Barbatos's heart

The Agreement.

Barbatos and Elaina walked hand and hand to the throne room where Diavolo and Michael were arguing. "What's going on father?" Elaina asked confused as to why the two were upset with each other. She thought he father saw her side of things and everything would be fine. "I just don't know Elaina. Do you really feel safe here?" Michael asked worriedly. "She's fine!" Diavolo huffed. "Father, I am fine. I will be. Trust me. I feel very safe. I have the most powerful demons on my side. Diavolo, my cousins, Barbatos." Elaina gestured with her fingers still intertwined with her soul mates. Michael grunted but didn't argue any further.

Barbatos took this opportunity to finally say something. "Sir, if I may..." Michael looked at him in shock. "I do not mean to speak out of term, but I know that the last time we met, however long ago it was... It was not a happy memory, not for you, nor I. I know you may not believe anything I say due to my past, and I do not blame you but I will make sure no harm comes to your daughter. I love her and I will protect her. Since meeting last, I have changed. Diavolo saved me from my destructive past and I never want to relive it. It haunts me..." Michael's expression softened slightly, feeling Barbatos was speaking from the heart. "Once I was the destroyer but now I am the protector. I have vowed to look after Diavolo. To be a guardian to the young lord, after all, he did save me and I will be forever grateful, but now I have someone else in my life, someone precious. Your daughter will never hurt again. I am now her protector too. I will provide for her, take care of her, and love her. I promise. Just give her this year. Let me show you that I have changed. Let me show you how much I care for her. Give her the rest of the year to decide if she wants to stay with me or go back home."

Everyone in the room gaped at Barbatos and his directness but in a good way. Elaina had hoped he would speak up and secretly so did Diavolo. Barbatos deserved to make his case to Michael. It made Michael consider that maybe this would work. "I will agree to your proposal. I will let Elaina finish out the year here if she wishes, but if she wants to leave at any time for any reason, I will come for her! And if she is harmed... I'll come for you." He jeered. Barbatos nodded in understanding. "Great!" Elaina beamed. "Is that all you needed us for? Because we were having a discussion of our own I'd like to get back to" she added cheekily.

"Yes," Michael confirmed. "I am taking my leave back to the Celestial Realm. I just wanted to be sure you were safe. I needed to hear it from you before I left." He added. Elaina let go of Barbatos and ran to hug her father. "I'll be fine! I promise!" She smiled happily. Michael could tell she wanted this. He could tell She was happier than she had been in a long time. "I love you, my young one." He said as he hugged her tight. "I love you too father!" She giggled. "I will see you soon." With that Michael made his way to the portal that transported him back to the Celestial Realm, leaving Diavolo, Barbatos, and Elaina alone. Diavolo smiles at the couple in front of him. "You two look more comfortable together. I guess last night helped" he winked at them. Barbatos blushed a deep red and Elaina just laughed. "How??" Barbatos shrilled. "Simple. You weren't very subtle. I saw Elaina go to your room late last night. I saw you pull her in and saw her come out with you early this morning." He made a clicking noise with his tongue and laughed along with Elaina. "You two will be the death of me!" Barbatos sighed as he looked at his two favorite people with a smile on his face.