Stunned, Kian stared at Malak. “Are you sure?”

The younger man bit his lips. “Yes.”

“I won’t be able to undo it afterwards,” Kian warned, as he was concerned Malak would regret it.

It didn’t really matter to him if this family remembered him, as long as they could both go back to the world they belonged to. But he couldn’t blame him. The Society of the Silver light killed all his relatives. It was to show the others what could happen if the humans were associated with the demons. However, Malak wasn’t aware of that.

“I don’t want them to suffer because of me. If they don’t remember, my disappearance won’t hurt them.”

“And after that?”

“We go home.”

As the words slipped out of Malak’s lips, relief flooded Kian’s body. The answer was expected, but he still needed to hear him say it.

“Alright,” Kian nodded as he squeezed Malak’s hand. “Rest up. I’ll take care of everything.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll be back soon.”

They shared a kiss before Kian left the hospital. Before everything else, he set up a protective ward with his magical powers to protect Malak. He was only powerful enough to make a decent one. He needed to be conservative about his powers. A lot needed to be done.

Kian already knew where Malak’s family was and headed to their workplace. He first started with his parents. His mother owned a small baking business and provided homemade cakes and other sweets. In front of the Elsan’s home, Kian blended into shadows to move through the door and walls until he was right behind her. Before she could realize he was even here, the demon King placed his hand on her head and penetrated her mind. He could feel her body go rigid as he walked through all the panels, representing her memories. One by one, Kian erased Malak’s presence from them. Once he left her mind, she only remembered being a family of three. She married her high school sweetheart and had a child together. She never bore twins, only a girl they named Lesley.

Before leaving the house, he felt his power seeping through his fingertips to erase all objects, pictures and social media accounts that proved Malak’s existence. He, however, packed a few items that he thought Malak would enjoy or need like a memento of this world.

Kian did the same for the rest of the family. It wasn’t too difficult, but it took time and sapped his magic a lot quicker than he expected. He needed to rest and replenish his energy before going through Katie and Enrico’s minds. He was glad Malak already graduated, as he didn’t need to clean up all the teachers’ and classmates’ minds.

Hours later, there was only Enrico left. He was the hardest to locate. He had to use Katie to find him. By the time he found his last target, the sky was already dark. Enrico lived alone in an apartment downtown. He didn’t seem to work, so how he could afford it was a mystery.

Like all the other times, Kian slipped through the doors, and walls to reach his target. He appeared behind Enrico, who was watching the television. Before he could make contact, the target turned around.

Enrico’s eyes widened and jumped out of his couch. “W-what…?”

Kian moved too fast for the human to comprehend what happened. In a blink of an eye, he crossed the distance separating them. Kian quickly entered his mind. Compared to the others, he had more difficulties, but it wasn’t impossible. Like all the others, he carefully erased his lover’s existence from Enrico’s mind. As he went down his memories, some panels were blurred. Kian paid them no mind since it often happened when someone had amnesia or traumatic events he wanted to forget.

Exhausted, Kian left Enrico’s mind and house before he could regain consciousness. With his job completed, he drove back to the hospital. Although the visiting hours ended long ago, he easily reached Malak’s room without being stopped by a nurse or a security guard. Without a noise, Kian entered Malak’s private room. With only the moonlight shining through the window, the rays gently kissed his sleeping form. The white bedsheets enveloping his body emitted a silver glow, giving an ethereal sight. Kian stood near the door, admiring Malak’s beauty. Silently walking next to the bed, he gently brushed a strand of hair away from his closed eyes.

As much as Kian wished to leave this world immediately, he didn’t have the strength to wake Malak. Also, he still had much to prepare before their return. Although he was exhausted, Kian was strong enough to begin the preparations.

His eyes glowed a red as rubies under the shining sun. Extending his hand, a ball of energy gathered on top. Gradually, it changed to a bird made of dense black mist. In a foreign language, he whispered to the inanimate animal. With each word, the bird came to life as its eyes glowed a deeper red. It flapped his wings as black dust, similar to pollen, filled the air. The bird gained height and made circles above Kian’s head. Then it headed straight toward the window. It would seem like a suicidal move, but just before its head crashed against the glass, a black portal opened and engulfed the animal carrying Kian’s message.

Satisfied and exhausted, he heavily sat on the only chair available. He leaned his head on his hand and observed Malak's sleep. Soon, Kian’s eyes closed and fell into a deep sleep.

╰(⇀‸↼)╯

The next morning, a chuckle woke Kian up. He lifted his arms up and stretched them while yawning.

“Did you spend a good night’s rest?” the nurse asked politely while she glared at him.

“The hospital could invest in sofas. A private room isn't exactly cheap,” Kian answered as he sat up straight to face the angry woman. “But a bed would be better.”

The nurse's smile tightened. “We provide services for patients only. If you wish to rest, try a hotel. Now, please get out and clean yourself up while I check on my patient.”

“Yes, ma'am,” Kian smiled, but she didn't return the gesture. “I'll bring breakfast,” Kian added before leaving the room.

“Something spicy!” Malak requested.

“If your rectum burns, I won't be there to help,” the nurse shook her head while taking Malak's change of clothes.

“Haha, I'll be fine,” Malak smiled. “Sorry about that. He's just worried.”

“People sneaking in after the visiting hours isn't rare,” she answered while helping Malak stand up, so he could change into a clean medical gown.

“Can't I wear something else?” Malak asked as he tried to shield his back and bottom from the nurse.

“It won't be the first naked bottoms I see.”

Malak sighed as he resigned himself. “But I would also like some privacy while peeing.”

The nurse half-closed the bathroom door, as Malak could finally relieve himself in private. It wasn't his first time peeing with another person next to him, but no one was so intently staring at him, either.

It didn't take long for the nurse to complete all her tasks. She didn't linger and left quickly to tend to another patient.

As if summoned, Kian also returned with breakfast. This time, however, Kian didn't listen to Malak's request. There wasn't any spicy food to be seen. Instead, there was a classic but simple breakfast. On each plate, there were two sunny side eggs, perfectly crispy bacon, pancakes, and a toast of bread. There were also little plastic containers with maple syrup and butter.

Salivating, Malak quickly picked up his knife and fork and started eating. Kian started with a sip of black coffee before touching any of his food.

“Is it good?” Kian asked after breaking the egg yolk as the golden liquid poured over the bacon and bread.

“Thank you.”

Kian smiled. “You don't seem to miss spicy food so much.”

“It will do,” Malak shrugged before taking a big bite of pancake.

They finished their breakfast in comfortable silence. They both emptied their plates. Kian stood up to clean up the dirty dishes before putting everything in a trash can. For the rest of the morning, they both talked about everything and nothing. Although Kian was excited to travel back to his world, he didn’t breach the subject. He didn’t want to rush Malak, either.

In the evening, the doctor came to check up on Malak one last time before giving the okay for him to be discharged. With only Kian present as Malak’s relative, neither the doctor nor the nurses questioned the absence of the patient’s parents. Wearing clean clothes, the couple left the hospital. As soon as they were both out of sight, the health workers who took care of Malak rapidly forgot him. Even his name disappeared from the documents. It was as if he never came to the hospital.

The road to Kian’s home was relaxed. Although the distance was great, the taxi driver didn’t complain and accepted to drive them to their desired destination. Nothing was said between them as they only listened to the soft music playing on the radio. Paying the bill, the couple got off of the car. They quickly entered the house to avoid getting wet.

“Do you want to take a shower?” Kian proposed as Malak didn’t get the chance to do so while in the hospital.

“When will we leave?” Malak asked absent-mindedly.

“Tomorrow morning.”

Malak nodded. “I’ll take a shower.”

Walking up the stairs, Malak went into the bathroom and closed the door behind him without locking it. Undressing, he jumped into the shower. Opening the tab, he gasped as the ice-cold water hit his skin. In a matter of seconds, it turned warm. While he cleaned himself, Kian walked in with a clean set of clothes and a towel.

After a quick shower, Malak dried his body and hair. Seeing his own clothes on the counter, he understood that Kian already completed his wish. In this world, he had no family, no relatives or friends. Everyone had forgotten him. But they were protected. This was for the best. He didn’t belong here, anyway. He was part of Bazahian’s royal family as the King’s consort.

Malak stared at his reflection. According to his memories, his appearance was slightly different. Not only he didn’t have horns, but his eyes colour was also different. Will he regain his original features? He didn’t know, but at least he wouldn’t be as powerless. In their world, there was magic. After becoming a demon, his body completely transformed. Not only the magic in his veins was amplified, but he also owned a small fragment of Kian’s unimaginable power.

He also wondered if the people he knew were still alive, and hoped they weren’t also murdered. He was given a second chance to live, but he didn’t think it was a common occurrence, even for the demon race. Such a tragedy shouldn’t happen ever again. As he held sympathy for the humans being oppressed in a world full of demi-humans, Malak couldn’t forgive their ruthless actions. He also didn’t share their ideology that humans shall reign supreme. Instead, he wished for a world where everyone could live peacefully. A naïve dream, but he will work toward his goal. Determined, he walked out of the bathroom to join Kian in his bedroom.

ᕙ(⇀‸↼‶)ᕗ

“Are you ready?” Kian asked as they were both standing in the empty living room.

“I am,” Malak answered without an ounce of incertitude.

Kian extended his hand, and Malak took it. Connected to each other, Kian stretched his other arm and closed his eyes. He gathered as much magical energy as he could while muttering a chant in a foreign language. Gradually, a portal was created. Malak couldn’t see the other side because of the intense darkness.

“Let’s go,” Kian panted as he weakly squeezed his husband’s hand.

Together, they walked into the portal. There was no fear or hesitation. They trusted each other. After walking in the darkness for a few minutes, Malak could finally see the light on the other side. Temporarily blinded, Malak protected his eyes from the intense brightness.

“We were awaiting your return. We are happy to see you unharmed,” a dark-haired demon kneeled in front of them.

“Ezrel, you have done well,” Kian answered as Malak tensed at the authoritative tone.

“It is an honour, my liege,” Ezrel seemed to bow even lower as he seemed to kiss the wooden floor.

“Now, where are we?”