I get ready with some things Demon gave me, putting on a baggy black shirt and some baggy cargo pants, my favourite things to wear, Demon knows me well…. Weird? I step outside of my room; Demon is waiting for me.
"I'll take it easy on you, and if you want to come back home, we can," Demon says gently. I nod.
"Kay."
"Good," Demon smiles.
"Hey Demon?" I ask quietly. Demon makes eye contact with me.
"Mm?"
"Where is my knife?" I ask a little bit more confidently. Demon looks away.
"Ah… I will give you it back when I can trust that you won't hurt yourself with it," Demon says. I laugh awkwardly.
"Fuck… just don't lose it," I mutter. Demon puts his arm around me.
"Don't worry little masochist, I won't," Demon replies. I nod and Demon takes me to the front door.
As Demon leads me to the door, I feel a weight settle in my chest, uncertainty, maybe even fear. I follow Demon, stepping outside, into the hallway, we head down the fire escapes stars and step outside. The cool air hits me. There's a strange stillness in the world around us. Demon walks beside me, unusually quiet. Then, out of nowhere, he stops. "I need to tell you something," he says, his tone serious. "Before we go any further." I hesitate. His expression is unreadable, but something about his energy feels different, It's weird. He hesitates and then says "um… about your knife, yeahh," he continues. "And... about why I took it." Confusion settles in me. Whatever he's about to say, he's an idiot, he already told me why he took it.
"Um?"
Demon exhales, looking away for a moment before making eye contact again. "Okayy, it's not about the knife," he says softly. "It's something bigger." He watches me closely "I haven't told you everything," he continues. "Not because I wanted to lie, but because I didn't know if you were ready." Demon hesitates, searching for the right words. Then, finally, he speaks. "It's about why I kidnapped you. And about… what you actually mean to me." His voice wavers just slightly, and I realize, this isn't easy for him to say. Whatever comes next, it's going to change things too quickley. I shake my head.
"No."
"What do you mean no?" Demon looks confused.
"Don't tell me."
"Ah okay?" Demon sighs gently with possible relief.
"I'm not ready for it, plus it doesn't feel like you want to tell me anyway," I say. Demon shakes his head.
"No, I do, it's just hard," Demon says. I shrug.
"Kay. Stop acting weird, its worrying me," I say honestly. Demon looks into my eyes.
"Sorry… I won't, little masochist."
"Why do you call me that?" I ask. Demon laughs gently.
"Coz you are… my little masochist," he smirks. I look away.
"Ah… don't call me that. where are you taking me?" I ask. Demon frowns.
"Sorry. I won't. An ice cream shop," he says.
"Awesome," I smile. Demon starts walking again. Finally.
"Glad your excited," he says. We walk down the street towards the main shops, as we approach more people, Demon holds my hand protectively. I'm grateful for his comfort… or whatever this is. As we continue walking, I notice how out of place Demon, and I are. With how Demon looks… and how we're holding hands… my face goes red as it settles in that others might think were a couple. But I wouldn't mind that… no. get a hold of yourself Star. He fucking kidnapped you. I feel relieved as we enter the shop away from the people… to even more people. I frown. Demon takes me to a concealed corner booth away from the people. I smile. Demon puts me in the corner and then slides in next to me, trapping me in. "Mm? what was the frown for?" Demon asks.
"Just a lot of people, but its okay now," I reply.
"Yeah," Demon nods, "I should have put on a hoodie or something." I look away.
"Me too."
"It's my fault… I'm sorry I'm so unprepared, you make me nervous as fuck." Demon rummages through a bag pack and hands me a hoodie, I put it on quickly. Demon takes another hoodie from the bag and does the same.
"Thank you," I smile gently feeling a little better.
"Heh… cute," Demon smirks.
Demon orders us ice cream and then he turns to me "Can I ask you something?"
"Okay."
"When do you turn 18?" asks Demon.
"Why?" I ask back.
"I um… because?" Demon says, "So…?"
"What's the date today?" I ask. Demon tells me the date. "Oh. Fuck. My birthday is today," I laugh gently.
"Wait actual?" asks Demon.
"Yes," I nod. Demon smiles.
"Can I kiss you?" He asks. My face goes red.
"Um…" I hesitate.
"Don't worry… I'm joking," Demon smirks.
"Okay," I say.
I gather myself and Someone comes over to our table and places the ice cream Demon ordered on the table.
"Two scoops, one chocolate and one strawberry?" The woman says. Demon nods.
"Thanks," Demon says.
"Fucking hell Demon." Demon smirks.
"Yes Star?" He asks.
"Okay…" Demon slides the chocolate ice cream closer to him and slides the strawberry to me.
"Thank you," I say.
"If you want some of mine let me know," Demon smiles. I nod and we share the ice cream.