Rei still hadn't gone home yet after waking up by the river bank. Too anxious to be alone. Frightened that whatever dragged her away the first time would come looking for her a second time and not hesitate. It was unfortunate for the sailor scout that she didn't want to be alone because she felt less than human. Her face was paled and hollow when she took slid into one of the barstools. "scrambled eggs, please." she spoke, voice still hoarse and scratchy. and much like her order her thoughts and actions seemed to be scrambled as well. feeling like a broken egg yolk. resting her arms on the counter until she realized how filthy she looked, dirt caking her forearms and nails that she instantly hid them beneath the counter. she must've looked insane. "a cup of coffee too, if that's alright."

People had shown up out of the blue and Luis was still trying to find the people he had been freaking out about since the day they disappeared. He had not been taking it well, not in the least, and every day his temper was already at a ten from the moment he woke up until he unleashed it on someone who deserved it...or didn't deserve it, depending on who you asked. He'd been searching for a familiar face and finally, finally, he saw Rei but something was wrong. Very wrong. He had only helped her to her feet when she screamed and took off, Luis didn't even hesitate before following. "Rei! Rei, what the hell? Where are you going?" He had heard, because Luis wasn't reading a newspaper for fucks sake, that the people who had gone missing had all come back unharmed but this didn't feel right. "Rei, come on, it's me." He reached out again, grabbing her forearm and spinning her around to face him, hands coming to rest on her cheeks. "Look at me. Hey, come back, you're back."

Rei didn't register that it was Luis, or more so that the interaction was real. She just kept pushing, even though she was doing a rather shit job of it. Looking like a stumbling newborn fawn amongst the wolves. Her vision was blurring, mostly from the tears but because the world almost felt too bright. She was nearing the edge of the woods-- so close to freedom. Until her body was jerked backwards, her hands balling into tiny fists as she was about to be sent into flight or fight mode. Her vision focusing onto the face before her only to finally realize that it was Luis. It was unfair, to play this kind of trick on her after re-living the kind of torture she went through day after day. Everything was warning her to stay away, but he was all she wanted. He was worth burning for. She shook her head, not being able to believe it. Tears streaming as she spoke in a trembling voice. "It's just a trick. You're not real."

Luis's hands came to rest on her waist, fingers gripping her sides tightly as he pulled her closer. It felt both wrong and extremely right to have her flush against him, tongue tangling with hers as though he could devour her whole. And there was a small part of him that wanted to try. Wanted to break her into little pieces to prove that he could. But so much more of him wanted to keep her safe and to himself, didn't want to share her with the darker parts of his being that were reaching out with claws bared. The feeling of her lips against his was enough to keep them at bay. For the time being. As she pulled away, Luis wasn't quite ready to stop, growling at the sudden disappearance and wanting her back. He wasn't done. "You're still standin'." He pointed out as though that answered every question she could possibly have. "But I don't know," Luis smirked, arm snaking around her waist this time as his thoughts became fully his own, "might still need some help." His lips returned to hers, no longer overwhelmed with his devilish impulses. Or rather the impulses were purely Luis's now.

The moment she kissed him back, Luis could feel the claws loosen their grip, the darkness that had been encroaching lost whatever energy he'd been giving it as this alternative presented itself. But it wasn't just a means to an end. The power of the dichotomy of who they were, the attraction between opposites flared the second their lips met and grew the longer the kiss lasted. And Luis had no intention of losing that feeling. Not yet. It was addictive to lay with your natural enemy, something he hadn't realized had been missing with every other person he'd ever kissed before. Demon and the demon hunter; diametrically opposed except for this moment. Grabbing her hand, Luis pulled back for a couple of breaths and led her out of the main room, towards the alley out back. As much as he loved eyes on him, this wasn't for anyone else. Leaning back against the brick, he tugged her closer and kissed her again, less all-consuming this time but still - it felt like his entire body was on fire.

For a heartbeat, there was only the warmth of Luis mouth, the press of his body and the slight trembling of her hands as they explored his chest. As if their lips colliding wasn’t enough she needed to touch him, skin to skin as if it would save her from reeling backwards. When he pulled away her own chest heaved in and out, trying to play catch up with her breath. Usually Rei would have a snarky comment lined up, something witty in reply to Luis dragging her off somewhere secluded. Instead she scrambled behind him, trying to regain any sense of control, of sanity—found herself wanting to hand it all over to him. The moment Luis back hit against the brick wall it destroyed any illusion of restraint she once had. Body pressed against his—one hand resting atop his chest while her other palm cradled the side of his right cheek. fingers nipping into his skin as she pulled him downwards to meet her lips. He tasted of crackling embers, her body becoming molten lava beneath his touch. It was almost like kissing had leveled the playing field between them, his fire against her steel. Rei had to pull away just before she started panting like a wild animal, because had she not stopped she probably would've let him devour her whole. Rei refused to pull any farther than a mere inch away, letting their breaths mingle as one. It only hit her in that moment that she remembered what had started this. “Did that help?” Rei whispered, not knowing if the swirling darkness ceased inside his mind. If not she had no problem obliging further, she wanted too, desperately.

"Then you're as fucked up as me." Luis admitted with a scoff, the glint in his eye one of an attraction to the idea that there was someone else who wasn't afraid of the possibility of getting hurt. Or maybe she was but she was willing to put herself, her entire being, in the line of fire. For whatever reason. Luis wasn't the smartest guy in any room ( ever ) and he often only acted on instinct instead of logic, damn the consequences. He didn't often critically think or have forethought but even he knew that this was a recipe for disaster. He was a breadth away from losing what weak control he had left, hallucinations ready to infiltrate and destroy the minds of anyone too close. Once his whole concentration was on this darkness, there'd be no stopping it. But a distraction? Maybe she could help. Pushing her hand out of the way, Luis slid his palm to the back of her neck, kissing her hungrily in complete disregard to anyone else around them. His touch was hot against her skin, lips a light with a fire that was impossible to describe, noncorporeal flames flickering in his kiss.

A spark of amusement twinkled in Rei’s eyes, keeping quiet at his assessment of her. Only offering an alluring red stained lipped smile in return. Because maybe he was right, and if he was…who was she to fight it? The sailor scout has always been impulsive, she represented mars after all. Passion, aggression, war. Perhaps it wasn’t such a mystery as to why she craved to know Luis in a manner she knew she shouldn’t have. Even after realizing what lurked beneath. Leaning almost tentatively into his touch at first. Despite how desperately his lips consumed hers, and the strength of his grip behind her neck. It wasn’t until after a moment she returned the eagerness, realizing it was safe, or at the very least assumed it was. That this just wasn’t another one of his tricks. Slender hands sliding up his chest until her knuckles turned white from gripping the fabric of his shirt so tightly. Disregarding all the stares and confusion of ongoers—she didn’t care, didn’t even notice. Mouth against mouth she was lost into his kiss, his lips even seemed to burn. It wasn’t uncomfortable by any means, but it made her lips tingle as if they were about to go numb.

There was an electric current between them that Luis had noticed but hadn't paid all that much attention too until their little hunting session, when minds had been opened in ways that you couldn't take back. A demon hunter and a demon; the universe begged to remain balanced. He scoffed at her teasing challenge, wondering if she was a masochist, tempting him to find out just how much she could take before she broke. And, strictly speaking, he didn't really want to break her. Uncharacteristic of him but sometimes even Luis had a line. Dark eyes dropped to the hand she offered, contemplating taking it but knowing that her opening her mind up to him was inviting carnage. "Don't be an idiot. You don't want this." He could see the fire in his minds eye but he could feel it on his skin. Hallucination or not, Luis was a part of it. "Last time was only a taste, this time I don't know if I can stop it." This is what happened when he tried to be good, he had to release the darkness every so often or it overwhelmed him. He should have been better about it. "This energy, it has to go somewhere." Some kind of release had to happen.

it weighed on her endlessly since that night in her apartment. Like a reckless tornado of emotions that split and cleaved at her heart, pulling her in different directions. Guilty for going against her sworn oath and duty. The other raged war, passionate enough to want to know more. Taste more. Her eyes narrowed at his words, chest tightening at the thought of the amount of chaos he could truly wreak upon her mind. He was probably right, even if that foolish part of her was still curious, almost ravenous for answers. "And what If I said that I did?" Not a challenge this time, a genuine question bubbling off her red tinted lips. Wondering if there had been others who felt this drawn in by his commanding presence alone. If anyone could handle it, surely it was the guardian of mars right? "Then don't." Was all she said, meeting his eyes. Knowing fully what she was stepping into and doing it anyway. "Then let me help you."

location : outside pomegranate petals ✧ @sailorxmarsx

"I'm sure you can use that overactive imagination of yours to figure it out." She wouldn't have to think too hard considering it aligned quite well with how their last encounter ended up going. Luis took a couple of deep breaths through his nose to try and keep some semblance of control while she was so close by. Although he could feel that grip slipping with every passing moment. Insides rising to a boil as heat built within his veins, just another wonderful side effect of being who he was. Sighing, he stepped closer to her, trying to keep all hallucinations that were pulsing from him aimed in anyone else's direction, jaw tight as she looked down at her. "What do you think, hunter? Three guesses." And she'd probably only need one.

"True." She stated without hesitation, Rei wasn't stupid nor oblivious. "Though maybe I just want to hear you say it." Another challenge, squaring her shoulder slightly to release some tension. Like she had been holding her breath underwater. She didn't know whether it was pure idiocy or bravery to be teasing him in such a sour state. At his words she could smell the sulfur, like iron, or blood. A scent most accustomed to demons, a smell only hunters could usually smell. Knowing whatever he was fighting--or urging to come alive was imbedded into his dna. "How about show me instead?" She met his stare, holding her hand between them for him to take. Offering him inside her mind once more, they had done it before easily enough, maybe they formed a mental bond that night. She was also just curious either way. Maybe it would work, maybe it wouldn't. Part of her feeling stupid for allowing him entry twice. Like standing in front of a lions den and inviting it to dinner, but enemy or not she cared.

Usagi did as she told, closing her eyes with a small smile on her face. She took the big breaths and she swore she felt like she was floating after the third. Rei's voice was so calming, and it eased any further nerves she had about doing this. She really was just so incredible. As the images Rei was describing started to fill her head she couldn't help but take a second to admire the scenery. the moon really did guide us all. Usagi has been relying on its power and strength since she was a child, even more so in her adult years thanks to her sailor guardian duties. She wished she could begin to explain to Rei the way the moon guided her, but that wasn't the focus right now. She had to listen and feel and do whatever Rei asked of her. "I can see it," she said firmly. "It's such a lovely sight...I've never felt more at peace."

It was easy to infiltrate Usagi's shield, maybe that was because she was like an open book, or the fact that they had a strong bond. Either way Rei was mentally right there on the boat with Usagi. As if they were both trailing water made of starlight. Rei's mouth went agape as to say something but was quickly quieted by what they were both seeing. The water began to ripple rocking the boat, Rei reached out to clasp Usagi's hand before they were both thrown into the lake. However the moment Rei's hand met Usagi's it was like something clicked. Their united hands began glowing--Rei's mind receiving flashed of images--of Usagi. Of Sailor Moon. They were memories. There were others but she couldn't make out their faces, only Usagi. Rei's chest tightened and her breath hitched as she opened her eyes and was met with reality again. Sitting in her apartment in front of her friend. Rei let go momentarily, kneeling in front of the sailor scout. "Sailor Moon, my friend, guardian. I pledge my loyalty to you now and until the stars above us all explode and fall from the heavens."

It didn't completely help his release some pressure as much as he wanted but he did get some kind of satisfaction when they turned tail and ran away. He almost wished they hadn't moved so fast so he could have gotten a punch or two in but alas his attention was quickly diverted to a familiar voice, the face not far behind. Scoffing a bit, Luis righted the punching bag before turning in her direction and taking a few steps himself this time. "Maybe for you...but I have other ways to deal with what I've got pent up."

"And what are those other ways Salgado?" Rei asked, cocking her head to the side. Not sure whether she was challenging him or wanting to claw down those walls he shielded himself behind. The sailor didn't want to admit but she was dying to feel an ounce of what she felt since that night with him in her apartment. Vulnerable and raw, he ignited a spark and she felt alive--on fire. A dangerous one nonetheless, but she couldn't seem to deny whatever feelings were bubbling beneath the surface for him. It was hard to distinguish lust or disgust, didn't those things seem to go hand in hand anyway? "Level with me--what's wrong? Or should I say what has you in a frenzy?"

open starter !! @evermorehqsstart