Knights of Hell

Chapter 2

Azure woke up to Church’s feet in his face. He scowled as he swatted them away. Church groaned as he curled up into a ball and snuggled back into the sheets.

“Get off of me you fat s**t,” Mint groaned as he kicked his best friend.

Azure scowled as he was kicked instead of Church. “You’re kicking the wrong person, you moron.”

“Please stop arguing,” Kai said, as he walked into the bedroom with a smile on his face. “This is why I told you to put them in the guest bedroom, Azure.”

Azure groaned as he sat up, yawning into the crook of his elbow as he ran a hand through his hair. He looked around the room, it was still the same as the last time he had been there. A large bed took up the majority of the room, with a nightstand on either side and a wooden wardrobe towards the bottom.

“Yeah, but they’d end up in this bed when we woke up.”

“He’s not wrong, Mr Kai,” Church said, smiling. “Your bed is much comfier than the one in the guest bedroom.”

“They’re the exact same beds and mattresses, Church,” Kai replied.

“The vibe is better here,” Church said, shrugging.

Kai looked like he was going to argue with Church, but he didn’t. Azure ran a hand through Mint’s mint hair before he smacked the younger boy awake. “Up you get. If I’m awake, so are you.”

“Let me sleep,” he groaned.

“No, I swear you have homework you have to do,” Azure snapped as he pulled the duvets off of the boy, who scowled at Azure as he finally sat up.

Mint scowled at Azure. “I hate you.”

“Says the freeloader,” he replied, rolling his eyes.

“Azure, as amusing as it is watching you argue with the boys, go freshen up. I’m going grocery shopping and you can help me. I want you two to sit down and do your homework.”

“But it’s bullshit,” Mint replied, scowling as he waved his hands around in anger. “We have to argue about angels and demons and I got the angel's side, which is f*****g stupid, because why the f**k do I have to side with angels when everyone knows demons are so much better than the angels in every aspect.”

“Demons kill, steal and lead humanity away from the good side.”

“Oh, who are the angels, right? Because they’re god’s soldiers and how could they ever cause anyone harm?”

Kai sighed as he ran a hand through his pale hair. Azure couldn’t take his eyes off Kai, and his eyes landed on the one-inch velvet choker Kai refused to take off. Even though what he was saying meant if he ever found out Azure was a demon, he would hate him, no matter what.

“Well, think about it from the angels' side,” Kai said, smiling politely. “Azure, get up. I’ll finish making breakfast.”

Azure watched as Kai left before he turned to face Mint. “You’re making it too obvious, Mint,” he hissed.

Mint scowled. “Everyone at school knows and they purposely made me do the angels side and it’s pissing me off.”

“I can see that you’re pissed off and if you want me to, I can go to school and speak to them?”

“You should,” Church said, scowling. Mint glared at his best friend as he elbowed him.

“No-”

“Mr Azure, you should go. This isn’t the first time they’ve done this. Whenever we're in religious studies, they always make Mint talk on the angels' side. It’s like they’re making him justify why they kill your kind, and then they laugh when Mint does it because it’s like he’s forgiving them.”

Azure’s eyes narrowed on Mint. “This isn’t the first time they’ve done this and you’re only telling me now?” he snapped.

“I didn’t want to worry you,” Mint grumbled. “And Church wasn’t supposed to tell you either!”

“I’m getting sick of you not speaking up for yourself, Mint. I get that we only have a few more months and we never have to see any of them again, but it isn’t fair to you.”

“I’ll speak to your school tomorrow. You should have told me this is how they were treating you. I would have come in sooner.”

“But you’d threaten them,” Mint grumbled. “There’s a reason I have Mrs Laurent be my fake mother when we have the parent-teacher meetings.”

Azure groaned. “You do what?”

“I’m sorry,” Mint said, running a hand through his hair. “I just didn’t want to worry you.”

“I’m coming in tomorrow and I am going to threaten them and if they f**k one thing up I will threaten to kill them and then we will see if you’re treated like s**t again.”

“But, then that would just prove the point that so many people make when they have to be on the angel's side and against demons. We threaten.”

“If I was threatening them for their money, it would prove a point. But no, I’m threatening them, so you get basic decency, Mint. There is a point, and no son of mine gets treated like shit.”

Azure was surprised when Mint threw his arms around his neck and hugged him. Azure smiled a little as he held him close. “I don’t hate you really.”

Azure let out a little laugh. “I know, Mint. But you cannot let Kai know.”

“I know. And, I don’t know if I have ever thanked you for letting me meet him. Even if he doesn’t know.”

“You’re welcome.”

Azure pulled away and smiled as he finally left the bedroom and went into the bathroom down the hallway. He locked the door and exhaled a little. He had always been sure Mint hated him for what he had done to him. But maybe that wasn’t the case, maybe Mint was glad Azure was around.

That thought made him smile a little as he finished doing his business and washing his hands and face and brushing his teeth. When he went into the kitchen, Kai was sitting at the small dining table and he smiled as he took a seat.

“Tell me this coffee is mine?” Azure asked, grinning at the hot coffee mug in his seat.

Kai looked up from his book to smile at him. “Yes, Azure. That coffee is yours. Now, hurry up, I want to be there early.”

Azure nodded as he drank his coffee and ate his pancakes. He didn’t need to eat or drink, but he liked eating Kai’s food. It made him feel slightly more normal around him. Both boys came out, pushing and shoving one another as they took their seats and all four ate their breakfast.

Azure looked around him, with a small smile on his face. This was all he wanted. For him to be with Kai and for the boys to be there and they were all together and happy, laughing over breakfast. And he was happy, he was content. Even though he wanted to hold Kai’s hand, kiss his knuckles and look him in his eyes and say he loved him. He knew that would never happen, so he was content with being in his life.

After breakfast, the boys cleaned up while Azure and Kai slipped on their shoes and left the apartment.

“Oh, someone’s moved into Mrs Henderson’s old apartment,” Azure said as the two stepped into the elevator.

“Really? Have you said hello?”

Azure sighed. “Not yet. I thought it would be rude to go empty-handed, so I was thinking of getting them a plant.”

Kai grinned as he got onto his tip-toes to pinch the demon’s cheek. “Aren’t you cute?”

Azure rolled his eyes as the elevator doors opened and he didn’t miss the way Kai tensed when a demon stepped inside. Azure hoped the demon didn’t recognise him and if she did, she didn’t make it obvious. The ride down suddenly became tense and Azure felt the walls in his mind being knocked on. He scratched his neck, looking around to see her staring at him.

He sighed as he accepted her call.

‘What the hell are you doing with a priest, Knight?’ she hissed.

Azure scowled as he stared ahead. ‘Watch how you speak to me. I may be in human form, but do not forget I am still a knight.’

He didn’t hear her sharp voice for a second. ‘I apologise,’ she said, although Azure could tell it was forced. ‘But you are with a priest, sir.’

‘Who I am with is none of your concern. Do not mention this to anyone and do not mention me being a knight to the priest. Have I made myself clear?’

‘Yes, sir.”

‘On the next floor, get off.’

She didn’t reply. She moved to press the button, and the elevator door dinged open. She stepped outside and once the door shut again, did Azure relax.

“They’re everywhere,” Kai deadpanned, a scowl on his face.

“They’re not bad, Kai,” Azure whispered.

“Oh, don’t you start too, Azure,” Kai said, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “They are horrible and I will stand by that until the day I die.”

Azure tensed. “Don't say things like that,” he snapped.

Kai frowned as he turned to stare at Azure. “What? That I’ll die? I mean, it’s normal, isn’t it? We’re all going to die at some point.”

How did Azure tell him that he wouldn’t die, not for a very long time?

Kai waved him off. “Let’s go. I need to go to church later.”

Azure nodded as he followed Kai to his car. He didn’t speak for the remainder of the drive, he knew why Kai hated demons. Hell, he had been there to witness it all, but he wanted Kai to give demons a chance, to give him a chance.

Yes, he had been a child, and he only let Kai remember one of the events, the less traumatic one in his opinion. It had still messed him up pretty badly, but he couldn’t let him remember what had happened. He had only been 13. It wasn’t fair, but Azure couldn't have taken both memories without hurting his growing brain.

So, he had kept the memory where Kai watched his mother and father being torn to shreds when demons had first emerged and were out of control. He had watched his unborn brother fall from his mother’s shredded stomach.

Azure had to let Kai keep that memory, he couldn’t let him remember what had happened after. What had transpired when he finally got there after having to deal with the rampant demons? He had only been gone for twenty minutes. But those twenty minutes were the biggest regret he had.

If he had just stayed if he had ignored Feather screaming down the line, could he have somehow stopped what had happened? Could he have stopped Kai from hating his kind?

“Azure?” Kai whispered. “What are you thinking about?”

“Nothing in particular,” Azure replied, as he turned to look at Kai, smiling a little.

The human frowned. “Are you sure?”

“I’m sure. I didn’t know we were here. Let’s go.”

Azure clambered out of the car, stretching a little. He made eye contact with a bunch of demonic teenagers hanging out in the carpark. They gave curt nods but said nothing else.

The two did the shopping, Azure would pick up something unhealthy and Kai would scowl as he would put the item back on the shelf.

“You need to stop eating so unhealthy. You’re going to get diabetes!” Kai hissed, as he put the ice cream back in the freezer.

Azure rolled his eyes as he put the ice cream back in the cart. “I won’t get diabetes.”

“Said everyone who’s ever gotten diabetes!”

“If I want to be healthy, I will come to yours. You always make sure I eat healthily anyway.”

“Because I don’t want you dying on me.”

“I’m touched. You care about me.”

“Of course, I care about you! Now, put the ice cream back and leave it in the freezer.”

Azure grinned as he picked up the Ben and Jerry's and placed it in the trolley he was pushing.

“You’re lucky I love you,” Kai snapped, as he gently shoved Azure and stormed away, the trolley’s wheels creaking at how fast Kai was pushing it.

Azure grinned as he walked over to Kai, placing his hand on the small of the man’s back, he leaned over to grab a salad. “There? Happy.”

“I’m floating on a rainbow,” he deadpanned.

Azure grinned as he ruffled Kai’s light hair. He scowled as he swatted his hands away. “Don’t treat me like a child,” he snapped.

“I’m not. I’m treating you like my special human.”

“I’m your only human.”

“I have the kids,” Azure retorted.

“They don’t count and we both know they don’t.”

Azure sighed. “Okay, fair point. But can you blame me?”

Kai smiled. “No, I like being your special person.”

If only Kai knew just how special he was to Azure.

They finished off their shopping and Azure ended up paying, despite Kai’s protests. Kai stomped to the car holding two bags. Azure smiled as he followed after him, he put the bags in the back and turned to smile at him.

“Why are you so mad, Kai? I’m at your house every waking moment, the least I can do is pay for the food we all end up eating.”

“I don’t need your money!”

Azure frowned, he placed his hand on Kai’s shoulder, ignoring the searing pain in his hand. “I know. But let me help out sometimes, okay? Nothing would happen if you let me help every now and then.”

Kai sighed as he swatted Azure’s hand, who quickly healed it in case Kai saw something.

The two got into the car, and they drove home. Kai seemed to have calmed down by the time they had gotten back. He helped the human take the groceries in, and put them away. After completing that, he went to the door and slipped his shoes on and just as he was about to leave, a warm hand caught his hand. Azure turned around, a smile on his face.

“I’ll be back soon, I promise,” Azure said, ruffling Kai’s hair.

“I need to tell you something before the boys come back.”

Azure frowned. “Where are the boys? I told them to do their homework.”

“Mint left a note, they just stopped by their apartment to pick up some stuff, they said they’d be back soon. But I need to get this over and done with.”

“What’s wrong, Kai?”

Kai looked like he was going to say something, but then he chickened out at the last second. “It’s nothing, never mind. I’ll see you later?”

Azure frowned, as he held onto Kai’s wrist. “Kai, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing, it’s nothing. Never mind, can we just pretend the last five minutes didn’t happen?”

“You’re not hurt or anything, right?”

“No. I’m not hurt. I’m fine. Don’t eat, I should be back in time to cook for everyone,” Kai said.

Azure pulled his hand away, a deep frown setting on his face, but he nodded slowly. “Okay. If you are sure?”

“I'm sure.”

Azure nodded, and he turned on his heel and left.

The walk to his own apartment was short. He knew Kai wanted to tell him something, wanted to say something, but he hadn’t. Was he in danger? And why did he have to wear that stupid collar all of the time?

He sighed as he went up to his own apartment on the third floor. Opening his door, he wasn’t surprised to hear Nether arguing with Feather outside.

When he came into view, Feather whipped his head around to stare at him. His blue skin flushed red. “Control the bitch.”

Nether tried to attack Feather.

“Knock it off,” he hissed, as he glared at them.

“Let’s get this over and done with so I don’t have to see you two for the next month.”

“There are rumours Death’s dead,” Nether deadpanned, keeping his eyes on Feather, who visibly tensed.

Feather scowled. “Don’t be an i***t. He’s Death.”

“And they say he’s dead.”

Azure sighed as the two began arguing with one another again. “Knock it off,” Cedar yelled, but when all eyes landed on him, he gave his signature closed-eye smile. “Now, let’s finish this off without any arguing because I left Xavier in charge and I’m worried.”

“Xavier? Is he the human boy working with you?” Azure asked, and Cedar nodded, smiling.

“He’s a lovely boy, intimidating, but you can tell he really cares for the flowers.”

“What do you mean there are rumours Death is dead?” Feather snapped, scowling as he glared at a bored-looking Nether. “He can’t be dead.”

Nether stared at Feather and blinked a few times. “Has he been in contact with you?”

Nether paused, a small frown on his face. “No, but that doesn’t mean he’s dead. He sometimes goes for months without speaking to me.”

“But it’s never been years, and none of the demons have sensed his presence anywhere and Lucifer isn’t-”

‘Azure?!’

Azure frowned as he heard Mint’s panicked voice. ‘Mint, what’s wrong? Are you okay?’

‘Azure! You need to come to Kai’s apartment. Oh, it’s a mess. Azure, now!’

Azure didn’t hesitate in creating a portal in the middle of his living room, to the surprise of the other demons. “Azure?” Cedar asked, frowning. “What’s wrong?”

Azure’s heart was in his throat, he didn’t reply to Cedar and instead ran through the portal where he appeared in Kai’s apartment.

He froze when he saw the four demons, Mint and Church, in the corner, a demon roughly handling them.

“Kai?!” Azure snapped as his eyes landed on the priest, all bloody and bruised.

“Azure, what the s**t is going on?”

“Holy s**t, he’s red. He’s floating,” Church said, eyes wide as he stared at Nether.

Azure was becoming overwhelmed. Kai was in danger. The kids were in danger. The knights were meeting the boys and Kai, something he never wanted to happen. And there were demons trying to attack them.

“Kai?” Azure asked. “Kai, are you okay?” Kai didn’t reply. He just continued leaning forward in his chair.

“Why didn’t he exorcist them?” Azure asked, eyes on Mint and Church.

“Mr Kai was surprised, Mr Azure. We were in the kitchen when he went to open the door and we heard a thump and they all came rushing in.”

Azure stared at the demon he met in the elevator. “What the f**k did you do?” he snapped.

She stared back at him, coolly. “There was talk you were becoming weak because of the human priest. I thought I’d do you a favour and kill him.”

“You touch a hair on his head and I will send you to hell myself.”

She smirked as she grabbed Kai by the hair, revealing his bruised face. “A little late for that, don’t you think?”

Azure wasn’t sure what came over him. He sent the female demon flying as she roughly hit the wall.

”Feather, you’re always complaining about how you don't get to kill people enough. Kill the demons. Don’t touch the two boys.”

Feather grinned as he stopped in front of a yellow-skinned demon.

“Nether, protect the human boys. Yua kills them. Cedar, heal Kai.”

Azure stormed over to the female demon and he killed her. He made sure it was bloody and painful, and when he moved away he was covered in black blood.

“I can’t heal him,” Cedar whispered. “I think I’m making it worse.”

“Nether, grab the boys, Cedar, thank you for trying. Open a portal, we're taking them back to my apartment.”

Azure walked over to Kai, and gently untied the man and he slumped forward. Azure gently picked Kai up and stepped through the portal.

He placed Kai on his sofa and stared down at the unconscious man.

“Azure, what the s**t is going on?”

“Meet your nephew,” Azure replied. “This is Mint.”

~*~