Page 28 of Demons Treasure Warlocks

“But I’d never do that. Is that what you think?” Isaac cried out.

“No! Of course not. You’re my best friend, so I couldn’t let you be burdened by me.”

“Instead, you did it to yourself? Oh, Darius.” Isaac sighed. He gazed at the ceiling as he blinked rapidly. When he looked at Darius once more, his eyes were damp and red-rimmed. “Thank you for sharing. I know it was hard. You likely glossed over a shit ton, but God, you were so brave.”

Darius pressed his lips together and nodded. He wasn’t brave. If he was, Hastur would have never managed to get in. Hastur would still be on the other side. No, Darius only survived and that was by the skin of his teeth. He was a terrified fool who'd wrecked so many people’s lives because of goddamned grief.

Bale sat down beside Darius and set a refreshed tea in front of him. “Okay, so now what? What do we focus on?”

“Figure out what the hell His Majesty plans on doing and kick him back to his world, forever sealing ours off from his,” Darius suggested sharply. Caspian rested his foxy head on Darius’s leg and barked in agreement. Isaac hummed as well.

Darius felt warmth and happiness radiating from Caspian and Isaac and was honoured that they believed in him and still wanted to help him with their enemy.

“Well, what about when you were in la-la land? What did you do then? You never explained that.” Trey threw his statement out into the middle of the table, startling everyone with its abruptness.

“I don’t really remember. I remember talking with you, and I remember the absolute nothingness that was there. I tried to seek out information, but it was fucking boring. I waited for you.”

“Were you training on how to use a power move?” Trey asked eagerly. He enjoyed his fighting anime, and it helped relate things in ways that everyone understood.

Darius tilted his head to the side and thought hard. He had practiced sometimes. He had nothing else to do. But the control was still out of his grasp, and he was never sure when it would work for him or against him. “Sort of?”

“Will it help you ever?” Trey asked, his black eyes intent. “Because what the fuck was the point of you being away if you weren’t training?”

“I don’t know, Trey. It’s magic. It’s not like I was there voluntarily. Have you ever asked Cas why he’s a fucking fox?”

“Actually, why don't we give Darius a break. It’s been a rough day and shit. We can come over tomorrow or something?” Isaac suggested. Darius nodded, grateful for his words.

“We need to get this figured out soon, Eye. We can’t just keep putting it off because Darius doesn’t feel well,” Adam said as he glanced at everyone with power burning in his eyes.

“It’s one night, guys. We can let it rest for a few hours,” Isaac returned, chillingly quiet.

“I know. I understand but I just don’t want this hanging over us anymore. It’s exhausting, having to constantly look over your shoulder.” Trey hauled Adam up to a standing position. “Think about it, okay?”

“Has he always been that volatile?” Darius asked the quiet space. No one answered, and he was left questioning how good of idea it had been to have this dinner.

“Stay safe.” Darius said while Isaac put on his winter gear. “Thanks for listening.”

“Of course. You too. And try to get some sleep, please? You need it. Yourbodyneeds it.” Isaac hugged Darius before following Caspian down the back deck. Darius and Bale stood side by side watching their friends walk between the two houses and enter theirs. Darius relaxed slightly, knowing Isaac was home.

Darius gazed up at the clear sky. A multitude of stars shimmered down on them, and Darius counted the constellations he recognized. Bale’s wings stretched out to catch every bit of stardust, and his face was lifted to greet the moon.

Bale worshipped the sky in a way no other demon had. It was wholesome and awe-inspiring. Darius wished he could do the same, but he was so tangled up in the raw magic and demonic energy that he wasn’t sure he’d be allowed.

An urge to scream at the sky overtook Darius, and he had to clench his hands tightly not to do it. This evening, while hard, had almost been cathartic. He'd managed to share some details about his capture with his friends, and it was okay. His world wasn’t on the cusp of ending. He was all right.

“What’s up?” Bale asked, his eyes ember red as he basked in the glow of the sky.

“Honestly, I don’t know. I thought I could do this, and it’s… pretty fucking hard.” Darius scrubbed the back of his neck, his courage failing him. Bale dropped his head to smile at Darius.

“Just do it. What’s the worst that can happen?” Bale asked. Darius opened his mouth to explain some things should never be asked. He didn’t have to be the negative person. He didn’t have to worry about lightning striking them down or evil bad guys getting in their way. He was fine.

Rising on his toes, Darius held tight to the warm shoulders and giggled as Bale stepped closer, his wings wrapping around Darius and tickling him. Darius gazed into Bale’s cautiously hopeful face and inhaled deeply. He slid his hand up the sharp jawline that fascinated him endlessly and tipped Bale’s head so Darius could kiss Bale easily. The caress of lips, the exhalation of air while Bale squeezed Darius’s waist reflexively was so perfectly right. He sighed into Bale’s mouth and settled himself. The kiss deepened, and their connection grew stronger once more.

This kiss was more than a rediscovery. Darius knew intimately well what Bale tasted like and how he liked to be led in the first few moments of an embrace. Bale’s horns were an erogenous zone that Darius took advantage of by scratching the base, revving up Bale’s motor to full speed. The purrs rolling out of Bale’s throat soothed him as he wasn’t sure if Bale would appreciate being touched in such a sensitive spot now.

No, this reconnection was more than a casual act. It was a blessing. It was a confession and an offering. The stars shone brighter on them as Darius poured everything into the moment. Bale tilted his head to the side for a better angle as he lifted Darius into his arms. Words were unnecessary as Darius speared his fingers into the short strands of Bale’s hair.

The kiss went on for millennia. Darius feasted on Bale’s mouth, licking the sharp incisors before tangling their tongues together. It was heaven.

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