"Let him go, Ivan!"
The German yelled, running towards where Feliciano was, being choked by the Russian.
"You came to rescue your little boyfriend! How adorable".
The Russian demon chuckled, thrusting his claws deeper into the Italian's thin and fragile neck.
"Lud-Ludwig".
The priest said weakly in between breaths, was he dying all over again?
"Now, let's make a deal. I let the priest go and I won't tell the council about your affair if you give up your powers, da?"
The German shook his head, that was a ridiculous deal. What would the Russian gain if he resigned being a demon? Absolutely nothing but the satisfaction of driving another peer insane to the point of having them quit. He was also aware that by giving up his powers, he would turn into a human and go to hell on the spot. And if he actually did accept the deal, who was going to defend Feliciano in front of the court? Was Ivan going to take the case? Ludwig would not let that happen.
"I guess demon's are selfish creatures!"
Ivan dug his nails even deeper, leaving a scratch mark on the brunette's neck. The Italian wasn't going to be tortured by this demon and see his lover turn down his powers just to save him. So he gathered up courage and bit the Russian's hand as hard as he could, making Ivan screech and letting go of him.
"Let's go, right now!"
The German snapped his fingers right away and they vanished from the demon's house. Feliciano holding tightly onto his lawyer's arms as they appeared in Ludwig's living room.
"I can't believe you bit him!"
The German had a surprised look as he looked at the priest with admiration. Who would have thought that this cry baby he met not long ago could turn into a total badass? Honestly he was impressed.
"I wasn't going to be a damsel in distress and watch you surrender to Ivan".
He explained, caressing Ludwig's cheek gently with a loving smile that made the demon blush slightly.
"I'm so sorry Feliciano, everything that went down in court and what just happened is my fault. I shouldn't have exposed you to so much danger, I'm really sorry".
The Italian wrapped his arms around his lover's neck and pressed his body against the demon's. Normally you would think that hugs are warm and cozy but this one wasn't like a human hug. Both of their bodies were freezing cold and none of them were able to provide warmth to each other. Even in such odd circumstances, the couple found themselves warmer and happier than ever when they were in each other's arms.
"It's alright si? Everything will be fine Luddy, I'm sure we'll figure something out".
Ludwig nuzzled against the Italian's neck, kissing the wound left by Ivan softly, feeling guilty for exposing the priest to danger.
"Ivan is going to have his revenge. Now there's no doubt that he will tell the jury about it".
The brunette couldn't deny how scared he was of going to hell, but he wasn't going to allow the German to sacrifice himself for him. It just wasn't fair.
"I know, if the jury decides to condemn me to hell then so be it. It's enough for me to know that we tried our best and fought for it".
The German knew that Feliciano was lying. Nobody accepts going to hell that willingly, except that strange French guy that was best friends with his brother. Ludwig knew that he would blame himself forever if the priest goes to hell, at this point the only thing that could save his lover for eternal doom was sacrificing Lovino's soul. It was such a shame because the guy had a pretty good chance of making it to heaven thanks to Antonio. But if he does falsificate Feli's signature and fingerprint to make the document, the Italian would hate him forever and never forgive him. The demon couldn't believe that he was having a moral dilemma, demons shouldn't be having any of those.
"Ti amo, Ludwig".
The Italian whispered, still hugging the German while playing with his hair. Ludwig froze for a second, was this real? For the first time in ever he was feeling something, he had been numb for such a long time and this priest was making him experience emotions and feelings he had never felt before. Why was the world so cruel to him? Just when he found his soulmate, Feliciano happened to be dead and a priest, and there was no way he could stay forever in the purgatory.
"Ich liebe dich, Feliciano".
He raised the Italian's chin and pulled him closer for a kiss. Perhaps one of their last kisses, time was running out for the star crossed lovers. In a few days, they will be attending court again and have to defend their love in front of everyone. However, their story wasn't going to end with a happy ending. It was either the brunette going to hell or going to heaven but betraying his brother and hating the German for eternity.
"I should get going, my fratello is going to be worried sick".
The German didn't want Feliciano to leave just yet, he just wished for them to spend the night together and make their most out of their very limited time.
"No, liebe, you're staying with me tonight".
The Italian blushed and looked away, was he proposing to..? The priest didn't know what to do, he really shouldn't do it but the kisses of the demon were so seductive and irresistible that it was important to say no.
The night went by quickly for the lovers and the sun was rising. Feliciano had stayed up all night by the demon's side. Now they were laying on a bed, cuddling, admiring the sunrise. Unlike last time, Gilbert didn't interrupt them because he went out for a few drinks with his angel friend and French client. So the Prussian was probably passed out drunk in some corner of the purgatory. It was a beautiful morning for the lovers, but not for Lovino, who was out all night searching for his brother desperately.
