Work Text:
With Naphim still under bed rest visiting him became a comforting routine for Carmelio, a steady rhythm that aside from his clockwork was starting to lack from his life.
Almost every day the automaton would visit Naphim once he was finished with his day. Whether he helped around the city with minor chores, bringing goods around or going on short expeditions with the group, Carmelio would be met with the comforting presence of the devil almost every evening, spending a few hours sharing stories or simply resting in comfortable silence.
And it became a ritual for the both of them, the fond moments becoming a grounding core memory for Carmelio.
One of the most common, long claws gently clicking against his plating as they move around, carefully tracing the details on his plating as curious large eyes investigate the ornate metalwork around his arms and back. Although lately Naphim grew bolder and decided to observe around Carmelio's neck and face, following the detailing until they disappear under the faceplate.
It started shy and hesitant just like any of their interactions but quickly it became like a dance, a comfortable rhythm. No words were needed to be spoken anymore, just arms open and a place to belong even for a fleeting moment.
Carmelio hasn't quite managed to find the courage to show him what lays beneath his faceplate just yet, but he can feel the growing curiosity of the devil about his features, and feeling that kind of pure curiosity and attention makes his crystal feel…strange Tingly. A very pleasing sensation, warm and homely. His hearts in the meantime have been running double their usual pace when in the presence of Naphim, but Carmelio quickly understood this was no mechanical issue to report and that he could simply blame the growing fondness and affection in him. Quite the lovely curse for a change.
When he thinks about it, they do share a similar curiosity though. Carmelio in all his unapologetic self is delighted to have Naphim retell stories from the hells or explain even the most basic things about devils and himself specially. After all, to the automaton, Naphim is a wonder to admire and cherish and discover further. Although he is nowhere brave enough to admit it out loud. And especially not to his face. But he also knows that he is an open book whether he likes it or not. At one point his words or eyes probably betrayed him.
Sometimes it's Carmelio's turn to run his own little experiment, tracing the devil's arms gently as they sit there discussing of anything and everything. It is fascinating to observe the way the soft fur rises ever so slightly up when his fingertips linger over it. Is it a physical reaction or is it like static electricity due to his nebula? Naphim doesn't seem to mind or react particularly about it, if anything Carmelio sees the way the massive devil leans into his hands, seeking more of the touch. And the sight makes his clockwork feels like it's dancing.
When he thinks about it, the trust and eagerness Naphim offered him was truly what caught him off guard at first. He can still recall so clearly the way the devil pressed his whole head into the flames with no hesitation, the long deep satisfied purr rumbling in his chest, the smile and blissful expression at the touch.
Oh how he has dreaded and feared those flames for so long but seeing Naphim's joy when dipping his face into his flaming palms and hair, something in him healed that day. And now there he is, entangled amidst long limbs, with a strong embrace around him and Naphim's soft breath resting on his neck as the massive devil rests his face into his nebula once more.
Right now Naphim has fallen asleep, his steady breath echoing alongside Carmelio's clockwork. Of course the automaton doesn't sleep, but for once he is glad he can remain conscious while resting, simply observing and enjoying the silent company of the devil.
Sometimes Naphim's nose would twitch as a little tuft of fur or magic would brush past it, and Carmelio always feels the urge to press his own nose against it, or leave a soft peck there. Sometimes Naphim's tail would move around, repositioning itself or wrapping around one of Carmelio's leg or waist entirely. The latter always making his clockwork jump in a happy surprise.
But the most cherished memory was when Naphim one day moved closer, holding Carmelio's smaller frame and head against his chest like one would hold a teddy bear, his large body curled around it for warmth.
And at this moment Carmelio was sure he experienced true peace. The pressure of the devil's large hands against his back and around him was making his eyes flutter close, every coil and spring in his frame relaxing instantly, his body never having felt so light before. In response his metallic hands lovingly reached around Naphim's shoulders, returning the warm embrace wholeheartedly, gently stroking the longer strands of fur going down his spine.
By now they have moved and Carmelio's head fell back to a similar position, Naphim now looking like a curled up cat in a way. From here Carmelio can hear Naphim's heartbeat so clearly. He can feel the magic coursing through him, that thrum right beneath the skin, beneath this organic shell. Something alive and far from haunting memories. But the nightmares haven't subsided yet. The lack of heart beat, the deafening silence, the dust and rubble…
Deep in the cave where neither the sun nor the stars can reach, Carmelio has never felt more alone. He remembers it so clearly still. His hearts were beating for two as he felt Naphim's life slipping away more and more from him, as the cave was crumbling down on them, screams echoing all around, magic being cast, the sound of metal being crushed. His clockwork sounded deafening, his ears ringing from the sound of gears grinding against each others and motors running at the limit of their capacity.
Never in his life Carmelio prayed so much for the stars above to hear his plea . But as he looked up he saw nothing but the collapsing ceiling and dust, then quickly closing on them, the large expanse of Naphim's wings above in an attempt to shield them.
And as he finished his prayer Naphim's heartbeat stopped. And a few agonising seconds passed.
Tick
Tick
Tick
Then for a few seconds. A heartbeat. Then none again.
Tick
And again
Tick
And again
Tick
And again
Tick
And again
Tick
And again
Like clockwork it continued, dread filling up Carmelio's hearts as he could feel his magic diminishing at each passing minute. That was until a ray of light shun through the dark tomb-like cave, voices erupting, names being shouted.
They have been found.
Carmelio jolts awake from the memory, his eyes flickering momentarily red, his body growing rigid and ready to fight, to run, to cast magic, to protect, to survive.
But he is in fact in bed, the devil's long limbs wrapped around him like a silken white and red cocoon. His breath is warm against his plating and his chest rises slowly, steadily, a peaceful expression on his features. Nowhere to be seen is the cave nor the horrors of that moment. No Naphim is alive and alright.
Carmelio lets out a long deep sigh of relief, the tension in his body leaving in a sudden hiss of hot steam, making Naphim wiggle a bit, readjusting his position to rest his head on top of the automaton's neck, nose burying further into the now cooled down nebula.
"Sorry…" Carmelio whispers with a soft sorry smile, one his hand reaching for between his horns, gently petting the short fur until the devil's head comes back to rest near him on one of the many pillows making up the bed.
Carmelio never realised until now how the fur also converges towards the cheeks for instance, or how the horns are simply a perfect and seamless continuation of his forehead. The automaton takes the time to drink in the sight, his own cheeks warming up further as he observes Naphim that up close. Behind all that shyness and power stands a very handsome devil in fact, he notes down. Carmelio's fingers twitch as he craves to trace the contour of his jaw, despite the short fur now highlighting it, it remains sculpted and nicely defined. His features are sharp but elegant overall.
Carmelio's train of thoughts is off when he catches a glimpse of sharp teeth poking from under the pinkish lips, his clockwork stuttering for a moment and he looks away, his cheeks burning up suddenly as a few new thoughts flashes across his mind.
What would it feel like to kiss him? To have even the briefest taste? Is that even a thing for devils? To kiss on the mouth? Or with the tongue?
But quickly that familiar burning sensation of guilt pours down his stomach, and he turns his head away for a moment, biting his lip. It feels wrong…Naphim trusts him, rests next to him with his guard down, and he is there just…
Carmelio shakes his head and forces his racing mind to calm down. He didn't do anything The thoughts are his alone after all, and that's all. Thoughts only him knows of their existence. Well…him and the god living rent free in him perhaps, but that's beside the point. She doesn't seem keen on teasing him too much about it at least. He is thankful for that modicum privacy.
"Carm? Are you okay?" a sleepy voice echoes next to him and the automaton turns around, meeting Naphim's gaze with a red dusting across his cheeks.
"Oh sorry I didn't mean to wake you up"
The devil blinks slowly like a cat, tilting his head to observe the automaton.
"That's alright. You just seem agitated"
"Just…a bad memory don't worry"
Slowly Naphim's form moves around Carmelio until it wraps around the smaller automaton, his tail wrapping around his waist and squeezing tight, a gesture he probably understood was bringing him the automaton great comfort. For your average human it would be too tight and uncomfortable, for Carmelio it is perfect. A comforting strong embrace. Something to take his mind off the gloomy stream of thoughts plaguing him.
"Is there anything I can do?"
Carmelio thinks for a moment, then his arms come around the devil's shoulders, playing distractingly with a little tuft of fur, before letting himself sink further into the fluffy chest below him. His eyes flutter close as his nose pushes further into Naphim, the comforting thumping of the devil's heart soothing his racing mind already.
"Can we just stay like that for a bit please. I really like the warmth of your hugs"
They feel like home.