#demonhunter!au

“How long have you been down there?” Mare repeated the question, knowing Mad hadn’t heard him since he always answered questions, even ones that weren’t actually meant to be answered. 

“Well-uh-it’s…” Mad pushed some papers aside until he found his phone. “Been three hours.” His smile turned smaller and shyer. 

“Three hours of being hunched over like a turtle,” Mare stated as he walked into the room.

“I wouldn’t say I’ve been hunched like a turtle.” Mad protested with a bit of a playful pout. 

“How about a rock? Maybe a tree? If the house caught on fire, you wouldn’t notice until you were a pile of ash.” Mare stood behind Mad, slipping his hands under his arms. 

“And then I would rise from the ashes like a phoenix.” Mad had the cheekiest grin, making sure to say those words as Mare lifted him up to his feet. Al meowed in protest at losing his napping spot. 

“I don’t think it would work out that way, starlight.” Mare chuckled, pressing a quick kiss to Mad’s temple. 

“Won’t know until we try.” Mad tried to keep his cheeky energy, but it was hard considering the pink that was dusted across his face.

“You can barely handle a small kiss, let alone coming back from ash.” Mare teased, arms wrapping around Mad’s waist. 

“I survive your kisses all the time.” Mad huffed, turning his body as he was guided to. Mare kept one hand on Mad’s waist as the other went to his cheek.

“Won’t know until we try.” Mare echoed Mad’s words before pulling him into a kiss, grinning when his plan worked and Mad was melting into his hold.

Mad didn’t have to worry about whether he could become a phoenix because Mare would never let Mad get hurt.

Even if it killed him. 

------------------------

“For someone who has been retired for several years, Wilford still knows how to organize a plan too well.” Host chuckled as he tapped his finger against the ceramic bowl on a small table next to the door before placing his keys inside it. 

“That he can.” Night hummed his agreement, going up behind Host and pressing a soft kiss to his jaw as he started slipping his hands under his coat and guiding it off his shoulders.

“I think I can manage removing my own coat, moonflower.” Host chuckled, using the new pet name he had thought of not that long ago. He knew it was one that Night enjoyed since the first time he had spoken it, it nearly had him purring, something that Night said he ‘couldn’t do’ despite the other Demons he had created doing so freely. 

“I know you can, my owl.” Night used his own pet name for Host, one that had been used for much longer, even before they were officially together. “I’m just getting a head-start on showing you my love before getting to sink my teeth into your neck and mark you as mine~” 

“So, this is dessert?” Host asked with a breathy chuckle as his jacket dropped to the floor, and Night started nipping at his neck, tugging down at the collar of his shirt. 

“The beginning of a very big dessert.” Night grinned before casually hoisting Host into his arms and carrying him deeper into the house. 

“First, I can’t take off my coat, and now I’m not allowed to walk?” Host teased, mapping out in his head where Night was taking him, and knew he was in the bedroom even before being laid out on the bed. 

“You know how I am. I tend to go above and beyond when I make a promise.” Night stated, crawling up on the bed with Host. “And I promise to make sure you will never forget my name.” His voice dropped at the last part as his lips brushed against Host’s, and he leaned into a kiss. Host’s hands went to Night’s head, fingers running through his hair. His lips parted to catch a quick breath, and it turned into a groan when Night used that to deepen the kiss even more. 

Night adored the taste of Host. There was no way to describe it in a way that a Human could understand, but it was a beyond addictive flavor that was so easy to get lost in. He didn’t even realize how long the kiss had gone on until Host was lightly pushing him away and panting for air. 

“One of these days, I’m going to pass out from spite so I can kiss you longer.” Host softly laughed. 

“I’d prefer if you didn’t do that.” Night playfully rolled his eyes. 

“Then you can work on making me breathless in different ways.” Host said with one of Night’s favorite grins. 

“And I shall.” Night slipped his hands under Host’s shirt and started pushing it up, kissing at every inch of skin as it got exposed. Host lifted his arms to help Night get his shirt off and then pulled him in by his face into another kiss. This time, Night ended the kiss with a nip on Host’s lips and then trailed those nips across his jaw, down his neck, and turned them into open-mouth kisses when he reached his chest. Those kisses went down further and further, and only stopped when he had to pull away a bit to start working on undoing Host’s pants. After getting both the pants and underwear off, casually tossing them aside, Night started focusing his kisses on Host’s thighs. He was going to make sure there were plenty of marks on Host to add to his claim, nipping and sucking several red spots against the skin and grinning when Host gripped his hair with a hand. 

“Night.” Host breathed out the name. Night chuckled and kissed his way back up Host’s body, placing one more kiss on his lips. 

“Yes, my owl?” Night asked with a knowing grin that only grew when Host tugged on the front of his shirt. 

“Clothes. Off. Now,” Host demanded. His tone showed just how much that teasing alone had worked him up. The promise of what was to come was also likely adding to it. 

“Yes, sir.” Night caught a final kiss before fully leaning away to quickly get himself out of his own clothing, stepping off the bed, and letting their clothes pile on the floor together. While he was on his feet, he opened the bedside table and pulled out some lube before returning to the bed. 

“When are you going to claim me?” Host asked as Night slotted himself between his legs. 

“I have my plans.” Night hummed as he popped open the bottle. “But, to answer your question, I am waiting until I am inside you until I do.” He coated his fingers with lube and spared no time in rubbing a finger against Host and pushing it in. “I want to feel how the pleasure is going to take over. How your toes will curl and your back will arch, how you’ll look and taste so delicious~” Night had been slowly thrusting his finger as he spoke and felt a bit of pride at how the movement and his words got Host to let out a low groan. That got Night to work in a second finger and chase after that sound, wanting to hear more from Host. 

“Faster.” Host reached a hand over to rub Night’s chest and then held his shoulder as he groaned again from getting his wish. “I need more.” He grunted and wrapped his other hand around his cock, not even getting a chance to start stroking himself before Night caught his wrist and pinned it to the bed above his head. 

“No touching. I got this.” Night had a near growl in his voice. 

“Then do it.” Host got a proper growl from his playful retort and once again got his wish. “Shit~” He cursed as Night seemed more than eager to get him to cum as soon as possible, working both hands at the same fast pace. “Night, Night, I’m-” That was all the warning Host could manage before he was moaning and cumming on Night’s hand and his stomach.  

“My sweet, darling owl~” Night was practically singing as he bent over to kiss Host. “My heart, my mate.” He continued between kisses, smiling when Host was holding his face again to keep him close, using the kisses as time to recover until he was gently tugging on Night’s hair. 

“Keep going. I’m ready.” Host said.

“Are you sure?” Night had a bit of a tease in his tone, but he was also genuine with his question.

“If you don’t hurry up and fuck me, I’m changing my mind.” Host jokingly threatened, unable to prevent himself from smiling. Night faked another growl as he found the lube and opened it back up. He got a generous amount of it on his palm and had to bite back a hiss as he used his hand to cover his cock with the lube. Catching Host in another kiss, Night adjusted, lined himself up, and slowly pushed in. 

“There it is.” Host breathed out like he was relieved. Night nuzzled his nose against Host’s neck, holding his hips as he started to slowly move his own, taking his sweet time with each individual thrust, wanting to feel everything every time.  “Oh, Night~” Host tilted his head back and wrapped his arms around Night’s neck. He tried to help by rocking his body, but Night’s grip on his hips tightened to the point he knew there would be finger-shaped bruises left on his skin. 

“I got this.” Night echoed his words from earlier, speaking them directly into Host’s ear. “My mate. I take care of my mate.” He kept at that same slow pace but had more strength behind him, forcing Host to exhale each time. 

“Yours. Your mate.” Host confirmed, embracing that all he could do now was hold onto Night and let himself drift away into the pleasure. Night was clearly sinking into his instincts; why not do the same as well? “Touch me. Touch me, please.” He knew adding a bit of a whine to his request would make it impossible for Night to resist. Host moaned as Night nipped at his neck and started stroking him faster than his thrusts. “Damn, Night, you’re going to make-you’re going to make me cum a-again.” He struggled to keep his voice steady as Night scraped his somehow sharper teeth against the crook of his neck. “Fuck~!” Host gasped loudly and added another mess to Night’s hand. 

“Mine.” Night sank his canines into Host’s neck the second he was finishing, getting a string of curses from him. The bite, the claiming bite was enough to get Night to cum as well, moans muffled by the skin between his teeth. 

Host was unable to describe the feeling coursing through him with this bite, how it pulled at his very soul and had him on the verge of screaming his moans as he dug and dragged his nails across Night’s back. Something about this new feeling filled him with a brand new pleasure that had him cumming almost instantly, his toes curling and back arching, following exactly how Night said he was going to make him be. 

Night meant it when he said he kept his promises. 

“Mine~” Night sounded so happy, so relaxed, his hold changing into a hug around Host’s waist. He kept his nose pressed to the fresh Claim Mark, soaking in the change to Host’s natural scent. How it now had a permanent hint of him in it. 

“That was…that was something.” Host weakly chuckled between his pants. “And Mad was right…about it feeling like a warm hug. It’s…comforting.” He smiled as he felt Night kissing the mark, but then noticed something else. “Are you purring?” 

“All mine~” Night seemed to be on a whole different planet. 

“I love you, too, moonflower.” Host decided he would tease Night about this when they both got their brain cells back in the morning. 

Night may have an idea. Usually, at least one of them will come up with something by the time they arrive at their usual spot; if not, they brainstorm together. It was nice having someone who matched his energy perfectly and made everything feel so smooth and simple. While their lives were beyond simple, having moments of ease was welcome.

“Hi, Host!” Mad greeted him as he looped an arm through Host’s.

“Hello, Madrick.” Host greeted back. Mad was one of the few people in his life who had permission to hold his arm like that. He also was one of the few who was allowed to guide him away from his original path. 

“Good afternoon, Host.” Dark added in his own greeting so Host knew he was behind him. 

“Our bakery got a new strawberry-chocolate croissant, and I want to try it with you,” Mad explained as he continued walking. 

“I’m here as a favor to Mare to make sure Mad doesn’t go too overboard.” Dark had a chuckle with his own explanation. 

“That’s not too surprising, but where is Mare? Usually, he’s one to be doing that himself.” Host continued walking with Mad, not protesting the plan but his curiosity needed satisfied.

“Mare’s off doing some Demon stuff with Anti and Night,” Mad said. 

“Anti wanted to ask Night questions in regards to the little ones.” Dark expanded the answer. “Anti also wanted Mare to stick around to get more comfortable with them as well, being a godparent and all that.” 

“Sounds like Mad is using that as an excuse to eat some extra treats.” Host said with a tease in his voice. “I am more than willing to participate.” 

x~x~x

Night’s internal clock was right on cue, having him head for where he and Host started meeting nearly every day. He was still out of the habit of looking at the time, never needing it before, and was learning how Humans structured their days based on what hour it was. Mortality had some strange quirks. 

Night stopped walking when Anti suddenly popped up in front of him, a large smile on the other Demon’s face. 

“Hey, Gramps!” Anti giggled with his greeting. 

“I liked it better when you feared me.” Night stated and took a step to the side to go around Anti but was cut off again by him. “I have a meeting with Host.”

“Host, Mad, and Dark are having one,” Mare explained, having been standing off to the side. He found himself wishing that he had been able to stay with Mad and Host, but Anti wanted him to spend more time with the little ones, and Mad agreed. Mare also wished he knew how to tell his mate no more often. Dark had added that it would be easier for Mare to get Anti out of the way if he ended up annoying Night too much. Mare didn’t like all this responsibility. 

“Do you want to see Nyx and Eos while our Humans are busy?” Anti asked Night. Night raised a brow at Anti and then looked to Mare.

“Host is busy?” Night asked.

“For a few hours,” Mare confirmed. 

“Alright. I’ll go see the small hybrids.”

x~x~x

Dark used his fork to get himself a bite from the chocolate mousse cake he was eating. It was his second, and likely last, slice since he also helped himself to a chocolate cookie when they first arrived. While his sweet tooth was far from where Mad and Host were, he had his weak spot when it came to chocolate. 

On the other side of the table, Mad and Host had already eaten some cake and a few cookies and were now eating and discussing the chocolate-strawberry croissants Mad had mentioned. They were just now getting to them since the bakery was working on a fresh batch when they arrived. 

“Mare would have stopped me two desserts ago.” Mad joked before popping a strawberry into his mouth. 

“Anti would have eaten everything we all had and then some.” Dark joined in. Host chuckled at the jokes, and then his brain suddenly shifted into different thoughts. All three of them were Humans with Demon partners, but Host was the only one without a Claim Mark. That thought had him curious about something. 

“What does it feel like to have a Claim Mark?” The question got Mad and Dark to pause since it was unexpected.

“It’s kind of like a hug. A warm embrace that’s always there.” Mad said.

“A reminder,” Dark added. “It’s a silent reminder that he’s always there, even when I can’t see him.” 

“I see.” Host hummed, helping himself to more of the croissant as his brain started turning again.

If that was what it felt like, maybe he wouldn’t mind if Night ever asked to claim him.

x~x~x

Night had a slight tilt to his head as he watched Nyx and Eos on the ground, stacking some blocks. Anti had said they were turning two in a few months. And they were so small. He’s forgotten how little children could be. Mare was on the ground with the two, helping them expand the base of their towers so it would be easier for them to stack up higher without it falling over too many times. 

Night was pulled away from his thoughts when he was handed two containers of applesauce by Anti. 

“Could you open those for me?” Anti asked, placing two baby spoons in Night’s lap as well. 

“Sure?” Night just went with it, peeling off the tops of the food while Anti and Mare worked together to get the children into high chairs. 

“Thank you.” Anti took the cups and spoons, placing one of each in front of Nyx and Eos. As soon as the girls had their spoons, they got to work eating. 

Night was back to watching the little ones again and could tell right away which parent the child took after. Nyx was slow and patient, wary of getting the applesauce on herself, and focused with an adorably stern face. Eos, on the other hand, was a mess. Just flicking away with the spoon, and it looked like more was on her face and hands than what went into her mouth. When they were beginning to finish, Mare stepped out and came back in a few moments with some wet rags in his hands. 

“All done?” Anti asked when Nyx sat her spoon down and started reaching for him. “Mare’s going to help clean you up real quick, okay?” Nyx looked at Mare, back to Anti, and then huffed before holding her hands out for Mare. 

“She certainly does take after Dark.” Mare joked as he cleaned off Nyx’s hands. 

“She’s the biggest cuddle bug once she likes you.” Anti chuckled. “Eos will let you clean her hands.” He explained the Night as he helped clean one of Eos’ hands, gesturing for Night to do the same. “But you got about three seconds to do her face, or she’ll yell at you.” Anti took the three dirty rags, giving Night the final one as Mare removed the tray from Nyx’s high chair and unbuckled her. 

Night stood there for a second before scoffing at himself for hesitating about a simple task and started cleaning off Eos’ face. He was overly cautious and took longer than needed since he was worried about accidentally hurting the small child. Anti wasn’t exaggerating when he said there were only about three seconds before the Eos started throwing a fit, crying, and jerking her face away while Night got the last bit of applesauce off her. 

Anti was reminding Mare of the best way to hold Nyx when Eos started crying and came over to help. Night held his hands up in the air and took a step back while Anti got Eos out of her high chair and held her, patting her back and playing up his voice.

“Aw, did Grampy take too long? He’s getting slow in his old age.” Anti grinned at Night while getting glared at by him. But Night stopped himself from giving Anti a verbal lashing when he saw the way Eos stopped crying as soon as she heard Anti’s light purr. Anti also seemed to calm as well, smiling as his body bounced and swayed. 

Night knew of Anti’s reputation, of the chaos he’s caused, the things he’s done to earn his title, and yet here he was, purring and cuddling with one of the small hybrids he gave birth to. It was a curious change. It had him glancing over at Mare, who was chuckling as Nyx studied his fingers, bending them and poking at his nails. Mare also got his title from chaotic means. Would having a child have the same effect on him?

“Mare. Have you and Madrick ever considered having children?” Night’s sudden question had Mare choking on his breath, and Nyx giggled as Mare’s face went red, and held her up in the air to make sure he didn’t cough on her. “I’ll take that as a no.” 

“I am more than happy with just having Mad as my mate.” Mare spoke after finally getting air back into his lungs. Nyx was now whining and reaching over for Anti. “And his cat is more than enough for me to deal with.” He added while he helped Nyx get into Anti’s other arm. Anti’s purrs got even louder as he held both of his daughters. “He loves that damn thing so much.” Mare scoffed with a smile he couldn’t hide. “But, I have to confess, even if Albert annoys the hell out of me, it’s cute seeing those two napping on the couch together when waiting for me to come home.” 

“Dark definitely looks cuter when he sleeps.” Anti chuckled. 

Night was once again watching, this time focusing on the adults, watching how they talked about their Humans, about their mates, and his mind went to his mate. To Host. He found himself itching to see him again. To talk with him, and he also wondered how Host would react if Night asked to claim him. Did Night want to claim him? That thought made his canines ache, and there was no denying what that meant. 

Maybe he’ll ask Host about that tonight. He really wanted to know now.

x~x~x

“Why are we heading to the bar?” Host asked as he walked with Mad and Dark, assuming they had reached the front when they suddenly stopped. 

“You’ll get your answer soon,” Mad said with a chuckle. 

“Wait and see is not an answer to my question.” Night said with a huff as he neared the front with Mare and Anti. His annoyance faded instantly as soon as he saw Host, even forgetting about the others as he went right up to him. “How has your afternoon been?” 

“Let’s just say you wouldn’t approve of what all I ate at the bakery.” Host joked with a grin. 

“Why am I not shocked that was the meeting you attended with Madrick?” Night joked back, his ears twitched as he could hear that Mare was saying something similar to Mad. 

“The girls are asleep in their crib.” Anti filled Dark in. “Marvin’s watching them.”

“Marvin?” Dark stiffened a bit.

“Chase is with him too, don’t worry. Marvin would lose his head if I left him alone with two toddlers.” 

“I don’t know who would cry more, the children or Marvin.” 

“Probably Marvin.” Anti giggled before remembering his cue and knocked on the bar’s doors. It was only a few moments after the knock that the doors flew open. Night and Host got hit with the sight and smell of what the others had been planning. 

“Hello, you two!” Wilford greeted them with the biggest grin. JJ stood next to him with a matching grin.

“What is all of this about?” Night asked. “The bar is practically empty except for a table. I will admit the added decor is nice.” 

“We wanted to set something nice up for you. A little dinner date where we take care of everything.” Wilford explained. 

“Really?” 

“Really!” 

“Isn’t that kind.” Host hummed with a smile, and that got Night to smile as well, taking hold of Host’s hand and pressing a kiss to his knuckles. 

“Would you like to join me for dinner?” Night asked.