Page 29 of Demons Treasure Warlocks

Bale broke free, gasping for much needed oxygen, and began peppering kisses along Darius’s cheekbone. He hugged Darius tightly, almost fearfully, and Darius understood. There was always a chance that this could be stolen away.

Darius didn’t know the words to say to soothe Bale’s concerns. Reassurances wouldn’t work because they’d be lies. The future was volatile.

He slid down Bale’s body before resting his head against Bale’s chest and listening to the pounding heartbeat. Darius’s heart. That was what Bale was.

The coming days would be a challenge as they worked out different possibilities and strategies. And what if the inevitable happened? If they locked the gate to Hastur’s dimension, what did that mean for Bale? Would he be forced back?

Bale shepherded him to the warmth of the house. He always knew when Darius hit a wall. The cold was finally too much while the cozy warmth of the cottage was just right.

“Dare?”

“Hmm?” Darius smiled briefly at Bale, happiness a fleeting hope but still within grasping range.

“This is likely one of the worst times to do this, however—” Bale sighed and pressed on “—you glossed over a lot with the guys.”

“They got the gist of it. No need for anything more,” Darius reassured him. This was typical Bale, tying loose threads. It was okay. But Darius didn’t need to tell his friends about how Hastur had tortured him every day with various tools that his mind still shied away from even thinking of.

“I get that, but they’re still going to ask questions. How did we escape the demon realm? I know I brought you to safety, but there had to have been an exit or something.”

Darius swallowed and counted backward from ten. How did Bale not remember the salacious grin on Hastur’s face as he stood over Darius with the carrot dangling there? Hastur had whispered how to find the exit as he… as he ruined Darius. He didn’t realize that Darius’s mind was super focused on everything but what Hastur was doing. Once Hastur was done for the moment, Darius had plotted and planned. And made his escape.

Hastur did not expect his prisoner to still have all his faculties as he tortured him. And Darius took advantage of his arrogance.

“You were there, Bale. Did you forget how careless Hastur was in the throes of hell? I got out, and you helped me cross the threshold.”

Bale picked at the ragged leather of his wings and pressed his lips together before speaking. “It seemed almost calculated, and you were so… not you. I tried to make sure you were alright, but… dammit Darius. Tellmewhat went on in your head. Let me in on the secret.”

“I was almost fucking dead, Bale. The magic inside me? I embraced it since it saved me from the pain. Something to keep me focused. Something to keep me from spiralling, and I ran with it. If it wasn’t in the good guy manual, well, I’m pretty sure that thing got tossed out the window the minute Hastur threw me in shackles.”

“I know. I know. I just wanted clarity.”

“Yeah, well I don’t. I am very content that it’s in the past where I shouldn’t have to be reminded about it every goddamn day. However, yes, I fucking do because people will not let it fucking go.” Darius stomped out of the kitchen with two cats trailing after him. Their tails remained upright and curious as they raced up the stairs before him.

“Darius, come on. It’s not good to shove the pain away all the time. Please?”

“Watch me,” he hissed and slammed the bedroom door in Bale’s face. Darius released the breath he’d been holding and screamed the frustration out. Sometimes, one didn’t need to vocalize every bit of pain and people didn’t need to have all the details. If Isaac asked what happened during those dark days, Darius would answer.

Bale and Darius had survived it. There was no need for heart-to-heart discussions. And their friends had already been through enough trauma without adding Darius’s to the mix.

He took a quick and angry shower. Darius snapped and snarled through washing his hair, and for one brief, vain moment, he considered cutting the long locks. Darius had kept it long as a final fuck you to being trapped in a shitty ass dungeon and as proof he survived. Now, he wondered if it was worth the effort.

“Darius. Come on. I didn’t mean to pressure you. I’m sorry,” Bale yelled through the door, and Darius gave it a cursory glance. “Say something so I know you’re okay.”

“Go away, Balor,” Darius returned. He stood in front of the mirror, confronted by the past. The scars on his body were a grim reminder of the hell he’d suffered, and still he looked awful. The magic that Hastur had poured down his throat wrecked his body and stole his vitality. Darius had never regained it, even after all this time.

“Can’t we talk this out properly? I just didn’t want any surprises when things start getting shitty.” There was a thump against the door, and Darius imagined Bale sliding down and sitting on the wooden floor. He was such a worrywart peacekeeper.

“We can’t prepare for that. We’ve done everything we could, and now it’s up to fate.” Darius pulled on pants after one last look in the mirror. His cats were sitting muffin style on the bathroom counter, staring at him with a knowing expression.

“Come on, Darius. Tell me what happened when you passed out. Your eyes went white, and you were gone.” Bale banged his head against the door, making it shake.

“I’m trying to piece through that by myself. And when I get those answers, I’ll share them.” Maybe. Darius didn’t know what Lord Hypnos meant or anything, and he was too frazzled right now to think rationally.

“Darius,” Bale sighed. “Can I come in? This is dumb having a conversation through the door.”

“No. I’m pissed at you.” Darius sat on the closed toilet and rolled his eyes at his own stubbornness. Bale was right. This wasn’t his brightest move. “Stay in the guest room. Just don’t bother me.”

“Can I have a cat?”

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