#deceiveshipping

"You don't have to leave, do you?"

Byron smiled absently and paused from packing his bag travel bag. "Heartland City is no longer the big black hole of sin and evil it used to be. There are bigger problems."

"Bigger problems?" Faker murmured. Byron smiled and tilted his head. "Where are you going?"

"I don't know, just… wherever Father decides there are bigger problems."

"You sound like you’re a family of crime fighting superheroes."

Byron laughed and Faker smiled, leaning back against the wall. He didn't want Byron to leave. They'd only known each other a few years but Byron was his only friend. The best friend he'd ever had. The news that he was leaving had come out of nowhere, and so suddenly too, had thrown him completely.

"Who says we're not?" Byron laughed softly.

"You've got something to tell me?" Faker said with a smirk.

Byron laughed and nodded slightly, sitting on his bed and folding his hands under his chin. After a moment, Faker moved over and sat with him. They sat in silence for a while before Byron caught his hand.

"Don't think I'm insane," Byron whispered, not even looking at him.

"I won't."

"Demons are real," he said softly. "And we hunt them." Faker almost laughed. That sounded ridiculous but… Byron said it so simply and honestly he had to believe it. "My family has hunted demons for centuries. We're part demon ourselves and we hunt demons and those who sell their souls."

"Why?" Faker murmured.

"Hundreds of years ago, our family was slaughtered by demons, all but one young woman. She contracted with a demon and promised it the souls of all her heirs until it was the only demon of its kind left. She bred with it and created our line."

Faker nodded slowly, trying to take it in and not just laugh it off. "So you hunt demons? And that's why you have to leave?"

"Yeah. There used to be a lot of demons in Heartland, most of them are gone now. So we're heading somewhere where there are more to hunt."

"You really can't stay then?"

"No. We have to go and find other creatures to hunt. I'll miss you." Faker nodded slightly and squeezed Byron's hand. "But… you know, I'm only stuck with them until Beth get the contract. It only passes onto the eldest. And what are the chances of me being the only one left, right?"

Faker nodded slightly. Byron was the youngest of five children. There was no way all the others would die and he'd end up the oldest, was there? Besides, Byron was kind of pathetic sometimes. He was shy and scared of his own shadow and couldn't really speak up for himself, he let other people use him as a doormat and even the smallest thing could hurt his feelings but he had a genuinely good heart. He couldn't imagine Byron hunting demons. He couldn't imagine him with the will to fight and kill, let alone the physical stamina to do so. Byron wasn't exactly good at physical activities.

"When the contract passes on, I'm free," Byron said softly. "I'll come back."

Faker laughed softly. "I'll be right here waiting for you."

"I'm glad. I don't know how long it will be. Maybe… maybe we'll have kids of our own by then."

"I don't want to be that old."

"I hope if we had kids, they'd be friends," Byron laughed softly. "Even if they'd still be demon hunters."

"Even without the contract?" Faker said quietly.

"Demons are still monsters. They still need to be dealt with."

"Byron!" called a voice from the hall. "Time to go. Say goodbye."

Byron smiled stiffly and got rushed to finish packing his bag. "Time to go."

"Make sure you come back."

"I will. Promise."

~♥~

"Is Faker there?"

Faker sat up slightly. He recognised that voice from somewhere. Across the room, Mia was feeding Kaito from his bottle. He was sure he'd heard that voice before. His assistant dealt with his appointments though. And right now, he'd left her in charge of most of the day to day running of the lab. Mr Heartland and she could manage most things. He just wanted to spend time with his beautiful new son.

"Dr Faker," his assistant called over the intercom. "There's a Dr Arclight here to see you."

Faker almost smiled. "Send him in."

Mia frowned but the door opened and Faker couldn't help smiling as Byron strode in. He was recognisable. His golden hair was still braided over his shoulder and his soft golden eyes still had the same friendly glow, but he looked tired. Older than he should have at his age.

But rather pleasing, was the young boy sitting in his arms. Quite obviously Byron's son. The youngster must have been somewhere around two, his pale blue hair hidden under a woollen hat and his big blue eyes gazing around in awe.

"Byron," he said softly. "It's been a while. You're a doctor now?"

"So are you," Byron chuckled. "I did promise I'd come back and find you again."

"Aren't you going to introduce us?" Mia called.

Byron glanced over and Faker smiled. "Byron, my lovely wife, Mia. Mia, Byron Arclight, a good friend of mine from when I was a teen. It's been a good ten years since we last saw each other. And of course, my son, Kaito."

"Kaito…" Byron smiled as Mia stood and brought Kaito over. The young boy in Byron's arms leant over so far he nearly lost his balance and fell and Byron chuckled, shifting his weight. "He's beautiful, Faker. I suppose this one's rather hard to miss. Are you going to say hello?"

The boy tore his gaze from Kaito and glanced up at Faker before burying his head in his father's shoulder. Byron chuckled, bouncing the young boy gently in his arms as Faker laughed. What a shy little thing.

"Well, I suppose I will then," Byron said, patting his back. "This is Christopher."

"Well, it's good to meet you, Christopher," Faker said gently.

Christopher lifted his head and puffed out his cheeks. "It's Chris."

"Chris then. I hope you and Kaito can be friends."

"Me too," Christopher said quietly. "'cause Father says no baby brothers."

"Don't worry, I know Byron, you'll have little brothers in no time. And I'm sure Kaito will love to have someone to look up to."