It began without notice. Relaxing when he was with her, the urge to smile when she did, and the way his eyes would find and follow her every move. By the time he noticed it was already to late. Sitting on the balcony of his apartment, above everyone else, crimson irises searched the street below darting from face to face until she appeared. Exiting the underground structure that ran beneath the town lovingly dubbed “The Basement” she looked radiant against the sinister backdrop. Sharp demonic eyes softened as her face lit with laughter at something someone said. Wanting to catch every lilting note he leaned towards her, realizing, too late, that he’d upset his precarious balance on the thin metal rail.
Quicker than a blink he caught the bar, swung onto the balcony, and disappeared into his dark bedroom. Disgusted he collapsed on his bed, scowling into the silk sheets. What the hell was that? He hadn’t really been…? He wouldn’t. It was impossible. Absurd even! There was no way he’d ever allow himself to…to… A shudder as the traitorous thought of affection crossed his mind. He was a fire demon. Notorious and powerful with better things to do then let himself get distracted by a silly human woman. She appeared in his mind; dark hair shimmering, eyes teasing, lips curving into a shy smile. Oh no. He felt it; warm ache in his chest both terrible and pleasant. Snarling, he grabbed the sword from beside his bed and left the apartment. He was going to fight until he killed this godforsaken feeling.
Months later he was slowly coming to terms with the feeling. Despite his best efforts and grave displeasure the newfound affection persisted. It could be worse, he supposed surreptitiously watching her from the shadowy branches of a tree in the communal garden, she could be worse. That wouldn’t say much for his taste, of course, but he wasn’t exactly thrilled with the situation anyway. Still, she wasn’t bad for a human, or most demons for that matter. She was young, intelligent, and carried a lot of potential. In a confrontation she was capable, quick witted, and determined. Not the worst choice, he mused watching her go through the motions of a drill. Her weapon arced through the air as she moved gracefully to meet the attack of an invisible enemy. She practiced the same movements over and over again, muscles memorizing the motions for real battle.
Weeks ago he discovered her sneaking out in the time between late night and pre-dawn when everyone in town was actually asleep. Had it not been for the fact that he was just returning from his impromptu trip, she’d have never been discovered. Not that she was aware of his knowledge. She would slip away, and minutes later he would follow masking his aura from discovery. While she began to warm up he’d settle in the upper recesses of the trees above her line of sight, hidden by the leaves, but always able to watch her. Every move was critiqued as he observed, silently praising her strengths and noting her weaknesses, ignoring the unbidden desire to help her. It would be so easy to let words of advice pierce the air alerting her to his presence.
He could pretend to have stumbled upon her; never admitting how long he’d been watching, and offer friendly advice to keep her from getting killed. She’d be embarrassed at being caught, and curiously interested by his involvement. He’d be blunt in his statements, attitude disinterested, even put upon, as he helped to shape her into a better combatant. Would she be able to see the truth behind his derision and disregard? Would she hear the calling beat of his heart? I adore you. I need you. Be mine. He couldn’t. It was too dangerous a risk to take while these feelings were so new. Later, perhaps, when he’d managed to hide them away where she couldn’t see. But not now. He wasn’t ready for their relationship to change. The truth would draw her in or send her running, and he didn’t know which response he’d prefer.
An hour or two passed in this way, her training while he mused, and the sky began to lighten. Movements slowed as she cooled down, finishing with a stretch of aching muscles. Eyes gliding over her form he followed her fingers reaching up as she arched, standing on the balls of her feet, body taught like the string of a bow, utterly beautiful, before slowly releasing. Wordlessly humming a tune she walked back to the warm confines of her apartment, blissfully unaware of her crimson-eyed shadow. He waited until the light in her room turned on before returning home, slipping into the soothing embrace of silk sheets, his mind filled with her.
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