Chapter 15

"What. Are. You. Two. Doing?!"

Matthew and Alfred jumped at the sound of their father's voice. They twisted on the couch to stare at his looming figure in the living room doorway, his glaring and dreary eyes. Alfred squeaked, "D-Dad!"

Francis did not take his eyes off of Alfred as he said, "Go to bed, Matthieu."

"Papa-"

"Go, Matthew!"

Matthew obediently nodded and scrambled off the couch. Francis only leaned away, so he had to wedge himself against the door frame as if touching his father would cause him to lash out. He tripped on the steps as he scurried upstairs, not even bothering to eavesdrop.

Rest in peace, Alfred.

His lock twisted with a relieving click, and Matthew turned around to face his bedroom. He started against his door when he made out a great shape on his bed, "How long have you been here?!"

The shape did not reply. He toed across his room, and gave the beast a nudge to the shoulder. It let out a low grunt, but did not move. Matthew told him, "You're such a creeper, you know that?"

He walked back to his door and flicked on the light. As expected, Ivan became animated with a little snort and picked up his head. "No, no, turn back on the dark."

"I need to see. Here, I'll turn on my dresser lamp, but I'll shut off the ceiling light." Matthew proceeded to do that, and propped against his dresser to watch his company stir on his bed, but did not make much effort to rise from his lazy position.

"I climbed through your window as soon as I was shooed. What did Alfred have to say?"

Matthew looked down at his feet, curling and uncurling his toes. "He knows about you now, and I told him I know about Arthur."

"Ah, how did that go?"

"Much better than I expected! I managed to persuade him that you're not going to cause mass destruction, so please don't make me look like an idiot, and no angels will have to know about your secret."

"Is that...what is the word? Is that a blackmail, Matthew?" Instead of being offended or angry about the situation, Ivan was rather amused. "Your kindness distracts me from your inner thoughts."

"Damn, you're onto me. I meant to warn you, actually. It's Alfred you need to be careful around. If he gets any little reason for thinking you have other motives than your own curiosity, he'll try to fight you."

"Really?" Ivan asked a bit too enthusiastically. "A fight would be interesting..."

"Oh, so would answering to Arthur? You know he'll run and tell him right away."

"Ah, maybe not. Temper often hides in small packages." Ivan pulled himself to sit and face Matthew. "So, I cannot have any other plans besides sight seeing?"

"I may be able to come up with something to my brother, but that depends. What are you plotting?"

Ivan smiled cheekily and held out a hand. "Go to Hell with me?"

Matthew blurted, "Didn't you just come from there?"

"Yes. Why do you return to your home from that school place when you have to go back the next sunrise? Besides, Hell is my home, and I can show you around like you have done with me around your home. This is something I have been thinking about ever since I went back there."

"Are you sure?!"

"Of course, I am sure! I am asking if you are sure if you want to see all this...fire and people screaming like your kind seems bent on believing it has. Maybe you will give that place as much happiness as you have done to me here."

Some sort of magnet pulled Matthew to settle beside Ivan with a little fluttery sensation blooming in his chest. "Wow, Hell? I-I don't know...would I be able to come back?"

"Yes!" Ivan replied a bit tersely. He slightly shook his head and reaffixed his smile. "I keep coming back, do I not?"

"Yeah, but aren't you used to pitchfork wielding demons?"

"Pitchforks? Why would be have pitchforks? Demons fight tooth and claw." Ivan gleefully assured, "Not that anybody will be able to think about using them on you."

"That's...nice of you. How about...the afterlife for the sinful? People tortured for all eternity?"

Ivan opened his mouth to reply seriously, but lost himself to heavy laughter. Matthew's face grew hot as he hit his forehead a few times. "Matthew thinks demons do not have anything else to do!" He straightened from lingering giggles, "We do not get human visitors that often. How could people possibly get there without wings? You need wings to get down into Hell."

"Or a bungee cord," Matthew put in. He swished a hand, dismissing his confusing suggestion. "Never mind that. I just..."

"Is there anything else, or would you like to see it for yourself?"

"I'm not a demon, though, and I can't cloak myself to be one-"

Ivan stared with a blank expression.

"I'm a little more cautious than you to dive into potential danger, Ivan."

"Yes, yes, I know. There are risks, but if you listen to me as I have listened to you, and do not make your own plots, you will come out in one piece."

"Hm," Matthew set his jaw in a thoughtful manner, making Ivan tip his head expectantly. "They don't have pancakes in Hell, I suppose?"

"No, but you can bring snacks."

"A lot of water, too."

"I do not believe obtaining water is a great problem in Hell, but if you insist..."

"Hm," Matthew hummed again, staring at the ceiling.

Ivan let out a low growl, but not with malicious intent. "I will let you think about it."

"Let's go now."

"I meant to leave now."

"Oh. That works!"

Ivan pulled himself to sit, staring with a cheeky grin, but a hard fix in his eyes. "We go now, yes?"

"I should back some bags, first," Matthew shouldered the fiend with a giggle, and pushed off his bed to grab his backpack that he was supposed to use for school. He unzipped it, flipped it over, and dumped its contents on his mattress.

Ivan moved out of the way, watching Matthew dig through drawers, his closet, and even swoop into the bathroom to grab anything he thought he may need. He doubted they had toilet paper or toothpaste in Hell, and he wanted to be safe than sorry. "In Hell," he murmured under his breath.

If Ivan is ballsy enough to claw his way out of there, risking getting blown to holy bits by angels just for my sake, then I can do this little thing for him. Matthew glanced up at the sound of his friend lightly laughing, and smiled. Ivan drifted to the dresser, and reached in the top drawer that was left open. "Hey!" Matthew snatched the pair of boxers dangling from a claw, and shoved them into his bag.

"I am very glad you are doing this." Sturdy hands found Matthew's shoulders, stilling him for a moment. "Do you like these flowers? Aren't they beautiful?"

Matthew elbowed Ivan, but it did not seem to do much. "Yes, they are. Thanks a bunch." He decided not to ask where they even came from. "Water. Um, you should stay in here. I'll be back in a few minutes, and if you hear anyone else coming, hide."

"Okie dokie!" Ivan called out, and Matthew closed the door behind himself.

Alfred was thumping up the stairs and grumbling to himself. He pressed against the wall to let Matthew pass, who called out, "Hey, Al."

"I got yelled at."

"You did do something stupid, though."

Alfred's stumped expression told him that he hated it, but Matthew was right. "Yeah," he struggled for words. He wound up with, "Yeah. I'm going to bed now, okay?"

"Good night," Matthew gave his brother a quick hug, but Alfred did not respond. He pulled away with a small shake of his head, and glided down the stairs. He peeked into the living room, and saw his father's long hair sticking out from resting on one of the couch's arms.

"Dad, Dad!" Matthew lightly prodded Francis' shoulders. Francis snapped his head up with an irritable grunt. "Go upstairs. You'll get a sore neck sleeping like that. Come on, I'll help."

Matthew streaked down the steps once more, becoming impatient after he ambled to the upper floor with his father in tow. Francis fell onto his bed, on the covers, barely making it before falling asleep right away. The bottles and containers stored in the refrigerator rattled as he threw open the door, and his gaze jumped to the carton of water bottles. He grabbed a bunch and zipped up the stairs with a giggle of delight from the soft whooshing in his ears.

Alfred swung open his bedroom door right in front of Matthew, and one of the bottles slipped out of his arms. Alfred swooped down to grab it. "Hey, what are you doing with all this water, Mattie?"

Matthew shifted so his brother could press it down between his folded arms and chest. "Uh...I don't want to keep going downstairs to get water when I'm all the way up here, so I'm taking a whole bunch."

"Whoa, that's a good idea!" Both snickered. Matthew thought it was a genius, on the spot lie. He was getting good. Alfred let out a big sigh, downplaying the mood, "I don't know, Mattie. It feels kind of wrong to have a demon running around." He held up his hands to stop Matthew when his mouth opened. "I know, I know, not all of them are homicidal, sinful maniacs, but Ivan doesn't seem like the guy to gladly listen to other people telling him what to do."

"I'm not telling him what to do. I'm giving him suggestions, and it would be stupid of him not to listen. He's in a pan over a cold burner, and he knows that if he instigates the angels, there will be heat."

It was very tough, but Alfred gave a little nod, if that was him accepting the current situation. "I guess. I mean, if you say so." He hesitated, but awkwardly put his arm around Matthew's shoulder for a nice moment. "Give me a holler if he tries anything funny."

Matthew grinned and elbowed his brother in his side, as much as he could with all those water bottles. "Sure, Al. Goodnight."

"'Night."

Matthew leaned against his door and fumbled with the knob, cursing lightly. The door opened suddenly, and Ivan smiled at him. "Shh, Alfred is in the bathroom next door."

"Okie dokie," Ivan put a finger to his lips, and they both giggled. "Matthew, it makes me so happy that you have faith in me, and I do not get to say that often. I will lay down my life if something threatens yours, if it becomes necessary."

"Jeez! What kind of stuff are we going to be running into down there?!"

"Hee-hee! Maybe I should have not said anything! Never mind!" Ivan poked Matthew's nose and turned to stuff the book bag down so he could close it. Matthew stuck his tongue out when Ivan's back was turned.

"Is everything ready to go? Are you ready to go?"

Matthew broke out of his stupor, and looked to his luggage as if it had the answers. "I think so. Wait, I'm taking my wallet with me. I want to go to the convenience store before...our little trip. Is that okay?"

"Anything is fine, Matthew."

"Are you ready to go?"

"My wings are still working."

"All right. When we get outside, we'll have to act normal. Or at least act the part. Can you do that?"

Ivan easily countered, "Can you?"

"You got me." Matthew wandered toward the door.

"Matthew, wait. Why would you go out that way," Ivan gestured to the window, "when there is a perfect way out here?"

"Uh...do you want me to get a sprained ankle? We'll just be quiet and-"

"You let me catch you...or Alfredo might come out at the wrong time and scream like a young girl!"

"Window it is." Matthew hurried across his room. His face scrunched when the plastic squawked louder than usual, tattling of their grand escape. Then, he realized that he was being secretive, and smacked his palms to the dusty sill. "Do you think I should tell Alfred that we're leaving? I mean, I just talked to him about all this stuff, so..."

"I would not like to test the generosity of a man who follows an angel around."

"Eh, yeah, that's true. It's not like I'm doing anything bad. I'm just running off with a demon and plunging into the deep depths of Hell where I may never emerge. Wow, if I say it aloud, it sounds really bad, doesn't it?"

Ivan gave a little shrug. "It sounds normal to me. I go first," he nudged Matthew from the window, and stuck his head out into the night air. He took deep whiffs as a light breeze rolled in. "I do not smell the angel nearby, but we should not linger any longer than we have to."

Matthew sharply inhaled as Ivan slipped out of the window, throwing his wings out, and landed quite stealthily for a man his size. He held out his arms and gave them a little bob, signaling he was ready. Matthew shoved his back pack out the window and watched his friend catch it, cradling the bag for a confused moment, before slinging it over a shoulder.

"Um..." Matthew stared at the ground all around Ivan, anywhere and everywhere he could fall. Ivan shook his hands, urging him to jump. "Aïe!" He cried as he shoved himself into the night with his sneakers clipping the window sill.

The breath flew out Matthew's lungs, but hey, no sprained ankles! "Hah...I made it!" Matthew raised his arms in triumph. "I did not splatter on the grass!"

"As if I would let that happen," Ivan set him on the ground to launch into the air, yank the window closed, and landed back onto the snowy grass with a solid thump. His surplus appendages shimmered out of sight with a violent shudder. "Agh, store of convenience next?"

"Whoa," Matthew grinned stupidly. "Yeah, that was cool."

Ivan poked his nose again. "We have to act normal, remember? Once we get into the sewers, we will not have to do that anymore."

"S-sewers?" Matthew began walking when a strong hand gave his back a few pats. "Oh, ew. Did you ever mention that? How's that work out?"

"Do you want me to ruin all the surprises?"

"There is a difference between being prepared, and being spoiled," Matthew lightly retorted. A car zipped by, and they looked both ways of the main road before sprinting to the other walkway. His legs shook as he walked against the nightly breeze. "This is probably on the top five dumb things I have ever done in my life."

"What, going to Hell?"

Matthew guffawed, slapping a hand to his mouth at how loudly his laugher echoed. "Sneaking out, but yeah, I think my dad would pull out all his beautiful and luxurious hair if he found out where I am going. Can't let him find out about that, huh?"

Both walked in a content silence. Matthew appreciated the cool air while he still could. His heart thumped, but he could not tell if it was from nervousness or excitement. Maybe both, tangled with a bit of nausea. It would not be long until he found out how hot 'Hot as Hell' would really be.

Inside the gas station, the cashier straightened from leaning on the counter with his elbows, blinking in surprise at late night customers. Ivan followed Matthew, simply because he did not know where else to go. Matthew grabbed a few of his favorite candies and snacks before paying and leaving within minutes of entering.

"That was quick," Ivan said. "You know your way around."

Matthew shrugged, keeping his eyes on the concrete. "It's a small town."

Ivan gave him a disgruntled look, but without acknowledgement, he turned his attention to the dark sky. He sucked in a noisy breath and spun around moments before Matthew flinched from a sudden whoosh, much like a bird flapping its wings, if it were very loud and very close. "Matthew, we have a little problem."

Matthew tightened his grip on his bag of snacks, and turned around much more calmly to investigate what Ivan spotted. Arthur approached the duo, as if he was out for a casual stroll and wished to catch up to them. Totally not suspicious.

A docile smile blessed Arthur's cheeks, and he started, "Good evening gentlemen. A bit nippy to be wandering outside, don't you think?"

"Likewise," Matthew lightly shot back before Ivan could open his mouth and spew something that would compromise their plans. He pressed closer to him, nonchalantly trying to hide the book bag slung over one of Ivan's shoulders. "Just taking a nightly stroll, you know."

Ivan let out a small giggle as Arthur's eyes jumped to their hands flirting with one another. "No, I really don't know." His voice sharpened, "Does your father know you're out at this time?"

"Wha..." Matthew scoffed and shook his bag of snacks at the guy. "I'm a grown man, Arthur. I don't need to let my Dad know every time I step out of the house."

Arthur glanced to Ivan, probably expecting him to say something, but Ivan only smiled in agreement. He obviously wanted to start saying crazy things, but put on one of those smarmy half-smiles and nodded instead. "Well, you're not alone. There are strange people in the night, so stay close, and be careful."

What, like you? As Arthur turned around without another word and hurried down the street, Matthew slowly backed away, towing Ivan along, who stared at Arthur's back until he turned out of sight. "Now that was a creeper!"

"Yes, those angels are nosy ones. You are very good at lying. I do not believe he suspected a thing!"

"You really think so?!" Matthew twisted to the side to toss a glance over his shoulder. They were not being followed, as far as he could see.

Ivan gave his hand a firm squeeze. "Do not start to make evil plans beneath my nose, Matthew."

"Damn, you caught me before I even started. Is he following us?"

"Not that I can tell."

"Let's keep walking for a little longer."

After 'a little longer,' there were no glowing signs of angels following, and a silent look passed between them as they both eased and smiled. Ivan began to tug and wander toward the middle of the road, and Matthew pulled on his arm each time he went astray. "What are you doing? You're going to get ran over!"

"You will have a pancake you love so much! Ha-ha, 'get' it? Flat as a pancake?" Ivan held up his free arm defensively when Matthew let go of his hand to pummel his fists at him. "Leg pulling! I am pulling legs! I need to find a lid!"

Matthew ceased his half hearted attacks. "A lid? Like, to a water bottle or something?"

"No, a lid in the middle of the road. Look, there is one!" Ivan swung his head in both directions, and after a car zoomed by, he jogged into the middle of the road.

"Aren't those things really heavy? Oh," Matthew grimaced as Ivan knelt down, and with a small grunt, lifted the sewer cover from the street.

"Yes, it is. Hurry, Matthew. Those vehicles will not wait."

"Is there some other..." Matthew casted nervous glances around the road, "more sanitary way to get to Hell?"

"Unless you know of one, no." Ivan shook the cover, urging him down the ladder.

Matthew blanched as he put one foot on the ladder's prong, "Ew, ew, ew." Deeper into shadows, he tried to avoid deep breaths. Ivan quickly swooped down as well, and the tunnel plunged into darkness when the cover fell into place. A great rumble from above reverberated their dark surroundings, a moment before something clattered, and ran down Matthew's back.

Matthew froze from silent terror, clutching onto the ladder for his life. Ivan landed on some metal walkway below, and prompted, "Let go, Matthew. I will catch you again."

"No, thanks!"

"'No thanks?' But we walked this far!" Ivan grabbed the waistline of Matthew's jeans and tugged, but Matthew grunted and kept still. "Matthew!" An amused snort. A light whoosh ran by him again, and despite not being close, or at least he did not think Ivan was close, something snuck under his hands and easily plucked him from the damp ladder. Matthew took a shaky inhale as he fell to scream, but cut off when he hit Ivan's arms once again. "Are you...breathing?"

"Um..."

The warm body against his rumbled with laughter.

"Uh, yeah!" Matthew put a hand on his chest, "Just trying to start my heart again."

"It sounds like it is working."

"For now, for now." Matthew's eyes jumped around the darkness, useless, but he could feel and hear that Ivan was walking though the tunnel. "Um...I can walk, you know."

"So can I!"

"Aren't you gonna put me down?"

"Oh, so you would like your shoes to get wet?" Ivan sighed, "If you want me to-"

"No, no, no!" Matthew's hands scrambled to latch onto something when Ivan started to kneel closer to the foul water. His hand jerked back when it brushed something stemming from the side of his head. "Whoa! Are these..." He groped around, and his voice echoed, "Your horns came back!"

"Yes, they did! Hey!" Ivan gave his head a little jerk. "That tickles!"

"You can feel that?"

"Yes..."

The horns stuck out a little bit from curling under themselves, so Matthew pinched at them, "Can you feel that, too?"

"They are attached to my skull, Matthew. I can feel anything that happens to them. Even you petting them, but just a little! Ha-ha!"

"Oh, jeez, I didn't mean to be weird!" Matthew's voice crumbled to a mutter, "I was just curious."

A breathy giggle broke through the sounds of feet against a metal walkway, and Ivan adjusted his arms around his luggage. "You can be curious if you want to..."

"Hush. Are you sure you are all right with carrying me? I'm probably not the lightest guy out there, and I don't want to bother you-"

"You are a big man, Matthew, but I am strong. There is no need to worry."

"But..."

"You will bother me if you persist with those unnecessary worries."

"Oh, s-sorry." Matthew pressed his face into Ivan's scarf and squeezed his eyes closed, since it was nearly pitch black at the moment. He asked that to be nice, like offering somebody a piece of food even though he had intentions of eating the whole thing. Besides, there were not many opportunities where he could be swept off his feet (literally!) and carried around to give his legs a break. He actually relished in it, barring the constant reminder of what they were really walking in.

Although he could not see it, the metal walls of the tunnel were swallowed by a cavern of rock, and the sludge flowing in the middle grew more shallow as it split into different directions. "Are we almost there, at least?"

"We are travelling below the Earth's surface. It is going to take a considerable amount of time. Ah, but that drop goes by quickly, so I should not include it."

"Drop? Um, what do you mean by 'drop?'"

Ivan chuckled darkly.

"Okay, I decided that I do not like surprises."

"What a shame," Ivan's sigh was interrupted with another laugh. "We are at the best part, too." He did not miss the small beams of ebbing light peeking through a series of rocks. He asked as he let go of Matthew's legs, who yelped when his feet hit the damp ground, "Would you give me a moment?"

"Uh, sure?" Matthew blinked in surprise at the sound of stone being shifted. "Here! Let me help!"

"Be careful, Matthew. This cavern is unstable, and I do not want all of these rocks falling and taking us with them." The soft peeks of light intensified as they shoved the boulders away. "Whoa!" He stumbled back from the sight of an angry ocean of lava.

Ivan caught his arm. "Come here and look. The lava is far away. By the time we get to it, I will take you to more stable ground."

Irked by the cheeky grin, Matthew took a step forward and peered down the opening again. Okay, so the lava was down way further than he thought, but a wave of hot air drifted all the way into the tunnel from there.

"Can you handle a little bit of heat?"