I actually asked my best friend, who also beta'ed this story bless her heart, on how many months it has been. She said five. Damn, it has been so long, oh my god. Pardon about the long time! I was debating on myself if I should fully edit everything that I have written- both chapter one and two, but just last night, went against it because well, it could take more time to update. I plan to put it on AO3, with art and all, but it will not happened until this story is over.

Oh well, let's get the ball rolling!

Characters

Truskina - Poland

Barščiai (pronounced as Barschi) - Lithuania

Ocnaib - Veneziano (also agender!)

Zrawchs (pronounced as Xerox) - Germany

Nettachs - Prussia

The day was hotter than he expected. Ild wished that he had worn something lighter, but those particular clothes he wanted to wear were already on the laundry, and he still had to wash them. But if he did, he wouldn't have the time to play on the flower field…! He also wonders why it is cooler there than here.

He groaned, wiping the sweat off on his forehead. For some reason, they had gone to the city map in the center of the village where he was living in. It is a nice little village. Everyone in the town is very friendly to one another. But that's not the case here.

He had noticed that his friend was a bit distracted while they were eating pie at Diávolo's, and it started to concern him. Looking at the angel beside him, he took note on how stiff he was.

"Frosse? What's wrong?"

The angel turned his head, looking a bit alarmed, as if he had forgotten about him, which made Ild more anxious. He looked at him and his face morphed into worry. He turned back to the map in front of him. "I think I just lost my pocket watch."

"What?! When?"

"While we were eating pie at Diávolo…" Frosse chewed his lip, brows furrowing. "It was already gone…"

"It should be near the forest then! That's where we last went to, right?" Without any warning, Ild grabbed his hand, pulling the angel. "Let's go! Let's look together!"

The search had had not taken too long. They were going to pass by the bare tree when something shiny caught Ild's eyes. He stopped, quickly getting a grip on Frosse's sleeve. The angel halted on his place, looking at Ild. He was staring at him and he saw him pointing something. He turned, and saw a rather large bee on the base of the tree.

"It's a bee."

He nodded, and he pointed his fingers more insistently. "Your watch is underneath it!"

He shifted, and could see the gleam now.

Ild approached it and crouched, his hand extending to it. The bee buzzed, making him look at it. He stared at it for a moment.

Frosse's wings twitched. "I advise you not to continue-"

He reached for the watch.

In a matter of seconds, a loud piercing cry echoed through the sky.

"Frosse," Ild wailed, clutching on his stinging arm. "It stung me! The bee just stung me!"

"I tried to warn you-"

"Frosse!" He sighed.

A wave of his arm then a crystalline spark, and after it faded, there is still the bee on the same place. Frosse's eye twitched.

Did it just…?

"The bee evaded you."

He said it.

With a glint on his eyes and swing of his arm, as he steeled his hand, a very faint blue flash surrounded the insect and an ice cube fell on the ground. Inside, there incased the bee. Frosse sighed. That was much more of a hassle than he thought. He looked at the red-faced, teary-eyed demon.

"You just cried over a bee sting…"

"You are not the one who got stung! It hurts!"

He just shook his head as he picked up the pocket watch on the ground. It was a silver pocket watch that was given by the God of the world. It has a lot of fancy diamonds decorating the surface. It is a little dusty, but not something he should fret over. He could still wipe it clean. Its hands still moves, making a barely audible ticking sound.

"I'm pretty glad we found it, though!"

Frosse looked at Ild, smiling his trademark smile now. He nods his head, eyes softening. "Thank you."

As the two walked back to the village, side by side, a creature shrouded in flames appeared in the shadows, observing them in the distance as it stays afloat on hair with the beat of its wings.

Ild swung his head left to right, humming in tune with the clock ticking monotonously. He was back in Diávolo's house again, and its owner in the kitchen, doing who knows what. He's not really familiar with Diávolo's kitchen. It has a lot of utensils he doesn't know of. His kitchen only consists of only basic stuffs for cooking breakfast, lunch and dinner. He heard Frosse groaning at his side.

"Can you not, Ild? It's rather irritating."

"Sorry, sorry!" And he gleamed. "But hey, we are going to eat Diávolo's pie again!"

"Seriously." He shook his head. "If you're not going to change your diet, you will really get so fat."

Ild gave a short snort. "Also with you!"

"Unlike you," he huffs in annoyance, "I do exercise."

Silence cloaked the room like a blanket. Mizuko looked at both of them, smiling.

"…You don't, right?"

He turn away, making faces while Frosse sat on his seat in silent victory.

"Oh." Everyone turned to Diávolo, who emerged from the kitchen. "I think we might have a problem."

"What is it?"

"I think we are short on apples." He made a 'tsk' noise, looking annoyed. "I can't believe I didn't check my stock earlier."

"No way!"

Diávolo saw Mizuko's look on their face and raised both of his hands. "I'm not blaming you. Don't worry about it. We can slip up sometimes. It's normal. But going back, with this new fact we learned…" He shrugged, looking nonchalant. "I think I can only make a small pie this time."

Ild quickly turned towards the angel, glaring. He glared back at him.

"And why are you looking at me like that?"

He quickly turned back to Diávolo.

"We-we'll get more apples in the Apple Park!" Oh, no. "Yes!" Ild turned towards him. "Frosse, let's go to the park!"

"W-why are you bringing me?!"

"Come on!" He pouted at him. "It will be a good exercise. Please Frosse!"

"I'll be counting on you two then." Diávolo…? He- he was smiling!

"Leave it to us!"

He could only groan, letting him drag him out of the house. "You are impossible…"

The Apple Park was, as always, littered with apples. There were few demons and angels hanging out underneath the shade provided by the trees, and often, they pick up the apples on the ground to eat it. So far, in his life, or any recorded history at all, nobody complained from a bad stomach because of the apples picked from the ground.

Frosse picked one on the ground. It was large and red; it must be ripe. He wonders if the apple just recently had fallen from the tree.

"Frosse! I got them!"

He turned and balked at the sight before him. There stood Ild, grinning at him as he walked- no, waddled towards him, some of the apples that are stuffed on his sweater vest -and he swears there are some on his pants, thankfully on his many pockets- popping out and rolled on the ground. He looked at him with pure horror on his face.

"Isn't that a bit too much already?"

"It never hurts to have extra, you know." He resists the urge to slap his forehead with his hand.

"Apples are bursting out from your sweater vest. Anyone could say it's too much; far too much even."

He huffs at him.

A shriek, then a yelp rang out to the air. And not so far away, someone had yelled 'ne!' They both stared at the direction of the voice. Ild's ears twitched, raising an eyebrow.

"Hey…"

Frosse still stared blankly at the distance. He recognized the voice, but who- He snapped out from his reverie as Ild grabbed his hand and they started to walk towards the direction.

They saw two figures talking with each other at the distance, there was also some kind of box between them. One has angel wings and donned in a familiar green military-like outfit. They were squirming, both wings and body, for some reason. The other wore a cute back dress that has bat designs on some places and their hair was long and blond with long bangs on each side of their face and-

Is the bottom of the hair shaped like wings?

So it is them. Ild felt stupid for not recognizing them immediately.

"Hey Truskina and Barščiai!" The demon with winglike hair made a high-pitched noise and went behind Barščiai's back. The angel turned towards to Ild who was approaching them. They blinked and loosened their guard for a bit when they saw it's just him.

"Hello, Ild and Frosse." Barščiai smiled at them, Truskina looking behind him. "What brings you here?"

"Getting some apples for Diávolo's pie."

"A disgusting amount of it." He made an emphasis with his both hands. "Look at it."

"As expected from Ild!" Truskina popped out from Barščiai, laughing. "We were just catching caterpillars!"

Barščiai looked at Truskina with an exasperated look on his face. "Do we really have to catch more? There are a lot of them already!"

"Nope." He shook his head, grinning. "We need to fill this up.

"What, are you going to make caterpillar salad or something?"

"Hmm…" He tilted his head. "Maybe jam for now."

"To spread on…" Something back on Ild's head told him he wouldn't like this.

"Bread, of course!"

Frosse's face morphed into disgust and Ild's stomach threaten to spill everything he ate this morning. Barščiai just looked at Truskina with a horrified look.

"Why are you all looking at me like that?" His hairwings flapped in irritation. "It's delicious! You never know you won't like it if you haven't tried it yet."

"I- I am fine with my current diet, thank you."

He just pouted to them, his earwings twitching.

"Hey, maybe we can help you!" Frosse looked at him, frowning.

"You know we got apples to-"

"Come on!" Frosse is unusually cranky today. It baffled him. "What does a helping hand hurt?"

"Time, I reckon. We are on a task."

"Let's just help him, man!" He sees Frosse closes his eyes, and grinned when he nodded.

Good thing he can easily convince him.

Catching worms was not a difficult task. It's more of a… disgusting one. Barščiai rose both of his eyebrows when he saw the two approach him.

"You caught them already?" The angel scratched his head, smiling. "We did too! Finally…"

"Oh my gosh!" He squealed, rushing over the two. "I owe you guys one!" He took the creatures from their grasp and placed it on the cage. The caterpillars wriggled at the tight space. He beamed. "These will do!"

He turned back and smiled widely. "Thank you all! I'll take these home them! I hope sis won't be too tired to help me mush them…"

With the cage full of wriggling worms on one hand, he spreads his hairwings and flew away. The others stared at the demon that was slowly fading away from the distance. Barščiai stared at the space in shock.

"Did- did he really just leave without me?" He turns to Ild and Frosse, stared at them, then looked back at the spot where Truskina just flew off. "He-he just invited me, and… and…"

"Maybe you should go after him." Frosse said.

Poor angel. He can't get a break.

He nodded and, with a strong beat of his wings, he was off to the sky, disappearing.

Ild stared at the spot where he disappeared, looking bewildered. "Whoa, those two are energetic as ever." He laughs. "Wish I could fly."

"You can use your wings, you know."

"Ah." He shook his head, frowning. "I can't. It's scary."

"Suit yourself." He knows the reason why he finds it scary, but he finds it childish. It was already years ago when it happened.

"And plus," he turns to Frosse, grinning, beaming almost like the sun. "I can get you to carry me!"

A quick bash on his head had caused him to yowl in pain.

"Don't keep depending on me, idiot," he scowls. He turned, walking away from him. "Let's go. We have the apples Diávolo asked for."

Ild just whined at him, rubbing the sore spot on his head, before running after the angel.

Diávolo never thought he would laugh so hard when Frosse and Ild came into his house, mostly at Ild's bloated form.

"You actually filled your sweater vest with apples," He wheezed. He can't believe this. He was still shaking from laughter. He knew he should have expected it, but to think…! "And," he pointed a trembling finger at his horn. "You pierced an apple on your horn."

"Huh?" He widen his eyes. "Did I?"

Silently, gracefully, Mizuko walked behind the demon and plucked off the apple on his horn. They tapped on his shoulder, and smiled when he saw the apple.

"Oh," he muttered, smiling sheepishly. "I guess I did, huh?"

"Sorry we got late." Frosse hung his head down in apology. "We were helping Truskina and Barščiai."

"I understand. Still a job well done for your apple picking," Diávolo smiled at him, form still shaking from laughter. "I am very grateful."

He went to the kitchen with Ild, striding to the kitchen counter as the other placed all the apples, from his sweater vests and the pockets of his pants, on the surface. He nodded at him before he took an apple in his hand, scrutinizing. "These will do. With this amount of apples, I can make a rather large pie. You two are free to invite the other two over."

Getting the other two was a short affair. They had guessed that they would be in their homes, so finding them wasn't much a hassle. Barščiai agreed on the spot, although along the way, he keeps asking if he really could join them for pie, which they also keep answering 'yes, you can.' Truskina was a bit reluctant to go because he, with his sister, Malytsya, started to make the jam he was talking about, but she just waved it off and, with a cheery smile she always have, gave her permission to let him go with them.

They had smelled the pie even they were just blocks away from the house. They had quite a shock when Ild gave a tortured wail.

"What?! The pie's already done?!"

Ild rushed towards the house and, although quite confused, they followed after him.

Diávolo was already taking out the pie from the oven when his door was suddenly slammed open. He turned his head towards the entrance, seeing the demon with a look of pure betrayal on his face. He's a bit grateful this happened often because if he had jumped- he wouldn't like to think about that.

He raised an eyebrow to him. "Now what are you on about?"

"You didn't wait for us?!"

"What do you mean? Why would I wait for you so I can cook?"

"I wanted to see you cook with that forceful cooking style you use!"

Oh.

"It would be rude to keep guests waiting. Cooking pies are not instant, Ild, especially on this size."

"But…" he pouted. "The way you cook it is awesome…"

"I thank you for the compliment. Now sit down, you all. Mizuko is already fetching the plates."

When they have seated around the table made of wood and polished with varnish, Mizuko came out from the kitchen, plates on hand and distributed slices to each of them. Diávolo came with a knife and neatly cut a piece of pie for the each of them, himself included. After everyone gotten their first bite, the other's reaction was simultaneous.

Frosse looked at his pie with interest, having a slight curl on his lips. Ild's eyes flew open and lit up like a lightbulb, and he took another bite. Truskina had finished his and having another helping already. Barščiai smiled widely and looked at Diávolo with glee.

"Gosh, delicious as always, Diávolo!"

He only nodded, smiling slightly at the compliment as he watched his friends eating the pie away. He gingerly ate a piece, satisfied on how it came out.

"This is so good, I could have this every day! I wouldn't want this to change…" Ild sighed, and Barščiai nodded, smiling.

'It's just pie,' that's what Diávolo wanted to say, but he thought it would be too rude.

"You look happy, Frosse," Truskina said, smiling as he took another bite from his fourth helping of pie.

"Wha-" Diávolo rose a brow. He does? He can't really see it. Ild laughed.

"Aww, he's all shy!"

"Stop it!"

As they squabbled, Diávolo smiled lazily, shaking his head. "It gotten rather noisy, hasn't it, Mizuko?" He turned towards the said angel, who was closing their eyes and looking rather content, which is a good thing.

"I would like some worm dessert now…" Barščiai looked at him mournfully.

"'Skina, not right now."

Diávolo chuckled. "Sadly, we don't have anything like it."

"Too bad."

After some minutes, every single plate of the group was void of pie, only its crumbs are left.

Ild stifled a burp and gave a nervous grin. "I guess I'm stuffed, huh?"

"I can't eat anymore for now, to be honest," Barščiai whined, and Frosse groaned in agreement.

"There are still leftovers!" Truskina looked at Diávolo, who looked at him with an eyebrow rose.

"Ild picked far too many apples. So I thought it would be logical if I made a lot. There are many people coming over, also, so I thought it would be enough." He snorts, looking at the leftover pie. "Seems it's more than enough, huh?"

"I told him to get five!" Frosse said in his defense.

"Hey, you did not!"

Mizuko tugged at Diávolo's sleeve. He turned at them. After a while, he sighed. "Yes, that might be the quickest way. The question is whom to share them with?"

"Maybe the Divinities would like some?" Oh, that's-

"Of course! They never turned down the pies Diávolo made!" Diávolo can actually feel heat on his ears. They are praising him too much!

Lowering his head, to hide his embarrassment to protect his honor, Diávolo waved a hand towards the way to the kitchen. "Feel free to get a container."

Ild hooted, and some tapping of feet. "Let go to the castle!" said Ild, and he heard Frosse huffs.

As always, Ild is very pushy.

"And checkmate."

A soft tap of marble colliding on a metal board. The one with coppery hair, crowned with diamonds grinned at the other, whose hair is as fair as the sun and a pair of horns adorned on it. Their eyes, sclera as dark as onyx, bringing out the ice-blue irises, narrowed at them.

"It seems I won again!" They giggled, crossing their arms on the table suspended from the ground. "Gee, Zrawchs… You are so bad at this."

The other made no comment, still glaring at them. They pouted, puffing at their cheeks.

"It's no fun if I keep winning, you know."

"Perhaps you are cheating?" Ocnaib made a wounded noise, placing a hand on their chest.

"Are you accusing me?"

Out of nowhere, an angel appeared. He was donned with a military coat with diamond emblems on his chest. On his side hung a sword with its scabbard. He looked at Zrawchs, looking quite upset.

"Bro, cheating is not awesome, you know?" He chided.

"I am not cheating!" He yelled. They knew he is just one line of sanity away on not to pound on the table. The very thought makes them want to laugh.

"Ve~ Do you know he was pouting when I beat him on Old Maid?" He glared at them.

"I did not pout!"

They cackled.

He seethed. He is really fun to tease.

There came two small knocks, almost inaudible. They hushed down and waited. The knocks came again. And the three of them regained their composure. Ocnaib sat straight, almost regally.

"Come in!" They called.

At their command, the door opened, and Ild and Frosse came into the room, with a Tupperware at hand. The angel bowed down to them with reverence while the demon offered a friendly wave with a bright grin on his face.

"Hi there, Ocnaib," they waved back at him with a bright smile, "Nettachs," he grinned at them, "and old man!" Zrawchs did a double take.

"Who are you calling…?!"

"It has been a while since you came here," they chirped. Indeed, it has been long! They still remember the last time they have went here, almost two years ago. They have forgotten what reason, though. "What do you need?"

"We just want to give these to you!" And Ild presented the Tupperware he brought along.

"Diávolo overdid it," Frosse said. "And he finds it a waste to throw it out."

"Ve~ Diávolo's apple pie!" Ocnaib claps his hands, delighted. "Oooooh, thank you guys! I'm pretty sure Z is also grateful. He does have a sweet tooth!"

"I do not."

"No? Then please explain why do you looked so crushed when I ate your cake earlier?" If he had fur, they can really see that it bristled.

"Because that was mine!" And his face turned red. "And don't talk about that!"

Ild looked amused. Frosse looked bored. Nettachs coughed.

"Okay kiddies." The angel approached the two, towering over them. "I'll be taking that package from you. Many thanks, though!"

Ild grinned at him. "Diávolo said you're welcome."

The head angel grinned back, and, with the pie in his hands, he went out to the room.

"Hey, hey." Ocnaib waved their arms excitedly. "You should eat with us!"

"Thank you, your Worship, but we will pass this time."

"Yeah," Ild scratched the back of his head, smiling sheepishly. "We ate a lot."

"That says something," they mused, smiling. "If Ild is full, then it surely has been a large pie. I wished I could have seen it. Thanks for the pie, though!"

After they bade the two farewell, not long after their departure, Nettachs came into the room, carrying the slices of pie on their plates. The both of them thanked him. He grinned and with a bow, he faded from the room.

They ate their pies, basking in the silence. Ocnaib smiles.

"Even though I ate this food many times." They laughs. "It's really tasty!"

Zrawchs stayed silent, chewing on their pie. They frowned.

"Are you still angry at that? I do know how you love sweets, especially chocolates!"

"What proof do you have?"

"Is sneaking at night while everyone's asleep a proof enough to you?"

A loud cough, then hacking while beating his chest. He turned at them, mouth agape in surprise and cheeks turning pink in embarrassment. "How- how did you…?!"

They shrugged, grinning cheekily. "I'm God, remember? I should know these stuffs!"

"You are getting awfully lazy lately, you know."

"I can't help it!" The God gave a false face of remorse. "Perhaps it's a price for peace?"

They sighed, looking out of the window, a small smile grazing on their lips. "Then again… I prefer this over before."

He kept quiet, also staring out of the window. He saw the garden that he and Ocnaib started to care for when this world was created. A peace offering, and the treaty that the can live in harmony. It grew to be beautiful, just like this world. But he fears. He fears what the future will bring. He swallowed the pie he was chewing, and placed his fork beside his plate.

"… I do not care."

"Ve?"

"I do not care if we got attacked." They looked at him in interest.

"Are you saying there is someone on this world who is like us?"

"Nein." He shook his head.

"Oh, otherworldy then?"

He kept quiet. They know what troubles him, so why the questions?

"Relax," they chuckled, piercing the pie with their fork. "My diamonds alone could make the perfect defense." Their smile faltered, turning into a frown, halting their fork just a few millimeters from their mouth. They bit their lip, looking thoughtful. "Then again, I could be wrong. They are not really diamonds since they could be broken after all."

He coughed.

"Oh dear, what if some of them are actually broken already from age?"

He coughed, louder than before. They snorted.

"Are you really that scared?" God, they were grinning already. "Do you want me to sleep next to you tonight?"

"Oc."

They laugh, loud and melodic. As the room faded to silence, their eyes went distant.

"Don't worry, Zrawchs." They smile, small and demure. "I won't let anything happen to you."

Outside of the castle, Frosse walked then stopped. That went smoothly than he had expected. He heard footsteps coming towards him and then Ild was on his side, smiling.

"That wasn't so bad, isn't it?"

The angel offered no answer. He turned away and looked up to the blue sky. He could see the clouds forming incomprehensible shapes and the tiny figures of the birds. He sighed, closing his eyes. "The sky really looks nice…"

Ild also looked up. "Yeah, it is."

He hums, and he started to walk. "Let's go back to Diávolo."

End Chapter 02

That night…

Chapter three is done and chapter four is on progress. I hope to finish it before Christmas break is over. Let's say the next chapter is when things are going down.

As always, reviews are appreciated!