Chapter Text
There was an ache in your lungs and you never thought you’d be so relieved to see a dilapidated mansion. All rusted iron front gate, ivy-covered walls and unlit, broken windows, the place was hardly up to your aesthetic standards, but.. welcome nonetheless. A crooked smile stretched your lips as you walked up to it through an overgrown garden. What an atmosphere. With half a yellow moon barely lighting the way and this cool wind whispering through the tree branches, this could be straight out of a ghost story. Maybe it was.
after all, if the villagers spoke the truth
you were walking right into a devil’s lair
Not that you’d believe these oafs. Not when they called you an ‘evil witch’ within a second of seeing you practice magic. Not with how they immediately tried to seize you and get you ‘judged’ for it before you could get a word in. The heavy wooden door creaked as you pushed it open, barely keeping yourself from collapsing against it. If anything, this ignorance would keep them from coming here to get you. Good thing, really. Even adrenaline wouldn’t allow you to run for much longer.
" Ugh. " you sighed, brushing messy hair out of your face, " let’s see if there’s anything I can sleep on.. "
Easier said than done, in such a dark place, but you'd manage. Despite the exhaustion, you still had some magic left at hand. Yet, right as you were about to summon fire, a voice made you jump.
" Running from something ? " asked a masculine voice, coming from somewhere too dark to see
If you were able to contain a ridiculous squeak, you did not manage to quell your irritation. Couldn’t he announce himself ? Make some noise before speaking, to spare you the terror ? (or did he enjoy scaring strangers out of their skin ?) Sneering, you decided not to voice those very valid points. No, what you needed to know was whether this guy would be a nuisance or not. Better to test the waters now than to get unpleasantly surprised later.
" Ignorant fools. Stupid enough to cry ‘witch’ and hunt one down at the first sign of magic. " you said bitterly, " Luckily, they're also stupid enough to think this place cursed and not follow in here. " you continued, rolling your eyes
Even in the darkness, you could tell his stance had changed. There was the shuffling of clothes. An indistinct movement in the shadows. Your shoulders tensed on instinct fight or flight kicking in despite your exhaustion, but you refrained from taking a step back. Not yet.
" A witch.. would that be you ? " his voice remained steady, you noted.
Unafraid, bearing not a single accusing note. A good sign but.. not enough. You couldn’t see his face and that put you on edge. There was a beam of moonlight falling through one of the high windows, one he stayed right out of. (purposefully, in your opinion) Be it to conceal his identity or for dramatic purposes, you didn’t trust it.
" Why, planning on chasing me out with a pitchfork and a torch ? " you challenged
" ..On the contrary. Real sorcerer or not, I’d advise you to stay. "
Now that caught your attention. While he did keep that even, polite tone, you had no trouble discerning a hint of amusement. Was that.. common behavior, when meeting suspected witches in dark, abandoned places ? Surely not. There must be a trap somewhere, one you weren’t too eager to walk in. Taking a step back despite your trembling legs, you considered making a run for the still-ajar door. You knew red flags when you saw them.
" If this is what you consider humorous.. " you begun, tone light despite your wariness
" I could keep you safe " he interrupted, voice low, " they’re all afraid of me. "
they’re all..
oh
oh, he was funny
you just weren't laughing
" Uh. Right. Keep telling yourself th- "
Your dismissal was, however, cut short the instant he stepped into the light. He walked slowly, letting the moonbeam reveal his figure starting from bare, clawed feet and finishing with dark, curved horns. You blinked a couple times. (tried not to get stuck on the absence of pants) Watched his fluffy black cape move as he crossed his arms, a hand coming to rest on his forearm, sharp nails tapping the dark fabric. His keen green eyes seemed to glow slightly as he studied you and despite his obviously demonic features, despite its the way his skeletal tail swayed impatiently, you couldn’t help but smile. What a relief.
" Oh. Demon owner of the mansion, I presume ? " you smiled, cockier than was safe, " I’ve heard tall tales about you. "
Sharp fangs glinted in the moonlight when a smile stretched his lips, slow and deliberate. You swallowed dryly. Did your best not to stare at the way his blonde hair framed his face. The way his outfit barely covered the top of his chest. (he had no business looking this attractive) Now was not the time !
" So, you suggested I’d stay.. are you still inclined to let me ? " you asked, walking closer
a demon was perfectly fine
you’d dealt with demons before
Judging by the way his eyes widened for half a second, he didn’t expect you to take him up on the offer. (not after seeing him, at least) You thought you saw a glimpse of open, stunned joy for an instant, but it disappeared behind a neutral mask too fast to be sure. The demon extended his hand. Slightly bowed forward.
" Of course. " he assured, " You’d be my first guest in a long time, so pardon my rustiness, but it’d be delighted. "
smooth talker huh
a demon alright
Still, you thought as you extended a hand towards him, this was fine. Easy. His lips felt scalding when he kissed your knuckles, but this could be easy. You’d enjoy what hospitality he had to offer, figure out his price, then be on your merry way. Just one thing. No matter how pretty his green eyes, no matter how careful his touch, no matter how calming his voice..
you couldn’t let your guard down