Todd was never alone.

Hadn't been alone since the first year of middle school when a new kid had walked in and ended up murdering several of his fellow students. He hadn't been alone since he'd accidentally, reluctantly fallen into a friendship with him that had been one sided for many years. Todd had never been alone since that boy, the son of the devil, had learned about Todd's miserable life and had taken it upon himself to make it better. He'd never been alone since Pepito had decided that Todd was somehow more important than any of the other humans on earth.

Todd walked outside, shutting the door behind him. The night was warm. It was humid and smelled like fast food. Or maybe that was just him. Working a full day surrounded by all kinds of greasy monstrosities made it so that the scent never quite washed out.

He looked up at the sky, noted the small pin pricks of distant light and wished not for the first time that he could see the stars.

Todd swung his bag over his shoulder and stepped into the parking lot.

As always, there he was. Pepito leaned against his car. A slick black fancy thing. Todd had no idea what the official name for it was. But, the boys at school always drooled all over it.

Pepito had changed. Everyone did, of course. Time had made him taller, darker. Black hair, still a mess, pulled behind his head in a small ponytail. Tiny horns still stuck out from the inky locks. His face was littered with piercings and freckles. His eyes still swirled eternally with mismatched hell-fire.

Pepito was dangerous looking. A few years ago, Todd had been terrified of him. Heck, sometimes Todd was STILL terrified of him. But, it was different. Despite all the ones Pepito had massacred, stolen their souls, broken bones, made run for their lives...the Alter Boy of Doom had never once hurt him. The opposite, actually. He'd protected Todd, made sure he was safe.

The devil's son waited patiently for Todd to cross the lot.

"Hi, Pepito." He broke the silence, interspersed as it was with crickets and traffic.

"Good evening, mi amado." Pepito's voice was deep and accented. Todd had no idea when he'd gone from 'amigo' to 'amado' or other variations in the slow span of a year. He tried not to think too hard about it. What they had was...complicated and confusing. But, it was one of the few things Todd had in his life that didn't make him want to die.

"You had a good day." Pepito asked, though it wasn't a question, so much as an observation. The Second Coming of the Damned stepped closer, looking him over. As if he truly had no idea. As if he didn't always have an 'eye' on Todd's well-being. He had no idea what it was. But, it had been a constant presence that encircled him. It was protective and dark. He knew Pepito probably wasn't actually there with him every single second of the day. But, it was like part of him was always with Todd, always ready to hurt anyone who might dare hurt him. It had been unnerving once. Now it was normal and slightly comforting.

"It was alright. Nothing exceedingly exciting or dangerous." Todd shrugged, letting the other boy's twin gaze wash over him.

"I am glad." Pepito stood very close. Todd knew it was because he really had no idea what personal space entailed. It was always enough to speed his heart up. When he'd been younger it had been from fear. Now...now, he was always aware of Pepito's smell, the mole above his left eyebrow, how he radiated warmth. And his heart still beat way too fast.

"Are you tired? You look like you are." Todd met Pepito's stare. Eyes always too wide. His expression always a bit off. Too blank, too intense. But, after years of knowing him, it was easy to spot the small things that gave away his emotions. A slight softening of the eyes, the edges of his lips turning up or down.

"I'm a bit sleepy, I guess." Todd said, finally looking away, at the dirty ground. He didn't want to go home though. He rarely felt rested when he slept there.

"What about hungry?" Pepito asked, knowingly. Todd was always hungry.

"I could eat."

Pepito held the car door open for him, which was silly and kind of stupid. Todd had brought it up before, saying he could open the door for himself. Pepito had merely stared at him until Todd had gotten into the car.

Todd always felt better with a full stomach. Happier, calmer, less anxious. Anxiety had always been his constant companion but, it was often in competition with Pepito's strange presence. And when he was warm and full and sitting on Pepito's bedroom floor, things felt...really good. Good with a capital G.

They were playing video games. Something violent and loud. Strange alien creatures were dying by the hundreds, being slaughtered by their teamwork (and some really beefed up guns). He always ended up laughing himself silly. Pepito's commentary was hilarious. He also didn't take the game very seriously, probably because they'd beaten the thing a thousand times.

The level ended and Todd tried to stifle a yawn, between giggles. Pepito narrowed in on the action.

"Stay here tonight, Todd. You can have the guestroom and I will make you breakfast in the morning."

The human stilled and he thought to himself for a second before shaking his head.

"I shouldn't. I have work in the morning."

"So?"

"You know as well as I do, Pepe, that we will not go to sleep for several more hours and I will be exhausted in the morning." Todd chided. He watched the anti-Christ, noted how he tilted his head to the side at the rare nickname.

"Not true. You can sleep, right this instance, if you wish. I will not bother you or keep you up any longer. I know you need your rest..."

Todd hesitated. He didn't want to go home. He hated it there. But...something always held him back. Held him there, in a house that didn't want him. It was probably because he knew if he stayed...he would never want to leave. Then things would be so much more dangerous. He'd be a step closer to just...willingly handing over his soul. Pepito had broken him down so much. Made him feel safe, comfortable, happy. Todd sometimes swore that if Pepito said 'please?' when he asked for his soul...Todd would do it, simply because he couldn't say no.

"I'm sorry." Todd shook his head, putting the controller down. "Will you take me home, please?"

"Of course, mi corazón." He stood and held his hand out for the other boy to take. After only a second of hesitation, he placed his own inside Pepito's. Their skin contrasted so intensely and Pepito's hand engulfed his.

Pepito could have easily teleported them there. But, knew that Todd hated the sensation. So, he drove them instead. It was the only reason why he'd gotten a car.

He didn't need to keep his eyes on the road so he watched his human instead. Noted the dark circles under his dark brown eyes. How skinny he still was despite Pepito's best efforts at keeping him fed. Stared at his face, how soft and open it was. Pink lips chapped from how often he chewed on them, nervously. Pepito could feel his thoughts, felt how afraid they were. How nervous and curious. Felt the deep seated anger and sorrow. And felt how good Todd was. How intrinsically good and kind he was.

Not for the first time, Pepito felt humbled by the boy sitting next to him. Felt his internal, instinctive evil thoughts and feelings dull in response. Felt only the desire to please and protect his friend from the harsh world that seemed to have it in for him.

They pulled up to Todd's house and he watched the other boy wilt a bit at the sight. It filled Pepito with rage and sadness in equal measures.

"Let me fly you up to your room, yes?"

Todd silently bit his lip for a second before his walked to the side of the house where Todd's window was. Pepito relished the feeling of wrapping his arms around his friend. In feeling his heart do little back-flips at how soft he was, at Todd's fingers as they clutched at his shirt. He lifted them up to the familiar window, opening it with his powers before letting his friend climb inside.

Todd turned, face displaying his every emotion. "T-thanks, Pepito."

"It is not a problem, mi querido. What time do you work tomorrow?"

"Nine."

"I will be here at 8:30."

Todd nodded, wrapping his arms around himself.

"Please sleep, Todd. Have only sweet dreams and know that I am watching over you." Pepito wished he could assure only nice dreams for his friend. He wished he could take Todd away from this place forever, from depression and neglect. He wished he could kill the pathetic scum who called themselves Todd's parents. He hadn't only because it would greatly upset his friend.

"Good night, Pepe." Todd replied, simply before turning away.

The nickname was a recent development. Pepito floated slowly to the ground, eyes never leaving the window.

It was the best thing he'd ever heard.