Thank you to teddy1223 for collabing!

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The world had been a scary place. Demons ran rapid amongst the living and terrorized the mortals whom roamed the Earth. The demons reigned supreme over all others.

Until the exorcist was created.

Exorcists were people blessed by god, who had the power to banish and kill demons. The exorcist profession became popular, and soon a lot of people paid for advice and rituals from them.

The most famous exorcists were those of the Kirkland family. They were able to use their magic and their connections to God to banish the demons to the underworld.

This would be the beginning of a world, divided. Humans now lived on the Earth's surface in joy, while demons lived in the underworld in misery. The demon royal family had much to deal with because of the Kirklands, so revenge seemed only logical. But there was no way for them to get to the family.

It wasn't until Arthur Kirkland slayed King Ivan's queen, Yao, that he really wished to end Kirkland's world. He didn't know how until he saw the small blonde boy.

That small blonde boy's name was Alfred.

Alfred was Arthur's son and the perfect opportunity for revenge. The Demon King wouldn't rest until he saw Alfred ripped from Arthur's arms like Yao was from his.

So, with revenge and hate clouding his heart, Ivan arose from the underworld. He extended his wings and flew until he reached the house that belonged to the Kirkland family.

It was a small comfy little thing that had surprised Ivan. He figured that the Kirklands would be living in luxury due to all the exorcisms they had preformed. But it appears not.

As Ivan descended closer to the ground, he noticed that a spell had been cast on the house. A spell to prevent demons from entering. Ivan however, was no ordinary demon. When the demon reached the house he easily entered.

Ivan couldn't help but let out a scoff. And to think these were the famous and powerful Kirkland exorcists.

"Iggy! Iggy!!! The night looks so pretty!" Alfred smiled as he stared out the window. Arthur smiled and gently took Alfred into his arms, rubbing his cheek.

"Yes, the night is beautiful. But, the darkness that comes with night is dangerous. You must always be accompanied at night, or else the darkness will snatch you up. A beautiful pure light like you will be a target to all those evil demons,"

"When will you teach me how to kill demons, Iggy?"

Arthur paused as he set Alfred on his bed.

"Someday, poppet. For now, I'll make sure you remain pure and sweet. My little man," Arthur kissed Alfred's temple and walked to his door, "goodnight, dear,"

"Goodnight, Iggy!" Arthur closed the door, leaving Alfred to glow in the moonlight.

Ivan flew up to the window that led to Alfred's bedroom. The demon saw just as Aruthur was leaving the room leaving the child alone. Ivan smirked evilly. Perfect.

Ivan reached a hand forward to open the window, but recoiled when he felt the tips of his fingers burn slightly. The platinum blonde looked at the window in anger and amusement.

It appears the windows were enchanted as well. How vexing. 'No matter' Ivan thought as he dispelled the window. Nothing could stop him at this point. As Ivan opened the window, he gazed into the room.

Alfred laid on his bed, dreaming pleasantly and sucking his thumb. He was so innocent, like a newborn lamb. Ivan felt his smirk grow larger as he reached for the boy, his thumb grazing the younger's cheek.

Alfred, out of habit, gently grabbed Ivan's thumb. He smiled in his sleep and cuddled the hand, leaving Ivan virtually speechless. He remembered how often Yao ranted about children, he adored them.

Ivan was beginning to second guess his plan, to hurt a child wouldn't solve anything. A strong demon king like him slaying a toddler? What message would that send to his subjects?

Ivan began to retreat his hand when the door busted open. Arthur was standing them with his rosary beads and his eyes aflame.

"Step away from my son," he growled. Ivan chuckled and backed away, smoothly flapping out the window.

Revenge would be sweet, once Alfred had become a man.

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And become a man he did.

As Alfred grew and matured with age, he started to change. His hair grew longer and he grew taller. Taller to the point where he almost reached Ivan in height. Almost. The younger one was still just a little shorter than him.

But his eyes, my god his eyes.

The American's eyes were what had changed the most and had stayed the same. They still managed to hold the same innocence of a child, though those eyes also gained a sense of wisdom and maturity.

Ivan had watched the boy slowly become a man and he wasn't sure how he felt about it.

Alfred hadn't followed in his father's footsteps, instead, Alfred became a teacher and the town's gardener. He would teach the children in the schoolhouse until noon, when he would go to the garden and tend to the plants.

He grew all sorts of things, including many herbs for the local apothecary. Not only was Alfred intelligent, he was kind. He fed the local woodlands creatures everyday and would help tend to wounded people when he would drop off his delivery to the apothecary.

Alfred was nothing like Arthur, and Ivan saw that every time he watched the boy.

Many advisors tried to bring up the revenge plan at his multiple meetings. Ideas of torture were most common and he felt his heart ache at the thought of harming Alfred.

Then there was one time his advisors would never forget.

Ivan blew up on his most loyal advisor, Carlos, when he suggested killing Alfred and hanging him in the town square. Ivan couldn't explain the anger, he just felt angry.

Angry that he had grown feelings for the son of his husband's murderer. Angry that he couldn't do anything about those feelings.

Ivan had slapped Carlos across the face causing him to fall to the ground. "Don't you ever suggest hurting him again! You hear me?!" Ivan stormed out of the meeting room leaving all his advisors shocked and worried about him.

Ivan has never been the same since Yao died and now he seems to be getting worse. Carlos glared at the door as Ivan exited. That pesky little human had been invading their affairs for as long as Carlos could remember.

Carlos despised the blonde man with all his heart. Even though they had never personally met. 'But..' Carlos thought as he held his hand to his bruised cheek. That would all change soon. Very, very soon.

On the eve of Alfred's eighteenth birthday, he stayed up late in the schoolhouse. He was looking over his lesson book to assure he had everything ready for the next day's lesson.

Carlos had been looking at him through the window. His anger burning more than a thousand suns. His bruised cheek was sore and now was beginning to turn purple. He looked to the furnace, the only source of warmth in the schoolhouse.

The furnace was dimming, but a few stray embers flew off. Carlos smiled wickedly and created a harsh breeze, making more embers fly off of the fire. It also caused some of Alfred's papers to fly off the desk. As Alfred picked them up, Carlos' eyes flashed a bright amber.

One of the embers landed on a pile of paperwork, causing it to go up in flames. The entire corner was charred in a matter of seconds. Alfred jumped back, startled by the sudden burst. He tripped while getting up, running to the door.

But Carlos beat him to it, causing it to jam. Alfred tried to smash the door down, but it would budge. He did the same for the windows, assuring Alfred had no escape. He looked one last time, watching as Alfred was burned by a piece of rubble and inhaled some soot.

He flew off, satisfied with his work. He knew nobody in the village would discover the burned down schoolhouse until early dawn. 'By then, Alfred should be dead' Carlos smirked at the thought, continuing on his merry way.

The next morning the burnt down school house was discovered. The other teachers knew Alfred had stayed and immediately began searching the ashes.

They found Alfred covered in ashes, soot, and rubble. The young man was barely breathing. Barely, but still breathing. The rescuers immediately rushed him to the nearby hospital.

Someone made sure to go and get Arthur just as Alfred was whisked away.

Meanwhile Ivan was sitting in his throne room oblivious to the pain his crush was feeling. That was, until one of his advisors rushed in with a fearful and panicked look on his face.

"What is it, Toris?" The King asked the other demon.

"Your highness, it's Alfred." Toris said hurriedly. Immediately Ivan was standing up and marching towards the advisor with a grim look.

"What happened?" Ivan growled out causing Toris to shrink in fear. 

"He was hurt. Badly." Toris told him. Ivan gained a look of distress and anger as he grasped the shirt of the other demon.

"How?" Ivan's question came out as a command, making Toris shrink back even further.

"The schoolhouse burned down last night. The villagers say one of the embers flew into a stack of paper and caused an inferno,"

Ivan threw Toris to the side.

"I'm going to see him!"

"Your majesty! Wait!" But before Toris could warn Ivan, the king slammed the doors behind him.

Ivan flew up from the underworld in a hurry. His heart was racing a mile a minute and he couldn't seem to catch his breath. His love was hurt! He couldn't even begin to think about what had happened.

The winds of the world swished around him as he flew towards the only hospital located in Alfred's small town. The demon flew by every window until he came upon the room Alfred was in.

Alfred's father, Aruthur, was sitting by his son's bed looking so heartbroken. The older man looked twenty years beyond his age like this. Alfred himself was actually unharmed from what Ivan could see.

There were no burns nor scars visible to him. But Ivan didn't rule out the possibility of smoke inhalation.

The Demon King was reminded of how he first met Alfred. And of how his intentions could have landed Alfred in that hospital bed much sooner.

He continued to look at the elder blonde, finding it hard to keep himself hidden. He saw the doctors come in with a sad look upon their faces, and Arthur continued to cry.

"Please, come with us, Mr. Kirkland," the one doctor spoke softly. Arthur gently brushed Alfred's head and kissed his cheek.

"Stay strong, Alfred. I'll be back soon," with that, Arthur left the room. Ivan took the opportunity to fly in and truly get a look at his beloved.

There were a fair amount of scrapes and burns covered in bandages, but it was his skin that truly made Ivan wish to cry. Alfred was whiter than he was, a ghostly shade of grayish blue. His breathing seemed labored and it was clear he was struggling.

"Oh, Alfred," Ivan whispered as he went to his bedside. He lifted the boy's head into his neck, sniffing his hair. His eyes shot open when he felt a dark aura inhabiting Alfred's body.

'Only a demon could leave this strong of an aura' the king thought, 'which means, I can heal him,' Ivan put a hand over Alfred's heart. His aura began to glow as he pulled his hand away, and a black aura flowed out of Alfred into Ivan's palm.

Alfred began to breathe normally and his skin was beginning to return to its lush tan. Ivan smiled as he saw life begin to return to Alfred's body, feeling a smile creep onto his face.

That's when the door began to open.

Arthur stepped into the room and gasped when he saw Ivan. "Foul demon! What is your business with my son?" The older blonde already had his cross out ready to cast Ivan out of the room.

Before Arthur could do anything however, Ivan spoke up.

"Wait! I'm not here to harm him!" Ivan shouted. The demon threw his hands up in defense, but he made sure to look like no threat. Arthur didn't look convinced and scowled at him.

"Nonsense! That's all you demons know how to do. Now be gon—" Arthur didn't finish his sentence when he looked over at Alfred. He noticed the drastic change in his son. The younger man's skin was tan again and his breathing seemed normal.

The exorcist dropped his cross before rushing over to Alfred.

"Alfred..." Arthur knelt down beside Alfred's bed just like before. He grasped his hand in his own, rejoicing at the warmth he could feel coming from the palm. His boy was going to be okay it seemed.

"Did you do this?" Arthur asked Ivan who nodded. "Thank you..." Arthur looked away from Alfred to stare at Ivan in disbelief. "Why?" The word stung more than it should have.

Ivan couldn't speak for a moment, he felt like his tongue had swelled up. His palms became sweaty and his heart began to pace.

"Truthfully, I just wished to save him," Ivan began to step back towards the window. Alfred sat up weakly and looked at him.

"Wait," Alfred whispered. His voice seemed raspy from lack of water, so Arthur stood up.

"Try not to talk until you wet your throat, lad," Arthur left the room to fetch a glass of water. Ivan simply stood there, near the bedside.

"I've noticed you for quite a long time," Alfred told Ivan. Ivan looked at him shocked.

"But how,"

"Ever since I was little, I saw demons. Even if they were disguised as humans. It was a strange power that not even my father knows of," Alfred smiled, "it was a demon who started the fire, and honestly I was hoping you would save me. Like when you halted that snowstorm back in December so I could get to Ms. MacLuther's house to delivery her medicine,"

Ivan laughed.

"You knew about that?"

"Yes, and I never properly thanked you. This is the first time I've ever seen you up close. Come here," Alfred hugged Ivan tightly, surprising the demon with his super strength. Ivan felt his cheeks grow warm and his wings fluffed up.

Alfred's arms felt so comforting around him. So right and so wrong at the same time. No one had ever heard of a relationship between a human and a demon. It was practically forbidden in both kingdoms.

It was a rule that up until he met Alfred, Ivan thought it to be right and just. Humans had no business meddling in demon affairs and vise versa.

They stayed like that for a few more seconds until they parted.

"Thank you, Ivan. I don't know your motivation behind helping me all these years, but thank you." Alfred said smiling. Ivan's heart started beating a mile a minute. He had never been this close with Alfred nor did he think he ever would be.

It was a welcomed blessing, but not one he could dwell on for one.

"Can you tell me about the fire?" Ivan asked gently. Alfred's smile disappeared and he sighed. "I can't really remember much. It all happened so fast." Alfred told him. The younger blonde held his head in his hands as he tried to remember.

"I think one of the embers from the fire fell onto a piece of paper on my desk. That's how the fire started." Alfred said slowly. Ivan was looking at him encouragingly and Alfred continued.

"I tried to run and open the door, but it was jammed. I don't remember locking it either." Ivan's eyes widened. "It was jammed?" Alfred nodded and scratched his head. "Yeah. Almost like someone was holding it from the outside..." Alfred looked a little unsettled.

The fire could have been planned. Someone had tried to kill him.

"Well, all that matters now is that you recover," Ivan spoke with a tenderness that no demon should possess. A small smile was the only thing he gave Alfred as he stepped to the window, "I will investigate, sunflower," Ivan flew out the window and towards the school house.

Not much had changed since Alfred was hauled to the hospital. Ivan looked at the charred wood, feeling sad about all the work that would have to be done.

'No doubt Fredka is going to work on the new schoolhouse, no matter his condition. I better hurry so this way I'm not spotted,"

Ivan dug through the rubble and found nothing. Everything was too burnt to even recognize it. There were a few things like some string, chalk, and even some cloth.

Then Ivan saw it, a piece of red fabric snagged in what was the crumbling door frame. He gently picked it up and sniffed it, feeling his eyes widen in horror. He knew that scent, he knew who was responsible.

His teeth gritted tightly and his fangs grew larger. His blood boiled and his pupils became slits. His anger was now overflowing and his purple aura seemed to radiate from his person.

Carlos.

Carlos had tried to kill his beloved. And he will pay dearly for it.

Ivan flew back down to the underworld and into his castle. Some of his advisors were in the meeting room speaking when he arrived. Carlos was among those advisors. As soon as Ivan saw him, his anger multiplied by tenfold.

The Demon King rushed towards Carlos, grabbing him by the neck and slamming him against a nearby wall. Carlos gasped in shock, but that was cut short when Ivan tightened his grip on his neck.

"Explain yourself!! Why did you hurt Alfred?" Ivan growled at the other demon. Carlos' eyes widened before his lips stretched into a smirk. "Who? That little human you've been pathetically obsessing over for the last decade?" Carlos sneered at him.

"So what if I killed him? He was just a pesky human bound by his own mortal flesh! Soon you'll be thanking me." Ivan couldn't help slam him against the wall again for his comments.

But, Ivan didn't do any more damage. He dropped Carlos as the realization dawned upon him. Carlos was right, Alfred was mortal and thus bound to die. Ivan growled as he left the room in a huff, slamming the doors shut behind him.

He paid a visit to the castle library, where he looked at many spell books from the ancient times. None of them had a solution, making Ivan even more furious.

"How can I save him?! How can I make him my forever?! Why must mortals be so fragile?!"

"So, you have fallen for a mortal?" A voice asked. Ivan turned around.

"Who said that?!"

"No worries, my king. I am no threat, in fact, I offer my services," from the shadows walked a man with fangs, "my name is Vladimir, a pleasure,"

"How do you expect to aid me?" He scoffed as he looked at the tiny demon. Vladimir seemed to be nothing but a pesky little thing. That didn't last as Vlad chuckled darkly,

"I work with many magics, some older than time. I have seen many greats rise and fall, and I have learned many spells which no remain forgotten in time,"

Ivan felt his interest pique at the bold declaration, walking towards the smaller man with caution.

"What are you proposing?" The King inquired. Seeing that he had the demon king's full attention, Vladimir sat down at a nearby table and gestured for Ivan to do the same. Ivan did so.

"A spell." Vladimir said simply. "What kind of spell?" Ivan asked curiously. The smaller demon smirked. "A spell that would make your chosen beloved like us. Immortal. Never dying. You get it?" Ivan nodded.

"What's the catch?" Ivan said, suspicion present in his voice. Vladimir raised an eyebrow. "The catch? Why, there is none, your highness. Your happiness is all that matters here." Vladimir told him.

The demon had an innocent smile on his face now, but Ivan knew it was anything but innocent. That smile was devious and cunning. Ivan wasn't in a mood to play games like this.

"Tell me what you really want." Ivan started. He wasn't surprised when Vladimir dropped the smile and his eyes went cold.

"I want to be able to leave the underworld. You can come and go as you please, so why can't I? Seems like a small price to pay for him." Vladimir looked casually at his nails, noticing how Ivan's eyes widened.

"You know that I can't do that. It's one of the most sacred rules in our kingdom. I can't just—" Before Ivan could even finish his last sentence, Vladimir was standing up from the table. He was just about to start walking away when Ivan called out.

"WAIT!" Vladimir internally smirked and sat back down.

"Yes, your highness?" Vlad asked coyly. Ivan gritted his teeth and got his bearings.

"I shall grant this request, on one condition," Vlad nodded, "you are not to torment the living world as we have done before," Vlad smirked and nodded.

"Then, the deal shall be sealed," the two shook hands and Vlad gave Ivan a small vial of glowing blue liquid, "just tell him to drink this in a single shot, he will experience slight spasms at first, but it be only temporary," Vlad chuckled and disappeared into the shadows.

Ivan quickly flew to the surface world, flying his quickest to the hospital. Alfred was getting dressed, having made a miraculous recovery once the darkness was removed from his soul.

"Hello," he smiled as he glanced at the window. Ivan chuckled and came in the room.

"Perceptive as, I assume, always," Ivan playfully jested, making Alfred roll his eyes. He was buttoning up his shirt, allowing for Ivan to get a clear view of Alfred's now mature body.

The American had certainly matured over the years and it showed. The once baby fat was now hard muscle. Alfred's muscles weren't too big, but enough that it suited him.

"What's up?" Alfred asked as he turned to face the demon king. Ivan suddenly remembered why he was here. The platinum blonde pulled the small vial from his pocket and handed it to Alfred.

"What is it?" Alfred questioned as he examined the small vial and the blue liquid inside of it. "A healing remedy. One that is to assure a steady and easy recovery. Made by one of my doctors." Ivan lied.

He couldn't tell Alfred that what was in that vial was going to make him immortal. Alfred may seem to trust him, but his actual feelings for him are still unclear.

"Oh, ok." Alfred unscrewed the top off the vial and downed it in one gulp. It tasted oddly like blueberries.

Then suddenly, Alfred felt a shock run through his body. He dropped the vial causing it to shatter when it came into contact with the floor.

"W..What?" Alfred muttered confused. He fell to the floor next to the shattered vial and started gasping.

Ivan dove down to his side, holding him and began to frantically comfort him.

'I swear if Vlad lied to me, I'll kill him! THIS is not a spasm! This is a heart attack!'

Not even a second after Ivan thought that, Alfred's body stopped moving. Ivan turned him over gently, making sure he didn't touch the shattered glass.

"Alfred?!" Ivan shouted as he took the boys shoulders. He laid his ear over his chest and listened to his heart.

Alfred's heart had stopped.

He was dead, with no hope of coming back.

Ivan began to tear up, feeling his heart shatter at the revelation that HE killed his beloved. He wept into Alfred's chest, hoping for any pure entity to save him.

"Please! If any God is watching! Please, I beg of you! Save him! I meant him no harm! Please! He is too good to leave this world!"

That's when the Earth began to shake. Ivan smiled, hoping it was a sign from some pure immortal lordship. But no, it wasn't.

A red light burst from the Earth's crust, and Vlad flew out of the gaping cazam. Ivan began to feel his anger grow, seeing the man whom he trusted.

"You!!!" Ivan boomed as he flew out of the hospital room. Vlad chuckled and held up his hands, both engulfed in flames.

"Ah, your highness. Fancy meeting you here," he spoke with an attitude.

"The deal was to cause no mayhem!" Ivan roared. Vlad, once again, laughed.

"But the deal is broken, your beloved is not alive nor immortal. That voids our deal," he began laughing as he threw flames at the village below.

Ivan felt like an absolute fool. In his desire for Alfred, he had lost his love. And now the world above was paying for his mistakes.

The demon king could hear the screams of the villagers as they tried to run away from Vladimir's rath. However, it seems like no one escaped the demon and his relentless flames.

Everything around him burned leaving Ivan and Alfred's body surrounded by hellfire. Vladimir had left them to move onto different parts of the village. As he stared at Alfred's lifeless body, Ivan felt something drip down his face.

He raised a hand and when he pulled it back, he was shocked to see a teardrop. Ivan never cried. Ever.

It was proof that Alfred's death had completely shattered the demon he had once been.

Noticing the fire was getting closer to them, Ivan flapped his wings as fast as he could. The fire dispelled around them leaving Ivan and Alfred in nothing but a burned shell of the previous room.

He had considered letting the flames consume them, but then decided against it. After all, fire can't hurt a demon and Ivan didn't want Alfred's body to get hurt.

His beloved deserved better than that. He was going to give Alfred a proper funeral after he defeated Vladimir.

He stood up, gently carrying Alfred's body to the forest, far from Vladimir. He rested the boy on a bed of forget-me-nots before kissing him and flying away.

As he returned to the village, he noticed some people were still alive. Using his brute strength, he lifted the rubble with his bare hands.

"Go to the forest! He will not harm you there!" As the people fled the rubble, he held his hand out and conjured an orb. Toris popped up, "Toris, you are to go to the black woods and guard those whom I send there with your life. Take as many guards as you need," and without any further explanation, made the orb vanish.

That's when he noticed Arthur and his elder brother, Allistor, putting crosses around sacred areas. Allistor took notice of him before Arthur, making the redhead snarl.

"Artie! Watch ye' back!" Allistor took Arthur behind him and held up a cross. Arthur recognized Ivan and smiled.

"Allistor, it's alright. Ivan is our ally," he spoke as he approached the ashy blonde, "do you know what has happened? Why does that rogue demon break our laws?"

Ivan gained a guilty expression at the questioning. "It is all my fault. I'm the one to blame for Vladimir's destruction of your world." Ivan told the brothers. Allistor looked suspicious while Arthur looked confused.

"What do you mean, Ivan? What did you do?" Arthur asked. The human was clutching his cross in one hand while the other draped at his side.

"I made a deal with Vladimir. A deal that would give the power to make my true love mine and immortal." Ivan started explaining to them. Arthur gestured for him to continue.

"I put details in the deal to assure that nothing would go amiss, but Vladimir tricked me. And now my love is dead." Arthur and Allistor sent Ivan looks of pity. They didn't know that demons could feel human emotions so this was all pretty new to them.

"I'm sorry for your loss. What was your love's name?" Uh oh. Ivan hadn't been prepared for that kind of question.

Alfred had been Arthur's son and he had practically murdered him in his pursuit for love. Arthur was still looking at him with sympathetic eyes when Ivan told him.

"It was Alfred. I'm so sorry." As soon as those words left Ivan's mouth, silence fell over the group. Arthur's face had become terrifyingly blank.

Then the Brit suddenly lunged at the demon, but Ivan was faster. He caught the emerald eyed man mid air as the other struggled and squirmed.

"You killed my son, you hateful demon!! My son!" Arthur shouted at the demon king. Tears were now streaming down his face as he screamed out in agony. The sound could only be described as a parent facing the death of their child.

"I had never meant for that to happen! The potion was supposed to make him immortal, but Vladimir tricked me! I'm sorry." Ivan shouted back. Allistor was standing off to the side not doing anything.

Ivan was wondering why the older male didn't have as fierce of a reaction as Arthur's. After all, Alfred and Allistor had been close throughout the years. Ivan had observed them together on many occasions.

His answer came in the form of a punch to the demon's gut. Ivan dropped Arthur and rubbed the area, never feeling a human with such strength. Allistor's fist was glowing a blue hue, showing he was not all human.

"The eldest in each generation of the Kirkland family has been blessed with the powers to heal. This has given us strength that no man can possess. Alfred would have had it, being he just turned a man," Allistor explained as he helped his brother up.

"I never knew you possessed such powers, Allistor," Arthur looked in awe.

"Ai! I've had them from the time I myself turned eighteen," his face turned serious as he faced Ivan, "we need not fight now. The Earth is burning around us, we must attend to the world first. Our main priority is to stop Vlad, then we settle our personal disputes,"

Arthur and Ivan nodded.

"Jolly good then. I will-"

"Ye will go with Ivan. I have my powers to protect me, Ivan has the powers to protect you. Though he seems short on brains, that's where you help him," Arthur went to retort, but Allistor stopped him, "no back lip! Ye and Ivan will head North! I'll head South!"

Arthur had no time to argue before Allistor took off in the aforementioned direction. The Brit sent Ivan a glare that told him they would be coming back to this discussion later.

Ivan knew better than to argue and he and Arthur took off North.

They didn't find Vladimir, but found a little boy. The child was trying to desperately save his father who had become trapped underneath a fallen beam.

"Go on Billy! I'll be fine." The man told his son, but the boy was refusing to abandon his father. Arthur and Ivan made haste towards the boy and the man. Ivan grabbed the beam and lifted it off the man while Arthur pulled the man away from it.

Immediately the father and his son embraced. Arthur was painfully reminded of his own son who he would never be able to hug again.

"Thank you.." The man turned to the duo. His eyes widened at the sight of Ivan and he immediately took his son and left. Arthur stared in shock as the man and his son left.

Ivan however, didn't look too affected by it. Like he was used to people running away from him. Now that Arthur thought of it. He probably was. He was, after all, a demon first and foremost.

"Let's go find Vlad." Ivan said with the conviction of a man who had known love and lost it all on the same day. "Indeed." Arthur agreed. The two then set off to find the demon that had killed the only precious thing in either of their lives.

Ivan and Arthur went to multitudinous buildings in hopes of findings Vlad, but no luck. It was only when Ivan and Arthur found themselves in a poorer part of the village did they encounter the demon.

He was laughing as he burned down a halfway house for runaway children. Arthur gaped in horror as the screams of kids reached his ears. Ivan didn't waste any time and sucked the fire into his mouth, slurping it like spaghetti. Vlad growled and turned to the two.

"Arthur, evacuate the children. I will hold him off," Ivan readied himself for battle as Vlad lunged at him.

Ivan quickly dodged the attack and kicked Vladimir in the back. This sent the smaller demon into the wall of a nearby building. The building's wall cracked underneath his weight, but Vlad didn't look phased.

If anything, he just looked more pissed off. Oh like he had a reason to be pissed off. Terrified definitely because Ivan was going to roast him from the inside out.

Vladimir threw a fireball at Ivan, but the demon king used his wings to defect it. He didn't notice that Vladimir had gotten close to him until the other demon socked him in the jaw.

Ivan fell back and clutched his now aching jaw. It hurt, but Ivan had nothing left but his incredible threshold for pain. So he quickly bounced back and rushed towards Vladimir.

His claws extended as he slashed at him. Ivan managed to scratch one of the demon's eyes causing him the bleed profusely from his socket.

Vladimir grabbed his eye in pain and Ivan saw the perfect opportunity to strike.

He pounced, his claws ready to puncture and crush Vlad. The smaller smirked and began to glow. His form quickly changed to Alfred, making Ivan completely stop.

"Fredka?" He whispered. Vlad took the moment of hesitation to strike, putting all his power and strength into an orb. He chucked it at Ivan, striking the royal in the chest and sending him back into the shelter.

The brick was demolished and he left a gaping hole in the wall. Arthur had been in the room, doing a survey to make sure he had gotten everybody. He knelt to Ivan's side and looked over him worriedly.

"Ivan," Vlad chuckled darkly as he floated up towards the hole Ivan had made.

He had switched back to his normal look and was smiling evilly at the duo.

"You're so easy to trick, Ivan. Carlos was right. Falling in love made you weak and soft." Vladimir said as he approached them. Arthur was helping Ivan up when the two were backed up against the wall by Vladimir.

The smaller demon summoned a flaming orb that changed colors regularly. "I think it's time for a new king to emerge. One that won't hesitate to put humans in their places." Arthur couldn't help but scoff.

"You forget about the exorcists, rouge demon. They will stop at nothing until you are no more than mere ash and bones." Arthur scowled. Vladimir only chuckled at his threat.

"The exorcists will pose no threat to me once I destroy them all. Actually, I think I'll start with you." Vladimir held the orb up and launched it at the two. Neither of them had time to dodge it so all they could do was brace for impact.

Then, a screech of agony.

Both Arthur and Ivan looked to see a shield warped around them and the orb engulfing Vladimir's body. The blue aura looked much like Allistor's, but at the same time didn't feel the same.

"What the bloody hell just happened?" Arthur whispered as he let go of Ivan's arm. The blue energy surrounding them launched at Vlad, encasing him in ice. The now frozen demon teetered on the edge of the hole before plummeting down to the streets, shattering upon impact.

That's when he came into view.

Floating right behind where Vlad had been, was Alfred.

He looked so different from the last time Ivan had seen him. For one he was very much alive and breathing. Ivan could almost cry at that alone, but what really left him starstruck was Alfred's appearance.

It was obvious that Alfred was no longer human by the demon wings that stretched out behind him. He also had little horns grow out from his head. As a demon, he was still just a baby.

His beloved's eyes were glowing blue and that only illuminated his eyes even more than before.

Alfred smiled down at them and flew towards them. He landed on the ground safely, which was surprising since he should still be getting used to flying. Ivan should really learn to stop being surprised by Alfred and what he can do.

Immediately, Ivan and Arthur rushed him. The new demon accepted the sudden hugs with open arms.

"Alfred! Oh my sweet little man, you're ok! Thank God you're ok!!!" Arthur cried as he kissed Alfred's head. Ivan stepped back to let the two have a moment, waiting patiently on the sidelines.

When Alfred finally escaped the death grip and continuous kisses from his father, he looked at Ivan with a stern glare.

"Fredka-" Alfred shushed him with a kiss. Ivan gently put his hands on Alfred's cheeks, finding the younger still radiated happy warmth. As they pulled away, Ivan felt the blush warming his cheeks.

"Stupid demon, you could've just told me you loved me," Alfred smiled brighter. Ivan felt his heart pound, as if trying to jump from his chest, "no more lies, ok?"

Ivan nodded rapidly and his eyes sparkled.

"Da! No more lies, I swear it!"

Alfred gave him a smile that put the sun to shame.

And Ivan wouldn't have it any other way.