Anti slowly came back to consciousness after who knows how long. He dared not open his eyes yet, rather taking in his surroundings with his other senses first. The ground underneath him was hard and gravely, feeling like tiny needles sticking into his back. The smell of sulphur and sorrow was potent in the air. He couldn't hear anything though. In fact, it was so quiet that his calm heartbeat sounded like a drum in his ear. He knew all to well where he was and almost regretted opening a portal to this wretched place.

Hell. The underworld. The home of eternal suffering and chaos... His home

Anti finally opened his eyes, only to see an endless abyss of black from all corners. And yet. Still light seemed too come from an unknown source. He groaned in pain as he craned his neck to the side, seeing a figure laying beside him. 

Dark.

The demon seemed unconscious for now, which was a relief on Anti's part. They must've fallen quite far. Anti felt like shit. Everything hurt, even his breath. Perhaps it was just the way hell felt.

Anti slowly sat up, each muscle protesting in pain. Now, the more that Anti got used to his surroundings. He could make out a large, burgundy door in the distance. Maybe if he was strong enough, he could drag Dark through that door and see what awaits them on the other side.

The relief of Dark being unconscious was short lived as the Irishman heard a small grunt of pain next to him. Dark slowly opened his eyes and sat up with a groan. Shit. If he was able to sit up easier than Anti, there was no way of out running him.

The dark haired demon seemed confused for a second, wondering where he was until he laid his eyes on Anti. Suddenly, his face turned red and a rage the likes of which no one had ever seen reverberated  from Dark.

"You ruined it... you ruined everything," Dark growled lowly and it sent shivers up Anti's spine. He didn't even have the strength to respond, instead just slowly shuffling away from him and towards the door. His actions definitely didn't go unnoticed, since Dark grabbed at his ankle and dragged him back towards him.

"You fucking ruined my chances of ever getting Jack back! You know how good his fear and lust tasted?!" Dark spat into his face, the words leaving Anti numb with grief.

On one hand he hated Jack for getting the attention of his lover. But he knew it wasn't his fault. Dark was the enemy, no one else.

Dark growled loudly and rolled on top of Anti, holding his fist up threateningly, "you're a fucking nuisance! You've wasted my time and helped me along with nothing!" He roared before swinging his fist down.

That was when Anti felt it. Something he hasn't felt in years and something that he's tried his hardest to keep locked away. A surge of energy shot through his body and caused the fist that was flying towards him to freeze. Inches away from his face. Like time stood still. 

Dark looked at his hand then at Anti perplexed. He tried moving his hand but it wouldn't budge from its hovering position. "What is this?!" The demon huffed angrily and stared at the one beneath him for answers.

Anti was staring back with a blank look, but he seemed... different...not himself. And he definitely wasn't anymore. He felt stronger, angrier. Dark had somehow brought up the true demon that Anti has suppressed for years in a matter of moments. Dark had finally broken him past the point of return.

"Why can't you love me?" Anti whispered, so weak and fragile as a tear rolled down his cheek. When Dark didn't answer and just stare down at him, Anti let out a small giggle and more tears came flooding.

"Why can't you just love me?!" He screamed out, a mixture of pained sobbing and maniacal laughter. Anti shoved the man off him with a powerful energy and left him dangling in the air. He slowly rose and floated before Dark, a look of complete goneness in his eyes. Dark, for the first time in his life was scared shitless of the small demon before him that seemed way more powerful now. 

"A-anti... let's just calm down and t-talk about thi-" Dark's shaky response was interrupted as he was slapped across the face. His head snapped to the side as a red mark quickly formed on his cheek.

"I've tried... everything to make you love me! Everything Dark and you've given me nothing in return! If anything, you're the nuisance here! All you do is hurt people for your personal gain and it makes me sick to think I fell for a sociopath like you!" Anti screamed, green tears streaming down his face. Dark was tense up and whimpering as he hung in the air, true terror in his eyes.

"I should kill you right now to pay for all the horrible things you've done to me, Mark, Jack and countless others!" Anti threatened as an invisible hand tightened its grip on Dark's throat. And Anti was about to do it. He was ready to snap this man's neck. But he hesitated as Dark gasped for air and gave him a pleading look. "Please... no," he choked out.

The invisible hand disappeared from Dark's neck and let him gulp in delicious air selfishly. Anti whimpered as all the power he had vanished, letting them both slump to the ground. Anti leaned his head on Dark's chest and beat on it weakly while sobbing. Dark kneeled there, frozen for a moment as he processed what had happened.

"I just... j-just wanted you t-to love me... why c-couldn't you?" Anti cried quietly, his body trembling. Dark slowly lifted his hand and rested it on Anti's head, stroking the lime green locks comfortingly. He didn't answer, and made no move to do so. He just sat there and petted Anti. It was the only thing he knew how to do.

"I'm... sorry-" Dark didn't finish as Anti shoved him away weakly. He's had enough. "Save it... it's too late for that," he whispered with a cracked voice as he stood with wobbly legs. Anti twirled around and stormed away to that door.

"Anti wait," Dark quickly got up but Anti didn't turn, or stop. He kept walking. Something he should've done a long time ago. And for the first time it was Dark who followed like a lost puppy.

Anti stepped through the mysterious door and revealed what was hidden behind. Dark was by the door a second later and opened it to follow.

~~~