Kaiden's grip felt strong and comforting as his arms wrapped tightly around Milokan. A sense of tranquillity rushed through him. He could feel the angel gripping him back. His small hands clung to the back of his t-shirt, hiding them within his open jacket.
The demon knew the angel would accidentally leave a rift for the other hell-hounds and he could not afford for him to make careless mistakes. Now that he was comfortably in his arms, he never wanted to let go. He didn't want to feel that way, yet he had no choice. His senses were too overbearing.
After a few long minutes of Milokan pressing his face against the fabric of Kaiden's t-shirt, his feet landed on something sturdy, and the wind subsided. Reluctantly, he pulled his head back and looked up. A dark shadow cast over Kaiden's face who watched his mum land in front of him. His amber eyes flashed relief until he glanced down and his features lost any expression. Milokan, at that moment, would have taken the demon's breath away. Those glistening emerald eyes were studying him with wonder. They looked simply magical.
However, Kaiden, like the stubborn demon he is, unhinged the angel's arms from his waist and pushed him away.
"What did you promise me?" Meloras hissed when the angel was not able to hide his pain of rejection. Kaiden scowled and turned to inspect their surroundings.
They stood in a very filthy alleyway. Bin-bags full of foul-smelling trash covered the ground. Animals had sniffed out any food and took it with generosity. The brick walls of what was assumed to be a restaurant laid in grime and grease from the years of being neglected.
Milokan screwed his nose and started to climb over the rubbish, desperate for sweet smelling air.
"Why did you bring us here?" Meloras pulled on her son's arm and followed the petite angel. Kaiden shrugged and braced himself to be surrounded by humans. He knew they were in a city. It would be harder for other demons to find them if they tried to blend in. Although, with an angel, it might be difficult.
Milokan stopped when he reached the kerb. His eyes got drawn to a person peddling on a strange contraption that moved them along with two sturdy wheels.
"Wow," He breathed. "How practical!"
Meloras quickly stood in front of him, blocking his view.
"Don't draw attention to yourself. We need to go somewhere secluded because you and my son need to talk."
"Do not draw attention to myself?" He repeated. "I am not the one running from demons-"
Kaiden reached over and shoved him.
"Shut up and keep your voice down."
Milokan very nearly exposed his wings when irritation thumped through his veins.
"Do not be rude."
Kaiden turned so his glare could leak freely without guilt if he directed it at the angel. He stormed down the street, deciding to take charge and keep moving. Milokan and his mother rushed after him, weaving in and out of the people on the busy pavement. So many sounds captivated the angel, but he couldn't stop to soak in the culture. Maybe one day soon, he could wander freely with Kaiden in a better mood.
When they adventured away from the main streets of the city, it was considerably quieter, and eventually, they found an area with a huge pond that seemed deserted. It sat next to a row of wealthy looking houses but just out of sight for prying eyes.
"What is going on?" Milokan questioned, ignoring the natural beauty of his surroundings.
"I escaped hell. That is the real reason my son left you, to help me."
"It's not, I just didn't want to be with you," Kaiden snapped.
Meloras turned, and her eyes flashed black. "Don't speak to him like that. You promised me that if I started a new life on earth, then you would treat him with the respect that he deserves!"
Kaiden fell silent and continued to avoid Milokan's face. His eyes were too beautiful for him to remain in such a foul mood. He was not ready to fall victim to the bond, not yet.
Meloras turned and watched the angel.
"Have you tried getting into heaven now that you share a soul?" She questioned.
"Yes. I have left. It is not my home anymore so I do not understand why your son would let me live alone when he is also to blame." Kaiden opened his mouth to argue, but the angel pressed on. "You both are very intriguing. I may not have met many demons in my lifetime, but I know you are different."
"Yes," Kaiden spoke with confidence, "Why are we different mum?" His challenging eyes narrowed Milokan's.
"Maybe you need to talk as a family. I shall go over here and-"
"No!" Meloras rushed towards the angel, pushing him closer to her son. "You both have a lot to sort out."
"Dodging the question, again," Kaiden muttered. Meloras turned and headed for the pond. When the boys couldn't see her face, her eyes almost watered. She was keeping back a secret. It was a promise in which she vowed never to let it leave her lips.
"So," Milokan clasped his hands together. "Where do we begin?" Kaiden clenched his jaw but didn't move a muscle. "Is it hard for you to look at me? I know how you feel, I feel it too."
"You know nothing about me," He growled.
"Maybe not, but I would like to know you. Feeling how you feel at this moment means nothing. You are angry, pained and full of sorrow. It is not hard to acknowledge that."
Kaiden had nothing to be ashamed of anymore. If he undoubtedly left hell and stayed distant, the devil would not judge him and neither would other demons. Although, they were on the run and he didn't want them to find out. He would be a laughing stock for the rest of his life. But why should he care about what they think? He will be happy and maybe in love. That is more than they will ever feel.
"Will you give me a break? We have only just completed the bond. It feels weird."
"We are going through this together, Kaiden. I feel very emotional. I have abandoned everything. My home, my comforts, the possibility of finding my parents again, my angel duties-" He stopped and choked on his words. "Everything... it-it has all gone!"
He covered his face with his hands. The warm tears streamed from his eyes. The situation finally caught up with him, and he could no longer hold up his strong walls.
Kaiden felt the tidal wave of pity in his chest as he stood, awkwardly watching him break down. The sounds of his cries pierced his heart. He has never felt sorry for anyone, until now.
"Why is it such a bad thing? You have freedom now."
"I'm just- I-I'm just so overwhelmed," He sobbed.
Yes, Kaiden is a demon. He is violent, arrogant, rude and inconsiderate. But still, the sound of his soulmate crying is one of the worst things he has ever experienced. He would willingly be tortured for the rest of his life than to cause the angel such sorrow.
Milokan felt alone. In such a big world, everyone pushed him away no matter what he did. He was losing hope and his faith until cold hands rested on his shoulders. He looked up with red eyes and a tear-stained face. Kaiden grimaced and tried to stop himself from being closer.
"please stop crying." His voice was a little tender.
"But I am sad." Milokan's lip trembled while his hands tried to wipe away the fresh tears.
Kaiden could see his mother glaring at him. He knew what he needed to do, and he knew what she wanted him to do. After a moment, Milokan felt his face press against the demon's strong chest who's hands remained on his shoulders. Kaiden was tense and utterly clueless. Hugging someone is not a hard act to perform. He made it difficult for himself.
"If this is how you embrace, you have a lot to learn," The angel muffled. His heart had only seconds to calm down before Kaiden stepped away and cleared his throat.
"Stop crying, please." He wasn't demanding as usual.
"Thank you for trying to help. I know you do not want this."
Kaiden turned and walked to a collection of trees. His cheeks were hot, and he felt a sense of warmth within him. Milokan appreciated something that he had failed. He liked his praise.
Meloras turned back to the pond, a faint smile brightened her face. Her son is not the affectionate type, but she is confident that spending his time with an angel will bring out his qualities that other demons do not possess.
She crouched and dipped her fingers into the cold water. A ripple moved the surface and blurred her reflection. Meloras forgot just how beautiful the earth was. Well, the natural parts. Humans are not very good at looking after their home, but they will come together when they have to preserve the beauty.
"Why are you running?" An angelic voice floated into her ears. She could feel the presence of the angel as he stood next to her, staring emptily into the distance.
"Because I broke a promise."
"To who?"
"Lucifer." Meloras stood up and turned to face her son's soulmate. "I am running from other demons. Our master had me on a very short leash."
"Why?"
Her eyes diverted, trying not to expose her soul to him.
"We all hold secrets."
Milokan looked at Kaiden who was glaring at a squirrel which clung to the bark of a tree, frowning back and wondering why he didn't have food for it and why an angel appeared to be so upset in his presence. Kaiden scowled as ferocious impulses to kill something throbbed in his veins.
"Is your son a secret?"
"No." Meloras watched a fish poke its mouth into the air. "But who he is... yes, that is a secret." She frowned and glanced at him. Why did she tell him that?
Milokan knew she had said too much and didn't encourage her to speak more. Whatever she was holding back, he would find out. The angel is subconsciously very persuasive. His aura calms even the most stressful people down.
Now, he had more to worry about than Meloras. They would soon be chased by a lot of demons if she worked closely with the devil. That scared him, he didn't want to fight anyone, and he didn't want to get hurt. Most demons are vile creatures and will stop at nothing to fulfil their cravings for violence, which was then proven by Kaiden as he considered climbing the tree to get to the Squirrel who scrambled from his grip.
"Hey!" Milokan hurried over, looking rather distraught. "There will be no killing in my presence, do you hear me!"
Kaiden stopped with a deep frown.
"You can't steal my soul and then tell me what to do."
"Kaiden, respect his wishes," Meloras moaned, tired of telling him to be kind.
"Fine." Kaiden jumped down and crossed his arms. He tried to glare at the angel, but it was simply impossible. "But respect my wish and get out of my life."
Milokan shook his head. It was almost laughable at how that will never happen, even if they tried.
"You are foolish and very childish."
"Well, I prefer to be those things instead of an angel." Kaiden lent against the tree trunk when an owl swooped down and bit hard into his ear. He cried out, and it swiftly carried on its journey, letting a sweet hoot to Milokan who laughed with pleasure.
"I feel a lot better now. Thank you for your stupidity Kaiden. Much appreciated." With that said, the angel turned and walked back to the pond, getting ready to absorb the nature while he had the time.
Meloras smirked and held back a grin. She patted her son's shoulder with fake sympathy.
"I like him."