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Bagi and Empanada had been out on a long day of exploring and looting dungeons. They were finally back home.
“So, Empanada, now that we are back home you can tell me what’s going on. What’s bothering you? Did something happen?” Bagi had been worried the whole day. When she woke up that morning Em had been anxious and didn’t want to spend too much time at home. She seemed scared but she also refused to talk about it.
The little girl placed a sign. “I got so much stuff from today! We have to organize all the loot now!” She jumped excitedly up and down before turning to go to the chests. She was obviously trying to change the subject.
“Empanada! Don’t try to avoid talking again! I know what you are trying to do.” Bagi was trying to put on a stern tone but the worry seeped through. Em turned back, slowly crouching, trying to avoid eye contact. Bagi’s voice softened again. “You know you can tell me anything, right?”
It took a few more seconds before Empanada placed another sign. “I can’t tell you, mamae…”
Bagi couldn’t help but feel a slight sting in her chest. “Oh… do you… do you not trust me? Did I do something? Did I say something wrong?”
This time Empanada rushed to write a response. “No! Of course I trust you!”
“Then why can’t you tell me? I won't tell anyone else. You have been acting strange and scared all day and I’m getting really worried, Empanada. Is someone threatening you? Did they tell you they would hurt you if you say something?”
“No! That’s not it. It’s just… I promised not to tell you...”
Bagi frowned. “ Who made you promise that?”
It was obvious that Em didn’t wanna tell her.
“Please, Empanada. I’m really worried and I don’t want you to feel scared and alone with this. And why would someone put that burden on you? Why would they ask you to keep a secret from me?” Bagi was so confused. This didn’t make any sense! Even if someone asked her to keep a secret from her, why would Em agree to that? Especially about something that made her this scared. Who would her daughter trust more than her… and suddenly it clicked.
“It’s one of your other moms, right?” Em waked around for a few more seconds before slowly nodding.
Bagi felt slightly betrayed. “Now I’m even more worried. Why would they do that?”
Empanada placed another sign. “Maybe you should talk to eomma Tina…”
“Tina??”
******
A few days later Tina was working on building her house when Bagi came over.
“Hi, Tina!”
“Oh! Bagi! Hi! How are you?” They both hadn’t seen each other in a bit so Tina was excited to see her. But still she couldn’t quite silence the little voice in her head reminding her about what happened the other day and that she wasn’t equipped to protect the people she cares about, that maybe she shouldn’t spend time with Bagi.
“I’m good! I’m good. But…” Bagi paused for a second and Tina got worried. “I think we need to talk, Tina.”
“Oh, uhm yeah, of course! What do you wanna talk about?” Tina was very nervous now and she cursed herself for not being able to hide it better.
“It’s about Empanada.” Bagi sounded serious. Tina’s heart immediately started to race in panic. Did something happen to her baby? Did whatever haunted her the other day now come for her kid?
“Is she ok? Did she get hurt? Where is she? Please, please don't tell me she…” Tina was fighting tears while rushing through all the possible scenarios in her head.
“No! No, don't worry! Em is ok!” Bagi hurried to ease Tina’s mind. Tina let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding.
"Oh, thank God!” Tina was so incredibly relieved but that also posed the question of what Bagi wanted to talk to her about, again.
“Well…” Oh no, that didn’t sound good. “Empanada is fine and not hurt but I'm worried about her. She has been very scared all the time and wanted to spend as little time as possible at home. I asked her about it but she said she couldn’t tell me.” Bagi paused and looked at Tina with that detective look that felt like she could look right into her soul. This wasn’t good. Tina was frozen from thoughts of where this conversation might be going. But she quickly tried to regather herself to not seem too suspicious.
"Oh, really? That’s so weird…” Tina knew immediately that she wasn’t doing a good job at hiding that she knew the reason why Em was scared. She was the reason.
“Yeah, and she also said I should talk to you about it.” Shit.
“To me?” Tina’s voice went up a whole octave in surprise. Bagi raised an eyebrow. There really was no getting out of this conversation now. Tina had known she would have to talk to Bagi sooner or later but she always would have preferred later if she was being honest.
“She told me that you didn’t want me to know. She didn’t tell me what or why just that. And I wouldn’t push you to tell me anything you don’t want to tell me but this is about Empanada. It’s ok if you don’t trust me enough. But Em is scared of something and I can’t protect her if I don’t know what I’m protecting her from.” Bagi almost looked pleading and maybe Tina could see a flicker of hurt in her eyes as well.
“No! I… no, that’s not it! It’s not that I don’t trust you! I do trust you so much! It’s just… nothing you should worry about. I can handle it.” Tina didn’t want Bagi involved. It just would put her in more danger, right? She could handle this herself, right? Maybe with help from Mouse. But Bagi didn’t need to be dragged into all this demon business as well.
“But I am worried about it. Because Empanada is. And the whole point is that you don’t have to handle it alone. I’m here! I can help.” Bagi took a step closer and started to reach out for Tina’s hand but she instinctively moved back a step. Tina didn’t want to lie to Bagi again and again but she also couldn’t lose her and she was convinced that that would happen if she knew the truth. Tears started burning in her eyes again. This was Tina’s mess and she was the one who had to deal with it.
“But you can’t . Please, Bagi, I need to fix this on my own. I can fix this! It’s… it’s all gonna be ok.”
“But you are not alone, Tina! At least talk to me if you won't let me help! Empanada is scared, you look scared. What happened? What are you so afraid of?”
Tina just took another step back and shook her head looking at the floor. She could feel her demon side trying to break out. Ever since that day, the day she had flown, it had been more present, harder to control especially with strong emotions.
Bagi slowly took a step closer. “Whatever it is, you know I would never judge you, right? I told you everything about how fucked up I am before our first date. My brother is a fucking serial killing cannibal. There is nothing you could tell me that would make me think less of you.” She got a little closer, almost walking like she was approaching a wild animal. And maybe that was exactly what Tina was. “You know that, right?” Another careful step.
“Don’t come closer.” Tina’s voice didn’t sound like it usually did. It was deeper, more raspy and distorted. She was starting to lose control. Bagi immediately stopped but she didn’t jump back like Tina would have expected her to.
“I’m sorry, Tina.” There was no fear in Bagi’s voice. It was calm and sincere.
“You should leave now.” Tina was losing her human voice more and more and the panic was rising in her throat by the second.
“I’m not gonna leave you, Tina.” The demon looked up at Bagi in shock and fear. Her eyes had turned red and her wings were breaking out from her back.
“Please, Bagi, you have to go. It’s not safe. I’m not safe. I’m dangerous. I could hurt you. Please.” Tina was pleading while backing up more until she hit a wall with her wings.
“Tina, I’m not scared of you. I'm scared for you. I know you wont hurt me.” Bagi stood confidently but didn’t come closer like Tina asked her to. Tina was so confused and scared.
“How do you know that? Why aren’t you scared? You should be. I’m a demon! I’m evil!”
Bagi smiled a soft smile. “I’ve had my suspicions for a while now. And you are not evil just because you are a demon. Someone who is evil wouldn’t try to get me away from them because they were scared they could hurt me. And look at Mouse. She’s a demon and she is not evil. And even Bad is not evil! He’s basically the nicest, most helpful person on this island if he isn't in Purgatory and basically my best friend!”
Tina calmed down a little bit and tears started to roll down her cheeks. Because Bagi was right. Mouse and Bad were not evil. But they were also not turned demons.
“But… they are different. I’m not like them. They weren’t turned into demons. I was. Mouse said it herself. People who were turned into demons are evil.” Tina couldn’t even look at Bagi. After revealing that information she would probably run for the hills now.
But Bagi didn’t.
“Then maybe Mouse has never met someone like you. Someone who is kind and caring and a little shy and creative and an amazing friend and a great mum and a horrible liar and so beautiful.” When Tina looked up at Bagi in surprise she could not believe all the warmth and care she could see in her eyes. Bagi had gotten closer now and was only a step away.
“But I have done horrible things.” Tears kept falling from the demon's eyes.
“So has my brother and Bad and probably everyone on this island, including me. I don’t care what you did in the past. I care about who you are now.” Bagi reached out to wipe away some of the tears with her thumb and this time Tina let her. “The beautiful, strong and loving woman standing in front of me right now. The woman I fell for the second I met her. And you being a demon doesn’t change anything about what I think of you. Or how I feel about you.”
The tears started to dry and Tina couldn’t quite believe what Bagi had just said. This must be a dream, surely. Except that in Tina’s dreams Bagi had always run away screaming, calling her a monster, trying to kill her. So maybe this was real after all.
“Do you really mean that?” Was all Tina could say in her disbelief.
Bagi’s smile was soft, her hand still on Tina’s cheek. "Of course I do! I’m sorry if I have ever given you the impression that I wouldn’t but maybe it’s also something you need to learn to accept about yourself. And if you let me I would like to be there for you while you do that. I can be here to love you until you can love yourself.”
Tina’s brain short circuited. What did Bagi just say? Did she just… Tina couldn’t form a complete sentence right now and defaulted to just staring at Bagi and making some incomprehensible noises. Bagi smirked a little at that reaction.
“You also look very beautiful like this by the way. Maybe I like a little bit of danger.” Bagi’s smirk grew and Tina let out a tiny squeak. “But if you still want me to leave…” Bagi teased and Tina shook her head instantly. She was suddenly very aware of how close they were standing.
And Bagi even got a little bit closer. “Then would it be ok if I kissed you right now?”
Tina’s eyes went wide and she slowly nodded her head. Bagi smiled and closed what little of a gap was still between them.
The kiss was soft and sweet and full of promises and acceptance. It wasn’t pushing or long but it was everything Tina had ever hoped for and more. A single tear rolled down her face. When they separated both had glowing smiles on their lips. Maybe together they could do anything.
Bagi was the first to move and take a half step back, running her hand down Tina’s arm to take her hand in hers.
“So… not to ruin the mood or anything but what is it that happened and is threatening our family because whatever it is we are gonna kick it’s ass. Together.”