Chapter 28. I Love You.

It had been a few days. A few long, uneventful days. Alfred was on edge. He could tell that Ivan was on edge, too. Hell, Alfred had been expecting his father to go after them from the second they ran away. But his father was being strangely silent. Alfred hadn't fought a demon sent by him in almost a week now. He almost wanted to, to see if he could take control from his father, see just how well that wish thing worked…

Ivan went back to classes after the scientists were content with their information about Alfred. There wasn't exactly a lot to learn about him after they got past the controlling demons and his blood thing. They couldn't figure anything else out about his blood he didn't already know anyway. Lovino and Kiku were more than happy to see Alfred come back, saying he'd practically been brought back to life or something. Being around so many friends again was…interesting.

Of course, Alfred couldn't look them in the eye in good conscience. He'd caused so much damage and had actually killed. Sure, he'd killed before he met them, but that was when he was so damn certain he'd never kill again. Now? He had the hands of a killer. He didn't want to contaminate the others. As much as they smiled at him and said that it was okay, all in the past, he knew they were lying. Even Ivan was lying. There was no possible way to forget what he'd done. People who had seen the news would run away from him on the street, the Hunters in the facility held onto their guns when he passed by…No, he had been turned into a monster.

And no one would forget.

One day, Feliciano had managed to convince Ivan to come over to his and Lovino's apartment for dinner, which was apparently a very long event. For once, Ivan and Alfred wouldn't be alone in the library until late, they'd have to go over to the apartment right after school ended. Alfred honestly couldn't say he wasn't excited. Seeing everyone smiling and happy was nice, even if he couldn't laugh and smile with them like he used to. Hell, he could barely do it before…

The first Hunter students came by to get their half-demons, some treating them like partners, others treating them like objects. Alfred sighed heavily. It was weird to think that Ivan had actually once treated him like that.

"You think way too much," Lovino groaned beside him and Alfred blinked, looking over at him. "It's like I can see the fucking wheels turning. You should learn to calm down your fucking thoughts sometime."

"It's not like I can help it," Alfred shrugged.

"It's a lot to think about," Matthew mused. Alfred sighed again. Matthew was the closest one to really understanding his situation, the closest anyone could get to real empathy. But he didn't even know half of it. Hell, Francis actually cared about him and didn't actively try to kill him to make him stronger. Alfred huffed as the door opened and Feliciano practically skipped inside. If Alfred didn't know any better, he would have thought he was just some innocent kid.

"You all ready?" Feliciano smiled, Ivan and Ludwig walking behind him. Ivan's eyes immediately darted over to Alfred, an affirmation to see if Alfred was still doing okay. Alfred nodded back to him. He almost expected it to get annoying after a while, but it never did. It was nice to know that someone would consistently care about him. Alfred just wondered what he'd do when Ivan stopped…

"I'm fucking starving," Gilbert chimed, stretching as he stood.

"You're always hungry," Lovino said bluntly. Matthew laughed as everyone else stood. Alfred was quick to stand beside Ivan, latching onto his hand as he tended to do. Like…an anchor. The most affectionate they'd been in the past few days was mostly just this…touch. Alfred had slept and cuddled against him a few times, and there was maybe a hug here and there…but that was it. No kiss like the one they'd shared on the rooftop that one night. It wasn't exactly a pressing matter, something either of them felt a need to do. Alfred just didn't think about it much. And Ivan never brought it up, apparently intent on Alfred moving whenever he was ready. Ivan was always quick to reciprocate any actions Alfred made.

"We should get started so we don't wind up staying up too late," Feliciano mused, walking back into the hallway, past the rest and leading the way. "Should we do meatballs or sausage in the sauce…"

"I don't want any of that bullshit he calls wurst anywhere near our food," Lovino snapped and Feliciano giggled.

Alfred followed everyone contentedly. It was strange how quickly they could recover from everything that they experienced. They had fought two powerful demons and a crazy half-demon just a week ago, and yet they were able to smile and laugh and exchange jokes. He was almost jealous. He wished he was that flexible…

A shiver ran up Alfred's spine and he froze in place. He knew that…aura. That suffocating feeling that seemed to surround and choke him. The other half-demons in their group stopped with him. He even noticed a few other half-demons in the hallway do the same. They were all hyperaware, wondering what the source of this powerful aura could possibly be. Gilbert knew, Lovino knew, Matthew knew.

Alfred started shaking.

"How cute," that familiar voice ghosted in his ears and Alfred was only aware that he'd let go of Ivan's hand when he tightened it enough to have crushed bones. He clenched his teeth tight. What was he doing here now? Of all times…now?

He appeared out of shadows in front of them and it was like the entire hallway dropped several degrees. Some lights exploded above them and Arthur chuckled, looking up at them amusedly. Arthur stood at the other end of the hall, still a fair distance from Alfred. But no one was going to get in his way to him, that was almost a guarantee.

"I've been told just how drab this place is, but I didn't expect it to be this bad," Arthur clicked his tongue as he walked purposefully, with a grace that should only belong to an animal of prey. As he walked, humans and half-demons alike pressed themselves against the wall, as far away from him as possible. As soon as his back was to them, they ran. No half-demon had the guts to fight something like this, not even the highly trained ones. Besides, they all knew exactly what he was there for.

"What are you doing here?" Ivan asked coldly and Arthur stopped in front of Alfred's friend group. Alfred clenched his teeth. His friends weren't moving out of his path. They stayed planted between Alfred and his father. Alfred nearly felt his heart stop when Arthur glared at Ivan, cold enough to make Alfred feel ice creep up his arms and legs.

"I'm just here to say hello to my beloved son," Arthur cooed simply. He vanished into shadows for a moment before he appeared directly in front of Alfred, behind his blockade of friends. Alfred felt his heart stop as he tried to stumble back, but Arthur placed a cold, soothing hand on the nape of Alfred's neck, keeping him close. Alfred felt so…cold. Like frost was gripping his heart. He could barely breathe, his lungs were so stiff with the cold.

Alfred honestly couldn't think of a way to get away. Being back, face-to-face with his father made all of his thoughts vanish into thin air, made his brain freeze up. Alfred could have sworn that he had seen his own breath. Arthur raised a brow at that.

"You've gotten so strong," Arthur said soothingly, running another hand through Alfred's hair, his fingers getting stuck on the stiffness of it. Was it really this cold? Alfred could see Arthur's breath as well. "I'm so proud of you."

Alfred felt all of his joints lock into place, effectively freezing his entire body. His eyes were wide. What…what had his father just said? Arthur stood in front of him, his face soft and…and…caring…and…he said he was…proud. He looked like he meant, it, too. Alfred couldn't find the strength to move any part of his body, he didn't even have the strength to breathe.

"Now, now, love," Arthur hummed, placing a warm hand on Alfred's chest. It was almost burning hot, searing into his skin. Alfred winced, sucking in a breath. "It'll be no good if you die for no reason, now wouldn't it?"

"What do you care?" Ivan's voice snapped Alfred out of his trance. Ivan was putting himself in danger just by talking! Alfred glared at him for a fraction of a second. He could see his breath too…Was it really that cold?

"Well, isn't that obvious?" Arthur said simply, his hand delicately tracing Alfred's chin and snapping Alfred's attention back to only him, forgetting about the rest of the space around them. Arthur honestly looked like he cared about Alfred, his deep green eyes looking over him as if he were taking stock. "It's because I love you," Arthur cooed.

"What?" Alfred's voice came out so small he couldn't even hear it. His breath puffed into Arthur's face. Never mind that it was obvious Alfred was taller, just the presence of his demon caused his entire body to shut down…Caused him to remember what he desperately wanted to forget…Made him so weak he couldn't even think.

"I love you, Alfred," Arthur smiled softly. "My son."

Alfred was vaguely aware of someone else's voice, but a ringing in his ears became so loud, he couldn't even notice. His entire body felt numb, maybe from the cold, maybe not. Alfred didn't see his own breath anymore. Arthur's fingertips were burning hot, marking his flesh but Alfred couldn't feel the pain. Alfred couldn't feel himself choking, couldn't feel anything in his body. Not his whirring thoughts, not his heart failing to beat. All he could feel was a numbing cold and the fire on his father's fingers.

"You've gotten so strong," Arthur smiled again, but this time there was something else to it. Not just the blind kindness that he'd been showing since Alfred had seen him. There was a hint of a smirk to it, a small fire in his eyes. "I look forward to when you get even stronger, love."

Arthur finally stopped touching him, leaving Alfred standing, alone, in the numbing cold. Where he couldn't feel anything, even if he tried. Alfred couldn't see anyone other than his father as he walked away. He chuckled before disappearing into the shadows.


Ivan fought back a shiver of cold. It was freezing enough to snow inside the damn building! It had happened when Arthur was face to face with Alfred. It set Ivan on edge, watching how Arthur blatantly took advantage of Alfred, whispering sweet, meaningless messages into his ear. It was obvious just what Arthur was doing this for, he wanted to distract Alfred, wanted to put him through another test of strength, this one not physical.

But that didn't explain the biting cold around them. Ivan didn't move out of his best interests. Arthur obviously didn't intend to fight, he just wanted to talk to Alfred. If Ivan even tried to interfere more than a few words, he'd be killed in an instant. Everyone there would.

Arthur turned on his heel and started walking back where he came from. Ivan noticed with a drop to his heart that Alfred wasn't breathing. Everyone else in the hallway had their breaths puffing in their face. Alfred was frozen, standing still, blue tinting his fingers and his face, his eyes wide and not breathing.

"Alfred!" Ivan immediately ran towards him, ignoring the cold as best as he could. He didn't even watch as Arthur disappeared. "Alfred!" Ivan shouted, but Alfred wasn't seeing him, a blank stare going right through Ivan. "Please, Alfred, you need to breathe," Ivan said simply, his hands going to Alfred's shoulders, making sure he didn't touch where Arthur had. He carefully traced his hand to Alfred's chest. It wasn't moving as he breathed…his heart was beating strangely from the lack of oxygen.

"Alfred," Matthew muttered.

Ivan cursed, his fingers stiff and hard to move in the cold. Just what the hell was causing it, anyway?

"Alfred," Ivan said, staring Alfred in the eyes. He watched as Alfred's eyes unfocused and focused again. He blinked a few times before sucking in a deep breath. Immediately, his legs failed him, his knees buckling underneath him, as he fell towards the ground. Ivan caught him easily under his arms, and guided him carefully to the ground. "Alfred…please…just keep breathing. It's going to be okay."

"He…he…he…" Alfred wheezed, his blue hands gripping hard on Ivan's shirt. He was much colder than Ivan was, like he was…emanating the cold… How was he doing that?

"It's okay, I know, you don't have to say it," Ivan said simply, careful not to touch the marks on Alfred's face still left from the burns Arthur had left behind. He'd told Alfred that he loved him. He did it on purpose, the damn jackass! It set Ivan on edge, but he couldn't be angry about it now. Alfred needed to get back to Earth, and fast.

"Ivan," Alfred's voice cracked. It looked like he wanted to cry, but his tears were already frozen. Ivan sighed and delicately placed his hands around Alfred's back, inviting Alfred to hug him back. Alfred lurched forward, his frozen hands stiff against Ivan's back. He let out choked cries, but no liquid came from his eyes. "He loves me," Alfred muttered.

"I know what he said," Ivan said simply. There was no way to talk sense to Alfred in this state, he was practically hysterical. Arthur had known just what he was doing when he came in here. Ivan stared in wonder at the ground as he watched ice appear beneath them, surrounding them in a jagged circle. How was Alfred doing this? His element was fire, wasn't it?

"He loves me," Alfred said again, through his cries. Ivan held him close and tight.

"Alfred, it's okay," Ivan said simply. "I am right here, he's gone. You are safe right here, I promise."

"I can't feel anything," Alfred confessed, pulling away slightly, he looked absently at his blue hands. Any normal person that cold would have frostbite, enough to not be able to use those fingers again. But Alfred wasn't normal and Ivan wasn't that cold yet. This was just as cold as a simple blizzard, he'd been through colder.

Ivan took hold of his hand, delicately tracing over his fingers. "I count five fingers on your right hand, can you move them?"

"Ivan…" Alfred whimpered.

"Alfred," Ivan said carefully, looking Alfred in the eye. "Can you count your fingers?"

"Five," Alfred nodded slowly, looking down at his hand. "Five…but…I…I can't feel your hand…I…"

"Sh…" Ivan hummed and took Alfred's other hand, giving it the same treatment. "How many fingers on this hand, Alfred?"

"F-Five," Alfred muttered and Ivan nodded slowly.

"Good," Ivan nodded, moving Alfred's hands together, almost like a praying position. Alfred's hands were starting to take on a color more like skin, less blue. "Count your toes for me. Feel them, and tell me how many you feel."

"Uh…" Alfred closed his eyes in concentration. "O-One…two…five…seven…ten. Ten. I…I have ten."

"Good," Ivan continued. It was starting to feel warm, they couldn't see their breaths anymore. "Open your eyes." Alfred obeyed. "How many did you open?"

"Two," Alfred nodded. The ice underneath them melted. Ivan looked down at Alfred's hands, the blue almost completely ebbed away by now.

"Very good," Ivan smiled faintly. "It's going to be okay, I promise."

"But what about…" Alfred faltered again.

"All I can tell you is my opinion," Ivan said simply. "He lied to you."

"And if he didn't?" Alfred asked shakily, tears just beginning to unfreeze and stream down his face in sheets he couldn't control. He hugged Ivan again, clutching him tightly.

"You need to decide that," Ivan sighed. He watched as Elizabeta ran towards them, the hallway almost completely empty, aside from their friends.

"I came as soon as I heard," Elizabeta panted, almost sliding onto her knees to look them over carefully. She looked over Alfred without touching. Alfred didn't move. "There's no sign of frostbite on him…How are the humans?" she glanced to the others in the group and Ivan followed her stare. The others stared with wide eyes, hardly believing what they'd just witnessed. Ivan sighed.

"I'm fine," Ivan nodded.

"All good over here," Feliciano muttered. Ludwig nodded.

"Alfred," Elizabeta said carefully. Alfred stifled some of his tears as a recognition of her voice. "Was that you? The cold?"

"The cold?" Alfred asked slowly, pulling away to give her an odd look.

"When you were numb," Ivan said carefully and Alfred's eyes shot to his, "the entire hallway dropped in temperature. We could see our breaths. You had frostbite, that might be some of the reason why you couldn't feel anything."

"How could that be me?" Alfred asked shakily.

"I don't know," Ivan shook his head.

"We should get to the infirmary," Elizabeta stood up. "Everyone. I need to make sure the cold didn't seriously affect anyone. No complaining."

"So much for dinner, huh?" Gilbert sighed as they walked by.

"Do you need help standing?" Ivan asked calmly. Alfred blinked a few times before he slowly shook his head.

"It's just…I just…" Alfred shook his head. "I need a minute. To…uh…to think."

"That's fine," Ivan said simply. "Do you want me to go ahead, or should I stay?"

"Stay, please," Alfred muttered. "You're warm…"

"I'd be happy to," Ivan smiled and Alfred hugged him again, tightly. He trembled slightly.


Y'all have no idea how fast this chapter came out. This took me less than an hour to write, I kid you not. It's been planned for a while, but yeah. A lot of that child abuse stuff is coming out strong. Arthur's trying to think of new ways to test Alfred's strength and make him stronger, not just physically. If Alfred can make it past that, he can do anything. There's also the question of what he just did, but that's to be answer next time.

See you all then.