#burningcross

It had been a while since the priest escaped that wretched house on the hill, coming home all bruised up and bloody from getting stabbed.

He had been in that cursed mansion for weeks, causing trouble for Moloch who has been taking care of the place as best he could. And when the priest returned, he has not been the same ever since. He is way more paranoid and anxious, praying a lot more in the church. Moloch noticed some strange tattoos on the priest’s arms whenever they were exposed.

Moloch also noticed that Gregor would stare into nothing, his breathing getting heavier as his body trembled. He’d mumble and stutter quietly under his breath, Moloch sometimes hearing a verse from the bible or a simple ‘you’re not real’.

Gregor would also get intense nightmares at night, screaming loudly as he woke up wich woke up the demon in the next room, making him cranky for the rest of the day.

And tonight was no different, the priest woke up screaming then cried into his hands as silently as he could. But the demon had enough of this, getting up from his bed and making his way to Gregor's room.

The floorboards creaked softly under the demon’s hooves, signaling the priest from the other side. The demon held up his fist, hesitating. Is he really going to do this? He doesn’t care about the mortal that much. Does he? Moloch sighed before knocking on the door.

After hearing no answer Moloch knocked again, this time getting a frail ‘come in’ by the man from the other side. Moloch turned the doorknob and went inside.

The demon saw Gregor sitting against his headboard, trying to stop his crying. Moloch slowly approached his bed, sitting on the edge.

“I-I’m sorry for waking you up..” the priest says meekly, wiping his tears away. “You don’t h-have to check up on me. You can l-leave.” He adds, trying to sound collected.

Moloch sighs, leaning close to the priest. Gregor noticed, leaning back in surprise. “W-what are you doing?” He stuttered out, getting nervous.

The demon then wrapped his arms around the priest, holding him lightly. The old man’s eyes widened, blinking to fight the tears back. He then wraps his arms around the demon tightly, letting out sniffles.

Moloch felt very awkward, patting him on his back softly. The demon never comforted anyone before in his entire existence, and he feels…scared? Scared. Why is he feeling scared? Why-

Moloch’s train of thought got interrupted by a sob Gregor let out, the priest gripping the demon tighter. “I…I-I can still see them…” he muttered out, tears falling down from his eyes.

“See who?” Moloch asked in a confused voice, looking down at the priest.

“T-them…” the priest replied, breathing heavily. “I don’t want to see them.” He states, shaking violently as he cried out more.

“Who is them?!” Moloch asked in clear irritation, grabbing the priest’s face and making him look up at him. But that irritation soon got washed over by guilt once moloch saw Gregor’s face.

The old man’s face was wet from the tears and snot, his cheeks all flushed up and his eyes were red and puffy. Moloch had never seen him like this, never seen him so vulnerable. That Father is usually stoic, collected and calm. But now…he’s not. He’s hurt. He’s hurt badly.

Subconsciously and silently, Moloch hugged Gregor tighter, putting his head on his shoulder. Gregor buried his face into the demon’s rough shoulder, muffling his sobs.

Moloch carefully and gently stroke the priest’s head, ignoring the wetness on his shoulder. The demon felt his chest get strained, his breath getting shallower as the priest continued to cry.

“…You’re okay.” Moloch said in a gentle tone, stroking Gregor’s head gently. The priest quieted down, tears still streaming down his cheeks. “You’re fine.” The demon added, closing his eyes.

He could feel the priest relax in his arms, the tears stopping. They both then laid down on the bed, Moloch continuing to hold Gregor. The demon noticed that the priest had fallen asleep, feeling his own eyelids get heavy.

He patted Gregor’s head gently one last time before yawning.