He grew impatient. Four days was too long to go without food and water, sunlight. Lucian was always a fighter to him but he had never seen the human so defeated. Only one event came to mind when he had first came across him after the car crash, dull eyes peering into his own, longing for death. He was drawn to his fighting spirit, connected with it on more than one occasion, along with a sense of… peace.

He held up his trembling hands, his entire frame vibrating like a tuning fork, his tail jerking with sharp movements. The pent up energy in his veins desired an outlet. More so his fangs ached to tear through flesh. His face twisted with disgust and he spat at the idea. He left the rotten carcass of the demon deliberately, wanting none of its flesh inside of him. But he had taken exquisite satisfaction in mashing it into a bloody pulp with no hope of it rising from beyond the grave.

His concern was on Lucian’s safety only as he whisked the human away in the cover of night.

He flung his arms up in frustration, his claws reaching forth to rake the wooden door.

“I'm coming in,” he snarled under his breath, unable to wait any longer, striding inside with a brisk pace… to stop halfway in the doorway.

His anger defused at the sight of Lucian weakly propped against the headboard. Shadowed eyes and expression lacking life;  his skin was pale, his ebony hair lacking sheen and luster, disheveled and strewn about. At the sound of the door, there was a brief movement, a slight tilt of the head, Lucian’s sunken gaze shifting towards him.

“Leave me alone…” His hoarse voice brittle, his head turning away, barely sparing him a moment's glance.

Furious at the pitiful sight, Naasir stormed inside. “The hell I am and you're coming with,” he snarled. He was so much better than this. Not some mere shadow of the man he had come to know. And for a brief moment he saw it, a spark of life in Lucian’s gaze, one of defiance before it disappeared as quickly as it had came. He didn't give him a chance to fight, his hand grabbing ahold of his wrist tightly rounded in the blanket he clutched close.

Naasir saw the fear renewed in Lucian’s gaze, surprised as he snatched his hand away, cradling his wrist.

“I'm not leaving…”

Naasir flinched. He heard what was unspoken between them.

I am not leaving with you. Lucian still trembled beneath the sheets, his head lowering to allow his hair to shield his face. His hands balled into tight fists, stark against the brightly colored cloth.

Naasir clutched his teeth, his breath leaving him in a sharp hiss. “I'm not giving you the option.”

“Hey!” Lucian’s protest was futile as he felt himself being lifted with ease over the demon’s shoulder. He kicked and thrashed, making no headway in freeing himself against the tight hold holding him in place. His breath quickened as helplessness settled in. Flashes of before came to the forth, his efforts becoming more frantic.

Where is he taking me?! I must get away, I must be free-

His thoughts cut short as his rear sharply connected with a hard surface. He jerked, turning sharply, searching-

A torrent of water sprayed down his face, his clothed body. The coldness of it all snapped him out of the terror, his teeth chattering against the bitter cold seeping into his pores.

“Lucian!”

The water stopped abruptly, a relief as warm hands cupped his cheeks. His green eyes finally saw the demon in front of him, with a new light, his concern shining through with bright clarity.

“N-N-Naasir,” he stammered.

“Come to your senses.” His forehead rested against his. “Slow your breathing.”

Easy enough to say than do but Naasir proved to be the perfect coach, his chest rising and falling at a slow rate, encouraging him to follow.

A rapid heartbeat passed. Then two… then three. Soon, Lucian found the tension ebbing away from his muscles his heart slowing to a reasonable pace. Lucian’s eyes never strayed from Naasir’s and neither did his.

Naasir said nothing only held on to the human in his hands, his arms wrapping around him tightly. “You're safe, Lucy…” He murmured his endearment in his ear, pressing him close to his chest, resting his chin on top of his head. He knew this wasn't something that could be overcome in a night.