Blue Fire in the Eyes

Relief of a Lullaby

"It was... difficult to occasionally slip away from the Gleeful twins when I had to check on Alcor." Will murmured quietly to Bill, rubbing his elbow as they walked. Alcor kept an even pace along side them, his brows raising in curiosity at the adults' discussion. The young demon found it surely interesting that they talked about him as if he wasn't there. Though, he didn't intervene.

Bill turned his shining eyes towards the blue demon. Briefly, alarm flashed in his gaze. Will knew the question before Bill had even begun to open his mouth, but he made no move to stop it. "Have they ever followed you?"

Hesitation, then Will shook his head no. "I don't think so." He muttered. "Otherwise, I would surely not be here." The younger dream demon averted his gaze to the ground before trailing up to the path ahead of them as he continued. "But, after a handful of times I've disappeared, they started to... take notice. They weren't too happy. These past few years, I've learned quite a thing or two about stealth." There was a beat of silence, and then; "I hope they don't suspect anything too deeply and decide to track me down..."

"Be careful." Bill warned him. His golden eyes trickled down to Alcor's own, and he seemed to take something in consideration before adding; "That doesn't mean you can't visit Alcor and I, however. I hope to see you more, brother."

Something like glee sparkled in Alcor's eyes, and at the same time the hard, calculating look in Will's eyes that had lingered ever since Bill showed up again softened as he gazed on at the yellow demon.

"I would like that." Will admitted softly, a small smile tugging at his lips. For a few moments, the three demons strutted along in a sense of calmness before Will spoke up again. "I... I should go before my masters become aware of the lack of my presence." He stated, and Bill nodded.

"We'll see you soon, though, right uncle?" Piped Alcor, his small wings fluttering.

Slowly, Will nodded. "Yes..." He concluded. The blue-eyed demon gave Alcor a quick hug, then lightly touched Bill's shoulder in an attempt at saying good bye, before turning and splitting ways.

Bill decided not to linger on how much it offended him that he didn't give him a hug, too.

Carefully, the yellow demon peered at the young demon walking with him at his side.

The only thing that tied Alcor's appearance to Bill's were the golden eyes that sparkled as he looked on ahead, though they were rounder; more childish; and the hidden blonde hairs that could only be seen if the light hit just right against his brunette hair. One thing Bill did not understand were the bat wings that were neatly folded on his back; something Alcor inherited from neither Bill or his mother. Though, he figured one of their family ancestors had had wings themself, and thus passed this gene down to Alcor.

Of course, the wings weren't fit for flying. They were too thin and small to carry Alcor's weight.

Perhaps the time would come for them to be large enough to take flight in the years to come.

"Dad?" Alcor's voice snapped Bill it of his thoughts. The blonde demon blinked down at the teen questioningly, and Alcor continued. "I've been practicing my powers." He worded carefully, eyes looking into Bill's own as if looking for approval. "Will helped me a bit. I know how to teleport now."

Slowly, Bill nodded. Alcor had always had some trouble in the art of teleportation. It had always been much easier for him to teleport objects than himself and other living things. "That's wonderful, Alcor." The dream demon purred. "Cut me a solid and show me an example."

Hesitation flashed across the demon teen's face, his nose wrinkling as he cringed. "Well." He drawled. "I'm not... that good at it. I've just managed to do it once or twice. Out of chance." Alcor turned his worrying gaze towards his father. "But I swear I have the ability to do it!"

"I don't doubt that." Bill agreed, sending the brunette a mischievous grin. "Calm down, Pine Tree."

Alcor stuck his tongue out at the older demon, but the blonde was already moving on.

"We should return to your training." The blonde said thoughtfully, and Alcor shrugged, eyes bright with playfulness.

"Maybe not." Alcor bubbled. The younger demon poked his father's chest. "You're exhausted, right? I know because the walls you have around your mind that you're surprisingly keeping up to prevent me from reading your thoughts are slowly crumbling down. Just for your information, no biggie." He batted his eyelashes up at the older demon's surprised face.

"Oh." Was all Bill uttered, almost guiltily. Alcor sensed the walls around his mind upping its defense. "I am tired." Bill admitted, a lopsided smile at his lips. "As much as I'd hate to admit it, some sleep would do me good."

The older demon ruffled Alcor's hair. "Don't do anything I would do." He warned before turning away, retreating to his chambers.

——

There was distrust. No, maybe not that. Nothing quite so low, surely. Perhaps it was just the fact that it had been years since they had last been together.

Maybe, during that time, familiarities sunk.

Alcor would never lose faith in his father for the world.

Bill, however, was more complex than his offspring. Alcor wasn't quite sure of his father's genuine feelings.

That was okay though, because Alcor
knew they could build up again. The brunette knew that the blonde was fond of him.

Perhaps Bill was just distracted by his long trip elsewhere. Perhaps the demon was just tired, like he had previously stated.

Hopefully, his father would soon open up to him.

Now, in the dark, watching Bill occasionally and restlessly shift in his sleep, Alcor sat by his bedside. Whenever Alcor had had a nightmare during those long nights, the yellow demon would sense the loudness and scrambled fear in the brunette's thoughts. The older creature would stay by his side for the rest of the night, sometimes crooning softly to the boy, other times choosing to stay in silence. He would control his dreams and alter them into something more pleasing for his young, afraid mind.

Now though, it seemed like the tables had turned.

Alcor nested himself at his father's side, nuzzling his face to the older demon's chest. Almost on instinct, Bill's arm slung across him. Drowsy, golden eyes peered at him through the dark. "Hm..?"

"Nothing." Alcor whispered, closing his eyes. Absentmindedly, he placed his hand at Bill's temple. Peeking, the brunette noted that Bill had fallen quiet, quickly back into his slumber.

He took a deep breath, cringing at the waves of negativity that he could sense from Bill's thoughts. His powers tingled at his palms, and with that he sent a careful, lulling sensation through the older demon's mind.

Minutes later, Alcor slipped into a similar rest.