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“Lighten up, like your lady. You’ll live longer.”
The words took residence in Loba’s head, remaining there even as she left the ring, even as she curled up with Kairi on the couch. The demon obviously knew something that Loba didn’t, and he was so happy to tease her, dancing around any explicit meaning. Whenever she tried to broach the conversation with him, he just laughed. And whenever she tried talking to Kairi - trying to suss out if she knew what infernal things he was spouting off - she went quiet. Too quiet. The kind of quiet that made Loba’s spine tingle and her palms grow damp with sweat.
She could only begin to guess what was going on. It was something that the demon obviously found funny, and something that Kairi refused to talk about. Though Loba tried not to jump to conclusions, one thought kept coming to mind.
Kairi was cheating on her.
The realization damn near made her sick, and she fought the urge to scream and cry and accuse Kairi of everything and anything. Who was it with? Anita? Now that would be a sick turn of events. Ramya? Maybe it was the new girl, Tressa. Loba wasn’t sure…but she knew damn well that Kairi wouldn’t tell her…
But the demon would.
Loba cornered him on the dropship as it chugged its way through space, approaching Cleo at a snail’s pace. The other Legends were in the mess hall, eating and having a grand old time… but Loba couldn’t. Not now. And it was just luck that the demon never deigned to entertain the other Legends in the mess hall.
She found him in the ship's tiny library, sitting upon an old, sagging gray loveseat, drawing his claw along the page as he read some overwrought psychobabble. The book he was reading was made of paper - entirely too old-fashioned, though it made sense given his… advanced age. She glanced down at it, noting how the book bore highlights and notations in the margins. She scoffed, never having known him to be that interested in anything other than her. Maybe he was more faceted than a depressive stalker. Huh.
She fluttered her fan loudly, noting the way he stiffened but didn’t look up from his book. He brought his finger to his mouth, as if lick it and use it to better turn his page. He faltered, before grunting in what she could only assume was embarrassment.
“Loba.”
“Demonio.”
“I’m reading here.” He muttered, hoping that would bore her away. She remained rooted, flicking her fan more agitatedly. He sighed, before glancing up at her. “What?”
“Is Kairi cheating on me?”
He cocked his head to the side, aimlessly tossing the book onto the floor beside him. There was an amused tone to his voice. “Come again?”
“Is. Kairi. Cheating ?”
There was a pause, where the room was completely silent, before Revenant burst into loud, maniacal laughter. Loba flushed, embarrassed and spited, and extended the claws of her fan, thrusting the fan toward him. Revenant scoffed as he leaned back, draping his arms along the back of the couch he was sitting on.
“What gave you that impression?”
“‘ Lighten up, like your lady. You’ll live longer’.” Loba parroted, her tone wavering between mocking and hurt. This drew another laugh from Revenant, and though Loba would never admit it, she felt incredibly small standing before him. She crossed her arms over her chest, hugging herself.
“Oh, Loba, Birdie isn’t cheating on you.” He mocked as he crossed his legs, getting nice and comfortable. “But…can the same be said about you?”
“What?!” Loba straightened, suddenly offended by how he called her morals into question. “No! I’m not! I don’t want Anita anymore-.”
“I’m not talking about the Sarge.” Revenant cooed. It took a moment for Loba to realize what he was talking about, his gaze bright and yet so nonchalant. She sputtered and scoffed, desperately trying to hide the chills rocketed down Loba’s spine. Her face flushed, which she tried to play off as anger.
“You’re delusional.” Loba spat, baring her fangs to him. He just pulled at the threads of the couch out, and she knew he would be smirking if he could. “There’s nothing between us.”
“Maybe not physically but I am your priority… and we both know it.” He chuckled as his clawed fingers danced along the back of the couch. His voice became sing-songy. “And Kairi knows it too."
Loba bristled at the mention of her lover, and Revenant was quick to notice it. He leaned forward, his eyes bright and filled with malice. Loba took a step back, her emotions swirling all over the place. She was enraged by his entitlement, confused by Kairi’s distance, hurt and bitter and secretly elated. He stood as she wrestled with her emotions, his clawed hand cupping her cheek. The sensation of his claws stroking her jaw pulled her out of her head and to the present moment.
“You want to know what your precious Birdie is up to? Hm?” Loba was silent, her gaze burning into his face plates and the perpetually smug look upon them. He leaned down, slotting his head beside hers, his sculpted lips mere inches from her ear. “She’s trying to kill me, little wolf.”
“Impossible. Your head-.”
“Is on Gridiron? I thought that too. But your girlfriend says otherwise. Says she knows a guy.”
In an instance, Loba’s world came crashing down. Kairi went behind her back to kill Revenant? Why would she do that? What would she have to gain from that? Loba made her choice. LOBA MADE HER CHOICE . The demon was to suffer for all of eternity for what he had done. She chose to make him suffer. Why would Kairi take her choice away?
Kairi betrayed her.
And what was worse…. So much worse, was that Jaime betrayed her. Jaime, her oldest friend. Jaime, the only one she could truly trust. He had taken her choice away too. Why had she ever trusted him? He was a snake! A liar! They both were!
Loba’s breaths came out in shaky gasps, and tears welled in her eyes. It all made sense now. Everything. Why Jaime was so nervous around her. Why Kairi had pulled away. They knew they had fucked up. They knew . Tears coursed down Loba’s cheeks and she balled her fists. How dare they!
HOW DARE THEY!
Revenant laughed as he pulled away, though his laugh morphed into a grunt when Loba pulled him against her, resting her cheek on his chest plates, wetting them with her tears. Loba growled.
“They betrayed me.”
“They did.” He lowered his voice, his arms wrapping around her, his claws digging into her back. Loba didn’t care. “And what are we going to do?”
“Make them pay.”