Just Making Sum Tiny Tans

ii. when did the warmth i felt turn into this cold loneliness?

You tapped your feet impatiently and looked at your watch. The tickets that you held in your hands felt heavier than it had done a few moments ago.

What was the point when the movie was over?

Your mood was ruined as your hand wrapped around the tickets, wrinkling them. After throwing those in the bin nearby, you summoned Asmodeus because you didn’t have the strength to walk all the way back alone.

The Avatar of Lust looked crestfallen as he wrapped his arms around your trembling shoulders and rubbed your back soothingly.

“Oh [Name], don’t cry hon. I’m so sorry. Something must have come up for him to go to the Valley of Thorns.”

…

…What?

Freeing yourself from his hold, you stared accusingly at him. “Asmo, what’s this Valley of Thorns?”

Asmodeus looked uncomfortable as he swayed back and forth and tried to avert his gaze. He should have kept it inside the darkest part of his heart but it was too late now.

He spoke hesitantly, “Well… I saw him earlier. He took the path to a place in the Devildom reserved for extremely skilled sorcerers. It’s called Valley of Thorns. I wondered why he wasn’t going to meet you… I’m sorry I didn’t stop him.”

So, he deserted you for business. A phone call wouldn’t have hurt. Right? Then again, it was Solomon. He had the tendency to vanish for weeks on end without prior notice. It was foolish of you to expect special treatment. Work always came first with him. 

To be fair, he had become the strongest sorcerer by himself and he’ll keep improving long after you are gone. 

Still. 

You needed someone who could value your time. 

The time that he had in abundance and you had in the palm of your hands — so fleeting and fragile.

Time.

You gulped the bitter feeling of betrayal and moved on. “Let’s go back home, Asmo.”

iii. if you hear me tapping on your heart, keep an ear out for the “i love you”

The call came at 2 in the morning. Since nobody called you that late at night, your sleep-addled brain expected the absolute worst. It must be an emergency! You didn’t want to ignore the phone call only to learn in the morning that Beelzebub was out eating pillars that were the foundation of the house or that Lotan had flooded the entire house and you could have possibly drowned.

Putting the D.D.D against your ear, you said drowsily, “Mmm?”

“Thank goodness you picked up. [Name] I’m sorr-”

Cut!

On second thoughts, switching off your D.D.D sounded like a good option. Sadly, there was no peace for you in the Devildom because you soon heard audible taps on your window. 

Getting up abruptly, your fingers dug into your bed sheet in horror when Solomon’s familiar voice made you sigh in relief. At least, that feral bastard was safe. For the most part, that was. 

Huffing, you walked to the source of the sound and parted your curtains. Your complaints died down in your throat when you saw the exhausted look on his face. “[Name], can I come inside?”

Before you could come up with a witty retort, he lost footing but quickly summoned a spell to be suspended in midair. While floating, he turned to you with a sheepish grin and innocent eyes.

You let him inside to stop the madness.

After dusting his cloak and stretching, he walked towards you and said, “I’m so sorry I didn’t show up. Quite a few things happened. Asmo texted me saying that he had told you about some of it.”

He sighed dejectedly, “I thought I was taking a shortcut but it turns out that it was a cursed road that likes luring people in. As I later realised, it was the path to the Valley of Thorns and it’s designed to be challenging to reach the place. I was exhausted by the time I met all the sorcerers who live there.” 

He looked conflicted as a deep frown settled on his features. Shuffling on his feet restlessly, he said, “I’d have liked to stay and chat with them but I came back at once.”

Your anger was nowhere near gone so you turned around sharply and spat, “So why did you come back? You could have had your date there, right?”

“Because no one there was you. I wanted to see you and spend time with you only.”

The sad lines around your eyes didn’t escape him and he was glad to see those melt a little.

With his signature smile, he asked, “Would you like to cuddle now that I'm here?”

“No. Not until I get that date you promised.”

“Okay. No problem.”

He magically summoned a screen on your wall and the movie you had plans to watch earlier started playing. Without ado, he plopped down on your bed and offered his arm as a pillow. “Our own movie theatre. I can be your personal blanket so come here.”

“...No thanks.”

He raised his eyebrows without making any sign of pulling his arm back. “I just fulfilled all your conditions right?”

Pouting, you said, “... Yes... Okay so... Let me bring popcorn and I better find you lying in that exact position when I come back! If you move, I'll kick you out!”

As you raced out with a grin, you could hear his low chuckle and some soothing words.

“I swear that this time I’ll keep my promise.”