"Just kill me here," the villain said using his last breath. "I'll only die if it's being killed by you."
That voice... Kreo recognized it.
"No…" Kreo's hands loosened a bit.
He let go with one hand while keeping the other on the villain's neck, looking closely.
Reaching for the golden mask, Kreo gave one tug, and it loosened. He hesitated for a moment before finally pulling it off.
"Azazel…" Kreo muttered.
Azazel stared back up at Kreo, the moonlight shining on his face. Scratch marks and blood were clearly visible.
"No- You-" Kreo's words scrambled. He was in disbelief.
Azazel scoffed at the scene. "Kreo," he said. "You can kill me. I'm the villain."
Kreo was shaken before dropping next to Azazel. Azazel sat up, blood still dripping from his side. He groaned in pain, breaking Kreo out of his trance.
"Oh no. No. No." Kreo said worriedly.
He carefully picked Azazel up before flying back to his house while laying low.
He put Azazel on a chair before getting a first aid kit. Azazel took off his shirt, and Kreo started cleaning the wounds.
No words were spoken during that time until Azazel broke the silence.
"How are the children?" Azazel asked.
"Still in the NICU," Kreo answered. "Everyone knows already."
"Who's everyone?" Azazel asked.
"My parents, our friends," Kreo replied.
Azazel smiled while staring somewhere else. When Kreo was done with Azazel's side, Azazel thought everything was done. He got up before being pulled back down by Kreo.
"Don't move." Kreo said in a fierce tone.
Kreo patched Azazel's scratches before hugging him.
"Where were you?" Kreo sounded like he was about to cry. "I was worried sick, Azazel Everlim."
Azazel patted Kreo's back in the embrace, letting out a sigh. His voice trembled even without saying anything.
"I was scared, Kreo," Azazel suddenly sobbed. "Everything was going south. I was just trying to live a normal life, but after meeting you and other people… I don't know what to do."
Kreo and Azazel stayed in a long embrace until Azazel calmed down. Kreo looked at Azazel, wiping away his tears with his hands.
"At least you're back in my arms," Kreo said.
"Aren't you mad?" Azazel asked, his eyes red. "Because I ran away and didn't tell you I'm the villain?"
"I am," Kreo admitted. "But this is not the time to be mad. I have you back, and that's all I need."
Azazel's back hurt again, a lingering pain from carrying the triplets to the C-section. He tried to rub it discreetly, but Kreo noticed.
"Does your back hurt?" Kreo asked.
"No," Azazel stood up. "I just need to lay down for a while." He walked to the living room, his hand guiding him slowly.
"You're not okay." Kreo stood up. Azazel stopped but didn't turn around.
Kreo approached Azazel and gently scooped him up in a bridal style, avoiding to put pressure on his back and abdomen.
"Kreo, put me down, put me-" Azazel started before Kreo interrupted.
"Why are you so foolish?" Kreo asked, carrying him up the stairs to his room.
He gently put Azazel down. "Rest," Kreo said. "I'll make dinner."
As Kreo turned to leave, Azazel grabbed his hand.
"Wait," Azazel stopped him. "Maybe it's time to try learning your powers."
Kreo looked back at Azazel, confused. "How do you know how to create something?"
"Destruction," Azazel held up one of his hands.
The black and red dots flickered around again. Kreo was taken aback but didn't move.
"One touch by me, and everything turns to dust. But creation—you can make anything you desire," Azazel said, signalling Kreo to sit.
Azazel grabbed a piece of tissue from the side of the bed. He held it until he clenched it into a clump, and the black and red dots flickered and flew around his hand, turning the tissue to dust.
"How does your power help me?" Kreo asked, looking at the dust.
Azazel giggled and held both of Kreo's hands, closing one of them.
"Think of something simple, like a pen," Azazel said. "Think of it being in your hands."
Kreo, sceptical but willing, thought of a pen. His hands glowed instead of having coloured dots flying around. Azazel watched, still holding Kreo's other hand.
A pen popped out of nowhere, exactly like the one Kreo imagined. Kreo was shook and amazed.
Azazel smiled at Kreo, congratulating him for truly using his power for the first time. Kreo's stomach growled, making Azazel laugh.
"That's probably all for today's lesson. Go make dinner," Azazel patted his stomach. "I'm hungry too."
Kreo gave a soft smile before kissing Azazel's forehead. "I'll be right back," he said as he left the room.
---
The next morning, Kreo was on his phone while Azazel continued to sleep. He informed everyone that Azazel had been found. Everyone was glad but Kreo didn't mention that Azazel was the villain.
Some insisted on coming over, but Kreo rejected the offers, knowing Azazel wouldn't want to be disturbed or interviewed. Everyone respected their wishes and were just happy Azazel was back.
Kreo took care of Azazel, making herb soup and listening to what Azazel wanted to share.
"Did I ever threaten the city before?" Azazel asked.
"No, actually," Kreo answered. "You were named one of the calmest villains in the world, for never threatening, hurting, or killing."
Azazel frowned at the last part. Kreo could tell by his expression that he might have done something he regretted.
They stayed silent for a moment. They had once been close, but after Azazel gave birth and ran away, and Kreo finding out he was the villain, their relationship seemed strained.
"How about we go to the NICU tonight?" Kreo asked softly. "Have you seen them since you ran?"
Azazel thought for a moment. "I did, once," he smiled. "I came back one night to see them. I just wanted to carry them."
"How about we ask?" Kreo suggested. "I've seen some people do it before."
Azazel looked at Kreo with surprise. "Really?" he said with a hint of excitement.