, and Liz and Patty were having a sleepover at Maka's house to free the house for Kid and BlackStar. The couple had just returned from a fun night at the carnival and were (hopefully) ready to relax. The reaper peered over at BlackStar, offering him a small upward turn of his lips. Tonight went exactly as planned, exactly what the couple needed. The aura quickly changed once Kid clicked the door shut.

Did the assassin look a bit... flushed? Well, they went on a few intense rides, but his body should be over that, right? He knew some humans were more sensitive to rides and were prone to vomit, but BlackStar seemed completely fine the entire trip. Kid swore BlackStar's cheeks had a reddish tinge to them. They also looked a bit more hollow than he remembered...

"Are you hungry?" the Shinigami asked, walking into the doorway that led into the kitchen. He knew BlackStar too well, and that boy always had an appetite.

"Nah, Death God. I'm fine."

He's fine? Kid was now staring him down from the kitchen doorway, golden eyes piercing through whatever lies BlackStar was telling him. The Bushin broke the eye contact sheepishly, finding more interest in the ground.

"Seriously, Kid; I'm good," the Warrior God then yawned loudly, stretching his arms, "a big man like me needs to sleep after a day like that." BlackStar was wearing a baggy, white hoodie (with a black star on it, of course) and baggy sweatpants, so Kid couldn't exactly see his body. It wasn't that he needed to look, but it gave him a sense of comfort when he could physically see wellness on his boyfriend. Of course, the Death God could go without the clothes, but BlackStar hasn't been in the mood for that, lately, either.

"Are you insecure about your body?"

The question was full of misunderstanding, earning a "what the hell" look from the Bushin. With all honesty, Kid didn't know what else it could be. He knew it was common for humans to become insecure about the shells they live in, but never thought BlackStar would be one of them. Perhaps, he shouldn't be so dense. Everyone had unknown insecurities, even him. Maybe this was a more humane trait about BlackStar he didn't know about, or maybe he was making something out of nothing. The reaper wished he understood the humane side of his friends more. Even though he knew BlackStar was more than human, there was still the human aspect to him such as his intense emotions. It's like Kid never knew the right words to say in moments like this.

"I mean— are you on a new diet? To achieve muscle growth or something of the sort? It isn't like you to decline a meal."

"Don't get all formal with me, Death God," BlackStar answered, once again looking at Kid with a cheeky grin. "Seriously, you shouldn't worry about someone as big as I am. It's just a waste of your time."

An awkward silence appeared between the two. The tension was so thick Ragnarock could slice through it. When the Bushin's face filled itself with an expression of guilt, Kid understood what this really was about. BlackStar wasn't sick at all; he just knew what the reaper was about to tell him, and he wasn't happy about it.

"So, I'm assuming you know, then."

"Know what?"

"About the mission I took."

BlackStar's sky blue eyes widened like a deer in headlights. "A mission?! How long are you gonna be gone this time?!" his voice boomed, his face now showing complete disbelief. Great, he didn't know, and it just started. This was the last thing Kid wanted. The Shinigami watched as BlackStar's face changed from shocked, pissed, to disappointed. Kid grimaced, expecting BlackStar to scream at him or give some kind of obnoxious reaction. When he received nothing, he sighed and looked at the ground in guilt.

"I'll be back before you notice I'm gone," he tells the upset assassin. It seemed like he was getting more upset about each mission Kid took, recently. It was as if he was developing some sort of separation anxiety, but with as independent as the Warrior God was, Kid didn't know why. Right now, all he knew was that the gears in BlackStar's head were turning, and they weren't going to turn in his favor. The two have been working on BlackStar's reactive temper, so maybe he's trying to process—

"I always notice."

The defeat in his tone wasn't the BlackStar he knew; however, the assassin wasn't done.

"Do you think I'm just some kid waiting for his mom to come back from the store or something? You just decide that you want to leave for months at a time, and you don't even fucking tell me until the last second." Noticeably panting, BlackStar leaned against the wall. Kid could almost see the steam coming out of his ears. After giving himself a second to breathe, BlackStar continued his rant. "How the hell is a god like me supposed to enjoy a good day with you if there's always bad news at the end, huh? You can't just keep leaving like that and expect me to be here waiting for you to come back."

Kid sighed, becoming a bit more concerned about BlackStar's composure. "I didn't mean it like that," he says gently. What could he say? It wasn't like Kid could take back the mission he took the night before he was supposed to leave. Maybe the reaper should stop taking every mission he could get his hands on, but his father specifically asked for him to go on this one; there had to be a reason.

A soul of fire and a mind of stone. BlackStar had that flame in his eyes that told Kid he wasn't giving up quite yet. "Do you have to go?" he asked, his hand now placed on his forehead. "You already missed my birthday. I'll tell ya what, I can forgive that if you stay this time—"

"Father specifically asked me to go on this one, so there must be a good reason," Kid interrupted. "I know you're upset with me, and I understand why you would be, but if I don't take these missions, how will I grow as a god? Clearly, you can understand that."

"Oh, so the big man told you to go," BlackStar interrupted, irritation now lacing his tone. "Do you ever think the reason to stay is more important than the reason to go? Is that hard for your little mind to wrap around?"

Kid let out a loud "tch" at BlackStar's answer. "What do you know? You stopped going to classes weeks ago, let alone missions. If your reason is so important, then why don't you tell me instead of insulting me?"

BlackStar sighed loudly, still leaning against the wall. "You just wouldn't get it," he responded, "I just really need you to stay this time. Why can't you understand that?"

Kid was beginning to think BlackStar was either delusional, or he was just that self-centered. His growing irritation was beyond the gentle push of empathy. It seemed like the Bushin always played games like this so the reaper wouldn't take whatever mission he wanted to go on. If his father was asking him to go, then there were skills he needed to sharpen up on. BlackStar could really learn something if he went on missions like these; for example, not giving himself away to every target he has. Kid's mind was running so fast that he didn't even see BlackStar walking towards him.

"Just trust me," the Bushin tried again. When Kid looked up at him, all he could see were the bags under his eyes. The once, lively sky blue eyes now looked a vapid gray. His sun-kissed skin was now becoming paler, as well. Maybe it was all the time inside; although, what was Kid supposed to trust? A mission given specifically to him by his father, or an unknown reason that BlackStar was refusing to tell him. If it were that big of an ordeal, the reaper would know about it. There was no way in hell something was going on behind the scenes that he wouldn't know about. He's with BlackStar whenever he can be, but lately, that time has been drifting.

"You look exhausted," the Shinigami stated, putting his hand on BlackStar's cheek. His skin was warm to the touch. Was he running a fever? Perhaps the rides actually did make him sick and more ornery than usual. "Sleep would do more good than arguing with me. Let's go to bed and talk about this tomorrow."

"I'm not fucking tired!" The venom was back, and it was harsher this time. "I'm a god, Kid; I can fend for myself. You aren't always going to be here to tell me when I look 'tired'," he said, using finger quotes. That was a jab at the reaper always leaving, and he knew it, too. BlackStar was always petty in fights like this, and Kid often dropped to his level. If he wanted to be snippy, that was fine; Kid could do it right back. "It's just a lot for me to say.."

The Shinigami rolled his eyes at the idiotic remark. "If you aren't going to work with me, what's the point of giving you a chance to explain yourself? It seems like a waste of time, wouldn't you say?"

That ignited all of the rage BlackStar had left. "Are you calling me a fucking waste of time?!" he yelled, moving closer to Kid. His face was painted in the warm tones of rage, his jaw and fists clenched. The reaper knew there was something wrong, but he couldn't quite place a finger on it. What was the point of trying? BlackStar wasn't one to reason with. There were more important things to be done than deal with whatever foolery this was.

"Maybe you should just go home," Kid stated, turning away from him. Before it could even be processed, a loud BANG! reverbed from the walls, Kid being pushed into the doorway he was standing in.

"What the hell is wrong with you?!" BlackStar screamed. As Kid caught his balance, his mind fell into a rage, and he returned the favor, shoving BlackStar even harder away from him. The clumsy Bushin fell into the coffee table behind him, it breaking with the impact. There was a long moment of silence between the two before BlackStar rose from the debris of the once nice-looking coffee table. Seconds felt like hours, and the assassin couldn't even find the courage to look at his boyfriend. "You don't even know what it is, and you're calling it a waste of time. Maybe coming here was a waste of time, huh, Death God?" he asked through gritted teeth.

"I don't need to know what it is," Kid responded, dusting off his outfit. "You're a waste of breath."

"A waste of breath, huh?" BlackStar asked, once again panting. Kid stood his ground in case the assassin wanted to come back at him, but instead, BlackStar headed for the door.

"I hope the mission is worth it."

And with that, the Bushin was out the door. As the Death Prince collected himself and looked at the destruction in front of him, his heart sank. How could he let himself go like that? That went against everything he stood for! Dead silence filled Gallow's Mansion as Kid processed what the hell just happened, wondering how such a perfect day went so wrong.

So, was that it? Were they broken up?

Kid rushed outside, swinging open the door and not even bothering to shut it behind him. "BlackStar!" he called in the direction he assumed the assassin went. "BlackStar, come back!" he called once again. The reaper was hoping he wasn't too far away, but when his calls had no avail, he silently went back inside.

They weren't done, right? This wasn't the end.

This can't be the end.