Complicated homecoming...

[superstylishsquid]

It had been years since Alastor had last seen this town, bustling with humans and reeking of demons. It was almost comforting...if not for the fact that he knew his master was here. The master he'd abandoned without a word, who would be fully justified in striking him down for his insubordination. But it wasn't in Alastor's nature to run. He'd had his taste of freedom, now it was time to face the consequences. If he was lucky, maybe he could come out on top this time and be truly free.

But that would be once he entered Devil May Cry, something he would wait until daytime for. He didn't want to catch his master just returning from a demon hunt and ready to shoot anything that had fangs and claws. So in the darkness of the desert night, he stood atop a building across from the Devil Hunter's shop. His senses were attuned for any hint of magic approaching him, but he might not register an ordinary human right away.

Comments

[patricided]

[She squirms harder, sucking in her breath trying to pull herself away from his searching fingers. Only for her to end up laughing as much as she didn't want to as she wheezes:]

Alastor let me go.

[superstylishschism]

*He freezes, then pulls all three of his limbs back. He shifts his torso away from her to give her room to breathe and gives a worried frown.*

Are you alright?

[patricided]

[The hard edge she'd taken on slips away with the distance added between them. Her breath going from fast and hard to slowing with the passing seconds. Her eyes closing as she tries to find her center again and fully relax.]

I don't like feeling trapped.

[superstylishschism]

*He nods and takes a breath of his own. She scared him for a second.*

I can understand. I'll be more careful.

[patricided]

[She chews her lower lip. She didn't mean to scare him, honestly he scared her probably as much as she scared him. She's just glad her handgun is still where she kept it and not pressed under his chin.]

I'm sorry.

[superstylishschism]

*He gives what he hopes is a comforting smile as he reaches over to brush her hair aside.*

Hey, at least now I know. Besides, I'd rather have a bit of awkwardness when things are going good than see an already awkward situation turn downright ugly.

[patricided]

[At least she tilts her head into the touch instead of pulling away.]

I'd rather skip the awkward entirely. But I'm glad I didn't shoot you.

[superstylishschism]

It's how we learn. And I hope you notice you're getting better about that. Last time, I couldn't even kiss you without you freezing up.

*Just going to let that hand trail down to her cheek.*

[patricided]

I don't think changes over the course of the last few minutes count as progress.

[She pulls away, she feels weird accepting more affection after she nearly panicked her way into doing something harmful.]

[superstylishschism]

Really? I think it does. You managed to do something you were too nervous to try a couple weeks ago, so I'd say it counts.

*Okay, how about a hand resting lightly on her shoulder?*

[patricided]

Who says I wasn't nervous as hell today either? You realize how badly I could have overreacted don't you?

[She doesn't shrug it off and after a few beats she lifts a hand and twines their fingers together.]

[superstylishschism]

*He folds his hand around hers and edges a bit closer again.*

Unless you've got holy weapons in reach, it's going to take more than a kneejerk reaction to really hurt me. Trust me, a little pain and spilled blood isn't going to upset me.

[patricided]

I hunt demons, a normal bullet isn't going to cut it ninety percent of the time. It's either blessed, inscribed, or coated in holy water. And they're always close by.

[It's really just Kalina Ann and a select few of her handguns that are locked up at all times.]

Especially in here.

[superstylishschism]

I'm not one of the weak demons that keels over from a bit of light magic, either. Might burn a bit, but it wouldn't be anything I can't take.

[patricided]

I'd rather you didn't have to take it at all. And you could have.

[superstylishschism]

I didn't. Just relax. It'll be unpleasant if it happens, but not the end of the world. And until then, is there really any point in dwelling on what might go wrong?

[patricided]

Do me a favor and be quiet for a while.

[His arguing really isn't helping anything.]

[superstylishschism]

*He sighs a bit, but just squeezes her hand. He would pull her up against him, but he's not sure if her nerves are calmed down enough for that yet.*

[patricided]

[Thank you. She takes a breath and just stares at the ceiling trying to just clear her mind and let the annoyance leech out of her.]

[superstylishschism]

*He'll give her time to calm down. His tail brushes over her leg as it moves around in a reflexive reaction to the rest of him staying still, but he's otherwise just laying there with her hand in his.*

[patricided]

[She twitches a little at the brush of his tail but doesn't freak out or go jumping away.]

You're going to be hell on my sanity aren't you?

[superstylishschism]

You think you've been easy on mine?

But I don't think either of us really have room to complain, since we're both willing to put up with Dante.

[patricided]

Easier at least.

Putting up with him kind of rude if you knew him as long as I have. If he was exactly like the guy I met fifteen years ago I wouldn't even do that much.

[superstylishschism]

I think just difficult in different ways.

Cerberus did say he was kind of a brat back then. I get the feeling I wouldn't exactly be as willing to serve him as I am if he was like that now.

[patricided]

Oh?

He tried to get a glimpse up my shorts the first chance he had. And I think he was enjoying the mayhem for most of it.