Slowly, he opened his eyes. Credence blinked a few times and look around with uncertainity.

"Where am I?" he thought as he sat up. Flashes of memories came to him, making him nauseous. "Wait. That man appeared. He must've taken me... am I at his place?" Credence thought and got out of the bed, walking to the windows. A dozen of shameful memories flashed through his mind which made his eyes tear up.

His chest started aching from the growing anxiety and fear of being abused again. So long did it take for him to rebuild his state of mind, he really tried to be brave and clever about things. He had it all figured out. And suddenly, he got plunged back into that terrifying scenario again. A rather inescapable scenario it seems.

What can he do? Life doesn't play into his cards at all and is playing with him mercifully. He had no control. But there was one thing he did have control over.

"No, no... I can't take it anymore. I don't want to live like this," he whispered, wiping his flow of tears with the back of his hand and opened the window in front of him with newly aquired confidence.

"Nobody will touch me anymore," he said to himself, encouraging himself to do what he intended. He climbed up and sat down on the frame, his legs hanging down free in the air.

It was a cold afternoon that day. He glanced up and saw the sun turning the surroundings into a warm orange.

Yes, this is the way to go.

Suddenly, a firm grasp on his forearm, followed by a immediate pull startled Credence. He gave out a helpless shriek. Yet again, life had other plans for him. He failed even in this one task.

At once, he was sitting in Sebastian's arms who held him close and tight. Sebastian's expresion was unreadable and Credence's anxiety grew bigger.

Again, startled by a loud bang behind him, Credence turned his head around and saw that the window was closed now. The boy slowly glanced back at the demon who left him about a week ago alone in the mansion.

Stolos closed his eyes, trying to think how exactly should one approach a suicidal child. Despite his longetivity, he had never dealed with something like this before.

Stolos looked down at the boy again, thinking: "He kind of reminds me of Dentorons."

He quickly shook this thought away so he wouldn't get too emotional. He started walking away from the room with Credence in his hands, saying simply: "You must be hungry. I've prepared something to eat."

Credence stayed silent, however his thoughts were turbulent.

"Did he take back because of the deal? Is he here for my soul? Well, at least it would be finally over. By why is he keen on feeding me? Maybe souls taste better when the human is not hungry? But didn't the other demon say that the contract is invalid? Maybe he wants to kill me anyway?"

He was sat down in a tall wooden chair and within minutes, Stolos brought him a plate with pork tenderloin with mashed potatoes. Credence's favorite. Next to that, he placed a glass with water, ice and slices of lemons.

Then, he sat down to the table as well and looked at Credence who stared at the food with undeniable desire. Credence noticed how informal Sebastians' behavior became, he never sat with him at the dining table, let alone sit next to nhim so leisurely - his elbows laid on the table, his back relaxed.

"Go on, eat," Stolos encouraged him with a calm voice as he went through plausible ways of explaining to Credence in what situation he is now in his head.

Credence started eating, minding his manners and despite his hunger, chewing every bite slowly before swallowing it.

"Look," Stolos started when Credence was about to finish his meal, "firstly, I want to apologize for what I did to you."

Credence rose his eyebrows in surprise. What he did to me? What did he do really? Credence couldn't think of anything Sebastian should be apologizing for. They made a deal. Credence knew what he went into. And since then, Sebastian only protected him, taught him and was by his side - sure, for the price of his soul, but he knew that. He also knew that Sebastian didn't owe him anything more. It was a deal without feelings and emotions. It was only his own fault that Credence became too attached to Sebastian's presence.

"I am not a demon, Credence. I am something else but that's not important right now. Do you remember the other man who appeared with your brother in your mansion that day? We had a bet. I was stuck in hell for, well, reasons, and he told me if I do a good job as a demon, he'll let me go. That included you, unfortunately. No child should go through what you went. And I am a part of the reason why you did..."

"But... you did not do anything that hurt me. You were always honorable in a... specific way," Credence said in a quiet voice.

"Well, still... you got hurt anyways."

"Hm," Credence shrugged, "that's why I wanted to end things. Nobody could ever touch me again. But then you stopped me... I hoped that you might be the one to kill me, then. But from what you said-"

"Credence!" Stolos raised his voice which startled Credence and he became silent again. Stolos laid his hand on Credence's and looked at him: "You have to survive, alright? You deserve to live a normal, happy life. And I will make everything to see that happen, do you understand me?"

"Why?" Credence asked quietly, watching Stolos' hand that was clutching onto his.

"Just because. Take it as the new contract conditions. I am here to collect now. And I do want your life but I want it to be safe, under my roof until you get onto your own feet."

"Do I have a say in this?" Credence asked carefully.

"Mm, depends on what you say," Stolos said with a small smile.

Their conversation was interrupted however. "I am back!" an excited exclamation voiced from the door frame. "I am sorry that it took so long, but I ended up creating a children's home, haha. Oh yeah, and I put you as the owner is that alright?" Michendros asked, grinning.

"My name? What name?" Stolos wondered.

"Eh, the one you were born with this time. Viktor Yahontov. Here you go," Michendros said and handed Stolos some papers.

"Why don't you own it?"

"This seems rather as your business, doesn't it. And I have to return to mom, soon. I can't oversee a children's home now. But enough of that, I am glad to see that the child is getting about."

He is a bit suicidal, I am not sure how to handle this really, Stolos shared his thoughts with Michendros who answered him back in his mind, too.

I am not really surprised by that, he endured so much. At least you'll learn some parenthooding.

"My name is Michendros," the older brother turned to Credence who watched him in awe as Mich made a small bow.

"I am Stolos' brother," he concluded and nodded to Stolos.

"Stolos?" Credence asked.

"Yeah, that's my name."

"But he said it's Viktor."

"Yeah... that's my name, too... it's a bit complicated."

"He will explain you everything in time. But for now, you call us Stolos and Mich," Michendros said and sat down to the table as well.

"Oh, by the way, I've baked something. Let me get it," Stolos reminded himself and quickly left the room.

"Don't worry, Cred, you're in good hands now. He can be a bit loud sometimes but that's because he cares. I think you'll grow onto him. From what I understand, he was pretty cold towards you before, right?"

"I didn't mind...," Credence admitted, "at least he was there."

Stolos came back in this moment and carried a tray with three small plates and cups. He put down the plates which had lemon cheesecakes on it and the cups of hot chocolate.

"I didn't know you were such a cook, Stolos!" Michendros chuckled.

"I had to learn because I was a butler after all for a few years."

"You learned how to cook because of our contract?" Credence wondered.

"Indeed. I could've used my magic for sure. But then again, I wasn't the only servant in the mansion. They could've noticed at some point. So, I just learned. I thought it would be useful in the future anyways."

"Hmm, it tastes marvelous, good job, Stolos," Michendros exclaimed.

"Thanks," Stolos chuckled.

Credence watched the two adults talk causally for a bit. The Indian man was talking about his life in Delhi and Credence's ex-butler was sharing his experience from Russia. It felt weird to sit there like that, eating a cheesecake and listening to the brother. It was somehow peaceful and Credence couldn't help but to smile everytime the brother's laughed.