||Demons||

Chapter IX

"Everyone has them.

Including yours truly."

"Tell you what, Princess, I've seen hideous creatures, plenty of them, but I have never seen..." Lucifer paused, unsure what word he should use to describe that abomination. "...spawns of hell that can shoot lasers out from their nipples. Whatsherface again?"

"Viser." Rias said, "It's a mystery how an Evil Piece works, but Devils who disobeyed their reincarnator often turns into monsters. I'm guessing their sanity slips due to abandoning their master, or in worst case scenario, killing their master."

Rias finished as she glanced at the pile of ashes used to be a ten foot monster with elephant-sized legs but the body of a busty woman, until her Queen spawned an orchestra of thunders.

"Eugh. What a waste." Lucifer shuddered. He's impressed by Akeno's fancy light show, or her 'disciplining', but there are some things that couldn't be unseen, and a pair of tits that fired laser is one of those things. "Handling that is one of your Devily duties hm?"

"Not every day." Rias chuckled. Once something she saw as weird and insulting, his naivety for a Devil's duties suddenly became funny and adorable for her. Weird thing, love is. "It happens not so often ever since, at least that's a given."

Lucifer caught that hint of reluctance. "Ever since what?"

He saw her opened her mouth, only to close it shut as she glanced towards the small but unbelievably strong Devil. He should've known better not to judge a book by its cover.

"...It's a long story... I'll tell you about it later." Rias said with reluctance. The Prince of Darkness smelled something sensitive here. Must be related to a 'doom n' gloomy' past to that blondie fellow. He could always listen to a bedtime story or two with her.

"That said..." she then walked to her remaining peerage members, currently scanning the abandoned warehouse if there were more bad Devils.

"Great work, everyone. That should be it for tonight. Asia, any thoughts?"

As Rias gathered her labor workers, including her new golden-haired Bishop, Lucifer didn't follow her. That part of the warehouse was funny smelling, and god knows how many vile roaches could be lurking under those rubbles. Or worse, rat dungs.

Just the thought the reek of those dreadful raisins rustled his jimmies and rattled his shoes.

He immediately looked around to avoid getting squeamish, and to avoid getting the blues for thinking about why Rossweisse dumped him, and he found that needed sight. With interest, Lucifer eyed Akeno as the schoolgirl swept away the ashes with a small gust of wind.

So him being him, he strolled right up to her. "Having a field day, hm, Akeno? Looks like I was worried for naught."

Akeno turned around, swaying her quality ponytail. "Ara, how sweet of you to be worried for me, Lucifer-sama." she smiled. Lucifer appreciated the fact that she's communicating in English. And she was fluent at it too. "Fufu~ I guess you can say it like that. I hope I didn't scare you."

"Scare me? Spellbound rather than scared." Lucifer laughed, "Just promise me you won't give me a shock treatment." It's not true if he claimed she didn't 'disgruntle' him, but hey, at least he now learnt why she's crowned as the Queen of Sadist.

"I'll try, but no promises." Her slim finger pressed her lush bottom lip as she giggled lightly, a sensual gesture but nonetheless quite chilling, but also spurred excitement – no, he didn't get hard. It's a different kind of excitement.

Having dealt with her Devily duties for the night, Akeno slithered to the young man's side and like she did earlier today, slinked her arms around his. She kept her eyes on her easily-riled friend. Lucifer was obviously pleased with this development, and the flowery scent she brought with her.

"Goodness, you smell nice." Lucifer struck a smirk, his playful one. And for once, he didn't notice her light blush. "How's it going? Missed being by my side already?"

"Who wouldn't?" They both shared a good lighthearted giggle. She made sure her voice was loud enough that it reached Rias, who then spared a glance, a fuming glare, and a childish pout before she continued on lecturing the new recruit.

Now aware of her intent to infuriate the redhead, Lucifer chuckled, and naturally played along. "Your friend's adorable, isn't she?" Akeno giggled in agreement. "How long have you known each other?"

Akeno tilted her chin in an acute angle. She did that cute hum she did when she's casually thinking on something. "Seven years, maybe? Fufu~ it's harder to tease her now. But now that there's Lucifer-sama..."

"Hah! Always happy to be of help."

"She used to think all boys are the same, back then and now. At least until yesterday." Akeno tittered, "Just one day, and she's this smitten with you already... what a weird turn of events, fufufu~"

"That so?" Lucifer arched an eyebrow, inflecting his voice aloft. "I must be one lucky chump then."

"I guess you can say that." Akeno hummed as she glanced up to look at his features. Aside from being more interesting than average, he's also taller than the average men she saw here; without looking up, she could only see his shoulder.

His scent was virile too, and his perfume was just right that it didn't sting her nose like those many playboy wannabes that had no idea that their fragrance was not supposed to be smelled the moment they entered the classroom. They were like a walking insect repellant.

It was then she noticed the silver watch on his wrist. That wasn't there earlier that morning. "Ah, that's right, how did your date go with Rossweisse-sensei? Sensei's pretty fun to tease to, no? It's a shame you weren't there with Buchou; she was so cute."

"I wager she would be." Lucifer smiled. But oh noes, the regrettable memories were threating to invade his mind.

"Weeelll," he droned, playing with his tune. "Not exactly the greatest of dates, but it was going well." he wasn't sure if the standard of dating had changed from the last time when he dated a shy British woman back in the early nineties, but he's fairly certain his date with the Valkyrie wasn't horrible, save the conclusion.

"We were laughing and all, but I got ditched in the end. Sadly."

She didn't expect that outcome, and was genuinely surprised.

Lucifer placed his unaccompanied hand to scrub his stubbles. "You reckon I should've taken her somewhere else? I don't suppose she's fond of crowded places, though. She's quite the shy woman. Hmmn... Maybe I should've taken her to the movies instead?"

She didn't expect his earnestness either, and that was a pleasant surprise. "Ara, Lucifer-sama, you're a very considerate man too, aren't you? Fufufu~ that's another point for you in my book."

"Why, of course!" Lucifer beamed up. He's not one to wallow in his own sorrow. "Happy sweethearts lead to a happy life."

Akeno found his carefree antics amiable, and couldn't help but titter at this so-said Prince of Evil. "And how many sweethearts are there?"

"Currently? Her." Lucifer peered at his 'Princess', currently schooling Asia something-something about those fancy chess pieces' power. Then he returned to meet her grape purple eyes. "I won't refuse if you're interested in being one of them, of course."

"Oh my~" Akeno purred, "You know, Lucifer-sama, I think I can see what makes Rias become so smitten to you. And to be honest, I have the same view with Rias towards boys." she giggled, and narrowed her eyes seductively. "Perhaps you can be the one to change my mind as well...?"

That was the moment Lucifer flashed his lustrous pearly whites. Only few could resist this frisky smile of his. "Was that a dare?"

"Perhaps...?" Akeno coyly said.

It was then the Gremory Heiress entered the scene, with hands haughtily crossed under the swell of her breasts. "Alright Akeno, you've had your fun. Now get your hands off him."

"Ara~ here come the first lady. What a shame, fufufu~ whatever shall I do?" She then leaned her head to Lucifer's arm to further infuriate Rias. It worked.

"Akeno! No! Get off him!"

"Dear oh dear, fighting over me? I'm deeply touched. But please, I would prefer if you don't rip my arms."

"Leech."

"Hm? What's that?"

Koneko curtly threw her face away from him. That quiet blonde nun looked somewhat interested in the quarrel, oddly enough.

"It's hard to believe Buchou has a lover already." Kiba laughed sheepishly at the scene, when then he suddenly remembered something as he glanced at Asia. He was talking in Japanese. "Oh, that's right, Buchou, why did Rossweisse-sensei doesn't come with us?"

In the middle of protectively and indignantly tugging Akeno off his arm, Rias paused and looked at her Knight. "She said she was feeling ill, so it can't be helped."

Lucifer raised an eyebrow at that. The teacher seemed fine during the whole afternoon with him.

Rias had the sense to let go off Akeno for the moment, and returned to her standard 'Buchou mode'. "Besides, she's a Valkyrie. Used to be." she corrected, "She must have a decent knowledge of a Devil's powers and capabilities without needing a lecture from one."

Asia made a tiny noise. "Uu... I'm sorry I'm still clueless..."

"It's fine, Asia." Rias promptly assured her Bishop, giving a tender pat to her head and an encouraging smile. "You have to start somewhere. I'll take it upon myself to make sure you live a good life as a Devil."

"Y-Yes! Thank you very much, Buchou!"

"Oh wow, so motherly." Lucifer casually chimed in, this time in their language. "Bet you'd make a great mama, eh Princess?" While all other expressed amusement at his comment, Rias' cheeks bloomed vehement red.

She retracted her hand, and started fidgeting. "I-I... It's too soon for one, b-but... maybe... in the future..." her voice grew quieter after every word she said, but her blush reddened, much to Lucifer and Akeno's delight.

"Say, you're pretty lax for a nun, aren't you? Thought you'd freak out more that you're a Devil." Lucifer said.

He sensed she held great faith for God even up to this moment. He supposed Believers could still possess a tremendous amount of Holiness within them despite they were reincarnated as a Devil.

"U-Um... y-yes... it's difficult, but I am happy that I am ali—auu!" She bit her tongue. It was her first time talking with this man and to her, he's a stranger. He wasn't at the clubroom earlier when she was being 'welcomed' as a Devil at break time.

And her being her, she thought it was only right to introduce herself. "I-I'm Asia Argento, pleased to meet you."

She even did a polite bow at him. How nice of her. He thought she would try to banish him – a lesson to never judge people by their occupation.

"I'm Lucifer. Just Lucifer." He gave her his trademark polite smile. Just because he had no interest in her, it didn't mean he didn't need to treat her politely. After all, they're fellow Devils. And being rude to a polite person was not appropriate in his book.

Although, her shock was apparent on her face. He figured she would be horrible at a game of poker—which he was starting to miss, now that he thought about it. Could these Devils play any card games? That notion aside, he supposed that kind of reaction was expected from someone who was raised to expel demons. It's also something he had to get used to whenever he introduced himself.

He could adopt a new name, but the reactions he received had been amusing so far, including hers. It'd be a waste.

"Um... Nice to meet you, um... Lucifer-sama?" After a moment of shock, Asia bowed at him politely once again. She wasn't sure on what to call him with, it seemed. Too bad she's too conscious of it more than he did.

"Mhmm, mhmm." Lucifer simply nodded. "Well then, it's been an interesting experience to say the least, but when can we go home? I want to cuddle with her."

The blush crept back. "A-anyway! It's a great work for each one of you, and we'll call it a night. See you all tomorrow."

"Ara, look at her... trying to hide her embarrassment by acting like a leader... fufu, how innocent."

"Innocent?" Lucifer smirked. He wouldn't miss a chance to 'bully' this adorable redhead. "Oh, did she not tell you of what she offered me after our little exercise?"

"Nooo! Enough of it, you two!"

Suffice to say, her harassed days had just begun.

Break

It was a cold spring night at Kuoh, and its famous recreational area was covered in dimming darkness. The trees swayed, its lush leaves apparently orange in the light of the streetlamps. The city park was like a black and white picture of what it was in daylight, with a tiny bit of sepia. And Lucifer was grateful there weren't as many children running and screaming around to be wary off.

The other Devils went home by those 'magical teleportation' spells with Akeno's help, but Lucifer wanted to have a tiny date with Rias. As much as she's cute when she's infuriated, he didn't want her to remain salty that his first date was with someone else other than her, would he?

"Say, I've been wondering, Princess, where do the rest of your chums live?" Lucifer began, surprising Rias that had never had her hands held by a man other than her doting father and brother. He chuckled. The poor Devil, so innocent despite her maturity.

"Ah... Yuuto rents an apartment." she replied, somehow remaining composed. "Koneko and Asia shares a room at the same apartment, while Akeno lives at a vacant shrine. And I think Rossweisse hasn't changed apartment yet. I'm not sure, however."

"Hmm, I see." Lucifer nodded. "And did you jump? Surely you're not nervous by us linking our hands together."

"H-Huh?!" her voice pitched up. "N-No, of course I'm not. I was just surprised that you suddenly talk." Rias self-assured, putting on her act as a 'mature lady'. She's so amusing.

"That so, eh? Then explain why you've been knowingly staring at our hand since we first walked around."

Checkmate. The Gremory began to squirm.

"Weell~ if you're uncomfortable with it, then you can just let go, you know. No hard feelings."

Oh he knew she was embarrassed. He just felt like toying with her while he could. It'd be a sad day when she had gotten used to his physical advances, but until that day comes, he'll have his fun.

"N-no! It's not that I'm uncomfortable... but... but... I-it's just..." as she averted her face, her voice gradually went quiet, lined with innocence and bashfulness. "I've never done this kind of thing before."

Ye gods, she was adorable. He will certainly miss these reactions from her.

Still, that was hard to believe. "Really? A night walk is always enjoyable. Then what do you usually do at night?"

"Usually, I look at the reports, or try to find anyone with potential, such as Asia, and..."

"Okay, I mean when you're free from all that Devil businesses."

"Oh, well... I read books. Encyclopedias, anything interesting."

Lucifer raised an eyebrow. "And?"

"...And..." she paused. And Rias realized she had been giving too much of her time at working as a Devil. "That's... it."

"What?" Lucifer halted their walk. His expression was one of disbelief. "What about friends? Classmates? Don't you hang out with them at times?"

"Only if it's a school activity, otherwise..."

"Caro Padre..." he gasped. "Since when?"

After a long pause, Rias admitted. "...Since I came here."

"So you're telling me, you spent much of your days and nights reading those boring essays on your desk?"

She nodded, slowly as if ashamed.

"Huh. I find that horribly depressing." Lucifer summarized, and she couldn't deny it. "Well, I suppose being a Devil is your passion, but don't you think you can at least have some fun? Hanging out with friends—even if they're humans—is pretty fun, right?"

"I guess..." Rias muttered, avoiding his eyes. For some reason, she felt guilty despite he wasn't making fun of her. "But humans, they don't last as long. I don't want to get too attached..."

Right. Of course. The longevity thing. Lucifer assumed she didn't want to get personal feelings to coincide with her resurrecting-thing either. Professionalism is a must for anything, including jokes.

"If that's the case, why not with your lovely little 'peerage' thing? They seem to be a fun bunch to loiter around with." And he only knew them for several hours—save Akeno.

"We do," Rias said, before suddenly downed herself again. "...at the clubroom."

Lucifer could only shake his head at that revelation. "My, my, Princess."

"I know..."

He sighed. He hated seeing her all sullen like this. "Well then, the night isn't that young, but you are. Good thing you realize all of these stuffs, hm?"

That gained a tiny giggle from her. "I guess."

Before he could proceed with his teases, she went on. "You know... I've never thought that I would introspect myself just because of a simple walk like this..." Rias confessed, and Lucifer was a second away from pinching her red cheeks.

"An evening walk like this, holding hands... just spending time with nothing to worry about. Because of that stupid marriage arrangement, I forgot that I do want to experience these things too."

Passionate at what she did as a Devil, she's passionate when it came to affection as a girl. Lucifer felt bad for her suitor that he would be missing such a girl.

"Aw, aren't you sweet." Lucifer chuckled, smiling through his lips and eyes as he gently squeezed her hand. "But mhmm. Appreciating these little things and subtleties is what colors your life. Have fun and love before it's too late to have any, hm?"

"Yeah..." Rias nodded. Her small smile had returned. "Fufu~ you're so wise."

"What, did you assume I'm unwise because I enjoy having fun? At the least have some confidence in your lover, yeesh." Lucifer jokily grouched while smiling, pretending he's an oversensitive prick. That gained another her giggle, only louder this time. He also got her flushing cheeks as a bonus.

Without noticing, they were nearly at the exit of the park. "Enough about me. I want to learn more about you." Rias declared confidently, all of the sudden feeling poised to stand against his bombards of teases.

Lucifer sniggered. "Me? But I don't see myself as interesting as you, though." he hummed, but Rias wasn't having any of it, as shown by her disappointed pout. "Okay, okay. What do you want to learn about me then, Princessa? My preferred positions, I assume~?"

She took exactly four seconds to catch what he meant. It took much shorter time for her blush to arose. "N-Not that kind of thing! I-I mean, what you were doing beforehand! You mentioned 'past lives' yesterday, like that! N-Nothing perverted!"

"'Perverted'? Dear, dear, how pure." Lucifer smiled, a hit to her confidence as a woman. He loved a little bit of naivety, of course, so what she thought was a problem wasn't a problem to him. "Well, past lives, hm?"

Rias nodded several times, hoping that her blush would go away and stop coming back.

"My past lives..." He made a click of his tongue as he glanced to the black sheet up above, unconsciously folding his hands. That effectively ditched her hand by accident. Rias frowned, but she noted he was in a deep pile of thoughts.

That aside, seeing him pondering over something was quite amusing. He looked serious for once.

"Well... I recall I used to be a bartender at one point, before I died in a crash." Rias was visibly horrified, but Lucifer wasn't paying attention to her face at the time, too busy looking up and recollecting. "I was a janitor of a shady organization too. A mafia or some sort? I forgot. Yikes I'm getting old."

"The last one was that Hyoboy boy? Wait, that doesn't sound right..." He swore he recalled the color of the last underwear he wore as Issei. He's not sure now, but he's sure it wasn't brown.

"Hyoudou Issei, you were him?!" Her eyes went wide with surprise, and Lucifer noticed it this time since she raised her voice out of the blue.

"Ah, yes. Hyoudou Issei. One with diverse amount of porn but none experience." Lucifer solemnly nodded. "Why?"

Rias didn't believe he was lying, he joked around often, but he didn't seem like he's joking either. Knowing that didn't make it easier to believe. As a Devil, resurrections and bad evil spirits were run-of-the-mill, but this? This was the first.

"How did that happen?" she shut her eyes and shook her head. And again, they stopped moving. "I mean— how is it possible? Are you saying that you've lived as humans?"

"Mhmm. They're like my containers, if you think of it." Lucifer jutted his bottom lip as he nodded. "They're flawed bunch of apes—most of them—, but there are some fun found in being one." One peculiar memory of his days as a pub singer made him break to a grin. Always delightful, those women were.

"Pretty sure that boy was my first Asian container, and preferably my last." He's enjoying his life as a Devil in these modern days, especially with all the interesting and lovely individuals he had met.

The Gremory scrunched her sleek crimson eyebrows. She's so expressive he loved it. "W-wait... Hold on... Do you remember everything you've did as them?"

Lucifer skimmed a finger through his pointy stubbles. "Well... Seems like I'm forgetting the tiny details, but suppose I do recall some of it." then he snapped his fingers as he had an enlightenment. "Ah! I recalled he is fond of breasts. That's one thing we have in common."

Rias felt the need to facepalm, but her curiosity bested the urge. "Then... do you know what Sacred Gear he possessed? And by 'Sacred Gear', it's a gift from the Biblical God to chosen humans."

"...Why do suddenly I feel déjà vu-ish?" Lucifer mumbled. Meanwhile, the muted Welsh Dragon was desperately attempting to break through their walled off link. "But yeah I do, as a matter of fact. It's a..." Lucifer took a moment. He was awful at names since his fall and had always been. "Boosted Rear? No that doesn't sound quite right..."

"Boosted Gear?!"

"Oh dear Peter—! Tone it down, Princess. There might be some people who are having intercourse nearby."

Rias suppressed her need to blush. His vulgar teases could wait. "I see..." What a waste of potential. He could have been the perfect Pawn or Rook for her.

"Why the sudden long face, Princess? I don't recall you've ever spoken to him." Lucifer didn't use 'me'. He refused to acknowledge he was or used to be Hyoudou Issei. That perverted boy, or all of the humans he had lived as, was mere temporary vessels of his soul and nothing more.

"I don't... But had I known he had the Heavenly Dragon within him..."

"Mmmn, oh dear, was that regret I heard?" Lucifer poked the tip of her nose. "Come now Princess, cheer up. You have me now, am I right?" he wiggled his eyebrows at the sight of her pink cheeks. "Granted, I can't be your servant, but hey, what does he has that I don't?"

Rias smiled. "You're right. I couldn't have asked for better."

"Least I do know what I have that he doesn- didn't have."

Rias looked at him, curious. "What's that?"

"You, of course." She took the bait, and all he needed was line and sinker, and that's exactly what he did. Figuratively too; he did yank her to his white shirt—he wasn't wearing his suit. As if he'd wear his suit to that kind of place.

"You, your mind, your body." Russet browns meeting her now timid wide eyes, Lucifer gave her a silly smile that told her he was proud of how suave he was.

She couldn't resist giggling, but his charm was harder to resist. "You're silly."

"I think the word you're looking for is 'smooth'." He chuckled, earning more of her light titters. "But bloody hell did I sound like a prideful prick— but oh well. Who's not a prick nowadays?"

For a moment, he swayed their body side to side, staying at the same spot and letting her go before any awkwardness came by.

The two Devils continued their late night walk back to school, something no students would want to do. He didn't hold her hand this time, instead shuffling them inside his trousers' pockets. Rias was saddened.

"What's so great about those Sacred Gears anyway?" Lucifer tolled. Ddraig took full offense to that, but sadly, nobody noticed. Or cared.

"They're basically artifacts. Some are rarer and more powerful than the others, called Longinus." He felt like he had heard of this before... not sure when. "Like what Hyoudou has, or had. If the wielder is right, which usually is, it can grant them kill even gods."

"What kind of 'gods' are you talking about? Pagans? Olympians?"

Rias looked at him, not expecting that kind of question, or that bounce of eagerness. "Ah, er... m-maybe? I'm still limited in Sacred Gears and how they work. I only know the general facts, unfortunately."

"Well, at least you know something." Lucifer pepped her up. "But killing 'gods', eh? Sounds interesting... Don't you find them hilarious? Having the decadence to call themselves as 'gods' while they rely on the faith of humans... There's no other gods but one."

He grinned, but that wasn't a grin she's familiar with. There's a wicked, almost terrifying blue sparks that exploded in his brown irises, like a flicker of a mystical flame.

"Anyway," and just like that, the dark side of him faded as if it was never there. "I suppose having them as a servant is helpful, no?"

"Of course." Rias nodded, relieved that he was back as himself. "I'd like to have a strong, capable peerage far before this arrangement..." her mood turned sour momentarily. He could see she spited this 'Riser' fellow badly. "After I've dealt with him, I want to gather strong people. My own family.

"To have a peerage as strong as my brother's is one of my lifelong goals." Rias said with sincerity. "I want to be renowned like he does in the Underworld, but not just as a 'Gremory', and maybe not as a leader, but as Rias. Participating and winning Rating Games is a sure way to get there. Though... I don't want to be too drunk in power that I do whatever it takes to strengthen my peerage..."

Lucifer hummed, nodding along her aspirations. He realized his 'living life to the fullest' kind of goal was like an ant to hers, but he didn't really mind. That didn't mean he's not allowed to be mesmerized. "You're one ambitious Devil. I love that passion of yours."

The hot red blush crept back.

"Th-thanks..." Rias was still unfamiliar to the concept of love, or its difference with adoration, but his notion of it never failed to set butterflies in her stomach.

Without realizing, the pair had arrived at Kuoh Academy's gateway.

"Huh, we're here already. How time flies like flies..." Lucifer cooed, and then gave a mischievous glance at the girl. "Welp. Mind sharing a bath with me?"

Break

It's alright, you don't need to force yourself.

Just think on getting better for now.

Get well soon.

She got that text message hours ago.

Her 'reasonably priced' cellphone screen dimmed, and gone was the only source of light in her small apartment.

Rossweisse exhaled a loud sigh, as if she was deflating. Lying felt horrible, especially to her own student—now master. It seemed her theories that being a Devil made you feel less guilt was wrong.

Rested on her Japanese traditional bedding, the Valkyrie-turned-Devil absently lifted her hand, spreading her fingers apart. Her only window was slid shut, door closed, and her room was almost pitch black.

Yet, she could see without needing any magic.

"I'm really a Devil... huh...?"

She wasn't sure what to feel. A part of her thought it was the best possible financially stable decision she could make. Part of her never stopped berating how rash she was, how irresponsible she was. It never ceased reminding her how disgraceful she was as a Valkyrie, now a former.

She didn't just betray Odin, she betrayed Asgard. Her hometown. She betrayed her grandmother, her family. Everything she knew and loved. And for what? A better life? Better insurances? Was it really worth it?

She didn't know.

Checking her phone, Rossweisse sighed as the time hit two in the morning.

Her hand fell limp on her face. She hated these hours. It brought out the worse in her.

It wasn't this bad last night, or any nights before. But that was before she became a Devil, and last night's easy rest was due to the alcohol. She felt she desperately needed one now to have little rest.

She was a Devil, but the demons never stopped eating away her confidence. Piece by piece, destroyed. A piece she rebuilt, two more chipped away. Now, she felt she was on the edge. She felt small in this world, and alone with nobody to support her. Nobody to blame but herself.

"...Oma, what have I done? What should I do?"

She hadn't a clue. All she knew, was the she wanted someone to sit beside her, and tell her it will all be alright. She just wanted someone to hold her close and tell her she's not as worthless as she thought she was.

Oddly enough, she wanted that someone to be him. As stupid as it sounded, and she knew it was stupid and hard to believe, maybe, but she felt comfortable with him.

None of these thoughts invaded her mind when she's with him.

Because she enjoyed being teased by him, as meaningless as teases were, although she didn't know how to act afterward. She liked it when he said she's beautiful. She had heard that only from her grandmother's lips. She liked his childishness mixed within his mature charms.

She knew she wanted to spend more time with him. Go on more dates. More shopping. Even just talking with him was good enough.

She knew nothing would change, but she just wanted to be with him.

He was only one call away, but that wasn't allowed. She couldn't do that. That's admitting she couldn't stand being without him. That's admitting she's weak. That's admitting she liked him more than she's willing to admit.

What she could do for tonight, was pray that her tears could lull herself to sleep.

To be continued...