[Fanfic] Raze 1/1
Title: Raze
Author: saemi_mitsuwa
Words: around 3300
Characters: half-demon!America, Paranormal Hunter!Russia
Rating/Warnings: PG13; violence, abuse, human names used?
Summary: Paranormal-HunterAU. Set a few months after “Contract”. Ivan comes to terms with his contract with Alfred - and grows to accept him as half human, half demon.
++
“I’m hungry.”
Ivan tightened his grip on the steering wheel and turned to the young half demon sitting in the passenger seat of the jeep.
“You just ate.”
Alfred sat with his arms crossed over his stomach and frowned.
“Well I’m still hungry.”
Two weeks had passed since the contract was forged. Directly after Ivan was healed, the two headed for his jeep and together they left. Alfred remained at his side ever since and helped him with little jobs he got called for along the way. Whether it be a call for another lycan or vampyre, Ivan had no problem dispatching them. It was only when they received calls for stronger foes that Alfred’s help was called on. Mostly, Alfred sat locked up in the jeep.
At first he didn’t mind. This contract was new for the both of them, and Alfred already knew of Ivan’s hatred of demons. Alfred knew that his hate for Khan overrode everything else. Ivan would do anything to kill Khan. He did it out of desperation, I know. But…I can’t help but use this as a way to get closer to him. Maybe he’ll realize that…I’m not just a demon.
The hope didn’t last long. Ivan quickly made it apparent that he wanted nothing to do with Alfred. He only put up with him when necessary, never speaking to him unless complaining or ordering something, never making eye contact, never opening himself up. Ivan wanted nothing to do with him, and instead of utilizing Alfred’s physical and magical abilities…he kept him either in the jeep or at a motel room.
Like a caged dog.
“You ate three plates of eggs and sausages!” Ivan growled. “And you’re hungry again?”
“I have to eat.” Alfred exclaimed, his voice growing edgy with defensiveness. “If I don’t then I have to take it from people.”
“And what is wrong with doing that?” Ivan accused, voice hard. “You are a demon, aren’t you?”
“Half demon.”
“There is no difference.”
“No- you’re wrong.” Alfred insisted, anger beginning to fill him. “There is a difference.”
“You are either demon or human. There is no in between.” Ivan glared at the horizon beyond the windshield. “And obviously, that makes you a demon.”
“I’m not a demon and I’m not a human! I’m both.” Alfred stared at him, azure eyes wide with conviction, but focused entirely on Ivan. “If you are going to be contracted to me, you have to understand this.”
“I have heard this argument before.” Ivan clenched the steering wheel, his knuckles growing white. “And it doesn’t matter to me. Either way, you are dangerous to humans.”
Alfred flushed in anger and slowly turned away, focusing his gaze to the desert countryside as it flew past the window.
“And humans aren’t just as dangerous?” Alfred crossed his arms over his aching, growling stomach. “They can kill and hurt just as easily as demons can.”
“There is no relation.”
“There is a relation, because I am both!” Alfred turned on Ivan, raising his voice at him for the very first time. “I maybe a demon, I may be able to heal and withstand physical abuse, but I hurt just as much from words as you do!”
Ivan pressed his lips together and glared at the horizon, growing stoic with silence.
“I wasn’t raised as a demon. I was raised as a human. A human!” Alfred shouted, eyes blazing with anger. “So yes, I get angry. Yes I lose control and yes, I am dangerous to humans. But that doesn’t mean I don't try and avoid it!” Alfred jabbed a finger into Ivan’s chest. “And if you don’t find something for me to eat by the end of the day, I will lose all control of myself and my demon half will find something to eat, and that something is you! I will fuck you and eat you.” Alfred spat the last part, disgust filling his voice. “So I don’t care what you do or how you do it, but find something or somewhere that has food, or else suffer the consequences.”
Alfred turned away again and glared out the window. Ivan continued to clench the steering wheel and frowned deeply, saying nothing.
You…are so black and white. Alfred closed his eyes and pressed his face to the hot window. The sun beat down from the sky high above, bringing warmth and comfort. I am not a demon. I am not a human. I exist somewhere in between, new and misunderstood. Neither demons or humans accept me. Because I am…different.
Alfred thought of his brother, his twin. The only other one in the world who - like him - understood what they went through. Feelings of a human, dark tendencies of a demon…a balance that Alfred struggled to keep every day. The demon blood heightened every emotion that flowed through him, turning it wild and uncontrollable. His father - Arthur - accepted them for what they were… but he didn’t know. Didn’t understand exactly what they went through. Alfred had learned long ago to accept his position in the world as someone who - if humans knew what he was - to be pushed away as an outcast. It was life, something to be expected and it no longer affected him.
I thought I was over this.
Alfred let his eyes grow unfocused as the desert scenery flew by.
But hearing Ivan say that… hurt a lot more than I expected.
+++++
They stopped in the next town. Ivan wordlessly handed Alfred a wad of bills when they parked nearby a small roadside station. Alfred took the bills and went inside, frowning and generally feeling miserable, when he started picking up dried meat and other quick snacks by the armload. After judging the pile for a moment, he paid for everything - ignoring the wide eyed looks of curiosity and surprise from the man behind the counter - and was about to exit the building when the smell hit.
It was smoke. A burning, stinging, eye watering smoke. It filled his nose, eyes, ears and mouth, turning his skin numb and tingling.
Someone’s burning sage.
It was one of the weaknesses that carried over from his demon half. The smoke from burning sage leaves had as strong effect on him as it did on a full blooded demon. Alfred stumbled back, his strength leaving him as he twisted and dumped the armload of food to the floor. The people jumped and erupted into shouts, all point fingers at him and running to a room in the back of the building. Alfred gagged and choked on the smoke as panic set in.
I have to get out of here! Alfred tried gathering the food, but after he kept dropping pieces of plastic bags, he merely staggered to his feet and started for the door when something long and wooden slammed into the back of his head. Alfred collapsed to the floor again, his vision blurring as spots of black and white flooded the world around him, flashing and leaving him mindless.
“The fuck-?” Alfred tried rolling away, but the wooden thing struck his head again. Stop! I don’t want to hurt you!
Alfred only groaned and crawled for the door. He felt his body reacting to the abuse, felt his demonic blood being to boil and change him so he could better defend himself. His teeth sharpened, his horns grew, nails elongated into claws, his tail emerged from beneath his shirt. Hands grabbed his arms, legs, neck and hair, dragging him away from the door. Alfred thrashed and struggled, throwing and twisting his body. He growled and shouted, clawing at the wooden countertop as it appeared in his vision, the wood splintering and giving way beneath his fingers. A pair of hand slipped from his leg. Alfred reared his leg back and slammed it into the man holding his other leg, sending him through the white plaster of the opposite wall. Shouts and screams flooded the room. A man picked up a knife used for butchering and cleaved it into Alfred’s shoulder, splitting the muscle and cracking the bone.
A pained shout erupted from his throat as his arm suddenly became useless.
Ivan! Alfred called, hoping the link between them was strong enough. Help me!
More hands grabbed him and dragged him into the back room. Chains appeared, wrapped tightly across his throat, chest, arms, pelvis and legs. Alfred shouted and struggled, blood flowing from his shoulder like a steady stream of water from a faucet. Alfred struggled, snapping the chains and reaching for the butcher knife still lodged in his other shoulder. Hands grabbed him and jerked his arm away, and suddenly a blinding, burning pain burst over his chest, neck and face.
The smell of blessed oil filled the air, as sulfuric steam rose from Alfred’s body, his skin burning the instant it came into contact with the oil. Alfred screamed, his body seized and twisted, his strength leaving him as the oil continued to pour over his chest and neck.
A crash of wood erupted just behind the group of men that surrounded Alfred.
“Stop!” Ivan shouted, brandishing a shotgun in one hand. “Release him!”
Alfred gasped, relief filling him.
The men argued back, but Ivan merely shoved them aside. He grabbed the glass jar filled with Holy Oil and flung it behind him, the flask shattering and spilling the remains across the concrete floor. Ivan jerked the chains away, pulled the knife from Alfred’s shoulder and with a firm grasp of his ankle, lifted him up and draped him over his left shoulder, so Alfred’s face was level with his groin. His hand now free, he flashed his paranormal hunter’s license at the group.
“He is my prey, understand?” Ivan growled. “I am the only one who gets to kill him.”
The men backed away, recognizing the logo on the license. Shoving the plastic back into his pocket, Ivan stormed out of the store and back outside to his waiting Jeep. Children stood nearby, watching with wide, curious eyes. Ivan opened up the back of the Jeep and shoved Alfred inside, earning a whimper from the rough handling.
“Quiet.” Ivan growled as he slammed the back door shut. He walked back to the driver’s seat, jumped inside and peeled off down the road.
Only Alfred’s pained breathing could be heard as Ivan drove in silence, waiting until the small village disappeared behind the horizon before speaking.
“What did they do to you?”
Alfred snorted. “The fuck you think they did?”
“Drop the attitude.” Ivan snapped. “This was your fault.”
“My fault?” Alfred asked, voice incredulous. “Oh that’s rich.”
“They used holy oil, what else?”
“Well…let’s see.” Alfred’s voice grew petulant. “They beat me over the head with a two by four. Wrapped my in chains and nearly cut off my right arm.”
“Did you get any of the oil in the wound on the shoulder?”
“Uhh…” Alfred turned his head, wincing as his burnt skin stretched. “No. It’s already healed.”
“The villages in this region are very superstitious. You have to be careful.”
“You..could’ve told me that before.”
Ivan slowed the Jeep down and turned off road into the desert, driving out into the wilderness for a minute or two before stopping and cutting the engine.
“We will have to camp here. If I don’t tend to your wounds now they might become permanent.”
“Gee…didn’t know you cared.”
Ivan ignored him and exited the Jeep, walking to the back and opening the doors. Gripping Alfred’s ankles, Ivan dragged him closed enough to wrap an arm around his waist and lift Alfred up, one arm going under Alfred’s rear to keep him from falling to the ground. Ivan couldn’t help but feel a heat spread over his cheeks at the intimate contact, but Alfred said nothing. Stepping back, Ivan lowered himself to one knee and gently set Alfred on the ground. Standing, he returned to the jeep and pulled out a tent, sleeping bag and his survival kit. He set up the tent first, snapping the rods in place with practiced ease before sliding them through the nylon material and forming the dome shape of the tent. Unzipping the front, he flung his sleeping back inside along with an extra blanket and zipped the front back up to keep anything from crawling or flying inside.
Turning to Alfred, Ivan gathered as much wood as the desert could offer, and started a fire using the flint from his kit and the steel from a hunting knife he kept tucked away. The wood caught immediately, being dry and without any moisture. Ivan felt it more wood until it was a sufficient size and turned his focus to Alfred. His white shirt was ripped and bloody, sticky bodily fluids covering the ripped parts and his chest, where the holy oil was doused over him. Ivan kneeled beside him and without warning, ripping the shirt from Alfred’s torso.
“Fuck-!!” Alfred cried out, pain shooting up his spine. “You could ‘a warned me!”
“The reason I am stuck camping in the desert with you…everything is your fault.” Ivan surveyed the damage, and found that the only wounds remaining were the horrific burns over his chest, neck and parts of his face. The skin was a horrible red and sticky, thick scar tissue already forming. “…You…are already healing? But…that was holy oil. You should not be able to heal…?”
“How many times do I have to tell you that I’m not a full demon?” Alfred glared at him. “I’m half human. I was raised by a human. ”
“…I know.” Ivan stood and went back to the jeep, grabbing his suitcase and returning to Alfred’s side. “If you don’t want any scars, I am going to have to burn this scar tissue off, scrub your skin with a kind of...sulfur ointment to clear away the holy oil.”
“…Burn the scar tissue off?” Alfred gaped at him. “You can’t be serious?”
Ivan opened the suitcase and picked up a thick glass vial of acid. Alfred clenched his fingers into fists.
“Wait- just-…hold on-”
Ivan opened the vial, and poured the acid over the scar tissue and other burns. Alfred cried out at the sudden flood of pain, hot tears filling his eyes.
“Sshit!!” Alfred hissed, twisting away from Ivan. “Slow down!”
“Can you hold still for just a single moment??” Ivan growled back, dousing more acid over Alfred’s neck and parts of his face. “The quicker I do this, the sooner it ends.”
Alfred groaned and hissed, his fangs fully extended as his demon blood reacted to the abuse. Ivan turned to the fire and swept a few of the embers into a rag, cooling them with water and scrubbing the charred wood into the fabric. He turned back to his suitcase and picked up a small vial sulfur, dumping a few drops of the foul smelling solution into the rag and rubbing that in with the charred wood. Once the two ingredients were well mixed, Ivan added a little oil and vigorously scrubbed at Alfred’s skin, forcibly removing the acid and holy oil away from his skin with hard, rough strokes. Alfred wined and whimpered from the painful treatment. He squeezed his eyes shut and dug his claws into the ground, taking the pain as best he could.
“…Done.” Ivan finally pulled away. “Don’t touch anything.”
Alfred sighed in relief and gasped softly. The skin was beet red and bloody in some areas. It looked as if he’d fallen face first off a motorcycle and the asphalt stripped the skin away in large painful swatches. Ivan watched him lay there in pain for a moment before turning away and abruptly slamming his suitcase shut.
“Do painkillers work for you?” Ivan stood and went to the Jeep, shoving his suitcase back inside his cheeks beginning to color with embarrassment. “I have them if you want to take some.”
“Human medicine doesn’t work on me.” Alfred moved closer to the fire, his face relaxing from the warmth. “But…thanks anyway.”
Ivan shut the back door to the Jeep and returned to the fire. Taking a seat, he dug inside his survival kit and pulled out a few packages of freeze-dried meals. He picked up the “thanksgiving meal” one and handed it to Alfred, including a bottle of water. Alfred took it and peered at it for a moment, eyes wide with surprise at the kind gesture. Ivan noticed Alfred’s face softening with affection. Something squeezed inside his chest…and he didn’t like it.
“I’m only giving it to you so you won’t eat me while I sleep.”
Alfred frowned and glared at him, but kept his mouth shut and said nothing.
The two opened the foil packages, prepared their meals and ate in silence, only the insects clicking and the fire crackling to break the quiet. The sun set, the sky grew dark and stars emerged in the sky, twinkling and glittering in the tens of thousands.
“Thanks.” Alfred admitted, his voice quiet. “You didn’t have to heal me…but you did anyway.”
Ivan stiffened, but kept his eyes on the fire. A moment passed before he stood and doused the flames with the remains of his water bottle.
“We’re getting up early, so I would advise you to go to sleep now.” Ivan glanced at him. “That is…if you do sleep.”
“I was seriously injured, so I have to sleep.” Alfred couldn’t help but roll his eyes at Ivan. “I thought you were supposed to be a demon expert?”
“Only in the art of killing them.” Ivan let his gaze drop. “And only in full demons. Not…half-demons.”
Alfred fell silent at that. Ivan turned to the tent and unzipped the front, stepping inside. Alfred followed and immediately noticed how small the tent was. It was long, but barely wide enough to fit two people. Ivan had obviously gotten this with the intention of using it only for himself.
“So…you only have one sleeping bag?”
“Yes.” Ivan shucked his boots off, dropped his gun holsters and pulled his shirt up and away, leaving his torso bare, save for the knife sheaths on his arms. Alfred watched him, admiring his muscular torso and arms. “And if you try anything, I will stab you in the chest.”
“…Noted.” Alfred grumbled, eyeing the blanket. “Can I use that?”
Ivan slid inside the sleeping bag. “Yes use the blanket.”
Alfred grabbed it, zipped the tent shut, kicked his cowboys boots off and lay in the empty spot beside Ivan. He pulled the blanket up and over him, welcoming the soft, warm texture. Alfred rubbed his fingers over it and noticed that it was handmade. It was done in a similar style that his father used. Alfred smiled, running his fingers across the blanket before relaxing against the hard ground.
I can already see you cracking, and it’s only the first day…just a matter of time before I slip through that hard exterior and see the true you.
Author: saemi_mitsuwa
Words: around 3300
Characters: half-demon!America, Paranormal Hunter!Russia
Rating/Warnings: PG13; violence, abuse, human names used?
Summary: Paranormal-HunterAU. Set a few months after “Contract”. Ivan comes to terms with his contract with Alfred - and grows to accept him as half human, half demon.
++
“I’m hungry.”
Ivan tightened his grip on the steering wheel and turned to the young half demon sitting in the passenger seat of the jeep.
“You just ate.”
Alfred sat with his arms crossed over his stomach and frowned.
“Well I’m still hungry.”
Two weeks had passed since the contract was forged. Directly after Ivan was healed, the two headed for his jeep and together they left. Alfred remained at his side ever since and helped him with little jobs he got called for along the way. Whether it be a call for another lycan or vampyre, Ivan had no problem dispatching them. It was only when they received calls for stronger foes that Alfred’s help was called on. Mostly, Alfred sat locked up in the jeep.
At first he didn’t mind. This contract was new for the both of them, and Alfred already knew of Ivan’s hatred of demons. Alfred knew that his hate for Khan overrode everything else. Ivan would do anything to kill Khan. He did it out of desperation, I know. But…I can’t help but use this as a way to get closer to him. Maybe he’ll realize that…I’m not just a demon.
The hope didn’t last long. Ivan quickly made it apparent that he wanted nothing to do with Alfred. He only put up with him when necessary, never speaking to him unless complaining or ordering something, never making eye contact, never opening himself up. Ivan wanted nothing to do with him, and instead of utilizing Alfred’s physical and magical abilities…he kept him either in the jeep or at a motel room.
Like a caged dog.
“You ate three plates of eggs and sausages!” Ivan growled. “And you’re hungry again?”
“I have to eat.” Alfred exclaimed, his voice growing edgy with defensiveness. “If I don’t then I have to take it from people.”
“And what is wrong with doing that?” Ivan accused, voice hard. “You are a demon, aren’t you?”
“Half demon.”
“There is no difference.”
“No- you’re wrong.” Alfred insisted, anger beginning to fill him. “There is a difference.”
“You are either demon or human. There is no in between.” Ivan glared at the horizon beyond the windshield. “And obviously, that makes you a demon.”
“I’m not a demon and I’m not a human! I’m both.” Alfred stared at him, azure eyes wide with conviction, but focused entirely on Ivan. “If you are going to be contracted to me, you have to understand this.”
“I have heard this argument before.” Ivan clenched the steering wheel, his knuckles growing white. “And it doesn’t matter to me. Either way, you are dangerous to humans.”
Alfred flushed in anger and slowly turned away, focusing his gaze to the desert countryside as it flew past the window.
“And humans aren’t just as dangerous?” Alfred crossed his arms over his aching, growling stomach. “They can kill and hurt just as easily as demons can.”
“There is no relation.”
“There is a relation, because I am both!” Alfred turned on Ivan, raising his voice at him for the very first time. “I maybe a demon, I may be able to heal and withstand physical abuse, but I hurt just as much from words as you do!”
Ivan pressed his lips together and glared at the horizon, growing stoic with silence.
“I wasn’t raised as a demon. I was raised as a human. A human!” Alfred shouted, eyes blazing with anger. “So yes, I get angry. Yes I lose control and yes, I am dangerous to humans. But that doesn’t mean I don't try and avoid it!” Alfred jabbed a finger into Ivan’s chest. “And if you don’t find something for me to eat by the end of the day, I will lose all control of myself and my demon half will find something to eat, and that something is you! I will fuck you and eat you.” Alfred spat the last part, disgust filling his voice. “So I don’t care what you do or how you do it, but find something or somewhere that has food, or else suffer the consequences.”
Alfred turned away again and glared out the window. Ivan continued to clench the steering wheel and frowned deeply, saying nothing.
You…are so black and white. Alfred closed his eyes and pressed his face to the hot window. The sun beat down from the sky high above, bringing warmth and comfort. I am not a demon. I am not a human. I exist somewhere in between, new and misunderstood. Neither demons or humans accept me. Because I am…different.
Alfred thought of his brother, his twin. The only other one in the world who - like him - understood what they went through. Feelings of a human, dark tendencies of a demon…a balance that Alfred struggled to keep every day. The demon blood heightened every emotion that flowed through him, turning it wild and uncontrollable. His father - Arthur - accepted them for what they were… but he didn’t know. Didn’t understand exactly what they went through. Alfred had learned long ago to accept his position in the world as someone who - if humans knew what he was - to be pushed away as an outcast. It was life, something to be expected and it no longer affected him.
I thought I was over this.
Alfred let his eyes grow unfocused as the desert scenery flew by.
But hearing Ivan say that… hurt a lot more than I expected.
+++++
They stopped in the next town. Ivan wordlessly handed Alfred a wad of bills when they parked nearby a small roadside station. Alfred took the bills and went inside, frowning and generally feeling miserable, when he started picking up dried meat and other quick snacks by the armload. After judging the pile for a moment, he paid for everything - ignoring the wide eyed looks of curiosity and surprise from the man behind the counter - and was about to exit the building when the smell hit.
It was smoke. A burning, stinging, eye watering smoke. It filled his nose, eyes, ears and mouth, turning his skin numb and tingling.
Someone’s burning sage.
It was one of the weaknesses that carried over from his demon half. The smoke from burning sage leaves had as strong effect on him as it did on a full blooded demon. Alfred stumbled back, his strength leaving him as he twisted and dumped the armload of food to the floor. The people jumped and erupted into shouts, all point fingers at him and running to a room in the back of the building. Alfred gagged and choked on the smoke as panic set in.
I have to get out of here! Alfred tried gathering the food, but after he kept dropping pieces of plastic bags, he merely staggered to his feet and started for the door when something long and wooden slammed into the back of his head. Alfred collapsed to the floor again, his vision blurring as spots of black and white flooded the world around him, flashing and leaving him mindless.
“The fuck-?” Alfred tried rolling away, but the wooden thing struck his head again. Stop! I don’t want to hurt you!
Alfred only groaned and crawled for the door. He felt his body reacting to the abuse, felt his demonic blood being to boil and change him so he could better defend himself. His teeth sharpened, his horns grew, nails elongated into claws, his tail emerged from beneath his shirt. Hands grabbed his arms, legs, neck and hair, dragging him away from the door. Alfred thrashed and struggled, throwing and twisting his body. He growled and shouted, clawing at the wooden countertop as it appeared in his vision, the wood splintering and giving way beneath his fingers. A pair of hand slipped from his leg. Alfred reared his leg back and slammed it into the man holding his other leg, sending him through the white plaster of the opposite wall. Shouts and screams flooded the room. A man picked up a knife used for butchering and cleaved it into Alfred’s shoulder, splitting the muscle and cracking the bone.
A pained shout erupted from his throat as his arm suddenly became useless.
Ivan! Alfred called, hoping the link between them was strong enough. Help me!
More hands grabbed him and dragged him into the back room. Chains appeared, wrapped tightly across his throat, chest, arms, pelvis and legs. Alfred shouted and struggled, blood flowing from his shoulder like a steady stream of water from a faucet. Alfred struggled, snapping the chains and reaching for the butcher knife still lodged in his other shoulder. Hands grabbed him and jerked his arm away, and suddenly a blinding, burning pain burst over his chest, neck and face.
The smell of blessed oil filled the air, as sulfuric steam rose from Alfred’s body, his skin burning the instant it came into contact with the oil. Alfred screamed, his body seized and twisted, his strength leaving him as the oil continued to pour over his chest and neck.
A crash of wood erupted just behind the group of men that surrounded Alfred.
“Stop!” Ivan shouted, brandishing a shotgun in one hand. “Release him!”
Alfred gasped, relief filling him.
The men argued back, but Ivan merely shoved them aside. He grabbed the glass jar filled with Holy Oil and flung it behind him, the flask shattering and spilling the remains across the concrete floor. Ivan jerked the chains away, pulled the knife from Alfred’s shoulder and with a firm grasp of his ankle, lifted him up and draped him over his left shoulder, so Alfred’s face was level with his groin. His hand now free, he flashed his paranormal hunter’s license at the group.
“He is my prey, understand?” Ivan growled. “I am the only one who gets to kill him.”
The men backed away, recognizing the logo on the license. Shoving the plastic back into his pocket, Ivan stormed out of the store and back outside to his waiting Jeep. Children stood nearby, watching with wide, curious eyes. Ivan opened up the back of the Jeep and shoved Alfred inside, earning a whimper from the rough handling.
“Quiet.” Ivan growled as he slammed the back door shut. He walked back to the driver’s seat, jumped inside and peeled off down the road.
Only Alfred’s pained breathing could be heard as Ivan drove in silence, waiting until the small village disappeared behind the horizon before speaking.
“What did they do to you?”
Alfred snorted. “The fuck you think they did?”
“Drop the attitude.” Ivan snapped. “This was your fault.”
“My fault?” Alfred asked, voice incredulous. “Oh that’s rich.”
“They used holy oil, what else?”
“Well…let’s see.” Alfred’s voice grew petulant. “They beat me over the head with a two by four. Wrapped my in chains and nearly cut off my right arm.”
“Did you get any of the oil in the wound on the shoulder?”
“Uhh…” Alfred turned his head, wincing as his burnt skin stretched. “No. It’s already healed.”
“The villages in this region are very superstitious. You have to be careful.”
“You..could’ve told me that before.”
Ivan slowed the Jeep down and turned off road into the desert, driving out into the wilderness for a minute or two before stopping and cutting the engine.
“We will have to camp here. If I don’t tend to your wounds now they might become permanent.”
“Gee…didn’t know you cared.”
Ivan ignored him and exited the Jeep, walking to the back and opening the doors. Gripping Alfred’s ankles, Ivan dragged him closed enough to wrap an arm around his waist and lift Alfred up, one arm going under Alfred’s rear to keep him from falling to the ground. Ivan couldn’t help but feel a heat spread over his cheeks at the intimate contact, but Alfred said nothing. Stepping back, Ivan lowered himself to one knee and gently set Alfred on the ground. Standing, he returned to the jeep and pulled out a tent, sleeping bag and his survival kit. He set up the tent first, snapping the rods in place with practiced ease before sliding them through the nylon material and forming the dome shape of the tent. Unzipping the front, he flung his sleeping back inside along with an extra blanket and zipped the front back up to keep anything from crawling or flying inside.
Turning to Alfred, Ivan gathered as much wood as the desert could offer, and started a fire using the flint from his kit and the steel from a hunting knife he kept tucked away. The wood caught immediately, being dry and without any moisture. Ivan felt it more wood until it was a sufficient size and turned his focus to Alfred. His white shirt was ripped and bloody, sticky bodily fluids covering the ripped parts and his chest, where the holy oil was doused over him. Ivan kneeled beside him and without warning, ripping the shirt from Alfred’s torso.
“Fuck-!!” Alfred cried out, pain shooting up his spine. “You could ‘a warned me!”
“The reason I am stuck camping in the desert with you…everything is your fault.” Ivan surveyed the damage, and found that the only wounds remaining were the horrific burns over his chest, neck and parts of his face. The skin was a horrible red and sticky, thick scar tissue already forming. “…You…are already healing? But…that was holy oil. You should not be able to heal…?”
“How many times do I have to tell you that I’m not a full demon?” Alfred glared at him. “I’m half human. I was raised by a human. ”
“…I know.” Ivan stood and went back to the jeep, grabbing his suitcase and returning to Alfred’s side. “If you don’t want any scars, I am going to have to burn this scar tissue off, scrub your skin with a kind of...sulfur ointment to clear away the holy oil.”
“…Burn the scar tissue off?” Alfred gaped at him. “You can’t be serious?”
Ivan opened the suitcase and picked up a thick glass vial of acid. Alfred clenched his fingers into fists.
“Wait- just-…hold on-”
Ivan opened the vial, and poured the acid over the scar tissue and other burns. Alfred cried out at the sudden flood of pain, hot tears filling his eyes.
“Sshit!!” Alfred hissed, twisting away from Ivan. “Slow down!”
“Can you hold still for just a single moment??” Ivan growled back, dousing more acid over Alfred’s neck and parts of his face. “The quicker I do this, the sooner it ends.”
Alfred groaned and hissed, his fangs fully extended as his demon blood reacted to the abuse. Ivan turned to the fire and swept a few of the embers into a rag, cooling them with water and scrubbing the charred wood into the fabric. He turned back to his suitcase and picked up a small vial sulfur, dumping a few drops of the foul smelling solution into the rag and rubbing that in with the charred wood. Once the two ingredients were well mixed, Ivan added a little oil and vigorously scrubbed at Alfred’s skin, forcibly removing the acid and holy oil away from his skin with hard, rough strokes. Alfred wined and whimpered from the painful treatment. He squeezed his eyes shut and dug his claws into the ground, taking the pain as best he could.
“…Done.” Ivan finally pulled away. “Don’t touch anything.”
Alfred sighed in relief and gasped softly. The skin was beet red and bloody in some areas. It looked as if he’d fallen face first off a motorcycle and the asphalt stripped the skin away in large painful swatches. Ivan watched him lay there in pain for a moment before turning away and abruptly slamming his suitcase shut.
“Do painkillers work for you?” Ivan stood and went to the Jeep, shoving his suitcase back inside his cheeks beginning to color with embarrassment. “I have them if you want to take some.”
“Human medicine doesn’t work on me.” Alfred moved closer to the fire, his face relaxing from the warmth. “But…thanks anyway.”
Ivan shut the back door to the Jeep and returned to the fire. Taking a seat, he dug inside his survival kit and pulled out a few packages of freeze-dried meals. He picked up the “thanksgiving meal” one and handed it to Alfred, including a bottle of water. Alfred took it and peered at it for a moment, eyes wide with surprise at the kind gesture. Ivan noticed Alfred’s face softening with affection. Something squeezed inside his chest…and he didn’t like it.
“I’m only giving it to you so you won’t eat me while I sleep.”
Alfred frowned and glared at him, but kept his mouth shut and said nothing.
The two opened the foil packages, prepared their meals and ate in silence, only the insects clicking and the fire crackling to break the quiet. The sun set, the sky grew dark and stars emerged in the sky, twinkling and glittering in the tens of thousands.
“Thanks.” Alfred admitted, his voice quiet. “You didn’t have to heal me…but you did anyway.”
Ivan stiffened, but kept his eyes on the fire. A moment passed before he stood and doused the flames with the remains of his water bottle.
“We’re getting up early, so I would advise you to go to sleep now.” Ivan glanced at him. “That is…if you do sleep.”
“I was seriously injured, so I have to sleep.” Alfred couldn’t help but roll his eyes at Ivan. “I thought you were supposed to be a demon expert?”
“Only in the art of killing them.” Ivan let his gaze drop. “And only in full demons. Not…half-demons.”
Alfred fell silent at that. Ivan turned to the tent and unzipped the front, stepping inside. Alfred followed and immediately noticed how small the tent was. It was long, but barely wide enough to fit two people. Ivan had obviously gotten this with the intention of using it only for himself.
“So…you only have one sleeping bag?”
“Yes.” Ivan shucked his boots off, dropped his gun holsters and pulled his shirt up and away, leaving his torso bare, save for the knife sheaths on his arms. Alfred watched him, admiring his muscular torso and arms. “And if you try anything, I will stab you in the chest.”
“…Noted.” Alfred grumbled, eyeing the blanket. “Can I use that?”
Ivan slid inside the sleeping bag. “Yes use the blanket.”
Alfred grabbed it, zipped the tent shut, kicked his cowboys boots off and lay in the empty spot beside Ivan. He pulled the blanket up and over him, welcoming the soft, warm texture. Alfred rubbed his fingers over it and noticed that it was handmade. It was done in a similar style that his father used. Alfred smiled, running his fingers across the blanket before relaxing against the hard ground.
I can already see you cracking, and it’s only the first day…just a matter of time before I slip through that hard exterior and see the true you.