in progress

Oserious gathered his nephew and Nona to establish a new agreement between the three of them. Trust was not something they could give to anyone anymore. Anything that they found on this Legion of demons went to Oserious directly. And they had to be careful with how much information they were giving to anyone else involved. No one could be let on that the three of them trusted no one.

Precautions were being taken. Oserious had stopped shipping out weapons, as he had said before, until this Legion was stopped. Mikla only allowed Nona to be his guard whenever he went out to do anything. His trust in anyone else was shattered after Vanee.

Nona didn’t know the extent of this Legion, or their knowledge of anything personal about her, Oserious, or Mikla. But she couldn’t take that risk. Besides the three of them, only a handful of other demons knew just a hint of her relationship with Mezuma. But a name was all someone really needed.

“Ya know, I coulda had Malii walkin’ me home from work all this time.” Mezuma was swinging her and Nona’s joined hands between her with amusement.

“I would rather be the one to make sure you’re safe.”

“I know that. But you’re so busy now with everythin’, I don’t wanna be an inconvenience.”

“You’re never an inconvenience, Mezuma.”

“I know that too.” Mezuma smiled at her. “I’m just sayin’, havin’ Malii walk me home tonight wouldn’t be a problem and it would be one less thing off your plate.”

“I do not trust him.”

“Yeah, well I do. And I think I get a say in this matter, don’t I?”

“I suppose you do.. yes.” Nona stopped them a few buildings away from Club Crimson.

“It is my last night here.” Mezuma smiled sadly at her. “He help get me here, it’s only fair he helps me leave.”

“Alright.” Nona took both her hands in hers and kissed her knuckles. “Under the condition you text me when you’ve left the club and when you get to your apartment.”

“Like I don’t already do that.” she responded with a teasing eye roll.

“How are you feeling?”

“I don’t know.” Mezuma sighed. “Sad, I guess? But I’m happy too. I’m gonna miss all my friends here but I’ve always made time for them outside of work when I worked here, I’m sure I can do that working at the lounge.”

“I’m sure they will find time for you as well.”

“I sure hope so. I know where they work, so I’ll kick their asses if they don’t.” Mezuma laughed before walking ahead of Nona into the Club. Nona followed after a few moments and waited by the bar until Mezuma disappeared through the door to the back stage.

“Somethin’ goin’ on?” Malii appeared at the corner of the bar that Nona was standing by, a very intense look on his face.

“I was making sure Mezuma got to work safely, if you must know.”

“You’ve been doin’ that a lot lately. Past couple nights I seen you waitin’ until she just through that back door okay before you go off. Is there somethin’ goin’ on I should know about?”

“That is on a need to know bases.” Nona replied, giving him an intense stare of her own.

“I think I am on that need to know bases here, Nona.”

“That is a matter of opinion, Malii.” she leaned against the counter top. “What i do is none of your concern.”

“It is my damn concern when I have to confiscate your bosses weapons from young-ling's in my neighborhood.” Malii snarled and pulled out a bundled up towel from underneath the bar and slammed it in front of Nona. “Now tell me what’s goin’ on.”

“I assure you, those are not Oserious’s weapons.”

“Sure do look like him.” Malii flicked open the towel and pulled out the handle of a knife. “That’s his symbol right there.”

“I have seen him create every weapon he makes. I have handled every weapon that he sells. I can tell you with the utmost certainty that these weapons,” she gestured to the knifes wrapped in the towel. “Are not of his making.”

“I don’t appreciate you lyin’ to me, Nona.”

“And I would appreciate if you didn’t accuse me of lying.”

“Look, I may be scared shitless of you and of.... Oserious.. but I always had respect for him. See, before he came along, Unerverse was a pit. It was eat or be eaten. And then he came along and demons were actin’ more.. civil. And these weapons,” he tossed the knife back onto the towel. “He gave them to demons he trusted. To gangs he trusted. And I know this cause he offered these to my gang.”

“How do I know these aren’t yours and you are trying to accuse Oserious and I of wrong doings?”

“Cause my gang didn’t take the deal.” Malii hissed. “We do, what we do without weapons. We ain’t doin’ anythin’ violent. We just wanted to do somethin’ to help our community. It was dark times before Oserious came along, Nona, yous got no idea. We wanted to do somethin’ and protect our own and everyone else that couldn’t protect themselves. But we turned down his partnership. Weapons wasn’t our thing and he respected that. So I’m gonna ask again: what the Hell is goin’ on?”

“I do not trust you enough to tell you.”

“Well the feelin’s mutual, kid.”

“However.” Nona interrupted, giving him a pointed look. “Mezuma trusts you. And I trust her. So I will tell you this much: Oserious has not nor will he ever, sell weapons to young-lings. And as of a week ago.. he has stopped putting weapons out on the market.”

“That can’t be true. These kids told me they got these from some demon three days ago, sayin’ they were Oserious weapons.”

“Who is this demon? Where was he selling these weapons?”

“You tell me what’s goin’ on, I’ll tell you what you wanna know.” Malii stared Nona down. She was actually very impressed with how level his heart beat was.

“Fine.” Nona glanced around the empty Club, making sure there were no lingering demons to overhear them. “I cannot tell you much, Oserious would have my head. But I am entrusting this information to you. Should I find out you’ve used it for wrongful gains, I will find you.”

“You know where I work.” Malii leaned against the counter and dropped his voice. “Talk.”

“There are a group of demons who are trying to replicate Oserious’s weapons.” she picked up one of the knives from the towel. “If you do not believe me, you should fully heal if you were cut by these knives. With an Oserious weapon, healing would be difficult and it would leave a scar.”

“Show me.” Malii demanded warily.

“I am immune to his weapons. I lost my eye to one of his sniper rifles last month.” she pointed to her fully intact left eye.

“Fine.” Malii snatched the knife from her and brought the blade up to his thumb. He flinched only a bit when he pierced the skin with the blade. Seconds later, it healed up and left no mark that he was cut there at all except for a small drop of blood along his skin.

“Believe me now?”

“Let’s say I do believe you.” he dropped the knife back onto the towel. “Why sell em to kids?”

“That is something we are unsure of. Any information, no matter how small, will help us in discovering the solution. That is why I need the name of the demon and where he was selling these knives.”

“Alright, alright.” Malii scrubbed a hand over his face and sighed. “He was down south, dealin’ to some of the poorer kids. They didn’t tell me his name, just that he was missin’ a couple teeth and one of his horns was snapped off.”

“This information is appreciated, Malii.”

“Yeah, no problem.” Malii shoved the towel filled with knives to Nona and waved them off. “Get these things away from the kids, that’s all I ask.”

“We will do our best.” she gathered up the towel around and knives and tucked the bundle under her arm. “Now I have something to ask of you.”

“What’s that?” Malii asked, sounding very curious.

“It is Mezuma’s final night here and she has insisted that you walk her home. She will ask you herself, but I want to make sure you will take care of her.”

“Course I will.”

“I have your word? You will get her home safely?”

“A demon’s word is all he has, Nona.”

“Good.” Nona looked down at the bundle under her arm before looking back at Malii again. “Thank you.” she turned to leave the Club but Malii stopped her with a hand around her arm.

“Is.. Is Mez in danger..” he asked in a rough voice.

“I’m unsure. But I am doing everything in my power to make sure she is safe.”

“If somethin’ happens to her.. i ain’t forgivin’ ya.”

“You and me both, Malii.”

~~~

It was a long day; it was a tiring day.

Mezuma stayed very late at the Club, having last drinks with her friends and didn’t arrive at her apartment until 2 am. Nona was still out with Mikla by the time Mezuma crawled into her bed to sleep. She was half asleep when she heard her bedroom door open.

“Come cuddle me, Nona..” she whined pathetically.

“Who the Hell is Nona?”

Mezuma sat up in a flash upon hearing a voice that didn’t belong to Nona or sound familiar in anyway. She saw the silhouette of a demon in her doorway as it reached over to flick her bedroom light on. Blinking a couple times, her eyes adjusted to the sudden light and saw a demon she’s never seen before standing in her bedroom, a gun in his right hand.

“You cheatin’ on me?” he asked, sounding hurt.

“Who the fuck are you?” she asked, backing herself up against her headboard. “What the Hell are you talkin’ about?”

“Don’t be like that! I-i know the way you act around me in the Club is different from the way you act around the other demons there!” he stumbled into her room. “Now.. I know we couldn’t have done anythin’ about it before, with you workin’ and all, but now you ain’t workin’ there no more. We.. We can finally be somethin’!”

“You’re fuckin’ crazy! Everythin’ I did there was part of my job! I have a girlfriend, you nut bag!” she reached under her pillow to try and grab her gun under it but he held his own gun up and aimed at her, making her stop and put her hands up.

“No way.. You can’t fake bein’ that nice and sweet to someone. Ya can’t just play with a demon’s emotions, that just ain’t fair. Now I find out you’re a whore just like every one of them ladies in that skank Club.”

“You’re the idiot who thinks those ladies are actually flirtin’ with your greasy ass at a strip club! We literally get paid to make nice with you mooks, that’s our fuckin’ job, dickhead.” Mezuma spat bitterly at him.

“Shut up!” he shouted, pointing the gun more aggressively at her. “All of you are the same. You just use us nice demons and then move on like we don’t mean nothin’ to ya.”

“You’ve got some fuckin’ hang ups, asshole.”

“I said: Shut up!” he went to cock the gun but was suddenly thrown backwards against the wall by Nona who had just arrived to this maniac standing in her girlfriend’s bedroom.

“You okay?” Nona met Mezuma, who was already pouncing at the other woman, at the foot of the bed and cupped her face in her hands.

“Yeah I’m okay.” Mezuma smiled. “Wasn’t scared for a second.”

“Who the fuck is this?!” the demon was standing again, leaning against the wall, and holding his gun out at the two of them.

“I’m the before mentioned girlfriend.” Nona turned around and blocked Mezuma from his view. “Put the gun down before you get hurt.”

“I ain’t gettin’ hurt, I’m the one with the gun!” as if to emphasizes, he shoved the barrel of the gun underneath Nona’s chin, forcing her to look up. “You have ruined any chance I had with Mez!”

“You are delusional.” Nona spoke calmly, despite the situation she was in. “And I guarantee you Mezuma did now know who you were until tonight.”

“SHUT UP!”

The moment he pulled the trigger, the gun fired off under Nona’s chin. The blast made her head snap back violently before she crumbled to the ground in front of the bed.

“NONA!”

“DON’T!” The demon held the gun trained on Mezuma, so she couldn’t go on the ground to her girlfriend’s body. Her body was shaking violently as she fell to the bed. “You shouldn’t have left Crimson, Mezuma.”

Before he could cock the gun, Nona’s arm shot up from the floor to grab painfully at the demon’s other arm hanging at his side. There was a loud and disgusting crunching sound coming from where Nona was tightly grabbing at him and he howled in pain. During this distraction, Mezuma was finally able to grab her own gun from underneath her pillow and fired one shot into the demon’s shoulder.

Dropping his gun, he stumbled back against the wall and held his good hand against the wound on his shoulder. Nona rose up, back to Mezuma, and advanced on him.

“No! NO! Have mercy!!!” she pulled a knife from her boot, slammed his good hand against the wall, and stabbed the knife through it.

Nona stood up hunched over, a terrible gurgling sound coming from her. Refusing to look at Mezuma, she made her way into the bathroom, leaving behind a trail of black blood. Alarmed, Mezuma put her gun on her nightstand and ran to the bathroom just as Nona had curled up into it, back facing the door.

“Nona!” she knelt down by the tub and reached her shaky hands out to try and get Nona to look at her. But Nona physically refused and hid her face in her already caked with blood shirt. “Babe, please! I can help!”

Nona shook her head and reached into her pocket to hand Mezume her phone.

“Okay okay, who am i callin’?” she asked as she turned on the phone screen. “Mikla?”

Nona gave her a thumbs up and curled her arm around her head, still trying to hid herself from Mezuma.

Mezuma stayed kneeling by the bathtub when she dialed Mikla’s number.

“What’s the haps, Nans? Little late to call, I just dropped you off at Mezzie’s place.”

“Nona was shot.”

“Oh tits and ass.” it sounded as if Mikla was still driving and making a very quick and abrupt turn in traffic. “I’ll be there in five minutes.”

It felt much longer before Mikla ran through the still wide open apartment door. He found the demon still stabbed into the wall in Mezuma’s bedroom, but ignored him when he saw both ladies in the bathroom.

“I’m guessin’ the bloke against the wall is the one who shot Nans then, yeah?”

“Yes.” Mezuma glared at him from the bathroom. “I don’t know where she was shot. She wont let me look.”

“Probably gruesome by the looks of the trail of blood leadin’ here.” he rolled up his sleeves. “You got a first aid get, Mez?”

“Yeah.” she pushed herself from the floor and went searching in her closet for the first aid kit she had tucked away. After the first injury she helped Nona with, she got herself a more fully stocked kit.

“Beauty.” Mikla said when she returned with the kit. “I just texted my boys to come here and deal with our unwanted guest there.” he said, gesturing to the demon in the other room. “I hate to ask this of ya, but if Nona wont let you see, then she wont let me help her out unless you leave us be, Mez.”

“I... I figured.” Mezuma swallowed roughly and looked over at the curled up form of her girlfriend in the bathtub. “She’s gonna be okay, right?”

“Yeah this ain’t no problem at all, Mez. Don’t you worry none.” he carefully took her hand in his and gave it a squeeze. “You go in the livin’ room and wait for me to finish up then, Nona’s gonna be fine.”

“Okay.” Mezuma left the bathroom, closing the door behind her, and walked past the demon into her living room.

It wasn’t long before there was a knock on the door frame to her apartment that snapped Mezuma out of spacing out and staring nervously at the wall.

“Mikla has asked for my assistance. This is right apartment, yes?” a familiar Russian accent greeted her at the door. “Oh it’s you! Friend of Nona.”

“Why do I know you?”

“Oh I am demon who drove you home that night at the weapons raid, Miss.” he smiled and bowed his head. “Jengi at your service. Now I was told Mikla had bad demon for me to pick up, yes?”

“Yeah, bloke’s over here, Jengi-boy.” Mikla appeared in the doorway to Mezuma’s room and gestured the larger demon to follow him.

“What has bad demon done?” Jengi asked, as he yanked the knife from the demon’s palm, making said demon yowl out in pain.

“This demon has shot our poor friend Nona, Jengi.”

“Oh poor dear. Should be fine tho. Nona is strong. Do we know who bad demon is?” he easily picked up the demon and tossed him over his shoulder.

“He was a customer.” Mezuma said from the doorway. “With weird delusional fantasy’s that we had a forbidden romance.”

“Well then, I will take bad demon away. You wont have to see him again, Miss.” Jengi smiled as he passed by Mezuma and left the apartment with the demon.

“How is she?” Mezuma asked, looking over at the closed bathroom door.

“She’s fine.” he rested his hands on her shoulders in a reassuring gesture. “It was pretty gruesome. Guy clipped Nona under her chin and blew a hole through the bottom of her mouth.”

“Oh fuck.” Mezuma felt nauseous.

“She don’t got a tongue right now, but she’ll be fine. I got her all wrapped up. She should already be healin’.”

“I can’t believe this.” she rubbed her fingers against the sides of her head. “That fuckin’ demon shot her because of me.”

“No that fuckin’ demon shot her because he’s a nut job with a weird complex and somehow got access to one of these shitty copy guns. None of this is your fault, Mez.”

“Why does it feel like it is..”

“Cause Nona’s a self sacrificin’ asshole.” Mikla chuckled. “Trust me, I felt horrendously bad the first time she got hurt coverin’ my ass but she’s strong, Mezuma. She can heal. That’s why she keeps gettin’ hurt for us. She’d rather be the one hurt than see either one of us get hurt.”

“Doesn’t really stop me from feelin’ guilty.”

“Yeah..” Mikla gently wrapped his arms around Mezuma’s shoulder with a sigh and squeezed her tightly. “That don’t really go away.”

“What happened,” she asked, muffled by the other demon’s shirt. “The first time she got hurt protectin’ ya?”

“I was young and stupid.” he explained with another chuckle. “I thought I was the tits. I was bad talkin’ this bloke to his face and he came at me with a sword. Nona caught it before it hit me. Guy sliced off three of her fingers.”

“What?!”

“Yeah, Uncle was pissed at me. But Nona didn’t say nothin’ to me about it. I was apologizin’ to her the whole time.. I felt so bad. She kept tellin’ me it would be fine and lo and behold, her fingers grew back.” he smiled and scrubbed his fingers along the back of Mezuma’s head, purposely messing up her hair. “Nona would kill for you, Mez. It ain’t a big deal to her if she gets hurt protectin’ you. As long as that means you don’t get hurt.”

“I hate seein’ her get hurt.”

“That’s probably why she wouldn’t let ya see her before.”

“What about now?”

“Give it a minute.” Mikla shoved his hand into his pocket to pull out his phone. “Told her to text me when she was.. more presentable.”

“Okay well,” Mezuma looked around her room, at the dented wall and at the bloodied path to the bathroom. “What am I suppose to do now?”

“Well you could start by packin’ a bag maybe?” Mikla suggested with a shrug. “There’s no way you both are stayin’ here tonight. When Nan get good enough to travel, I’m bringin’ ya both to her place. I’ll have some boys help me clean this mess up, don’t you worry.”

“I don’t feel safe in this place anymore.” Mezuma paced around her room, mindlessly grabbing random items of clothing and shoving them into a duffel bag she had tucked away in the corner. “First Kozic broke in here no problem! Now this fuckin’ random ass demon just waltzes his way in?!”

“There’s security measures I could help ya out with, Mez-”

“No, Gods, I’m just gonna find a whole new place. I can afford better now! I’ve got a job that pays me more. Maybe I can find a place near there. Some place way nicer and way fuckin’ safer than this shit place!” she continued shoving random items into her bag but turned her attention to Mikla when his phone went off.

“Nona’s askin’ for ya.” he said, holding up his phone. Mezuma threw the duffel bag onto her bed as she rushed towards the bathroom door. When she threw it open, Nona was still sitting in the bathtub, but she was sitting upright and not curled up anymore. Mezuma went over and gently touched her fingers to the bandages wrapped around Nona’s neck and jaw.

“Does it hurt?” she asked quietly. Nona nodded her head, flinching a bit when she swallowed and started to type out a message for Mezuma on her phone.

Are you hurt?

“No, I’m fine. I’m just.. I’m upset and mad that you got hurt. I wanted to kill that demon myself.”

That was a good shot

“Thanks.” Mezuma laughed under her breath and ran her fingers through Nona’s hair. “Miky’s gonna take us back to your place.. I packed a lot of shit. I have to move out of this place, Nona. I hope.. you don’t mind me stayin’ with you for a couple a days while I sort this shit out?”

Nona nodded her head in response but started typing quickly on her phone before showing it again to the other woman.

You can stay forever

“You want me to live with you?” Mezuma asked with a big grin on her face. “Is that what you’re askin’ me?”

Nona’s response was to nod her head again and Mezuma leaned in to eagerly press a kiss to the other woman’s forehead.

“You would ask me this while you’re bleedin’ from your mouth in my bathtub.” Mezuma said with a laugh. “You ready to go then? I can help you get rested up back home.”

Nona smiled at Mezuma calling her apartment home and she allowed her girlfriend to help her out of the bathtub. Mikla was helping Mezuma with a couple more of her bags when the boys he called to help clean the place arrived. Before they left the apartment, Mikla had them start packing up some of Mezuma’s things to help her for the future move.

~~~

The following morning, Nona woke up to her girlfriend talking excitedly in the next room. Other than a headache, Nona felt fine. And she was sure all she needed was something to eat and drink to get rid of the headache.

The conversation in the next room was starting to wind down, leaving Mezuma still excited but now with a mixture of nervousness. So Nona waited patiently for her girlfriend to come back into the bedroom.

“Oh good you’re awake!” Mezuma jumped up onto the bed and climbed onto the other woman’s lap. “How are you feelin’?”

“Bether.” Nona spoke with a slight lips that she was not prepared for.

“I think your tongue’s still growin’ back.” Mezuma chuckled and started to unwrap the bandages around Nona’s neck.

“I fhink I am mothly healed.” Nona lifted her chin when Mezuma removed the gauze from her neck.

“Looks like it.” Mezuma ran her fingers over the healed skin along the other woman’s neck, not a mark left behind besides some freckles.

“i meant what I thaid lasth night.” Nona cleared her throat nervously. “About you thaying here forever.”

“I know you did.” Mezuma pressed a kiss to her cheek with a smile. “That’s actually what I wanted to talk to you about. See.. I was just on the phone with my uncle Hue and well.. he’s on his way to my apartment now to help me move.”

“The thooner the better.” Nona agreed.

“He also wants to meet you.” Mezuma sat back on Nona’s hips and ran a nervous hand through her hair.

“And you’re nervouth about it?”

“Well yeah! I mean, this is the demon that helped raise me after my parents were murked. He’s my dad’s oldest brother. He’s always been super protective of me, especially after my last shitty relationship.”

“Ith he aware of who I am?”

“Yeah.. course he is. That was the first thing I said to him when we started officially datin’. The only thing he cared about was you was treatin’ me right.”

“I did resthcue you.”

“Well now you’re just tryin’ to show off.” Mezuma climbed off of Nona’s lap and rolled off the bed.

“When do we leave?”

“I’m leavin’ soon to meet my uncle at the apartment. You are going to eat somethin’ and stayin’ in bed to rest up.”

“But-”

“No buts.” she put a firm hand on Nona’s chest, stopping her from trying to sit up.

“I want to help.”

“We’ve got it covered! My Uncle’s got a big truck we’re gonna put everythin’ in it and try to get it all done in one trip. Miky was already kind enough to have some of his boys pack up most of my things.” Mezuma walked over to one of her bags and pulled out clothes to change into. “Besides, I know when we come back here, you’re gonna worm your way into helpin’.”

“You caught me.” Nona held her hands up in surrender and watched her girlfriend get dressed.

“If you promise to rest before we come back, I’ll let you help.” Mezuma sat on the edge of the bed next to Nona once she was fully dressed.

“I promisth.”

“Good.” she cupped the back of Nona’s head and pulled her into a kiss. “I’ve got food waitin’ for ya in the kitchen, eat when you’re ready.”

“Yesth, ma’am.”

“Behave.” she stood up again and left the bedroom to go gather her things, “I love you!” was the last thing she called out before she left the apartment.

~~~

“She got shot in the mouth?”

Mezuma was sitting in the passenger side of her Uncle’s truck. They had just finished packing up all of her things into the back of the vehicle and were on their way to Nona’s apartment.

“She’s already mostly healed, Uncle Hue!” she said quickly. “I mean she has this cute little lisp right now, but other than that she’s fine.”

“I knew she was a tough gal but, wow. You sure know how to pick em, kiddo.”

“You’re not mad at me, are you?”

“Why would I be mad at ya?”

“I dunno.” Mezuma picked at the hem of her shorts.

“Look kid,” Hue placed one of his big hands on top of her head and ruffled up her hair. “You a grown ass woman. I can’t be the one to tell ya who to date and who not to date. The only thing I care about is that you’re bein’ takin’ care of and whoever you’re datin’ is treatin’ ya with respect.”

“What about the rest of the family?”

“Let me take care of em.” Hue waved his hand, dismissively, in the air. “Sure she’s a powerful demon, but she ain’t anythin’ like that mook Kozic, is she?”

“Hell no.” Mezuma made a face and shoved at her uncle’s shoulder. “Don’t even compare her to that dickhead.”

“I’m just makin’ sure, Mimi.” he chuckled and shoved her back. “He’s lucky he didn’t hafta deal with me. I wanted to rip the greasy hair off that little weasel’s head.”

“Well you missed your chance. I think Mikla dealt with him.”

“Good riddance. That guy was a class A jackass.” he turned down the street to the apartment and pulled up in front of the building. “This a nice place.”

“It’s safe too.” Mezuma slid out of the front seat of the truck before climbing into the back where all her stuff was.

“Should take us a couple trips.” Hue started taking boxes that Mezuma was unloading from the truck and putting them in front of the building.

“Nona should be down soon. I texted her when we was drivin’ here.”

“Kid gets shot in the mouth last night and she’s gonna help ya move your shit?”

“I had to make her stay home from comin’ with me to my apartment earlier.” Mezuma smiled when Nona walked out the front door to the building. She waited until the other woman got close enough before she jumped off the back of the truck into Nona’s, who immediately caught her. “Hi.”

“Hello.” Nona put her down with a smile.

“Nona, this is my uncle Hue.” she took Nona’s hand and pulled her over to her uncle. “Uncle Hue.. this is Nona.”

“Hello, sir.”

“Sheesh, with the formalities? Just Hue is fine, kiddo.” he grinned and took Nona’s hand in his for a firm handshake. “Great to meet ya. Mimi here has told me a lot about ya.”

“Nothing alarming, I hope.”

“Apparently just the usual, you gottin’ shot in the face, all that shit.” Hue laughed, deep from his belly, and hiked up a couple of boxes onto his shoulder. “What floor these bad boys goin’?”

“13th floor. The door should be open.”

“Killer.” Hue shouldered his way through the front door and disappeared into the elevator.

“I think he likes you.” Mezuma said with a smile.

“He is a very intimidating demon.”

“I thought you didn’t get intimidated?”

“I don’t. But I know an intimidating demon when I see one.” Nona helped Mezuma climb into the back of the truck. “How are you sure he likes me?”

“He’s got ya callin’ him Hue. Kozic never moved past ‘sir’ in the 11 months we was datin’.” Mezuma handed Nona one of the boxes. “’sides, he wouldn’t have agreed to help me move in with ya if he hated ya.”

They moved a few of the boxes from the truck to the sidewalk before Hue returned to help them empty the back of the truck. Then, the three of them started picking up boxes from the sidewalk and taking them into the elevator together. It only took two trips before they were down to the last couple boxes.

“Nona, hows about you help me with these last two boxes and Mezuma gets us some drinks, eh?” he sent his niece a wink and left the apartment with Nona. “This a nice place ya got here, kiddo.”

“Oserious insisted I move here.” The two of them stepped into the elevator together. “He also insisted on paying for it.”

“He’s a good demon.” Hue leaned up casually against the wall after he pressed the button for the bottom floor. “He came to our gang one day lookin’ to make a deal with us.”

“Did he?” Nona asked, unaware of this information.

“Oserious is a smart business man.” Hue explained. “When he started out, he appealed to big money type demons, cause he needed the financial back up for his project. After he made his business, he’d go down to the poorer areas to help out some of the worse off demons. He knew, morally, it was unfair that the rich can afford better protection cause they got the money for it while the poor had to continue suffering. But he appreciated the work that demons like me and my gang were doin’ more than those money bags he works with.”

“Did you take the deal then?”

“Not his initial deal, no. See, we ain’t a particularly violent gang. We’re more of a... neighborhood watch than anythin’. Oserious respected that. But he switched his offer from weapons to money. And well.. we couldn’t say no to that offer.” Hue chuckled and walked out the elevator when the doors opened. “We used those funds to help fix up some of the houses in the neighborhood.”

“That’s... wonderfully generous.”

“A strong community is a happy community.” Hue went to the remaining boxes and handed Nona a couple of them. “We take care of our own and anyone else that otherwise can’t take care of themselves, Nona.”

“That is a good philosophy to live by.” she accepted the boxes from him and followed him back to the elevator when he grabbed the last two.

“It includes you now too, kiddo.”

“Me?” Nona looked over at him in surprise.

“Not that you need it, yous a strong gal.” he winked at her and playfully nudged her shoulder as they stepped into the elevator. “But what you doin’ for my niece means the world to me, you’ve no idea. She ain’t talk about any of her dates the way she talks about you. And the way she talks about you reminds me of me and my Lazula.”

“She talks about me often then?” Nona asked, smiling softly to herself.

“A chatterbox that one. Mimi calls me two to three times a week, to catch up yanno she’s gots lots of cousins and nieces and nephews she likes checkin’ in on em, but she always talks about you and it’s always good. So whatever it is you’re doin’, keep doin’ it, cause you’re makin’ my niece the happiest she’s been in a long while.” he left the elevator with Nona behind him back to her apartment.

“Got yous guys some water.” Mezuma held up two glasses of ice water when they walked into the apartment. “I think I got beer in the fridge if you want that, Uncle Hue.”

“Nah, water’s great, Mimi.” Hue set down the boxes over by the pile of Mezuma’s things before taking the water from his niece and gulping down half of it. “‘sides, I gotta head out now. I’m droppin’ the kids off with Uncle Janies to watch em. It’s date night for me and the Miss.”

“Tell Auntie Lula I said ‘hey’.” Mezuma went in for a hug from her uncle, laughing when he picked her up and squeezed her.

“You two take care, yeah?” he smiled at Nona and brought her in for a hug. “The weather’s gettin’ nicer, the two of yous should come over for some grillin’.”

“That sounds.. delightful.” Nona awkwardly patted his back in reciprocation from the hug.

“Great! I’ll talk to ya tomorrow, Mimi.” Hue went back to Mezuma to kiss her cheek, and disappeared into the hallway towards the elevator.

“Whatcha guys talk about?” Mezuma asked, after she closed the door to the apartment.

“Just confirming what you said.” Nona smiled and wrapped her arms around Mezuma. “He does in fact like me.”

“Good.” Mezuma responded with a smile. “What did he say, exactly?”

“Keep doing what I’m doing.” Nona gingerly cupped her girlfriends face in her hands. “He’s happy you’re happy.”

“I am happy.” she laughed. “I’ll be even happier when I unpack my stuff and glam up this boring apartment.”

“How dare you. My apartment is not boring.”

“It wont be when I’m done.” she laughed again. “Besides, it’s OUR apartment now.”

“It’s a private gathering of Oserious’s associates. He holds it every year at his home to.. celebrate the growth of his empire.”

“Still doesn’t answer why I can’t go.” she huffed and rolled over onto her side, completely ignoring the magazine now in favor of putting all her focus on Nona in her suit.

“Because, Mezuma...” Nona gave an annoyed sigh after the hundredth failed attempt at this tie, then tossed the fabric onto the floor and went towards the other woman laying on the bed. “You are not an associate.”

“Yeah but, I’m bangin’ the Blue Demon’s biggest baddy.” she grinned at Nona’s eye roll. “Doesn’t count as somethin’?”

“It does not.”

“Well.. can’t I be a plus one?”

“You will not have fun at this event, I promise.” Nona leaned down and gave her girlfriend’s pouty lips a quick kiss. “It is an excuse for old demons to gather and drink and discuss matters I have no interest in hearing. I do not enjoy these events, but I must attempt.”

“I could make it fun.” Mezuma grinned wickedly.

“That’s preciously the reason why you will not be going.” Nona was caught by Mezuma grabbing at the collar of her shirt and bringing her down for a slow kiss. The green haired woman hummed against her mouth and gently bit her bottom lip before pulling away. “The answer is still no.”

“You’re no fun at all.” Mezuma whined and gently shoved Nona away, who was chuckling in amusement at her. “I think you’re afraid of me meeting Oserious.”

“I would very much like the two of you to meet. But I would rather it be during a setting where he isn’t impossibly busy the whole evening.” Nona went to the tie on the floor and picked it up, knowing she would be disappointing Mikla if she didn’t have the tie on to complete the look. “We have been dating two months.”

“Two and a half.” Mezuma rolled off the bed, landed on her feet, and went over to Nona to grab the tie from her. “Professional killer can’t tie a tie.”

“Hush you.” Nona stood still as Mezuma looped the fabric around her neck, tucked it under the collar and started to loop the fabric, easily, into a clean knot. “My only hope for some sanity at this event will be Mikla’s company.”

“You two are friends~” she replied in a sing song tone.

“You tease me for this?”

“Not teasing.” Mezuma finished the tie knot and tucked the fabric within the vast of Nona’s suit. “Just happy you’re finally with the program that you’re a likable person that has friends.”

“Friend. Singular.”

“Baby steps.” she grabbed at the knot and dragged Nona down for another kiss. “Speaking of, when is Mikla pickin’ you up?”

“Should be soon.” Nona made Mezuma jumped out of the way by lightly pinching her hip. “He insists on coming up to show off his outfit.”

“He did tell me photos wouldn’t do it justice, or he would’ve sent me an insane amount of selfies by now.”

“You two often send each other photos of yourselves?”

“Mostly outfits. He likes seein’ the outfits I wear when I perform at the lounge. And I like seein’ what crazy patterned shirt he’s bought. Don’t worry.. I save the good stuff for you.” Mezuma winked at her.

“As much as I appreciate.. the photos.” Nona cleared her throat. “If you could not send them when I am in Mikla’s company or out working a job-”

“That’s the point of nudes, Nona. They’re wonderful surprises for your girlfriend.”

“Yes but.. I would rather Mikla not be present to see how.. flustered I get.”

“I like that I make you flustered.” Mezuma sauntered over to Nona with a smirk on her face. “I can’t wait to take this suit off you tonight.”

“If you’re a good girl, I’ll let you.” Nona cupped Mezuma’s chin in her hand and smirked at the slack jawed, wide eyed reaction she got out of the other woman. Before Mezume could even snap out of it and respond, there was a knock on the apartment door that captured both of their attention.

“Mikla.” Nona greeted when she opened the door.

“You ready to party, Nans?” Mikla entered the apartment, adorned with a fur lined brown leather jacket over a brown and red plaid suit.

“You are an eyesore.” Nona rubbed her forehead with her fingers.

“You kiddin’ me? I make this look good.” Mikla grinned, his gold toothed fangs shinning in the kitchen light. “You look fabulous by the way. I knew this would be a look and you are absolutely KILLIN’ it, Banans.”

“Please stop.” Nona shoved him away to stop him from dancing around her.

“How do we look, Mez?” Mikla immediately struck an over exaggerated pose next to Nona.

“Ready to break some hearts.” she replied with a laugh.

“No heart breakin’ tonight, ladies. Just demons and business.” he clapped his hands and did a slow spin. “Car is awaitin’ Nans, time to blow this joint.” he slipped on sunglasses he pulled from his pocket and shimmied his shoulders as he backed out into the hallway.

“Try not to kill anyone.” Mezuma helped Nona put her jacket on and grabbed her face for one more kiss.

“I can’t make that promise.” Nona quickly kissed her back. “Call me when you are off at the club. I will see if I can leave by then and come get you.”

“Nah, don’t worry. I’m a tough girl, I can make it home on my own.”

“I know.” Nona took her hand from her face and kissed her palm. “Just humor me.”

“I’ll call.” Mezuma promised and blew both of them a kiss as they headed toward the elevator.

~~~

Guests started arriving at the Oserious manor as soon as Nona and Mikla arrived. There were guards at the doors checking each guest to ensure that each demon had invites to the party. It was done to not have another repeat of the sniper assassination attempt on Mikla at the last gathering that was held. Nona was, as usual, hiding in the more hidden areas of the room, preferring to keep an eye on everyone rather than interact with them. But, seeing as Mikla has his own associates at the party, he was very insistent on Nona meeting them.

“Please stop forcing me to interact with demons.” Nona huffed angrily at Mikla after the last demon they spoke to left them to go mingle with the other guests.

“You gotta make nice with my associates, Nona. We’re gonna be workin’ with them to figure out this copy cat situation we’ve got on our hands here.” Mikla nudged her side as he started walking towards one of the long tables covered in food.

“That is why I would rather not ‘make nice’ with any of these demons.” she glanced angrily around the full room. “I do not trust a single demon in this room. Anyone here could be an allie to this ‘copy cat’ organization.

“Nah, I don’t think no one here would be. These are long time friends and partners of Oserious. None of them would even have the balls to even consider turnin’ their backs on him cause they know what he’s capable of.”

“Still.. I do not trust anyone here.”

“You hardly trust anyone anywhere. I could probably name everyone you trust on one hand.”

“You would only need three fingers.”

“Oh? Am I one of those fingers?”

“Please don’t phrase it like that.” Nona glanced over at a small gathering of demons surrounding Oserious. “I haven’t had a moment to speak to Oserious since he’s come back.”

“I did but it was to inform him of the situation and how much more information we’ve gathered from our trigger happy, locked up friend downstairs. Which, unfortunately, ain’t a lot of information. These fellas ain’t talkin’ and it’s really startin’ to frustrate the Hell out of me.” Mikla plucked a grape from the plate on the table and popped it in his mouth. “Poor ol’ man hasn’t had a break. Goin’ from travelin’ for work to hostin’ a party.”

“It use to be worse. He use to do everything on his own before you came into the picture and helped relieve some of his duties.”

“Aw, that sounds like a compliment, Nans.” he looked up at her with a pleased expression and a hand over his heart.

“Please do not make a big deal out of this, Mikla.”

“Alright I wont. I still thing the ol’ man deserves a day or two off tho.” he picked up a small plate and put a few pieces of dessert items from the end of the table on it. “Check it out, Nans, they got that chocolate you like.”

“What are you talking about?” she asked, her attention now focused on Mikla.

“Listen, don’t play dumb wifh me, Nona. Despite what you think, I’m an incredibly observant demon. And while you’re very good at hidin’ most of your interests from me, you can’t hid your odd and ridiculous sweet tooth from me, my friend.”

“You are mistaken.”

“Am not.” he set his plate down and picked up a second one to load it with several pieces of chocolate. “Uncle buys the stuff almost as quickly as it runs out in the house. Now, I know he don’t like sweets that much and I never touch the stuff. So who’s the one eatin’ it? Cause I only see the stuff gone whenever you come by round here.”

“You are exaggerating a simple observation.”

“But am I wrong?” he held the plate out to Nona and smiled at her. “I wont tell no one about your little chocolate secret, Nona. Well... maybe Mezzie. She’ll definitely wanna know this.”

“I curse the day you two ever met.” Nona gave him and the plate he was holding a once over before she snatched it from him.

“Cheers! There ya go, Nans. Let loose a little. You don’t always need to be workin’.” he picked up the plate he made for himself and ate a small square of white chocolate.

“My job is to make sure you don’t get into any trouble.”

“And you do your job spectacularly. But I can handle meself, Nans. I’m a big boy now and I’d like to think I ain’t as stupid as I was before.”

“Arguable.”

“Regardless, nothin’s gonna happen here tonight. There’s about 70 plus demons here, presumably on Oserious’s side, and hired guards. These copy cat demons would have to be daft idiots to try and pull somethin’ here, especially with all these armed fellas and you here.”

“We thought the same thing before you were almost assassinated in a similar scenario to this.”

“Yeah but that didn’t turn out well for that demon, did it? He’s still locked up and we’re both still standin’ here. Everythin’ works out. Don’t get yourself up in a tizzy worrin’ about every little thing, Nans.” he patted her check before sending her a quick salute and wondering off into the crowd of demons.

Nona observed from the table for a little while. She was mostly waiting for the opportunity to speak with Oserious without a crowd of other demons around him. But she was keeping on eye on things. Even with how confident Mikla sounded about everything running smoothly here, Nona didn’t want to take that chance, so in her mind everyone here was suspect.

Dinner was finally served some time later. The wait staff carried out trays of food to each of the tables in the dinning area, where most of the demons were starting to gather. Oserious was finally left alone at his table when his food had arrived, so Nona quickly made her way over to him. Hopefully her presence near him would ward off any unwanted interruptions.

“Nona, it’s been too long, my dear.” he greeted her with a warm, yet tired, smile.

“It has, yes.” she set her plate down on the table and sat in the empty seat next to him. “How have your travels been?”

“Eventful in their own way, I suppose. You wouldn’t be at all interested. I am, however, interested in what has been going on in my absence. I’ve heard we’ve been making some headway with this organization that thinks it can copy my weapon designs?”

“Yes.. we’re trying to find the organization but it’s proving difficult. The demon we captured from his failed assassination isn’t giving us any information about who it is he works for and what their overall goal is.”

“I have complete faith that they will be found and stopped. I trust in you and my associates who are undoubtedly working hard. This is a very important matter and stopping whomever these demons are is top priority for us.” he took a couple quick bites of his meal and washed it down with some gulps of water. “Now, there is another matter I wish to discuss with you.”

“That would be..”

“I’ve been informed by my great nephew that you’ve gone and got yourself a girlfriend.”

“Oh well..” Nona shifted a bit in her seat and picked at one of the chocolate’s on her plate. “Yes I have. I mentioned her to you before actually. The woman I had inadvertently rescued during that raid with Kozic.”

“You have mentioned her, yes.. That was some time ago.. two months?”

“Two and a half yes.”

“Must be serious then. I barely hear you with partners to begin with, let alone the same one for more than a week.” Oserious chuckled and sipped some water. “Well go on then, what is she like? What does she do for a living?”

“She’s a singer. She just got a job at this burlesque lounge, Fatal Ecstasy. For now, she works three nights out of the week. But she has been told she could be included in more acts.”

“This girl must be a talented to have Lady Jou hire her. That woman is not an easy demon to please.”

“Mezuma is.. she’s.. wonderful.” Nona sighed with a small smile on her face, it made Oserious chuckle again. “I have only seem her perform a couple times but she’s... amazing.”

“You are quite smitten, my dear.” he nudged an elbow against hers.

“Am I that obvious?”

“Yes. And it’s refreshing seeing you doing things for yourself. I should like to meet this Mezuma one day.”

“That was actually a topic of discussion tonight.”

“Oh?”

“Yes.” Nona laughed a little under her breath. “She wanted very much to attend this party for some reason.”

“Well, obviously she would have been more than welcome, but I hardly want to be here and I’m hosting the bloody thing. I don’t think she would have any sort of fun here.”

“That’s what I told her.” Nona chuckled.

“Besides, I know the unfortunate nature of my associates here.” he gestured at the filled tables of demons with his fork. “You bring a pretty lady here and the topic of conversation will be about her. And I’m sure you will have broken your fair share of wrists by evenings end.”

“I would not harm anyone here.. On purpose.”

“I’m sure you wouldn’t.” Oserious humored her with a chuckle and a playful wink. “When I am not weighed down with business and travels, you will bring her here for dinner. I am a little offended that my nephew had the chance to meet her before I did.”

“He was very... persistent on meeting her.”

“Ah yes, in typical Mikla fashion. Did they get along?”

“Terrifyingly well, yes.”

“Mikla has always had a rather trendous gift of getting along with everyone. How he manages to have any sort of entertainment at these gatherings I will never know. Why, he’s probably talking the ear off of some poor demon.”

“I would not be surprised.” Nona glanced around the room, trying her best to focus through all the energies in the room to find out where Mikla was since he wasn’t in eyesight of her. The moment she pinpointed his heartbeat, she heard it stop for a moment longer than it should before stutter back to life.

“Nona?” Oserious gently put a hand on her shoulder, alarmed by the completely out of character expression of shock on her face. Nona looked over at him with wide eyes before roughly shoving her chair out of the way and running from the table.

~~~

Mikla had spent most of the evening working the room and chatting with pretty much every demon invited to the party. When dinner was served, he retired to the balcony to have a moment to himself and have a quick cigarette. He had just lit his cigarette when a dark purple demon approached from his side and leaned up against the railing next to him.

“Mind if I bum one off ya?”

“‘ey Vanee, yeah sure here.” he handed the pack to the other demon and tossed the lighter. “Haven’t seen ya in a while. Whatchu been up to, mate?”

“Boss M’s got me runnin’ errands for him all the time.”  Vanee light his cigarette and blew some smoke out. “Really annoyin’ actually, haven’t had a day off in weeks.”

“I’m sure everyone’s busy with these new copy cats around. Any help is appreciated, mate.” Mikla blew smoke out over the railing. “Still, a party’s a nice break. You enjoyin’ yourself?”

“Buncha rich demons talkin’ about how much money and power they got? Yeah I’m havin’ a grand ol’ time.” Vanee spoke viciously.

“Yeah, these ol’ stiffs do brag about their expenses a lot, but no one here’s braggin’ about power or anythin’ like that.” Mikla looked at the other demon with a slightly confused expression.

“This whole party is a power show, Miky. Only demons gettin’ in here are the ones with the money and the power, you and I both know this.”

“Yeah, they’re powerful, but so is any other gang out there. The demons in here just happen to have agreements and morals that they’re abiding by, Vanee, you know this.”

“Morals, rules, policing, it’s all a human made construct. We’re demons. Why do we need morals?” Vanee flicked his half finished cigarette over the railing. “We ain’t got laws down here, we’re not meant to, so why do we got other demons, thinkin’ they’re better than us, tryin’ to enforce some sort of rules and guidelines on everyone else.”

“This place would be chaos if we weren’t doin’ anythin’, Vanne. Oserious wanted to give us some sort of order to this place, otherwise, demons would be tryin’ to kill each other left and right.”

“So him makin’ a demon killin’ weapon is really the solution to the ‘demons killin’ other demons’ problem.”

“Admittedly it wasn’t a great solution but at the time it was all he had. Unerverse was shit and someone had to do somethin’ before it was too late. But that’s why he’s so careful about who he’s given the weapons to. He makes sure they’re trustworthy and not gonna do anythin’ indecent with ‘em.” Mikla stood up straight so he wasn’t leaning against the balcony anymore. “Where the Hell is all this comin’ from, Vanee?”

“This shit happened in the past, Mikla. Remember The Riot?”

“Yeah I remember The Riot. Some group of demons like 60 some years ago wanted to do what humans do and enforce laws and regulations for all of us to follow. They called themselves.. ‘police force’ or somethin’ like that. They did it so we weren’t eatin’ each other alive.”

“But everyone else didn’t like it. They didn’t like these high and mighty demons actin’ like they run the place just cause they have money and use it to buy power. False power. Makin’ it hard for poor and destitute demons to survive. So they rioted and tore down everythin’ those demons stupidly worked on. Cause they was easily outnumbered.” Vanee’s face twisted in disgust. “We aren’t meant to have rules. Sooner or later, this shit’s gonna happen to you and your Uncle. The worst part is, he gave everyone ammo to take him down.”

“I don’t like the way you’re talkin’, Vanee.” Mikla dropped his cigarette on the ground and snuffed it out with his boot. “You’re talkin’ an awful lot like one of those demons..”

“It’s common sense, you know it’s gonna happen, Mikla. That copy cat group is already workin’ on remakin’ your Uncle’s demon killer weapons. As soon as they do that, they’re comin’ after you and every other snooty demon in this room.”

“I don’t appreciate you comin’ here and bad mouthin’ me and my Uncle.” Mikla grabbed a fist full of the other demon’s shirt and yanked him towards him.  

“I’m speakin’ the truth, Mikla. The Blue Demon is a plague on Unerverse who thinks he’s as righteous as a God. Life thrived before him and it will thrive after him.”

“Is that a threat?”

“It’s fate.” Vanee grinned maliciously at Mikla.

“You ain’t just bad mouthin’.. it sounds like you-” Mikla felt a sharp pain underneath his ribs. His grip loosened on Vanee’s shirt and he fell to his knees in front of the other demon.

“Look familiar?” Vanee held out a jagged knife to Mikla, covered in his own blue blood. “That’s your Uncle’s symbol, innit?” he pointed at the carving on the base of the knife. “I get you with this again.. you ain’t survivin’.”

“Traitor.” Mikla spat out.

“You know, I was stupidly on your side when Boss M made that deal with your uncle when I joined his crew. But.. this hidden legion of demons showed me the way. Chaos is inevitable. Order will only survive when those in power are still alive. And after you’re gone.. it’s just your Uncle we need to deal with. All those demons in there.. will crumble after you’re both gone.” he lined up the blade against Mikla’s throat, ready to slice into his flesh.

“You’re forgettin’ someone.” Mikla said with a bloodied grin.

“Cocky for someone about to die. Alright, I’ll bite.. who did I forget.” he suddenly stiffened when he felt the cold barrel of a gun against the back of his neck.

“Drop the knife.” Nona growled.

“Heeey Nans.” Mikla fell against the railing of the balcony and shakily pressed his hands to his wound. “Nice of ya to join us.”

I’m sorry I didn’t get here sooner.” Nona kicked away the knife Vanee dropped and made him stand with his hands in the air.

“Nah, don’t worry much about it. Just a flesh wound.”

“Miklazal!” Oserious burst through the door of the balcony, ran to his nephew on the ground, and knelt down beside him. “What in the Hell happened here?” he demanded.

“This is one Hell of a shindig you’ve thrown here, Uncle.” Mikla chuckled weakly. “Seems Vanee here’s workin’ for this.. what did you call them?”

“Legion of demons.” Vanee spat out as he fought Nona trying to tie his hands up.

“Yeah them.” Mikla wiped away some blood from his mouth, wincing when his uncle put pressure on his wounded side. “Thems the copy cats, I reckon. He’s workin’ for the enemy.”

“Nona, get this demon away from my nephew and locked up somewhere. I will deal with him later.” Oserious pressed a finger to the ear piece in his left ear. “Send help on the balcony.”

~~~

Causing a panic was the last thing Oserious wanted to have happen at this party, so he had a couple of the guards quickly and quietly bring Mikla into the manor and down to one of the medical areas. The guests were unaware of what had happened on the balcony and Oserious made sure they were left in the dark about it. He had to continue to entertain them, which meant he couldn’t be by his nephews side.

“He’s lost a lot of blood. But, the blade doesn’t appear to have pierced any organs.” a greenish blue demon was summoned from the party by one of the guards to look at Mikla. “It was done by an Oserious weapon?”

“Yes.” Nona stood anxiously at Mikla’s other side as he was laid out on top of a metal table to be examined.

“It wont heal properly on it’s own, but it can heal. Unfortunately, it will leave a rather noticeable scar, since it is one of Oserious’s weapons.” the demon went searching through one of the cabinets in the room until he found a package of needles and some flexible wire. “There’s a human made medical concept called ‘stitches’ that could possible help. It keeps the ends of the wound close to together to help the flesh heal.”

“Use to do those growin’ up.” Mikla joked weakly. “Youngin’s liked doin’ human stuff like it was some type a weird fad.”

“We should start to see some improvement when I’m done, given your naturally quickly healing.” the demon threaded the wire through one of the needle holes and started piercing it through Mikla’s skin to sew the wound shut.

“He will be okay?”

“Aw Nans, you do care.” Mikla reached his hand up, slowly, and patted Nona’s face.

“Mikla, please, you’re injured.” she took the blue demon’s hand away from her face but kept a tight hold on it.

“You never hold hands with me anymore, Nona. And how come you never look me in the eye when we make love.”

“Stop speaking, you are delirious and you need to rest.” Nona felt her phone buzz in her pocket before it started ringing.

“Speakin’ of makin’ love.” Mikla giggled at his own joke. “Probably ya girly, eh?”

“Yes.” Nona pulled her phone from her pocket to see the caller ID. “I will... call her back.”

“Nah answer it now. She’s gonna get worried if ya don’t.” Mikla patted her hand with his other hand. “I’ll be here when you get back.. Promise.”

Nona stared at him for a few seconds and squeezed his hand one more time before ducking out of the room to answer her phone.

“Hello?”

“Hey babe, I just got off. How’s the party? Havin’ fun?”

“No. Not really.. I..” Nona breath shook in the phone, a very unfamiliar feeling bubbling up in her chest.

“Babe, what’s wrong?” the concern in Mezuma’s voice made the feeling in Nona’s chest worsen.

“There was.. another attempt at Mikla’s life.. I was.. I was almost too late.”

“Holy shit, Is he okay? Are you okay?”

“He has lost a lot of blood.. a demon from the party is giving him.. ‘stitches’? I believe that’s what he called them.. he told us they would help Mikla heal.”

“Please tell me you caught the demon that did this.”

“I did yes. He’s been locked up. Oserious will handle him at a later time...”

“I hope he tears that guy a new one. Fuckin’ asshole.” Mezuma gritted through the phone.

“I am sorry, I wont be able to get you from work-”

“No, no, no, I completely understand, Nona! You stay with Mikla as long as he needs you. I’ll just go to your apartment and wait for you there, okay?”

“Yes.” Nona took a deep, shaky breath. “Please let me know when you get there. I do not want to worry about you too.”

“I’ve got my gun on me. I’ll be fine. You just.. keep me updated on Mikla okay?”

“I will... Stay safe.”

The call ended and Nona shoved her phone into her pocket as she went back into the room where Mikla was still laying down on the medical table, half awake.

“They seem to be working already.” the demon spoke from Mikla’s injured side. “His body is already starting to heal itself with the stitches’ help.”

“See, Nans? I’ll still be able to play piano, no problem.” Mikla spoke with slow, slurred voice.

“He just needs rest to make up for the amount of blood that he’s lost.” the demon finished up stitching Mikla’s side and started covering the wound with gauze. “Plenty of food and bed rest for the next couple of days should do it. I will go inform Oserious of your condition.” he bowed his head at the two of them and left the room.

Nona looked down at her tired partner and took his hand in hers again. He responded with bringing their joined hands up to his lips and pressing a soft kiss to the top of her hand.

“I wasn’t worried, Nans.. Knew you’d come for me.” he tiredly patted her hand.

“You have too much faith in me, Mikla. I was almost too late..”

“Nah.. came just in time.. ‘m still here, ain’t I?”

“You would not have gotten hurt if I had acted sooner.”

“I wouldn’t have gotten hurt if Vanee wasn’t a traitorous prick, Nona.” Mikla appeared to have sobered up for a moment and made hard eye contact with the taller woman. “He betrayed us. He betrayed.. me. He joined this.. fuckin’ Legion or whatever and he caught me in a moment of weakness when I was unarmed and unguarded. You were right.. before.. I was stupid to think I could put my trust so easily into these demons. I ain’t about to make that mistake again, Nona. You and.. Uncle O are the only ones I’m trustin’ now.”

“You have.. a very calm demeanor for someone who was just stabbed.”

“Ain’t the first. Wont be the last.” Mikla let out a sigh as he relaxed into the table. “’m sorry I didn’t take your concern seriously before, Nans.”

“Now’s not the time. You need to rest.”

“Yeah, probably right.” Mikla sighed again and slowly let his eyes close. By the time Nona had pulled up a chair next to the table Mikla was laying on, he had already fallen into a deep sleep. Nona stayed by his side, focusing on his steady heart beat and nothing else until Oserious finally joined her a couple hours later.

“How is my nephew?”

“Asleep.” Nona didn’t dare look away from the young demon for a second, afraid he would stop breathing the moment she did.

“Nona..” Oserious went over to her to put a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Go home. It’s been a long evening for all of us. You should rest. I will watch over him.”

“You need rest as well, Oserious. You have not had a break in months.”

“And I will get my rest. But right now my concern is that both of you are well.”

“You needn’t concern yourself with me. I am fine.”

“You are not and that’s quite alright, Nona. It’s hard seeing your family get hurt.” he squeezed her shoulder.

“I imagine it would be difficult seeing your nephew this way-”

“I meant you, Nona.” Oserious ran his hand along the back of Nona’s head with a soft smile. “My dear.. you must know by now that I have considered you family for a while.”

“F-family? Me?”

“Yes and I know my nephew shares my sentiment.” he tucked his hand under Nona’s arm and physically made her stand up from the chair. “Now.. I have a driver ready for you outside to take you home. It would be rude to keep him waiting.”

“But.. I..”

“No arguing.” Oserious pointed a finger at her and took her seat next to Mikla. “Get home. Try to rest. I will keep you informed on Mikla’s condition, should there be any drastic changes. But for now, you must take care of yourself. I’m sure Mezuma is worred and wondering where you are.”

“Mezuma..” Nona automatically went for her phone in her pocket to check it and saw she received a message from the other woman hours ago saying she had arrived home safely. She looked back up at Oserious one last time and he waved her off as she left the room.

~~~

It was around three in the morning when Mezuma heard the door open to the apartment.

“Oh Nona.” she rushed over from the kitchen table and looked over at her girlfriend’s exhausted features and red eyes.

“He’s okay.” Nona spoke through a lump in her throat. “Oserious is.. he’s watching him now. He’s resting..”

“Babe..” Mezuma stepped back for a moment so Nona could removed her jacket, tie, and vest. “Are you okay?”

“I don’t know.” she answered in a small, quiet voice. “I don’t know what is happening to me.. I.. I’m-”

“It’s okay.” Mezuma gathered the other woman up in her arms and stroked her back. “It’s okay-”

“I heard his heart stop.. for a second I thought.. that he..”

“He’s okay, Nona.” she cupped Nona’s face in her hands, making her look down at her. “You said so yourself.”

“I was almost too late.” Nona felt a tear roll down her cheek and she took a deep breath. “I let my guard down- he was.. stabbed and almost killed because of me.”

“You can’t think like that, Nona. You didn’t hurt him. It wasn’t your fault.”

“I didn’t move fast enough!” Nona backed away from Mezuma and paced around the table in the kitchen. “It is my job to protect him and Oserious. If either one of them gets hurt, it’s my fault!”

“You weren’t the one stabbin’ him, Nona!” Mezuma stopped Nona from pacing with a hand against her chest. “It wasn’t your fault he got hurt!”

“You don’t understand.. If I had not gotten there in time he would be dead. It’s my job to protect him, Mezuma. It’s my fault.”

“It’s not your fault! Gods! We are you arguing with me about this?! You didn’t hurt Mikla! This was some random attempt by some murderous freak! Nona.. You saved him! You don’t have to be around him to protect him 24/7 ! You’ve got your own life! He can handle himself and he knows he's got you when things get rough! But it’s not your damn fault he got hurt tonight! Why are you puttin’ so much blame on yourself!”

“Because he’s my family!!” Nona shouted with such emotion that it made her physically reel back at what she said. They stared at each other wide eyed for a long time before Nona’s face crumbled and she sank to her knees on the kitchen floor.

“Oh Nona.” Mezuma knelt down in front of her and wiped away the steady falling tears from her girlfriends cheeks. Nona’s sudden confession made something break in her as well and she felt a little teary eyed. “Sweetheart..”

“Oserious said I was family.. He looked at me.. he said I was family. He said Mikla.. Mikla thinks I’m family... I have a family..” Nona looked up at her with a pinched expression. “That’s why.. I can’t let anything happen to them. They’re all that I have, Mezuma.. I can’t lose them.”

“Babe..” Mezuma brought Nona in for a hug and allowed the taller woman to slump against her. “You poor thing. Nothing’s gonna happen to them, okay? Mikla is one of the toughest demons I know. And Oserious is so powerful, no one would ever mess with him. Tonight was a fluke.. I know they wont let it happen again and I know for damn sure you wont let it happen again.”

“He puts so much trust in me.. I was almost too late.”

“Stop thinkin’ like that, Nona.” Mezuma demanded. “You listen.. Mikla is fine. He’s gonna wake up tomorrow and be back to his old self. And he’s gonna keep puttin’ his trust in you. Because you’re gonna be the reason he’s able to wake up tomorrow. You’ve gotta have hope, Nona.”

“Hope..”

“Yeah.” Mezuma chuckled a little bit. “Not a common thing around these parts. But hope is what lead me to you. And I can’t turn my back on the thing that brought me the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

"Hope.” Nona pulled herself away from Mezuma and sat back on her knees. “I will try.. to have hope then.”

“Okay.” Mezuma wiped away another tear from Nona’s cheek with a small smile. “Let’s get you out of this suit and into some pajamas, yeah?”

“I don’t deserve you.” Nona allowed Mezuma to help her off the floor. “I don’t deserve you taking care of me like this. I’m sorry.. for the way I am acting.”

“I like that I get to do this..” Mezuma confessed as she started to unbutton Nona’s dress shirt. “That I get to take care of you sometimes.. Cause you’re always doin’ things for me and takin’ care of me. And.. I know you said you’d do anythin’ for me and I wouldn’t have to do a single thing in return but.. I would do anythin’ for you too Nona. Cause I want to. Cause I.. I care about you so much.”

Nona was silent and stood patiently for Mezuma to finish unbuttoning her shirt before sliding it off her shoulders. When the shirt was tossed over one of the chairs in the kitchen, Nona backed the other woman up against the wall, crowding her there. Nona stared at her, as if she was planning her next move before she did anything. So Mezuma just waited quietly.

“You make this so easy.” Nona finally said. “Before you, I’ve never felt the things I feel now with anyone else. You’ve made it so easy for me to feel vulnerable and normal.” she leaned into Mezuma, pressing her body along the other woman’s, and resting her forehead against hers. “You’ve made it so easy.. for me to fall in love with you, Mezuma.”

“Yeah?” Mezuma grinned, her eyes filling with tears that she tried to blink away, and brought her hands up to wrap around Nona’s neck. “You mean it? You love me?”

“I do.” Nona looked down at her with a sudden sad expression. “I apologize if it’s too much-”

“You’re an idiot!”

“I-what?” Nona looked at her with confusion.

“I said you’re an idiot.” Mezuma laughed. “Because I’ve been in love with you ever since that first night you spent at my apartment.”

“But you’ve.. you’ve never said anything before.”

“I was afraid of sayin’ somethin’ too soon and scarin’ you off.” Mezuma admitted quietly. “Truth is.. I’m afraid of losin’ you just as much as you’re afraid of losin’ me.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“Good. Neither am I.”

“Good.” Nona ran her hands along Mezuma’s sides. “There’s so many things I want to with you..”

“Later. You’ve been through a lot tonight. I’m exhausted and you must be dead on your feet.” Mezuma pressed a quick kiss to her cheek. “We have plenty of time together, Nona.”

“You’re right..” Nona backed away from the other woman’s space and went over to the bed.

“I’m always right.” Mezuma followed her and hopped on top of the bed.

“You are.” Nona fell easily into her girlfriends open arms and curled up half on top of her.

Regardless, Friday has rapidly approached. Both Nona and Mikla had arrived at Fatal Ecstasy that evening to support Mezuma’s very first performance. They paid the entrance fee and were escorted to the more hidden VIP area of the burlesque lounge, tucked away in the shadows. The band was set up by the left portion of the stage, playing some plucky background music to keep costumers entertained while the performers prepared for the first act.

The stage itself was actually 3 stages. A large center one and two smaller circular ones that were slightly elevated and curtained off. The decorations were very ornate and cover with gold and colorful gems. The biggest piece was the frame surrounding the main stage that looked like it was covered with small carvings of naked demons and flowers.

The lounge was filled with various demons, all sitting at tables with dimly lit lanterns and glasses of colorful drinks. Even the second floor balcony area had people standing and looking out over the stage.

“This place is packed.” Mikla commented and waved down a waitress carrying their drink orders. Nona hummed in agreement and watched the curtain rise for the first performer of the night. “Nervous, Nans?”

“Mezuma is.”

“I know she’s nervous, mate, I’m askin’ if you are.”

“For her.. I am nervous.”

“She’s gonna do great, don’t be nervous.”

“I know she will. I can just.. feel how nervous she is.. She’s never usually like this.”

“She’s got more self confidence than any other demon I’ve encountered, Nans. And I’ve met my fair share of demons. Once she gets on that stage, she’s gonna absolutely kill this show. People always get new job jitters. You remember the first time I handled my own deal?”

“You threw up 3 times before we even entered the building.”

“See? New job jitters.” Mikla leaned back in his seat and took a quick sip of his weirdly yellow drink. “I’m as confident as can be too, Nans. I’m practically stewin’ in it. But I was nervous as Hell takin’ on my first deal. How did I do after I tossed my guts out?”

“You actually did... surprisingly well.”

“Exactly! Mez-Mez has got this in the bag. Don’t you worry your pretty little head about it.”

“She’s worried about failing..”

“She wont. I know the owner of this place, Lady Jou, she’s smart and she knows talent when she sees it. If she sees somethin’ good, she invests in it. She wouldn’t have wasted her own time and money hirin’ Mezuma if Mez wasn’t actually a good singer. You must know this.”

“I wouldn’t.. I have never heard her sing. I had no knowledge of her being able to sing until a few days ago.”

“Well, this will be an eventful evenin’ for all of us then, eh?”

The first act ended with the band still playing music to roll into the second act. The performances here were already vastly different from The Crimson Club. For one thing, there was no way customers could get their hands on any of the dancers without climbing up onto the stage. And the dancers themselves seemed to be more trained in aerobics for their dances. The last act before intermission were a few of the dancers twirling with silks over the stage. 

The curtain fell to the main stage as the act was done. The band picked up with something a little more jazzy. Nona felt a subtle uptick in Mezuma’s nerves and knew that this was her time to be on stage. Seconds later, the curtain on one of the elevated stages rose up slowly.

Standing in the center was Mezuma. Nona held her breath at the sight of her girlfriend. She was covered in white. A white boa was draped around her shoulders and a white lacy dress clung to her figure with flowers cascading down the material like a waterfall before pooling down by her feet. For a moment, she hesitated. No one else in the lounge caught it except Nona and Mikla. But as soon as she saw Nona in the audience, her demeanor changed. Any anxiousness she had suddenly melted away and was replaced with her natural confident energy.

The lounge went silent as a spotlight shined directly on her, making her seem more ethereal on the stage. The band continued the gentle jazzy tune. Casting a glance out at the audience, she smiled coyly at everyone and brought her lips to the mic.

“Hello sinners.” she purred into the mic. A few audience members responded with whistles and whoops, making Mezuma chuckle. “How is everyone tonight?” More people responded with clapping, a few scattered cheers here and there, even Mikla brought his fingers to his lips to make his whistle louder. “Good.” Mezuma sent a wink over to Nona and Mikla before turning her attention back to the audience. “I’d like to sing for you all, if that’s okay?”

The music picked up from the band as the audience started to applaud again. A very jaunty guitar melody accompanied by a horn played a quick opening verse. Mezuma swayed with the beat until it was her time to join into the music and she began to sing.

It was a song Nona had never heard of before, not that she listened to a lot of music. But there was something about the melody that felt like it wasn’t from around here. It was also in a language she didn’t understand and was floored at how well Mezuma was singing it. It wasn’t that she knew the lyrics but it was the way she was singing it like it was personal to her. That the meaning of the song was very important to her.

The audience was enraptured as well. Not a single demon had spoken since she started singing and everyone’s eyes were on her. Even some of the staff had stopped busing and making drinks to pause and watch Mezuma.

The end of the song was met with a silent room. Only for a moment though. As soon as Mezuma nervously took a bow, the audience erupted into applause. Demons were out of their seats cheering, some even were demanding an encore. Mezuma smiled the biggest smile and blew a kiss out to the audience before the curtain slowly lowered in front of her.

“Holy shit!” Mikla shoved Nona’s shoulder once the clapping had died down. “That girls got some talent.”

“Yeah...” Nona was still staring at the stage where Mezuma was standing, still caught in the spell of her girlfriend singing. The curtain on the main stage rose again for the next act.

“Did you know she knew French? She sings it very well.”

“French?” Nona’s attention snapped to him. “Is that what that was?”

“Yeah, French is a human language, actually. Some demons learn human languages for the appeal of them. There’s nothin’ really practical about knowin’ them other than it’s cool to know em.”

“You speak French?”

“No I just know it when I hear it. I’ve been around enough demons to recognize some humans languages.”

Mid way through the act, a hidden door opened up behind them and Mezuma popped out with a smile. She wasn’t in the dress anymore, just a pair of shorts and a long sleeved shirt. Probably something she had back stage to put on in between acts.

“There she is! Holy shit!” Mikla stood up from his seat, went over to Mezuma and pressed a congratulatory kiss to her cheek. “Words have failed me, love. You were incredible! An absolute splendor! The voice, the dress, everything! Simply wonderful.”

“Thank you!” still smiling, Mezuma slid into the vacant chair next to Nona and pressed herself against the other woman’s side. “What’d you think?”

“She was speechless the whole time, darlin’. Couldn’t keep her eyes off of you for one second.” Mikla answered, taking his seat opposite the both of them.

“Yeah?” Mezuma looked at her girlfriend with amusement.

“We need more drinks! Let me buy you a drink, love.”

“Ain’t I suppose to be buyin’ you one?”

“Some other time, this is about you tonight, darlin’! We need drinks to celebrate your amazing success! You wait here a tick, I’ll be back.” Mikla grabbed his glass and went off to the bar to get drinks for the three of them.

“So... did ya like it?” Mezuma asked sheepishly.

“Yes.” Nona wrapped an arm around her waist and held her close. She nudged her nose against Mezuma’s cheek and pressed a kiss. “You were amazing.. I had no idea.”

“Thank you.” she answered with a giggle. “Lady Jou told me I’d be singin’ with some of the other performers if people liked me enough. I could be apart of more acts!”

“I believe it’s safe to say you were well liked.”

“You think so?”

“Mhm.” Nona trailed a couple kisses along Mezuma’s neck and playfully bit on her shoulder. “You were wonderful.. and you looked like you had fun up there.”

“I did. I had fun with the band in rehearsal today and all the other girls back stage were really nice to me when I finished singin’.”

“You were amazing, Mezuma..” Nona nuzzled her face in other woman’s neck.

“Thank you.” she nudged her shoulder against Nona’s and smiled at her. “You’re bein’ awfully affectionate right now.”

“I can stop if you want me to.”

“No, never stop.” Mezuma cupped her hand under Nona’s chin, making her look her in the eye. “I like it. I like when people see you’re mine and I’m yours. I want more of it.” she purred.

“You’re a menace.” Nona chuckled.

“I’m your menace.” with a smirk, Mezuma pulled Nona’s face to hers, meeting in the middle for a kiss.

“I can’t leave you two alone for a moment.” Mikla came back with drinks for himself and Mezuma.

“We weren’t doing anythin’.” Mezuma feigned innocence and accepting the drink being handed to her. Flustered, Nona refused to look at Mikla and instead watched her girlfriend sip on her drink.

“I apologize.. I’ve forgotten you are working.”

“They’re a little more lenient with those kinds of rules here.” Mezuma put down her drink with a smile. “We’re sellin’ our talent more than our bodies, so the customers don’t really care that much if we’re in relationships.”

“I see.”

“So you can put your arm back around me again, Nona.” Mezuma teased. “I ain’t gonna bit ya.. unless you want me to, I know you like it.”

“Not in front of Mikla.” Nona hissed quietly.

“She hates when I mention our sex life in front of you.” the pink haired demon said with a grin. “I should get ready for my next song. You comin’ home with me tonight?”

“Of course.” Nona gave her girlfriend a soft smile. “I’ll wait for you here.”

“Good.” she brought her hand up behind the back of Nona’s head to guide her into a very quick kiss before standing up and disappearing through the hidden door again.

~~~

The quiet was chilling. Nona’s eyes snapped open. She looked at her surroundings. Everything was both familiar and completely different.

The Wastelands.

Miles and miles of empty horizons. Not a single living thing in sight.

She stood up and began to walk.

It was pointless walking anywhere or trying to find her way home. Where was home?

There were voices. Too many talking at once, saying different things. Nona couldn’t focus anymore.

She started to run.

The voices were getting louder. Nothing was around her for miles but the voices were getting closer. Whatever they were, Nona couldn’t escape the noise.

She kept running and running. Her muscles were on fire but she couldn’t stop running. She had to keep going.

It felt like she was running for years before she saw a shape in the distance horizon. She started running faster, to get to closer.

They were ruins. A destroyed structure to an ancient looking building. Pieces of the ruins had carvings and paintings along the stone face. Nona couldn’t recognize any of them.

In the center of the rubble, a stone slab was split in two. All around it were scattered remains of bones and dried pools of blood.

There was a sudden presence. Something angry. Something wild and powerful. Nona felt her blood run cold. She had to leave. She wasn’t suppose to be here.

By the time she turned around to leave, there was someone standing by the gap in the ruins. She stopped.. wide eyed.. and stared.

It was her.

She was looking.. herself.. A wild, far off, and unfocused look on her face. Teeth elongated and sharp, completely blackened like coal. Numerous eyes were appearing along it’s face with every blink. It’s hair was a mess, falling in strands around it’s naked body, making it appear more feral.

Nona felt panic bubble up inside her. She couldn’t leave. That.. that thing was standing in the way. She didn’t know what it was or what it wanted.

‘You’

It spoke. It spoke like it knew what Nona was thinking. It spoke in a voice that was hers. But it was also other voices. The voices she heard from before. When she was running. Was she tricked to come here?

‘Want. You.’

It staggered over to Nona, hunched over, moving like it was drunk but moving with purpose. With hidden power underneath the fragile and bony body.

‘Want... YOU’

It lounged at Nona with fire and fury in it’s face. Nona dove out of the way, rolled over to the side, and scrambled to her feet. The gap was open. All she had to do was get through the gap and run. Get as far away from here as possible. Find her way home.

‘STAY’

The doppleganger caught Nona by the back of her neck and threw her to the side as if she were nothing. She crashed into a stone pillar and fell to the ground with rocks crumbling on top of her.

‘Join.’

The dappleganger reached a clawed hand into the rubble and pulled Nona out by her neck. Nona felt the creatures sharp nails pierce into her skin, making blood seep out of her neck. She tried to fight back, but the creature’s grip was too powerful.

‘You will join.’

It stared up at her with soulless, black eyes. The ground beneath them was starting to shake violently. Nona hung helplessly in the creatures grasp, trying to yell, or call out for help, trying to do anything.

‘Join us.’

Black smokey tendrils slithered from the creatures back. They moved quickly along it’s body up to Nona. The air around them became thick and dark. Nona felt pressure along her body where the tendrils were touching her. Then suddenly, she felt thousands of white hot needles in her back. She tried to scream, but all that came out was gurgled and strained. Blood poured slowly from her mouth and she felt like her flesh, her muscles, everything was being peeled away from her bones.

The creature watched, a gruesomely pleased expression on it’s face. It released Nona’s neck, but she didn’t drop down. The tendrils were digging into her back and holding her up in the air in front of the creature.

It’s face twisted into something grotesque. Something that wasn’t Nona anymore. Something hideous and hulking. The creature grinned a mouth full of teeth at Nona and lifted a hand to her. The pain from her back traveled up her spine and into her head. Stabbing, hot pain along her skull. She finally screamed. She kept screaming until her throat felt raw.

“NONA!”

Nona shot out of bed. Fully unaware of her surroundings, mouth tasting like blood only for a split second. Her instincts went into fight or flight mode. She scrambled to the corner of the room, back to the wall, and took in her surroundings in a panic.

It was several moments of panicked breathing before Nona realize: she was in Mezuma’s room. She was in her girlfriends room. And Mezuma was kneeling on the bed looking at her with an expression she’d never seen her with before. It was a horrible mixture of confusion and fear.

“Nona?” she spoke with a crack in her voice.

The initial adrenaline was wearing off and she started to sink down onto the floor, unable to have the strength to hold herself up anymore. She had absolutely no idea what just happened. How could she have been in the Wastelands one minute and back in Mezuma’s bed the next minute?

“Baby what’s happening? Talk to me.” Mezuma rushed over to her girlfriend in a flurry of concerned but gentle hands touching her face and neck, like they were seeking out injuries.

“I..” Nona swallowed thickly and licked her lips. “Where was I?”

“You were here.” she knelt down in front of her. “You were asleep right next to me and then you started screamin’.”

“I-I wasn’t. I was.. I was in the Wastelands. How could I..”

“Nona, you were here.” Mezuma scooted closer to her and made Nona look up at her. “You... you had a bad dream.”

“A bad dream?” Nona looked her in the eye more confused than ever. Mezuma stared back at her with an equally confused expression.

“Have you.. have you never had a dream before?”

Nona shook her head, her hands were starting to visibly shake and she felt sweaty and cold. Mezuma looked at her with a frown and took both of her hands in hers, squeezing them tightly.

“You were here.” she said calmly. “You were asleep in my arms. You didn’t go anywhere. You were here safe with me.”

“It felt real.” Nona responded with a small broken voice. “I shouldn’t have been there.. there was these ruins- and.. and this thing.. It.. it WANTED me there and I..”

“Maybe it was a memory.” Mezuma said softly. “From when you were in the Wastelands.”

“It couldn’t have been.” Nona shook her head and swallowed again. “I don’t remember ever being there. But that thing.. that thing looked like me and it.. everything started hurting.. I’ve never.. felt that kind of pain before...”

“Is that why you started screaming?”

“Yes.” Nona rolled her stiff shoulders and shivered in relief when she realized there wasn’t any pain in her back or her head. Nothing in her dream had actually happened to her. “I scared you...”

“No, Nona.” Mezuma gathered the other woman into her arms and held her close to her chest. “Maybe a little.. I’ve just.. I’ve never seen you like this before.. I was worried. You were screamin’ like.. like you were in pain or somethin’.”

“I was... I was so scared.” she let out a very shaky breath, wrapped her arms around Mezuma, and held her tightly. “I’ve never experienced this before. I don’t know.. what to do.”

“Shh, it’s okay.” Mezuma scratched her fingers alone Nona’s neck and shoulders. “It was just a bad dream.. It’s normal to have bad dreams.”

“But I’ve never had them before.. Why am I having one now..”

“Who knows...” Mezuma sighed and pressed a kiss to the top of Nona’s head, being careful of her girlfriends horns.

“I want to be normal..” Nona confessed quietly. “I’m tired.. of not knowing who or what I am.”

“Oh Nona.” Mezuma cupped Nona’s head in her hands and looked down at her with a soft but sad expression. “I wont be able to understand how you feel.. not knowin’ anythin’ about yourself or who you were before. But everythin’ you are now is apart of you.. And.. I like you the way you are.. I’ll keep likin’ the parts about yourself that you don’t like.. because they’re what make you.. you.”

“Mezuma..” Nona looked up at her in wonder and felt her heart leap. “I don’t.. deserve this. I don’t deserve you.. I’ve done nothing.. in my life that should.. allow me to have you apart of it in anyway.”

“I allowed me to be apart of your life, Nona.”

“I know that.” Nona sighed with a frown. “I’ve done.. terrible things. In the Wastelands.. I was a monster. I was dangerous and malicious.. I killed anything that came near me without a care. I killed demons that had lives.. and families. That’s why when... when Oserious found me and.. he helped me. I wanted to.. to try and mend what I had done to those demons I needlessly slaughtered.”

“That’s why you still work for him..” Mezuma concluded.

“Yes.” she nodded her head and slumped her shoulders, as if a great weight was lifted from them. “I can still see them sometimes.. The demons I killed. I remember all of them.”

“It’s called guilt.” Mezuma scooted closer to Nona and sat more on her legs to look Nona in the eye. “You’ve learned from your mistakes and you feel guilty for what you did. You’re not.. a bad demon, Nona.”

It was true. Nona was unaware of any repercussions of her own actions out there in the Wastelands. In fact she was unaware of a lot of things out there. She only knew anger and pain until Oserious came along. He gave her a second chance. He’s done so much for her and now.. Mezuma was doing the same.

“You are.. so amazing, Mezuma.” Nona gathered her girlfriend up in her arms with a small smile. “I feel.. so wonderfully different when I am with you. I’m.. not guarded around you like I am with others. You.. allow me to be.. vulnerable and you look at me with sympathy and not pity. I could never.. thank you enough for what you’ve done for me or pay you back in anyway.”

“Well.. the great thing about dating is you don’t have to pay me back for anything.” Mezuma smiled at her and cupped her jaw.

“It’s so terrifying how easy you make this.” Nona chuckled. “I fear the day we will no longer be together...”

“I ain’t goin’ anywhere. Are you goin’ anywhere?”

“No, but-” Mezuma silenced her with a hand over her mouth.

“Relationships only have an expiration date when the relationship is rotten.” she smiled at her and removed her hand. “There’s nothin’ rotten about us. And I ain’t goin’ anywhere. So.. you’re stuck with me.”

“What a burden I must bare.” Nona responded with a teasing tone.

“You like me.” 

“Mhm.” Nona hummed in agreement and cupped the back of her girlfriends head to guide her into a kiss.

“Hi.” Mezuma whispered when she pulled away.

“Hello.” Nona said back.

“You feelin’ any better?”

“I am.. still shaken. I don’t believe sleep will come easy for me..”

“We can watch some tv?”

“Actually.. I have.. a vice I would like to indulge in..”

“A vice?”

“Yes. A particularly bad habit I picked up from Mikla during times of stress.” Nona pushed herself off of the ground and held a hand out to help Mezuma stand with her. “I can go outside to smoke. I wouldn’t want to force the habit around you.”

“I smoke sometimes too, don’t worry.” Mezuma followed her into the kitchen, where Nona’s coat was hanging on the back of a chair. “We can open a window in my room, if you’ll let me join you.”

“Of course.” Nona pulled out a metal pocketbook, opened it, and handed a cigarette to Mezuma. Mezume placed it between her lips and dragged Nona back into her room where she opened up the window and climbed on top of the dresser to sit on the sill. Nona climbed up to join her.

“So she doesn’t drink.. but she smokes.” Mezuma accepted the lighter from Nona and used it to light her cig.

“It’s a more terrible habit as well.” Nona pulled out a cigarette for herself. “But I suppose everyone is allowed a vice.”

“I ain’t judgin’.” Mezuma handed the lighter back to the other woman before taking a deep drag from her cigarette. “I work at a place where vices are old friends, Nona.”

“I’m aware.” Nona placed hers between her lips with a chuckle, lit it, and set the lighter down as she inhaled. She blew out the smoke and it curled around her face like a dragon breathing fire. “Will you continue to work there if Lady Jou gives you more shifts at the lounge?”

“I don’t know.” Mezuma leaned back against the window frame and spread her legs out onto Nona’s lap. “I mean the smart answer would be no. I would be makin’ more money at Fatal Ecstasy. But.. I have so many friends there.. I don’t want to abandon them all. I owe Malii so much, he’s the one who got me this job.”

“I don’t think he would have done that for you so you would owe him anything. He does not seem the type of demon to do that.”

“He did say I deserved better than that place.” Mezuma brought the cigarette to her lips again. “What if I don’t make friends at this new place?”

“That would be astonishing.” Nona chuckled. “Mikla fought me tooth and nail just to meet you and you think you wont make any new friends.”

“Quit bein’ an ass.” she kicked out her leg against Nona’s shoulder, who blocked it easily with her arm. “I mean that.. I’m the new girl, ya know? They’ve been workin’ together a while and I just showed up one day and now I have to fit in somewhere.”

“You will fit in just fine.” Nona put her cigeratte between her lips before grabbing Mezuma’s legs and pulling her girlfriend towards her. Mezuma responded with a small squeak and instinctively wrapped her arms and legs around the other woman. “You shouldn’t doubt yourself.”

“I don’t doubt myself.. I just want this job to work out. I’ve wanted something like this for years and now that I have it, I’m afraid it wont live up to the hype I’ve built myself up for.”

“What happens if it does not work.” Nona turned her head to blow smoke out the window. “Will you give up?”

“Fuck no, are you kiddin’? I’ve been workin’ too long and too hard to just give up if it doesn’t work. I haven’t given up before, I ain’t about to start now.”

“Then why do you have such fear now? What’s different about it now?”

“Because I’m.. I have it now. I’ve always been so close before and I’ve had it ripped away from me. But now.. I’m doin’ it. I’m singin’. I finally have it. I just..” she paused a moment to take a quick drag from her cigarette and blow the smoke out the window. “If I quit the club.. and lose the lounge somehow.. I’ve got nothin’. I have to start from square one again. And I don’t like.. not havin’ a back up.”

“You’ve got me.”

“I don’t wanna use you like that.”

“You’re not using me. I am offering.” Nona blew out smoke from her nostrils and placed her hands on Mezuma’s waist. “I want nothing more than to take care of everything for you. But I am very much aware that you are an incredibly independent demon who is capable of handling herself.”

“Damn right I am.”

“Regardless.” she chuckled. “You wouldn’t have to start from square one. Because I would be able to help out where you needed it.. Until you were back on your feet again.”

“I would owe you so much if you did that for me.” Mezuma said softly.

“There’s an endless list of things I would do for you, Mezuma, and you would not have to do a single thing for me in return.” Nona leaned her head down, pressing her forehead against the other woman’s as she breathed out more smoke between them, covering them in a haze. “I would stop the world for you.”

“That’s a lot of serious talk, Nona.” the pink haired woman spoke in a whisper.

“Does that frighten you?”

“No.”

Today, he’s decided he needs his own day off and he’s gonna ask Nona to join him.

It was an hour drive to Nona’s apartment, Oserious had his home set up in a pretty secluded area. Mikla hasn’t even contacted Nona in anyway to let him know he was arriving at her apartment.

An elevator ride later, Mikla was knocking on the door to Nona’s apartment.

“Mikla?” a very tired looking Nona answered the door, she was still in her pajamas (joggers and a rumpled from sleep white shirt), which was new for Mikla to see compared to her usual everyday wear.

“Hello hello, Nans. How are you this fine day? Love the outfit.”

“What do you want?” she rubbed her face in annoyance.

“You gonna invite me in? It’s rude not invitin’ company in.”

“I’d rather you didn’t come in.”

“Why not?”

“I have my reasons.”

“Oooh, is the lady friend around then?” Mikla said, trying to peer over Nona’s shoulder into the apartment. “Well she can be included. I have a proposition for ya, Nans.”

“And what is this proposition...”

“Well if ya let me in I can explain everythin’ to both of ya, Banona. You know I hate repeatin’ myself.”

Nona gave out the longest sigh ever and rubbed her tired eyes in both annoyance and thought. This was inevitable. Mikla and Mezuma were bond to meet at some point, she just wish she had been better prepared and not have it sprung on her like this. After careful consideration, she stepped aside and gestured for Mikla to enter the apartment. When she shut the door, she shoved Mikla into one of the empty chairs in the kitchen and pointed at him in warning.

“Stay.” she kept her gaze on him while she walked towards the half wall separating the bedroom from the kitchen where Mezuma was half asleep, wrapped up in the bedsheet.

“Who is it?” Mezuma asked through a yawn.

“An annoyance.” Nona went over and pressed a quick kiss to the top of her girlfriends head.

“Tell the annoyance to go away.” yawning again, Mezuma reached her tired hands out to Nona, gesturing her to come into her space. “Come back to bed, babe...” she pouted.

“I would love nothing more than to do that, but I’m afraid Mikla is a very persistent being.”

“Hey wait-” suddenly wide awake, Mezuma sat up, holding the bedsheet against her chest. “You didn’t say it was Mikla.”

“I made it very clear it was Mikla.”

“Callin’ him ‘an annoyance’ isn’t the same thing, Nona.” Mezuma fumbled out of the bed, still wrapped up in the sheet, and was stopped by Nona from going any further out of the bedroom area.

“Please put on clothes before meeting him.” Nona begged in a loud whisper.

“I meet all kinds of strangers with less clothes on than this, Nona. Remember what my job is? Meetin’ someone wearin’ just a bed sheet is an upgrade for me.” Mezuma waved off her girlfriend and scuttled out into the kitchen.

“Well hello there gorgeous!” Mikla stood up from his seat at the kitchen table and bowed very deeply to Mezuma. “What a happy accident that you happened to be here today.” he took one of her hands in his, bowed his head a bit, and kissed the top of her hand. “Name’s Miklazal, only when I’m in trouble. Associates call me Mikla and friends call me Miky.”

“Mezuma.” she responded with a grin. “Friends call me, Mezzie. Nice to finally meet you, Miky.”

“Charmed, Mezzie.” he shot her a wink before Nona shoved him back into the kitchen chair again. “Relax, Nans, it’s going swimmingly!”

“That’s what I’m afraid of.” Nona crossed her arms and stared down at him. “What was it you were speaking of earlier?”

“Oh right! See, I’ve been goin’ stir crazy bein’ stuck in that big ol’ house all by me lonesome and decided to take the day off today. So, I thought ‘well I’ll go out and do some shoppin’!’ A grand idea, eh? But it’s no fun doin’ that by myself. And I thought, I’d invite my best mate Nona to come join me!”

“You need a bodyguard to go shopping?”

“Not as a bodyguard, you absolute banana, as a friend. Since Mezzie is here too, she’s more then welcome- no- I am requestin’, that you come along as well.” Mikla hopped up to his feet and patted off his fur collared jacket. “We’re gonna go on a nice shoppin’ trip as three people who need to go shoppin’.”

“I don’t need to go shopping.”

“Mezuma help me out here.” Mikla turned to the pink demon. “Maybe you can finally help me convince this wonderful giantess to buy some practical and fashionable outfits. She wore those boots the other day, the ones with the gold studs on the back, I know she didn’t come up with that herself.”

“That was my suggestion.” Mezuma smiled and fluttered her lashes at her girlfriend.

“See! That’s is what I need! She don’t listen to me anymore-”

“I never did.” Nona cut in.

“-but she seems to listen to you no problem!” Mikla finished.

“Probably cause you’re not bangin’ her on the regular.” Mezuma pinched Nona’s cheek as the taller woman groaned again.

“I regret so many things.”

“No you don’t.” Mezuma tugged her girlfriends arm towards the other side of the half wall. “We’re gonna get dressed all nice like, and we’re gonna go join Miky shoppin’ because he’s your friend and you do need some new clothes.”

“I don’t need new clothes.”

“You do, you keep bleeding on them or gettin’ them cut up.” Mezuma tossed the bed sheet onto the bed and put on underwear she had stored in one of Nona’s drawers.

“I dislike shopping.” Nona sighed before getting distracted by her less than dressed girlfriend and wrapping her arms around Mezuma’s waist. “I would rather spend all day laying in bed with you.”

“We can do that any day.” Mezuma giggled and gently shoved Nona off.

“Who was it that wanted to do that just moments ago?”

“That was when I didn’t know it was Mikla gracing us with his presence and invitin’ us to go shop.” she swatted at Nona who was trying to deter her from properly getting dressed. “You are distracting me!” she called out with a giggle.

“You think you can stop me with these tiny hands?” Nona asked, easily blocking her girlfriends playful punches.

“I can do a lot of things to you with these tiny hands and I did last night.”

“Don’t.” Nona dragged her girlfriend close and put a hand over her mouth. “Mikla will hear you.”

“Aw,” Mezuma grinned and pushed Nona’s hand away from her face. “Big bad demon gettin’ all flustered~ Doesn’t want her best friend hearin’ how she has seeeeeeex~”

“Stop.” Nona bit her tongue to stop herself from laughing. “Get dressed, you menace.”

“You like me.”

“I do, yes..” Nona smiled and gave her girlfriend a quick kiss before going off to change into clean clothes of her own.

Mezuma was fast, already having on her outfit when Nona disappeared into the bathroom to fix her hair. Black high wasted shorts with a matching black, loose collared long sleeved shirt tucked into the pants.

“Oh Mezzie please.” Mikla slapped his hand on his chest right above his heart. “You slay me, the world cannot possibly be ready to handle you today.”

“The world is never ready to handle me, Miky.” Mezuma smiled and gave a little twirl.

“She’s modest and she gives a lovely twirl. Nona, how could you try to prolong me meetin’ this wonderful lady?” Mikla spoke accusingly to Nona, who was pulling back her hair as she was leaving the bathroom.

“I have my reasons.” Her outfit was a usual one. Leather pants and a black shirt tucked in.

“She just doesn’t like me havin’ any fun.” Mikla loudly whispered to Mezuma.

“I think you’re right.” Mezuma whispered back.

“Please behave.” Nona handed Mezuma her pink furred coat and heels then went to put on her boots and grab her jacket.

“I will if you wear the fur lined jacket you have.”

“I don’t have a fur lined jacket.”

“Yes you do.” Mezuma finished putting on her heels and went over to Nona’s closet to search through it. Moments later, she pulled out a jacket from the back that had dark gray fur on the collar of it.

“I was unaware I had that.” Nona took it from her and stared at her skeptically. “Why am I wearing this again?”

“Because it’ll look nice on you and you’ll match me and Miky. We have a fur theme going.”

“I love you more and more with each passing moment, Mezuma.” Mikla swooned from the front door.

“Mikla.” Nona warned.

“Behave, I know.” Mikla waved her off and grabbed his sunglasses from his pocket. “You both must be starvin’, so brunch is on me ladies.”

~~~

Brunch was at a cafe up north called Vice & Virtue. A cafe Mikla enjoyed for the hilariously ironic name and their extensive drink bar. Just as he offered he paid for everything and escorted both Mezuma and Nona out of the cafe.

“Now, Mezzie.” Mikla hooked an arm around hers. “Tell me, love.. what is it that you do for a livin’?”

“Well, Miky. I’m an dancer at this fine establishment called ‘The Crimson Club’.”

“I’ve been there a couple times, can’t remember if I’ve seen you before or not. I woulda remembered your face if I had.”

“You’re too much of a personality to miss, I don’t recall ever runnin’ into you there.”

“That how you two met then?” he asked looking at Nona who was holding Mezuma’s other hand and walking silently next to the two of them, slowly accepting her fate at this point.

“Not exactly-”

“She saved me from my asshole ex who kidnapped me.” Mezuma interrupted. “He stole weapons from your Uncle but.. Nona saved me. She didn’t have to but she did.” she smiled and squeezed her girlfriends hand. “We did run into each other again at the club.”

“I was on a job.” Nona quickly said.

“No pleasure eh?” Mikla asked, wiggling his eyebrows at Nona.

“It was all business with her despite how much I flirted.” Mezuma sighed.

“I came around, didn’t I?”

“Yes, but it took some convincin’.” the pink haired woman smiled at the other woman. “I am glad you came back that night.”

“You mean that night I pulled her away?” Mikla asked. “She almost didn’ if I hadn’t convinced her to go.”

“Oh really?” she responded, raising a brow at Nona.

“I thought I was too late.” Nona answered with a frown.

“Devastated she was. Practically in tears!” Mikla mused dramatically.

“I was not.”

“Nah, but you weren’t yourself. And I was worried about you! I ain’t never seen you that hung up on someone before. I wanted to help out. You’re always helpin’ me out, I wanted to return the favor!

“I thought you told me friends don’t have to return favors?”

“Did you-” Mikla stopped walking, and grabbed at his heart while leaning up against a street light post. “My Gods, did anyone else hear that? Nona. Banana Nona Nans, just said- nay- proclaimed that we were friends! Am I having a stroke? Can demons have strokes? I’m genuinely curious now.”

“If we ignore him, he will get over it.” Nona tugged gently at her and her girlfriends joint hands so they could continue walking.

“He is a bit over dramatic.” Mezuma said with a laugh.

“Only when he’s awake.”

“But did you mean it?” Mezuma asked quietly.

“I didn’t mean to say it out loud, but yes..” Nona replied softly.

“Hold on!” Mikla jogged up next to them and pushed his sunglasses up to the top of his head. “First stop is right here, ladies.” he steered them towards a large boutique store.

Very posh and nicely dressed demons greeted them at the door. Mezuma stuck herself to Nona’s side, afraid to touch anything because she would never be able to rationally afford any of the things sold here, not unless she wanted to give up eating for a week.

“This is not the place you usually shop at, Mikla.” Nona mentioned.

“I need new sunnys.” Mikla pointed up to the plain black pair on top of his head. “My good pair got knocked off my face and smashed on the ground by some bloke tryin’ to start shit.” he looked over the small portion of wall littered with different sunglasses.

“For one pair of sunglasses?” both ladies walked over to the wall of sunglasses as Mikla was pulling out a pair of round sunglasses with leopard print frames.

“Yes, Nona. I like the sunnys they have here. I always get my glasses here.” he tried them on and dramatically looked over at Mezuma to model them for her. “Yes or No?”

“Absolutely, yes.” Mezuma laughed.

“Thought so. They will clash with my clothes in the best kind of way.” he pushed those up onto his forehead. Then he reached over to a pair of cat eye shaped ones with pink lenses and gold framing. “Try those bad boys on, Mez.”

“Hell no, I can’t afford 40 dollars for a pair of sunglasses, I ain’t riskin’ tryin’ em on and breakin’ them.”

“You wont break em. Go on then.” he handed the sunglasses to her, which she took very gingerly and tried them on. “I’ll find a pair for you to try on as well, Nans.”

“I don’t need sunglasses.” Nona watched with a smile as her girlfriend looked at herself in the mirror and made kissy faces to her reflection. “They look good on you.”

“They do.” Mezuma said with a sad sigh. “Too bad, I want to be able to eat this week.”

“I can get them for you.” Nona offered.

“Nona, I’m not letting you buy me a pair of sunglasses.”

“No, you’re lettin’ me buy you a pair of sunglasses.” Mikla carefully picked the sunglasses off of Mezuma’s face with a smile.

“There’s no way in Hell I’m lettin’ you buy those for me!”

“Too late. I’m gettin’ these for Nan too.” He held up a pair of black sunglasses with a gold frame and backed up towards the register.

“That’s why I offered to by them for you.” Nona said softly.

“I don’t need them.” Mezuma mumbled. “And I don’t need people buyin’ things for me.”

“But you wanted them...”

“I don’t need them. I know the differences between want and need. And I definitely don’t want other people buyin’ shit for me that I don’t need.”

“Call it a friend buyin’ another friend a spur of the moment gift.” Mikla returned and handed each pair of sunglasses to the corresponding ladies he purchased them for. “No muss, no fuss. Just sunglasses.” he winked at Mezuma and put his on before walking towards the door.

“He means well.” Nona put on the glasses she was given and held out her hand for Mezuma to grab.

“This ain’t gonna sit right with me.” Mezuma begrudgingly put on her pair and took Nona’s hand while following her out of the boutique.

“I told ya, no fuss!” Mikla smiled at her. “I like doin’ things for good demons. And you must be some sort of saint for putting up with Nona and whatever follows her, cause trust me, every potential lover I try bringin’ round to this life style we lead ain’t easy breezy. This one had her eye shot out two days ago and you’re still lookin’ at her like she’s made of flippin’ sunshine and rainbows, which ain’t true in anyway, shape, or form.”

“Mikla.” Nona warned as Mezuma covered her mouth to stifle her laughter.

“Ain’t no thing. I buy Nona random shit too. It’s just a thing I do. Nona is right, friends don’t have to pay each other back, but if you want to.. you can just buy me a drink at that club of yours the next time you’re workin’ and I happen to be round the area.”

“Alright, I will... if I’m still there.”

“What, you quittin’? Gettin’ fired?” Mikla turned around suddenly.  “Cause I’ll call some damn names if someone plans on firin’ ya.”

“No,” Mezuma chuckled. “I’m startin’ a new job on Friday. I’m singin’ between sets at Fatal Ecstasy a couple nights a week.”

“No shit!” exclaimed Mikla. “I would ask why I wasn’t informed of this sooner but I’m only just knowin’ you as a person today and not just a vague concept Nona likes to cryptically inform me of.”

“You mean after you interrogate me.”

“Ain’t no one alive that could possibly interrogate you, Nanners.” Mikla tapped his finger on her nose and ducked out of the way when Nona took a swipe at him. “I’m sure celebrations are in order for the new job.”

“No more buyin’ me shit, Miklazal.”

“Ooo, you’re throwin’ down the full name then, Miss Mezuma. I see how it is.” Mikla grinned at her. “Alright, no more lavishin’ my friends with things. I do however still need to shop for new shirts and I require your assistance in gettin’ our mutual 3rd party member here some bangin’ new clothes. Do you accept me challenge, Mezuma?”

“Sign me up, sir.” Mezuma responded with a salute.

“A woman after my own heart.” Mikla patted at his chest with a goofy grin. “Now we go do the real shoppin’.”

It was a quick drive away, but the actual store they went to for shopping was a little thrifty place closer to where Mezuma lives. Meaning, things were a little more on the affordable side for her.

“He likes this place a lot.” Nona explained as they walked into the small, empty store. “They always have hideously patterned shirts that he buys in bulk.”

“I’ll thank you not to insult my style, Nona.” Mikla warned. “Now, you two run off and go pick out some clothes to try on. We’ll meet in the dressin’ room area in thirty minutes to try on and show off our finds.”

“Roger.” Mezuma gave him another salute and tugged Nona’s arm towards the other end of the store where the women’s section is.

“I have no desire to try on any clothes from here.”

“That’s too bad.” Mezuma searched through the rack and picked out a black button up shirt with gold floral print along the collar and shoulders. “Cause you’d look really good in this.”

“I suppose..” Nona picked at the sleeve and ran her fingers along the pattern on the collar. “Do I have really have to try everything on..”

“Yes. Because you like me.” Mezuma smiled and handed the shirt for Nona to hold on to. Searching through the rack again she pulled out three more black button up shirts with more subtle gold patterns on them, a couple plain black t-shirts, and, laughing to herself, she grabbed a black shirt with a skull hand flipping the middle finger.

“You haven’t gotten anything for yourself yet.”

“I’m workin’ on it.” Mezuma quickly looked at the time on her phone. “We’ve got fifteen minutes before we’ve got to meet up with Miky.”

Nona followed quietly as Mezuma searched through a few racks, pulling out various shirts and pants to look out before deciding if it was worth trying any of them on. At the end of the fifteen minutes, Nona was carrying more than several items of clothing to the dressing room area in the back of the store.

“Looks like we’ve got some excellent finds here, ladies.” Mikla had already taken off his own coat and rested it on one of the chairs in the changing area. He had a stack of clothes himself, about a dozen shirts with vastly different patterns, and a few things hanging up in the changing cubical.

“You work fast.” Mezuma commented as she helped Nona get their things sorted out.

“I’m a demon who knows what he wants. By the by,” he went to the cubical he’s temporarily claimed, and pulled one of the things he had hanging in there off the hook. “Found this for ya, Nans.” It was a 3 piece all black suit with some gold studs along the shoulders of the suit jacket.

“Why would I need a suit? Suits are impractical to move in and you wanted me to get practical clothes, Mikla.”

“I also said fashionable, and this, my friend, is a LOOK.”

“I agree with Miky, I think you should try it on.” Mezuma shrugged out of her jacket, hung it up on the chair next to Mikla’s, and went to look at the suit. “It can’t hurt to try it on.” she said with a shrug.

“Fine.” Nona sighed heavily before taking the suit from Mikla. “I will try on the suit.” she disappeared in one the free changing cubicles at the other end of the changing area.

“While I have just you here for the moment.” Mikla tugged his phone out of his pocket. “I believe number exchanges are in order?”

“Yes please.” Mezuma very excitedly took his phone, typed in her number, and handed it back to him when she was finished.

“Cheers.” he sent her a quick text message. “You call me or text me about anythin’ and everythin’, Mezuma. I don’t mind. I know it can be difficult bein’... in this life style so I wanna be able to be there, yanno?”

“I knew what I was gettin’ into when I wanted to pursue Nona, Mikla.” Mezuma crossed her arms. “I ain’t stupid.”

“I know ya ain’t stupid, Mez. But it’s different hearin’ about these sort of things and then actually bein’ apart it.” Mikla smiled at her. “I adore you immensely, Mezuma, and I adore you bein’ with Nona. Bein’ with you as made her.. more colorful. For so long she’s been stuck in this rut thinkin’ this was all she was meant for in life and now she’s finally doin’ things for herself and I’m thrilled to bits about it.”

“Thank you for sayin’ that.” Mezuma rubbed nervously at her arm. “I’m always worried that I’m takin’ too much from this relationship. She’s helped me so much in so many ways. But.. hearin’ that I’m actually doin’ somethin’ for her makes me feel a little better.”

“You are, in more ways than you realize. I think bein’ with you has allowed her... to find herself and be more of herself. And I hope she’s treatin’ ya with the utmost respect that you so rightfully deserve.”

“She is.” Mezuma sheepishly tucked some hair behind her ear with a goofy smile.

“Oh love, you’ve got it bad.”

“Just a little bit.” she answered with a wink.

The curtain covering the cubicle that Nona was in was pushed back and Nona walked out wearing the three piece suit. She was too busy with adjusting the sleeves that she didn’t catch the surprise expression on Mezuma’s face until Mikla started laughing at the pink haired demon’s reaction.

“Oh my Gods.” he fell back into his chair laughing and holding his stomach.

“I don’t appreciate the laughing.” Nona frowned at Mikla.

“No, no, no, Gods no, I’m not laughin’ at you Nans. I’m laughing at your girl!” he snorted aggressively through his laughter and pushed at Mezuma’s lower back, making her stumble towards Nona a bit, the shocked expression still on her face.

“Hm.” Nona shoved her hands into the pockets of the pants and smirked at her girlfriend. “See something you like, Mezuma?”

“I...” Mezuma kept opening and closing her mouth to say something but her thoughts were too jumbled to come up with anything coherent. Instead, she crowded into Nona’s space and grabbing at the opening of the suit jacket. “You look really hot.” she breathed, daring to look up at her smug faced girlfriend.

“Do I?” Nona answered with an amused tone. It was so rare that Mezuma was the flustered one like this and Nona was finding great pleasure in rendering her girlfriend speechless. “Maybe I should purchase it then?”

“If you don’t, I’m buyin’ it for you.” Mikla called from the other end of the changing area. Mezuma jumped suddenly, completely forgetting he was there (and more importantly that they were in public) and cleared her throat before going over to her pile of clothes and grabbing something to try on.

“I’ll get it.” she looked at Mezuma again and winked at her as she disappeared back into her changing cubicle.

“Boy oh boy, I can’t take either of you anywhere.” Mikla tsked and sorted through his pile of clothes before picking out a button up that looked like the stain glass windows from a church.

It was a slow night at the club when Malii called Mezuma over to the bar during her walk arounds.

“Yes, Malii. I’m still alive.” Mezuma hopped up on one of the bar stools. “She has a name, ya know.”

“I’m old, I ain’t stupid. I know she got a name. Everyone’s got a name, Mez.”

“There’s no reason to be afraid of sayin’ a name, Malii. Her or Oserious’s.”

“Don’t!” Malii shot a hand out to cover Mezuma’s mouth and shushed her. “Listen, she scares me, but he scares me more. He’s been around here for decades doin’ what he does. No one messes with him, unless they’re stupid or desperate. And I ain’t either of those things.”

“You’re kinda stupid.” Mezuma shoved Malii’s hand off her face. “Believin’ fairytales.”

“Look, all I’m sayin’ is.. I want to make sure you’re okay. You gettin’ mixed up in her business worries me.”

“I know what I’m gettin’ into, Malii. You don’t need to worry about me. I’m a big girl, I can handle my own.”

“I know that, kiddo.” Malii tossed his hand towel at her. “That ain’t the reason I called you over here.”

“Oh? We callin’ out my love life already, what more ya got?”

“I found a job for you.” Malii grinned a big toothy grin.

“Shut up!” Mezuma tucked her legs underneath her so she was kneeling on the stool, almost crawling over the bar counter. “Are you serious? Malii.. if you’re fuckin’ with me...”

“I wouldn’t kid about this, Mez.” Malii pulled a business card from his pocket and handed it to Mezuma. “That’s the place. Use my buddies name, it’s on the card.”

“I’ve never even heard of this place, Fatal Ecstasy?”

“It’s a little up north where the nicer places are. Just opened up and it’s already really big. They’re only hirin’ people the employees recommend. So I had to swing a favor in with my buddy there.”

“Malii they’re not gonna hire me. They wont wanna hire some stripper to their nice place.”

“They will. Cause you’ve got the talent and the charisma for a place like this. You deserve better than this club, Mez.” Malii spoke softly.

“Okay. I’ll give it a try. I mean the worst that can happen is they laugh in my face.”

“They wont laugh.” Malii winked at her and snatched back his towel from her. “Go tomorrow morning. Don’t come back unless it’s good news, okay?”

“Don’t tell me what to do, old man.” Mezuma walked to the back stage door and disappeared to her little dressing area to grab her phone. It just so happened that Fatal Ecstasy was a lot closer to Nona’s place than hers and she was spending the night there tonight. So she was checking her phone to make sure plans hadn’t changed.

Mezuma: still comin 2 get me after work?

Nona: Of course.

~~~

The following morning, Mezuma woke up earlier than she usually does, her giddiness to going to Fatal Ecstasy deterred her from sleeping in. Even Nona, who’s usually awake way before her, was still half asleep when she crawled out of bed.

“You’re up early.” Nona mumbled.

“Yeah, I totally forgot I have to run a quick errand before I go to work.”

“Oh.” with a groan, Nona rolled over onto her back and stretched her arms over her head. “Do you need assistance getting there?”

“I can get there just fine, don’t you worry.” Mezuma was in the bathroom freshening herself up. In the short time they’ve dated, Mezuma had already started leaving extra clothes at Nona’s apartment, so she wasn’t scrambling for a nice clean outfit to wear to Fatal Ecstasy. A white shirt and long black pants should suffice.

“I can take you home after work?” Nona offered.

“Sure.” Mezuma walked back into the bedroom after applying make-up and smiled at Nona. “I’d like that.”

“You look nice.” Nona gave her a dopey, half asleep smile and it made Mezuma’s heart skip.

“Thanks.” she lent down and pressed her red painted lips on Nona’s cheek, leaving a lip mark on her skin. “You have that thing today, right?”

“I am to accompany Mikla to a very important meeting involving a large portion of his associates to discuss something rather important. He insists he wont be in any danger, but I would not want to take the risk.”

“No, we can’t risk losin’ our little Mikla, can we?” Mezuma smiled and pinched Nona’s cheek. “Text me later, okay?”

“I will.”

~~~

“How’s thing’s goin’ wifh you and the girlfriend?” Mikla and Nona were on their way to the meeting place and Mikla decided to take the long drive as an opportunity to play 20 questions with Nona.

“Why do you need to know?”

“Cause I’m curious man, Nans. You datin’ is a new and excitin’. Uncle O is curious too but he keeps sayin’ he respects your privacy enough not to ask.”

“And you don’t?”

“Nah, course I respect ya privacy. I just thought I’d make some polite conversation since we’re gonna be in this car here for a little bit. You ain’t gotta answer if ya don’t want to.”

“They’re going well, if you must know.”

“See? That wasn’t so difficult.” he smiled and playfully punched her arm. “I wish you’d open up more to me Nans, we’ve known each other a long time yanno. I barely know a thing about you.”

“I know too much about you.”

“Cause I’m an open book, Nonnar. It don’t make you vulnerable being open and honest with people. It helps strengthen bonds. Makes you trust people more.”

“Are you implying you don’t trust me?”

“Nah I trust you plenty, Nona. I trust you with my whole damn life.”

“You’re.. not lying.” Nona spoke in silent awe at how calm Mikla’s energy was at the truthfulness of his answer.

“Course I ain’t lyin’.”

“You’re not afraid of me?”

“Nah, I ain’t afraid of ya. Not anymore at least.” Mikla chuckled. “In the beginnin’ bein’ near you would scare the tits off me, but.. I dunno maybe it’s the amount of times you’ve saved my ass or how you keep offerin’ to help me with shit, like today. I just wasn’t afraid of ya anymore. Granted, you still are terrifyin’ as fuck. But I know you wouldn’t hurt me.”

“You can’t say things like that so easily.”

“Can and I did, Nona. That’s how friendships work.”

“Mikla-” Before Nona could respond the car pulled up to a luxurious looking hotel and parked right outside the doors.

“Time to put on our serious faces.” Mikla announced before climbing out of the car with Nona behind him.

The hotel was vast and very decorated, one of the more expensive hotels in Unerverse. At the front desk, there was a woman who greeted the both of them and showed them the way to where the meeting was being held.

One of the dinning areas had been made private for this gathering. There were guards on the outside and inside of every door. The tables were filled with gang leaders and a select few of their associates for protection in numbers. The hall fell silent when the doors opened for Nona and Mikla. A few murmurs here and there about the young blue demon and his body guard, but everyone remind silent and avoided eye contact with Nona especially.

“Right fellas, man of the hour is here.” Mikla took his place up in the front of the room behind a podium. “Apologizes in advance for the absence of my dear ol’ Uncle, but he felt this was a matter I could easily handle with you lot.”

More murmurs in the crowd as Nona stood a few feet behind Mikla.

“Now I’m sure a lot of you have heard about these rumors, if you haven’t let me enlighten you.” Mikla pressed his palms on the podium and leaned against it. “One of you is tryin’ to copy the weapons we’ve been sellin’ ya. And I’m not just talkin’ designs, oh no.. I’m talkin’ the exact demon killin’ ability that my Uncle concocted and combined with human made weapons years ago.”

Now there was a slight uptick in the conversation happening around the room, no longer were there murmurs.

“It ain’t a problem, really, if anyone can even get close to the ability my Uncle has achieved to make permanent demon killing weapons, we’d be offering a partnership with them faster than you can snarf down those rolls you’ve all been eatin’.

“The problem is, this demons are makin’ these weapons and they ain’t doin’ the trick. Now I know this because I’ve confiscated some of these weapons and had a look at them myself. They don’t quite do the job that an Oserious weapon does. The real problem is that these shitty remakes are being sold on the streets, being told they are an Oserious made weapon, and being sold to more than just gang members. I confiscated these weapons off of bratty teenagers.”

There was an uproar in the crowd now. Demons looking to each other for answers. Nona kept a sharp eye on everyone that made any sudden moves, just in case.

“So not only is this an insult to my Uncle’s name, these people are also sellin’ weapons to kids. And we all know the vetting process to getting an Oserious weapon. There’s deals that need to be made, quotas and offers that need to be hashed out. Oserious doesn’t give weapons away to anyone that asks. Fuck no, he looks at all your records. All your history and makes sure that none of yas are pullin’ this type of shit. We don’t fuck around with younglings and we don’t kill maliciously.”

“Do you have any leads on who the culprit could be?” a random voice asked from the crowd.

“Well obviously it’s someone who’s made the deal with Oserious and gone rouge. Since the designs are loosely based off of his work, the perpetrator had to have gotten their hands on the material. Now, I’m not sayin’ it could be someone in this room, that would be a miraculous stroke of luck, but we’ve narrowed it down to the areas within or surrounding each of your terfs.”

Nona felt a shift in the room. It wasn’t huge enough for her to be incredibly worried of an ambush, but someone’s energy had drastically changed since Mikla started his speech and it was becoming more aggressive as he spoke. Now on high alert, her eyes kept darting to each individual person in the crowd, trying to spot anything suspicious.

“We don’t ask for much, my uncle and I, but if anyone has or gets any information about this subject, please do not hesitate to contact me. But unfortunately, until this problems is resolved, we will have to put a hard ban on our weapon sellin’. Thanks for your time, enjoy your meal!”

That caused a rise in volume in the room. Mikla looked back over to Nona to motion her to leave with him, but she was staring hard at the balcony to the second floor area. From the corner, a figure pulled a modified gun with a scoop out from beneath his hoodie. Mikla turned to look at the balcony just in time to see the demon line the gun up to him and fire.

The room fell silent as soon as the gun went off then quickly erupted into chaos. Demons were diving underneath tables and chairs, covering their heads and pulling out their own guns in defense. Mikla felt he was watching the whole event happen in slow motion. He could see the bullet coming towards him and he wasn’t quick enough to react.

There was a sickening crack followed by a gushing noise. Mikla will never forget that sound for as long as he lives. He looked up at Nona who was suddenly standing in front of him. All he could see was the back of her head. Nona made a very strained and quiet pained noise, that only Mikla seemed to have heard, and she turned to look at him.

Black blood was pouring from her eye.. or rather, where her eye was. The bullet tore through her left eye and must’ve been stopped, somehow, before it went any further. It was just an empty socket covered in blood. She had a hand out, holding her own eyeball and what was left of the bullet. The blood was already soaking most of her shirt and covered half of her face, but she was still standing.

“Hold this.” Nona dumped the bullet, and the eye, into Mikla’s hand. With her other hand she pressed her first finger and middle finger to the moon on her forehead, summoning the symbol out before pulling a sword from the shape.

“Nona!!” Mikla shouted after Nona lept up into the second floor balcony and started pursuing the would be assassin.

~~~

Tonight was busy at Club Crimson. Mezuma was running late from her audition and had to get ready for work as soon as she walked into the club. She couldn’t even stop by the bar at any point during her shift to tell Malii the good news. When the evening started to settle and the other dancers were getting ready to leave, Mezuma saddled up to the bar.

“How’d it go today?” Malii asked as he was busying himself with wiping down counter and cleaning out glasses.

“I think they liked me a lot.” Mezuma grinned. “Lady Juo, the owner, said she’d get back to me tomorrow. But.. I have a really good feelin’ about this, Malii.”

“Told ya you’d nail it!” Malii clapped his hands together enthusiastically and reached over the counter to pinch her cheeks. “You gotta tell me the second they call you back, Mez. I mean it! I better be the first person who knows.”

“You’ll be top of my list.” she promised. “After, Nona.”

“Figures.” Malii shook his head with a chuckle. “She pickin’ you up again?”

“She told me she would, but I haven’t really heard from her all day..” Mezuma pulled her phone out, saw there weren’t any new notifications, and tapped on Nona’s number to call her. The phone rang and went to the answering machine, so Mezuma hung up and tried it again.

“Everythin’ okay?”

“I don’t know.. this isn’t like her.” Mezuma scrolled through their texts, doubling checking to see if she missed anything. “Even when she’s busy, she still makes time to text me..”

“Maybe she got caught up in somethin’?”

I dunno... I..I gotta go.. I’ll see you later, Malii.”

“Get home safe, kiddo.”

Mezuma left the club in a hurry. She was still dialing and redialing Nona’s number as she walked home. Usually when she calls Nona, it gets picked up after the first two rings. Or if she’s busy, she will call her back right away. But no one was picking up at all. It wasn’t until she got home that she left a voice message.

“Nona, I’m home already. I’m kinda miffed you didn’t tell me you were busy, but I’m worried you ain’t pickin’ up now. I hope everything’s okay.. Just, yanno, call me when you get this.”

Her mind was racing. Kozic use to pull this kind of shit with her all the time. He would just leave out of the blue for hours or days and come back like nothing had happened. She’d spend so much time calling him and texting him with no answer exactly like what was happening right now. And it made her feel much worse even comparing Nona to that asshole, because Mezuma knows Nona’s job can be time consuming. Kozic was still fucking things up for her even after their break up.

It was another hour before Mezuma became increasingly worried that something terrible had happened to Nona. She didn’t have any other way of contacting her, exceptr-

“The card!” Mezuma dumped her purse out on the kitchen table and sorted through all her stuff before she found the crumbled up card. She hesitated for a second, remembering that Nona told her this was for emergency use only. But she tried rationalizing with herself that concern for Nona’s safety counted as an emergency right?

“Nona, you better hope this card works a second time.” Mezuma looked around the room for the smoke cloud. Her hand started shaking as she held the card tighter, gradually becoming more scared of her not answering. “Nona please, answer me. Show up. Do something!”

There was a pained groan behind her suddenly, Nona had appeared in the smoke cloud leaning up against the wall, clutching at her bloodied face.

“Holy shit..” Mezuma dropped the card and stared in disbelief at the other woman. “N-nona?! What’s going on! What’s happening! Are you bleeding?? Why is it black?!”

“I’m fine.” Nona gritted out.

“You.. You’re not fine!!” Mezuma hurried over to her and cradled her face in her hands. “You’re bleeding from your eye!”

“The eye’s gone.”

“What?!”

“I’m.. fine. I’m.. I’m going to get blood all over your floor. Bathroom.. bathtub.”

“Okay, okay. Fuck.” with shaky hands, Mezuma guided Nona through her bedroom and into the bathroom. Nona peeled off her bloodied shirt, dropped it into the bathtub before climbing into it herself and laying down in it.

“’m sorry.” Nona groaned out.

“Why the fuck are you apologizing! What happened?”

“I didn’t want to come here.. I didn’t want to.. involve you with this.. But.. I heard your voice. You sounded so scared.”

“Didn’t want to involve me- oh my Gods.” Mezuma stormed out of the bathroom, leaving Nona to lay in quiet anguish in the bathtub. She was about to get up to leave when Mezuma came back into the bathroom, carrying a bottle of Vodka, a glass, and a first aid kit.

“What are you-”

“Shut up.” Mezuma poured the Vodak into the glass half way and gulped it down before filling it up again and shoving it into Nona’s empty hand. “You’re gonna drink that. I’m gonna clean up your face and you’re gonna shut up and let me take care of you. Don’t want me involved? Too fuckin’ bad! You’re my girlfriend! That’s how this shit works.”

Nona stared up at Mezuma with her one good eye and twisted the glass in her hand.

“I hate drinking.”

“I really don’t care right now. That’s going to help with the pain, cause you lost your fucking eye!”

“Okay.. Okay.” Nona exhaled sharply and very quickly gulped down the drink. The taste made her shiver and she would’ve dropped the glass if Mezuma hadn’t taken it away from her.

“Now, shut up and move your hand.”

They stayed silent for a while after Nona moved her hand away from her face. Mezuma carefully cleaned the drying blood from Nona’s face and neck before going to work on the area around her eye. Nona stayed still, wincing only when the area Mezuma was cleaning was too tender to be touched. Mezuma would read the body language and be more gentle with how she cleaned.

“What happened?” Mezuma asked, her voice a lot more softer and calmer now that the initial shock had worn off.

“There was.. an attempt at Mikla’s life. I don’t think.. he would’ve survived if I hadn’t done anything.” Nona licked her dry lips. “It happened.. very suddenly.. I didn’t react quick enough.”

“Is he okay?”

“He’s alive, yes..”

“I think losing an eye is miles better than the alternative...”

“It’ll grow back.”

“I’m sorry... what?”

“I can already feel it growing.” Nona groaned and pressed her palms to her forehead. “It hurts.”

“You’re growin’ a whole eye in your skull! I imagine it’s gonna hurt a fuck ton!”

“You’re mad.”

“I’m not!- ahem.. I’m not.. mad.” Mezuma cleaned off the last of the blood from Nona’s face and picked up the first aid kit.

“You are mad.”

“Okay, yeah, I’m mad. But I’m mad at myself for being so upset earlier that you... you never texted me.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t text you.”

“I think you had other things you were more concerned with.” she pulled out gauze and a roll of bandages. “I’m so stupid.. I was so angry earlier- I felt like this whinny and needy pathetic thing, like I was when I was with Kozic- cause he use to disappear all the time and I wouldn’t hear from him for days and-”

“I would never ignore you on purpose, Mezuma.” Nona reached out and clumsily put her hand on the other woman’s knee. “I’m sorry I didn’t text you. Really, I am.”

“It’s okay.” she answered quietly.

“It’s not. I’ve made you upset.”

“I’ll be fine.” she sniffled a little bit and carefully placed the gauze on Nona’s left eye socket.

“I can’t make those feelings go away.. The ones Kozic left you with. I understand that these are apart of you. I know I could and will do more to assure you that.. I will not treat you the way he treated you.”

“I know that.. I’m just- I’m so stupid.” Mezuma spat bitterly. “He’s such a jerk, I shouldn’t let him have this affect on me.”

“It’s okay... You’re okay.” Nona shut her eye and allowed Mezuma to wrap the bandage around her head, helping to secure the gauze on her eye. “You’re handling this very well.”

“I’ve had to help my uncles with some cuts and wounds before. I gotta say tho, a missing eye is new for me.”

“I’m sorry.. about all this. It’s.. a lot. I would understand if you wanted me to leave.”

“You’re not going anywhere. You’re missing an eye. You’ve got to be exhausted.”

“Yes but-”

“Do you not want to be here? Cause it seems like you don’t actually want to be here.”

“I’m do, I just thought-”

“Don’t. I don’t want to hear your speech. Yeah okay, this is a weird hiccup but we figured it out. And you come here. You didn’t have to but you did.”

“I did, but-”

“And I called you here.” she interrupted. “Because I wanted you to be here. Because I was worried about you. Because that’s what someone does when they’re involved in someone else’s life and they don’t answer when you call them a hundred times.” she inhaled with a shaky breath.

“Mezuma...”

“Nona I was so worried something happened to you and you.. you never.. I called you so many times- you ALWAYS pick up, you always answer me- you.. now you’re in my bathtub bleeding and.. I was so worried Nona!!”

Nona could muster up enough strength to get herself out from the bathtub and sitting on the edge of it before gathering up her sobbing, shaking girlfriend into her arms. She was in pain, felt numb, and so tired, physically and emotionally, but all she cared about at this point was comforting the smaller woman in her arms.

“I’m fine.” she assured softly. “I’m going be fine.”

“I know that now.” Mezuma hiccuped. “I just.. I don’t like not knowing.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Stop apologizing.”

“I’m- okay...” Nona held her tightly for a little while longer. Just until Mezuma had stopped the bulk of her crying and was now sniffling and hiccuping.

“Gods.” she climbed out of Nona’s lap and angrily rubbed her eyes. “How much of a brat do I have to be. You just had your eye shot out and here you are comforting me.”

“It’s okay.”

“It’s not okay. Stop sayin’ it’s okay.” she huffed and cleared away all the first aid kit supplies. “Stay there.”

“Okay.” Nona lost some grasp of time, because she was suddenly laying in Mezuma’s bed, wearing an entirely new and clean outfit.

“I put your clothes in laundry.” she crawled into the bed next to Nona who numbly nodded her head. “You poor thing.” laying down next to her and tightly holding her hand.

“I’m fine.” Nona responded in a slurred voice.

“You’re not fine.. Stop tryin’ to convince me you’re okay because you’re not.”

“Okay... I’m not fine...”

“Yeah no shit.”

“Hurts.” Nona winced and squeezed Mezuma’s hand. It felt like hundreds of needles were poking fire at where her eye should be and it made her head hurt like hell.

“Do you need more Vodka?”

“Gods no, please..” 

“Pain killers?”

“Wont effect me...” she did some deep breathing and closed her good eye. “Sleep.. I will heal if I sleep...”

“Okay.” Mezuma carefully slipped out of bed, went over to turn off her bedroom lights, and grabbed the remote to turn on her tv because there was no way she was getting to sleep tonight. Then, she climbed back in next to Nona and gently gathered her up into her arms, hugging her close. Nona groaned and wrapped her arms around the smaller woman and hid her face in her neck. Mezuma held her girlfriend tightly and stared blankly at the warm glow of the tv screen.

~~~

The tv was still going when Mezuma woke up the following day. She honestly couldn’t remember falling asleep or at what time she did pass out, but it couldn’t have been for very long. Her head felt foggy, like she’s been out drinking all night and didn’t have any water before going to sleep. But she knew it wasn’t from the half glass of Vodka she drank, it was just from lack of sleep.

Nona, thankfully, was completely knocked out next to her. She appeared to be in less pain than she was several hours ago. Mezuma carefully turned Nona’s head so she could inspect the gauze over her eye. There wasn’t a lot of blood soaked through, which meant the wound closed. She’d hoped Nona was right about the eye growing back.

Somewhere, Nona’s phone was ringing. Not want to bother her, Mezuma got up from the bed and searched for the phone. After finding it in Nona’s coat, she saw it was Mikla calling and answered it.

“Nona’s phone.”

“Who’s this? Where’s Nona?” Mikla’s concerned, and very loud voice, rattled through the speaker.

“I’m the girlfriend.”

“Oh tits, ‘ello love. Well you’ve got a sultry voice, ain’t ya? Finally wonderful to interact with ya. Our little favorite Nona has told me absolutely nothin’ about you.”

“She’s told me some things about you.” Mezuma said in amusement.

“I wouldn’t know, she don’t talk to me much ‘bout personal stuffs, ya know. Speak of the devil, how is Nona? I got real worried when she disappeared on me.”

“She’s here.. I summoned her to my place.”

“Figured. She’s doin’ alright then?”

“Yeah, she’s sleepin’ now. She kept saying the eye would grow back?”

“It’s gross, but yeah it will. This has happened before, not wifh an eye tho, that’s new. It’s quite fascinatin’ and disgustin’, really. She also bleeds black which is another strange thing, but she’s an enigma wrapped in secrets even she doesn’t know.”

“You’re telling me.” Mezuma sighed and rubbed her forehead. “Are you okay? Did she catch the guy that tried killing you?”

“Oh I’m all sunshine here, darlin’. She caught that bastard, nearly tore his arm off takin’ him down, but she’s got some restrain. I’ve handled the bloke, don’t you worry. We got information from ‘im that’s going to be very beneficial. So.. tell her that when she wakes up.”

“I will.”

“Oh and love, keep an eye on her for me? No horrible pun intended. She gave me the bullet she was hit with and.. it’s on of my uncle’s specialized bullets, it’s a marvel she’s even alive.”

“What do you mean?”

“My uncle makes dangerous weapons, the demon killin’ kind. She was hit, in the head, with a bullet that woulda killed any other demon. But she’s still alive.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I don’t either. I’m just flippin’ pleased as all Hell she’s still alive. She’s my best mate, I don’t want anythin’ happenin’ to her because my dumbass life was on the line. Please just watch after her for me, I’ve got everythin’ else handled. I just want her to rest.”

“Okay.. yeah, I will.”

“You’re the bees knees, sweetheart. Oh, last thing. She’s gonna need to eat a lot when she wakes up. Her body burns through a lot of energy when it’s healin’ so she needs to replace that energy wifh a lot of food. Last time this happened, she nearly ate everythin’ in my Uncle’s kitchen, it was a mad house.”

“I’ll order some food when she wakes up.”

“Cheers, love. You take care.”

Mezuma put Nona’s phone back into her jacket pocket when Mikla hung up. What he said about Nona having survived a weapon that should’ve killed her was racing through her mind. But Nona seemed fine when she went back to check on her.

The gauze needed changing, and Mezuma wanted to have Nona sleep longer, so she went to try and remove the bandages without waking up Nona. However, the second she touched her fingers to the end of the bandages, Nona’s hand shot up and grabbed Mezuma’s arm.

“Oh.” she very quickly let go and fell back onto the bed, holding her head.

“You okay?” the pink haired woman asked, kneeling on the bed behind her.

“Yes. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do that.”

“It’s okay. I didn’t mean to startle you. I just wanted to change your bandages and try to do it without wakin’ you up.”

“Okay.” Nona pushed herself up into a sitting position, and loosely wrapped an arm around Mezuma’s waist to help hold herself. Mezuma tossed the used bandages onto the nightstand and started peeling away at the gauze. Underneath, she was expecting dried blood and emptiness. But she got instead was a healed and closed eye with some dried blood caked on Nona’s cheek.

“This is the weirdest shit ever.”

“What is?”

“You had nothin’ there last night and now you’ve got your eyelids back.” Mezuma carefully touched her fingers to Nona’s closed eye and gasped when she felt movement of an eyeball underneath it. “Is your eye back too??”

“Feels like it.” Nona scrunched her face up before opening up the closed eye. It was, in fact, a full eyeball. Except it was all white with just a pupil, not Nona’s usual grey colored eyes, and very cloudy looking.

“Can you see?”

“Hardly.” Nona moved the eye around and suddenly flinched. “It’s mostly shadows. And light hurts.”

“Okay.” Mezuma hopped off the bed and pulled her curtains closed on the window and turned off all the lights in the apartment, clouding them in darkness.

“Thank you.” Nona hunched over and covered her eye with her hand again. “It should have healed by now.”

“When’s the last time you ate? Mikla said you needed to eat a lot when this sorta thing happens.”

“I do need to eat- wait.. when did you speak with Mikla?”

“Just now, on the phone.”

“How did he get your number?”

“On your phone, you mook.”

“Oh.” Nona chewed on her bottom lip and sighed. “Is he okay?”

“He's fine, I asked him. He was more worried about you.”

“He shouldn’t worry about me.”

“You’re his best friend, of course he’s going to worry about you. You just had your eye shot out.”

“We’re not... I can’t be his best friend.”

“Why not?”

“I’m not..” Nona sighed again and rubbed her hands over her face. “I’m not the right person to be friends with him.”

“I don’t think you get to decide who he chooses as his friends.”

“But why me?”

“Because you’re you.” Mezuma kneeled back on the bed next to Nona and wrapped her arms around her shoulders. “I think it’s time you accept the fact that the both of you are friends. Your life will be much easier if you do.”

“You both sound so eerily similar, it’s frightening.”

“You should know I already love him and I’m demanding we meet. I’ll make it happen whether you’re involved or not.”

“He’s already asking me about you, I know he desperately wants to meet you too.”

“Good, let’s make it happen.” Mezuma kissed the top of Nona’s head. “After you eat.”

“I prefer this idea more.”

“You stay here.” she pushed Nona to lay on her back. “I’ll go order us a pizza.”

“Make it three.”

“Three pizzas?”

“I will easily eat two pizzas and I would like for you to also eat.” Nona rolled over on her side so she could watch Mezuma through the door. “I can pay for it.”

“Are you sure?”

“I will not allow you to buy food for me after everything you have done for me already.” Nona smiled at her. “I’m sure. Get whatever else you want.”

“I think just the pizzas will be fine.”

Nona watched quietly from the other room while Mezuma placed their order. Every once in a while she would open her healing eye just to see if there were any changes and was greeted with blurry shapes.

“You okay?” Mezuma had finished the call and wondered back into the bedroom to find Nona staring intently at the wall.

“Yes, I was trying to see how my vision was.”

“Well don’t strain yourself.” Mezuma sat on the bed next to Nona and ran a hand through her hair.

“Hello.”

“Hi.” Mezuma replied with a soft chuckle.

“How was work last night? I never got to ask you..”

“Uneventful, don’t worry.” Mezuma smiled. “Actually what was more exciting was the ‘errand’ I was running yesterday.”

“What was the errand?”

“Um, well, I was actually going to this Burlesque lounge, Fatal Ecstasy. Malii told me they needed a new singer for between the acts. He pulled some strings for me to get an audition so.. I went to audition before work.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t wanna to jinx it, I guess. If I told too many people, they’d get all excited and it would make me too excited.. and it would just suck that much more if I didn’t get it. But.. they really seemed to like me a lot.”

“I didn’t know you can sing.”

“Not a lot of people do, I don’t do it as much anymore. I’m really good at it though. I use to sing all the time with my ma.”

“I’d love to hear you.”

“Well, if I get the job, you can come the first night I sing.”

“When do you hear back from them?”

“Lady Juo said she would call me sometime today, but I’m tryin’ not to keep my hopes up. Malii’s confident I got it.”

“If he has faith in you, then so do I.”

A phone rang in the other room again. Mezuma thought it was the pizza place calling her about their order, but it was actually a number she didn’t recognize.

“Hello?”

“Is this Miss Mezuma?” the other voice purred into the phone. “This is Lady Juo from Fatal Ecstasy, how are you, darling?”

“I’m doing okay, how are you?”

“I’m doing very well thank you. I just wanted to call and ask you what your schedule will look like in the near future. Because I would love to have you come in on Friday and give us a little in show demonstration of your wonderful voice.”

“Are you serious?!”

“I never kid, darling. We absolutely adored you here and would love to have you on our roaster. You come in on Friday and we can work out a schedule for you. I’m thinking two to three days a week you come sing for me, yes?”

“I-i can do that, yes!”

“Wonderful, darling! Friday at 4. I look forward to seeing you again!”

“Mezuma, are you okay?” Nona sat up quickly on the bed, having felt the very sudden and quick uptick in Mezuma’s energy. But was knocked back onto the mattress but her smaller girlfriend tackling her. “Ow.” she groaned, holding the side of her head.

“Oh I’m sorry.” Mezuma cradled Nona’s face in her hands and started giggling. “I got the job, Nona! That was Lady Jou on the phone, she wants me to come in on Friday!”

“That’s wonderful!” Nona grinned, cupped Mezuma’s face and kissed her lips. “I’m so happy for you.”

“I feel like crying.” Mezuma sat up on Nona’s lap and rubbed her face.

“Please don’t cry..”

“No, it’s happy cryin’!” Mezuma’s eyes were shiny with tears and her face hurt from how much she was smiling. “I can’t believe this! I’ve waitin’ for somethin’ like this to happen for so long!”

“I’m really happy for you, Mezuma.” Nona sat up slowly, wrapping her arms around the smaller woman’s waist and pressing a soft kiss to her lips. Mezuma responded with resting her arms around Nona’s shoulders and kissing her back with tons of enthusiasm.

“I can’t believe this.” she spoke after pressing one last kiss to Nona’s mouth. “I just got my dream job. AND I’m makin’ out with the hottest demon I’ve ever seen.”

A loud buzzing sound coming from the voice box by Mezuma’s apartment door put a halt in what they were doing. It took Mezuma a second to remember that they had ordered food and that was probably someone delivering it now.

Mezuma was back stage in between sets when she got the texts from Nona. She smiled to herself, saved the number in her phone, and sent back a quick ‘i figured ;)’. It must’ve been noticeable how excited Mezuma was about their date tonight because as soon as she looked at her phone, a couple of the other dancers were gathering around her.

“Who ya textin’ Mezzie? Gotcha a new fella?” A tall, curvy, light purple demon with deeply colored horns peered over her shoulder at her phone.

“Ain’t a new fella, Keeks.” Mezuma swatted her away playfully.

“Ooo a lady then?” A deeper purple demon with long curly hair and 2 sets of eyes wrapped her arms around Mezuma’s shoulders. “What’s she like? How long ya both been goin’ steady?”

“It’s our first date tonight, actually.” Mezuma shyly tucked some of her hair behind her ear.

“I knew you had somethin’ goin’. You kept lookin’ out that door last night like you were waitin’ for someone.” The horned demon accused.

“Oh, Keeks be nice.” the other demon swatted at her. “I’m real happy for you, Mez! I hope the date goes well.” Lileth yelped when she heard her name being called, and rushed out with Keeks behind her, leaving Mezuma to finish changing into something less stage ready and more walking around the club ready. High wasted, high cut shorts, with a boat neck crop top.

Sometimes customers just liked having pretty girls to talk to for a little while. Mezuma didn’t mind doing that. She liked talking to people, she was good at it. And you really only had to talk to them for a couple minutes. But sometimes customers would get lost in the atmosphere of all these pretty girls giving them attention. That’s usually when they get handsy and Mezuma has to break some fingers. This happens two to three times a night. Now it hasn’t happened yet, so the chances of it happening with the next person Mezuma spoke to were getting higher and higher.

This guy she was talking to seemed nice at first. Very friendly, just making quick conversation with her. He was sitting in one of the booths near the bar so Mezuma was standing by him, leaning up against the seats behind him, just chatting. It was very subtle, but he somehow got his hand around her hip and was grabbing at her ass without her even realizing it. However, there was no hesitation when Mezuma grabbed the back of his head and slammed it on the table.

“Mez!”  Malii hopped over the counter of the bar and pulled Mezuma away from the customer. “You okay, kid?”

“Moron was gettin’ handsy.” she waved over one of the bouncers, who stomped his way over to the customer. “I got it covered.”

“Alright, killer. I’ll deal with this you go watch the bar for me.” Malii pushed her off towards the bar so he could help the bouncer get the guy to his feet and escort him out. Lileth was finishing her set, so Mezuma was watching her from the far corner of the bar. She didn’t even notice when Nona slid into the stool behind her, until Nona gently touched her arm making her spin around in surprise.

“You’re here.” Mezuma smiled, holding herself back from climbing Nona like a tree because she was wearing that dumb leather jacket again with a solid black button up shirt underneath with gold lining around the collar.

“I saw what happened. You okay?” Nona said, lowering her head so she was speaking next to Mezuma’s ear.

“I’m fine. Told ya I could handle myself.” she grinned and relaxed up against the bar. “Hi.”

“Hello.” Nona smiled at her. “I really want to kiss you, but I don’t want to disrupt you while you are working.”

“Yeah, customers tend to see the dancers significant other’s as other customers. So they tend to get a little jealous when we’re kissin’ our partners and not them. Definitely later tho.” Mezuma winked at her.

“Thanks, Mez.” Malii returned to his place behind the bar and grabbed a glass to get himself some water. “Can I help you?” he asked, eyeing Nona.

“This is Nona, Malii, she’s takin’ me out tonight.”

“Secret body guard number 3.” Malii gulped down half his glass of water and almost choked. “Wait isn’t she Big Bad’s body guard?”

“Yup.”

“Mezuma you can’t be serious. She’s with Big Bad.”

“Saying his name wont get you into trouble.” Nona rested her arms on the counter. “Despite what you’ve heard.”

“Behave.” Mezuma warned the both of them. “I have to go get changed before we go, kay?” she squeezed Nona’s arm before walking to the backdoor of the stage.

“I imagine I’m not that intimidating to you.” Malii said after a span of silence between him and Nona.

“Not in the slightest.” she responded honestly.

“Still, Mezuma is like a sister to me. I wanted to kill that mook Kozic myself for what he did to her. And this will probably fall on deaf ears but if anything happens to that kid cause of you, I’m willin’ to take the risk and try to beat your ass.”

“I assure you.. I have no intention of hurting Mezuma in anyway. But I will keep what you’ve said in mind.”

“What uhh..” Malii cleared his throat nervously. “What ever happened with Kozic?”

“You needn’t concern yourself with him anymore.” Nona replied ominously. Mezuma appeared from the backstage door again, only having changed her shorts into white pants, and grabbed her fur coat and purse. She smiled again when she saw Nona and practically skipped over to her.

“You two playin’ nice?”

“She’d kick my ass, why would I want to mess with her.” Malii half joked.

“You wouldn’t kick his ass, would you?” Mezuma whispered.

“Not unless I was prompted to.” Nona answered. “But I could. Very easily.”

“Don’t. He’s my buddy.” Mezuma made grabby hands to Malii, who willing leaned over the counter and allowed her to squish his face.

“Take her away.” Malii pleaded to Nona, who chuckled and took a hold of one of Mezuma’s purse straps and guided her outside.

“What did Malii and you talk about?” Mezuma asked once they were outside.

“Nothing particularly interesting.” Nona took Mezuma’s hand in hers as they walked.

“Did he give you his ‘big brother shtick’?”

“A variation of it, yes.”

“That’s kinda ballsy threatenin’ you, all things considerin’..”

“He meant well. He knew of his own limitations, but he cares much more about your well being.” Nona brought the other woman’s hand up to her mouth and pressed a gentle kiss to her knuckles. “I respect that about him.”

“That’s good.” she let go of Nona’s hand to grab her face and bring her down more to her level so she could press her lips on Nona’s. Not entirely surprised, Nona willing went and wrapped her arm around Mezuma’s waist. Humming in victory, Mezuma gently nipped on Nona’s bottom lip and was reward with the taller woman pulling away from her.

“You’re terrible.”

“You’re one to talk, have you seen what you’re wearing?”

“I.. had help.”

“Did Mikla help you?” Mezume asked as she slid her hand into Nona’s again and urged them to continue walking.

“He insisted on helping me. He kept saying my normal attire wasn’t date worthy.”

“Doesn’t matter to me what you’re wearing. I’d rather you not wear anything if I’m bein’ honest.”

“This is why you’re terrible.”

“I know.” Mezume winked at her again. “So where are you takin’ me on this big fancy date?”

“It’s not fancy. And it’s a place called Atlas.”

“Whoa, Atlas? Atlas is plenty fancy, Nona. I’m completely under dressed and under class for somethin’ like that.”

“No one will care, Mezuma. I promise. If any issues are made, I will handle them.”

“I can handle myself, Nona. This is just a.. a Hell of a first date.”

“I suppose it is mostly for my benefit, if I am to be completely honest. I’ve never dated.. Most of my interests have been one night stands. And as I’ve said to you before, it’s different with you. I like.. experiencing these new things with you. It’s enojyable.”

“I ain’t against the goin’ out parts. I just don’t need to be treated to a fancy place. We coulda had take out at my place and I would’ve been happy with that.”

“We could do that.”

“Nope, I’m committed now. I wanna see the looks on these snobs faces when they see me walkin’ into their fancy place.”

The restaurant wasn’t too far from Club Crimson. It only took them a twenty minute walk to get there.

The hostess was a prissy looking, deep green demon, who was not at all pleased at Mezuma’s attire but refused to say anything considering who was accompanying her.

They were brought to a booth tucked away in the back, per Nona’s request, and left alone with menus as soon as they were seated.

“I’m starved.” Mezuma announced as she scanned through the menu.

‘Order whatever you like.” Nona said as she looked through her own menu.

“Nona this place charges more then what I spend on groceries in a week for their steak.”

“I promise the offer still stands.” Nona assured her.

“You mind if I get a drink?”

“Go ahead.”

“You really know how to treat a girl.” Mezuma teased.

“You deserve nice things, Mezuma.”

“I know.” she sighed. “I have rich girl taste on a poor girl budget.”

“How may I help the both of you this evening?” Their server finally arrived.

“Can I have the steak? Well done. And an Aviation cocktail with 3 cherries?” Mezuma ordered.

“Of course. And for you miss?”

“Steak. Medium rare. And a water. Please.” Nona handed the waiter both menus and he scurried off to fill their orders.

“They don’t really like you being here.” Mezuma commented once the server was gone.

“My presence makes people uneasy if they know who I am. But the owner, Lokuwi, is the head chief here and an old friend of Oserious. He owned another restaurant that was purposely burned with him in it. I managed to save him, so now he insists on paying me back, even tho it is not necessary.”

“Nona, the killer with a heart of gold.”

“He did nothing wrong to deserve death. And if I have to opportunity to help someone, I will help them.”

The server returned carrying a tray with their drinks on it. He set the cocktail in front of Mezuma and the glass of water in front of Nona before scurrying off again. Mezume plucked one of the cherries floating in her drink and ate it off of the stem.

“So tell me, Nona.” she put the stem on the napkin under her glass. “How come I hear more of these bad things about you and not these good things?”

“It effects people more, I suppose.” Nona took a sip of her drink. “We had an incident, several years back, with a small gang Oserious was associated with, One of the members decided to steal some of the weapons his gang ordered and tried to sell them off to get more money for himself. Oserious was then blamed by friends of his for the horrid way he was treated after he was caught.”

“He stole weapons tho, that’s his fault.”

“People often don’t see fault in others close to them. His friends saw him as someone who was down on his luck and doing whatever he could to make money. I often get blamed for similar things after doing what it is that I do.”

“I mean, I kinda see where they’re coming from. But you don’t betray your gang like that. My father got killed because of that.”

“Your father was in a gang?”

“Yeah.” Mezuma sighed and ate her second cherry from her drink. “I got a lot of Uncles on my father’s side. They were all apart of this gang growing up together, it was like a right of passage on his side of the family to be in this gang. When he met my mom and they had me, we became apart of this.. almost like this huge family. It wasn’t just blood relatives, it was other gang members I was callin’ Uncle and Auntie, ya know?

“So, I grew up in this life. My dad had this buddy in the gang, they’d been friends for years. One day he comes home, sayin’ he overhead his buddy makin’ some sort of deal with a rival gang to give them a list of names from our gang in exchange for money. Even tho it was his buddy, it was for the protection of our gang that he said something to the boss man.”

“He was betraying them.”

“Yeah, all for some big cash.” Mezuma rolled her eyes. “Well, he didn’t take it well. He accused my dad of betraying him, sayin’ he wasn’t gonna give them his name or mine or my ma’s cause they’re friends. But he was about to give away the rest of the gang. And they’re family, yanno? So everything dies down a couple days after that. Until one day, his buddy shows up at our door and he..” she stopped and stared quietly at her drink.

“I’m sorry.” Nona said softly. “How old were you?”

“Eight.” Mezuma looked over at Nona. “He popped both of them in the head in front of me.” she sighed. “I was raised by my Uncles after that. They taught me how to defend myself and how to fire a gun. I don’t sleep unless I got a gun under my pillow at night.”

“You weren’t kidding when you said your life was dangerous before.”

“That’s why you don’t scare me.” Mezuma grinned and squeezed Nona’s knee with her hand. “I’ve seen way scarier things than you.”

“I can only imagine.”

Their server came back carrying a tray now with both of their plates of food. He set down the corresponding order in front of each of them and left in a hurry once again.

“So what about you? Any family?” Mezuma asked before taking a bite of her food.

“None that I know of. I woke up alone in the Wastelands and that’s about all I can remember.”

“What about Oserious?”

“I consider him an old friend more than family.”

“Mikla?”

“A tolerable annoyance.”

“What do you do for fun?”

“I... work.” Nona took a bite of her meal and sighed. “I suppose I’m not very interesting.”

“You’re plenty interestin’.” Mezuma pinched one of Nona’s cheeks. “What’s your favorite color?”

“What a strange question to ask.”

“Everyone’s got a favorite color, Nona. Mine’s pink if it weren’t obvious enough.”

“Very obvious.” Nona chuckled.

“Gold too. Pink and gold look good together.”

“I don’t have a favorite color.”

“You wear black a lot.”

“To blend in.”

“Okay.” Mezuma huffed and sat up straight, determined now. “You’re wearing black now, you tryin’ to blend in?”

“No..”

“Then why are you wearin’ it?”

“Mikla picked it out.”

“Did he pick out other outfits or just this one.”

“There were others..”

“So why this one.”

“I..” Nona glanced down at the black button up she was wearing trying to figure out why out of all the other shirts she was offered, she choose this one. “I suppose my eyes were drawn by how the gold looked on the collar.”

“Black and gold do look good together.” Mezuma smiled and rested her elbow on the table. “I think those might be your colors.”

“I suppose so.” Nona chuckled softly. “You took this very seriously.”

“Well, I don’t think you know a lot about yourself. And how can I learn more about you if you don’t even know your favorite color?”

“I didn’t know that.. interests were a desirable thing to have.”

“I bet Mikla has a bunch of interests.”

“His interests do not interest me in the slightest. He likes being around other demons.. in loud places with copious amounts of dancing.. and heavy drinking.”

“No, I couldn’t imagine you having fun at a dance club.” Mezuma laughed. “We’ll cross that off the list of possible future date ideas.”

“So.. this date is going well then?” Nona asked sheepishly.

“I’m havin’ a steak I can never afford, one of my favorite drinks, and spending uninterrupted time with you. It’s going very well.”

“I’m glad.” Nona finished off her meal and gulped down the last of her water before motioning the waiter to come over.

“You’ll walk me home?” Mezuma asked fluttering her lashes and taking another sip from her drink.

“Of course.” Nona handed the waiter a card from her pocket and he walked off again. “I wouldn’t make you walk home this late by yourself, that would be rude of me.”

“And they say chivalry is dead.” Mezuma finished off her drink and ate the last cherry from it. Nona became distracted from signing the bill when Mezuma licked cherry juice from her finger.

“Please behave.” Nona handed the bill back to the waiter and slid out of the booth.

“I’ve been on my best behavior all evening, Nona.” Mezuma took the hand offered to her and Nona helped her stand from the booth.

“You’re a menace.” Nona replied with a chuckle and guided Mezuma out of the restaurant. “You must know how difficult it is to show restraint around you.”

“I know.” Mezuma laced her fingers with Nona’s while holding her jacket close from the wind. “I had to do the same when you walked into my work. But that’s different. You should’ve been ravishing me the second we left Crimson.”

“Mezuma..” Nona got very quiet and serious looking as she leaned into the smaller woman’s space to press her lips softly against her ear and whisper, “I wont be able to stop if I put my hands on you in anyway.” Mezuma felt heat rush to her face and swallowed with an audible click in her throat.

“Oh baby please tell me you can stay at my place tonight.” Mezuma whined with a pout.

“I was waiting for you to ask.” Nona smirked and tugged their joined hands forward to continue their walk.

“Thank Gods, I thought I was going to have to beg or something.”

“Begging wont be necessary, I assure you.” she replied with a smile. “You could’ve had me two days ago but it was-”

“Complicated.” They said simultaneously. Giggling, Mezuma rested her head on Nona’s shoulder. Nona’s response was to press a kiss to the top of her head before walking them both across the street.

The remainder of the walk was silent. Not an awkward one or a forced one. It was purely the both of them just enjoying each other’s company as they continued on their journey to Mezuma’s apartment.

Once they reached their destination, Mezuma fished her keys from her purse to get them both into the building. As soon as they were up the three flights of stairs, Nona crowded Mezuma up against the wall next to the door to her apartment. Surprised, Mezuma dropped her purse and keys and stared up at Nona with wide eyes.

“Nona..” she was practically speechless, Nona was staring at her with such an intense look that it burned a fire in her stomach. Nona could almost feel Mezuma’s heart beat, she was standing so close to her. She brought a hand up to Mezuma’s face and titled her chin up to look at her properly. The pink haired demon whimpered when Nona pressed her thumb against her bottom lip, causing her to wrap her arms around the taller woman’s shoulders, bringing her down to her level and kissing her. Humming, Nona could taste the cherries on Mezuma’s tongue and greedily chased after it. They stayed in the hall, for longer than they should have, just exchanging slow kisses. It wasn’t until Nona started moving her lips along down Mezuma’s neck that she realized this would be better to do inside the apartment.

“Now you’re the one bein’ distractin’.” Mezuma pulled on Nona’s ear to get her to stop what she was doing, then gently pushed her away so she could grab her purse and keys. Nona sighed and waited patiently for Mezuma to unlock her apartment.

It was cleaned, just as Nona had promised earlier. It didn’t even look like Kozic was there last night or that he was thrown through the living room table, which happened to be replaced with a new table, not that Mezuma had to know that.

“Go make yourself at home, I gotta lock up.” Mezuma shooed Nona into her room and went back to the front door to lock it up properly. Nona glanced around Mezuma’s room, finally getting a good look at it.

There was more decoration here than at her own place. Mezuma also had more furniture besides her bed. She had two dressers, a nightstand, and a vanity littered with make-up and brushes. Deciding to take Mezuma’s advice, she removed her jacket, put it on the chair in front of the vanity, then sat on the bed to untie her shoes.

“Comfy?” when she was finished removing her shoes, she glanced up at Mezuma’s voice from the door. The smaller woman had also taken off her jacket and shoes and was standing leaning against the door frame looking very casual and smiling.

“Yes.” Nona pushed herself off of the bed and went over to Mezuma, who was anticipating her actions and welcomed her into her space for another kiss.

~~~

“I’ve never done this part before.” Nona confessed softly, sometime later. The sky was already beginning to brighten outside, casting a small glowey haze into Mezuma’s bedroom.

“What part?” Mezuma asked, rolling over onto her side to press a kiss into the other woman’s shoulder.

“Staying.” she breathed out a small chuckle.

“Ya never cuddled with the people you banged?”

“Don’t call sex that.” Nona scrunched up her nose in response.

“Sorry.” Mezuma laughed. “Did the deed then.”

“You’re awful.”

“I know.” she pressed a quick kiss to the other woman’s forehead. “Why’d you never stay?”

“I had no interest in ever knowing those people I had sex with. I was using them only for the purpose of sex, it made no sense for me to stay around after. The after part always seemed more personal and intimate to me.”

“Makes sense.” Mezuma rested her head on the same pillow Nona was using. “You ain’t leavin’ me, are you?”

“I’d like to see someone try and drag me away from you.”

“Good.” she curled up against Nona’s side and ran her fingers along Nona’s back. “Did you know you have symbols on your back?”

“Mhm.” Nona response sounded muffled from where her face was buried in the pillow.

“What do they mean?”

“We’re not sure.”

“She continues to be a woman of mystery.” Mezuma mused. “They look old.”

“I don’t think I’m that old.”

“I meant that the symbols themselves look old. I got an uncle who knows this kinda stuff. He had tons of books layin’ around.”

“What kind of books?”

“I never really understood them, they were in a language I couldn’t read. I just recognize a lot of the symbols from them.” she relaxed into the pillow with a sigh and ran her fingers up along Nona’s spine to scratch at the buzzed part of her hair. “Hi.” she said softly, looking at Nona with a smile.

“Hello.” Nona answered back with a smile of her own.

“Your horns are short again.” she cupped the back of Nona’s head and ran her thumb underneath where her horns protruded from her skull.

“I would poke a hole in your pillow if they weren’t.”

“So thoughtful of you.”

“And it makes it easier to sleep.”

“Sleep sounds amazing right now..” Mezuma quickly sat up to look around her room for one of her blankets. In the midst of their previous activities, they were all knocked off the bed. Luckily, one was in reaching distance, so she didn’t have to get up to grab it. Blanket obtained, she threw it over herself and Nona before curling up next to the other woman again.

“Amazing..” Nona whispered in awe as she carded her fingers through Mezuma’s short hair and watched her as she slowly fell asleep.

~~~

Hours later, Nona slowly woke up to her head being rubbed and it was one of the best ways she’s ever been woken up. Somehow, during the night, she ended up draping herself over Mezuma’s small body and slept on top of her. So her face was half smooshed in the other woman’s neck when she finally opened her eyes.

“What time is it?” she asked, muffled against Mezuma’s skin.

“Almost noon.”

“Mmm.” Nona cracked her shoulders and propped herself up on her elbows so she was now looking down at the smaller woman. “Am I crushing you?”

“In all the best kind of ways, yes.” Mezuma carded her fingers through Nona’s hair and brought her down to kiss her. Nona framed her face with her arms and kissed back, lazily.

“Hi.” Mezuma pulled away with a small smile.

“Hello.” Nona pressed another kiss to her mouth, then cheek.

“Your phone’s been goin’ off for the past 5 minutes.”

“Has it?” with a sigh, Nona begrudgingly rolled over onto her back and sat up. At some point, she had lost her hair tie, so her long hair was strewn about everywhere. Standing up, she ran her hands through her hair, and gathering it up so it was cascading down her bare back, and not getting tangled in the sheets.

“You have freckles on your butt too.”

“Thank you, Mezuma.” Nona chuckled and picked up her discarded undershorts and slipped them on. A quick search around the room, Nona located her pants and pulled her phone from the pocket of them. “Mikla.” she mumbled, looking at her phone screen.

“Duty calls?”

“Unfortunately yes..” Nona sighed and stepped into her pants.

“Why so glum?”

“This was what I was afraid of when I wanted to pursue you.”

“Do you see me complaining?”

“Not now, but you must admit, later this will be an inconvenience.”

“Life wasn’t meant to be convenient.” Mezuma hopped out of her bed, put on a large shirt she had folded on her dresser, and picked up Nona’s shirt from the floor. “At the end of the day, it’s you I wanna be sleepin’ next to.”

“The feeling is mutual.”

“Then don’t worry about it.” she handed the shirt to Nona and quickly kissed her. “We’ll make it work.”

“You make this terribly easy.”

“I’ve been in enough relationships to know what not to do and you’re a lot smarter than most of the people I’ve dated.” the smaller woman wrapped her arms around Nona’s waist and tucked her hands into the other woman’s back pockets. “Cuter too.”

“I am not cute.” Nona protested as she buttoned up her shirt. “And you’re distracting me again.”

“Can’t a girl get one more kiss before you leave me?”

“I’ll be back.” she promised with a kiss.

“Tonight?”

“Yes, tonight.”

“Promise?”

“Have I lied to you yet, Mezuma?”

“Just makin’ sure.”

“I’ll be here tonight.” Nona wrapped her arms tightly around Mezuma and lifted her up into a hug.

“Good.” Mezuma laughed when she was gently set down on her bed. “Is Mikla picking you up then?”

“He’s already at my place.” Nona typed quickly on her phone. “It would be easier to summon me. Plus I would like to change my shirt.” she sighed again. “He’s going to have a field day with this.”

“You’re doing everythin’ in your power not to have us meet.”

“I am trying to prolong it yes. But it is inevitable, I suppose. You both are very important people in my life.”

“Aw, Mikla is important to you.”

“He’s my partner and Oserious’s nephew, I feel a responsibility to him.”

“I think you two are friends, you just have a weird problem admittin’ it.”

“I don’t have a problem.”

“You do. And it’s cute you don’t think you’re friends, when you clearly.are.”

“I am not cute.”

“You are.” Mezuma laughed again and grabbed Nona’s face to kiss her. “I’m honored I’m up there with being one of the most important people in your life.”

It was nearing 2 am by the time Mezuma finally exited the building. She looked slightly wobbly on her heels and shivered a bit at the cold air.

“You’re actually here.” he said as soon as she noticed Nona.

“I said I would be.”

“I woulda left if someone made me wait an hour out in this weather.”

“I don’t get cold.”

“What the leather jacket is for appearances then?”

“Although I don’t particularly care, I was informed by my partner I look good in them.”

“Your partner ain’t wrong.” Mezuma smiled and readjusted her purse over her shoulder. “C’mon, my feet hurt and I’m exhausted.” Mezuma hooked her arm into Nona’s like she’s been done this a hundred times before and Nona was comfortable letting her do it. “What’s your partner like?”

“Annoyingly charming and painfully witty.”

“Sounds awful.” Mezuma teased.

“I don’t mind him that much.. I would just never tell him that.”

“He gotta big head on him?”

“His ego outshines my reputation.”

“Sounds like my ex.”

“Kozic is a bad demon.. Mikla makes unintelligent decisions sometimes. They are nothing alike, I assure you.” Nona stopped them both at a crosswalk, cars zipped quickly by, and she patted her hand on Mezuma’s. “Don’t concern yourself with Kozic anymore.”

“He’s out there walking around who knows where, of course I’m going to be concerned.”

“He wont touch you. Not while I’m around.”

“You plannin’ on bein’ around me a lot, Nona?”

“I want to.” Nona smiled, it was always this soft and secret looking smile that made Mezuma melt every time she’s seen it. “If I’m allowed to..”

“Is my constant flirting not giving you any hints? You’re allowed to.. you’re more than allowed to.”

“It’s... complicated.” Once the cars had stopped, Nona guided Mezuma across the street and they continued their walk.

“You ain’t allowed to have a social life? That doesn’t seem fair.”

“I have my own freedom and what I do with it is my choice. I do... plenty of.. socializing.”

“What’s so different with me that I can’t be included in your ‘socializing’?”

“It’s because you’re different.” Nona sighed, her breath curling around her like smoke from the cold wind. “Most of my socializing only last one night.. but.. I am.. intrigued so much so by you that.. I wouldn’t want that with you.”

“You sayin’ you wanna court me?”

“It’s complicated.”

“Well, un-complicate it.” Mezuma unhooked her arm from Nona’s and grabbed her coat to keep it closed from the biting cold air. “I told ya before, I don’t like wastin’ my time on people who ain’t worth it.”

“It’s difficult to explain.”

“I got time.” Mezuma walked ahead of Nona, up to a shady looking apartment building and pulled out her key to unlock the door. “Come upstairs.”

“We can talk when you’re not exhausted.”

“Fine. But... come upstairs and check my apartment.”

“He’s not there.” Nona stepped into Mezuma’s space and gently cupped her elbow. “I can’t hear anything out of the ordinary.”

“Of course you can’t.” Mezuma huffed, clearly annoyed, and threw her keys into her purse.

“Tomorrow.” Nona said before Mezuma closed the door on her. “I can walk you home tomorrow.. and we can talk then.”

“You promise?”

“I’m not someone that lies, Mezuma.”

“Okay... But I’m gonna be pissed if you ain’t at the club waitin’ for me.”

“I’ll be there.”

“If you’re lying’ to me and you ain’t there tomorrow night, don’t bother coming to see me again. This whole aloof flirtin’ thing you’re doing ain’t really fun for me.”

“That’s.. fair.”

“Okay.” Mezuma looked back at Nona, feeling a knot in her stomach looking at the other woman.

“I will be there.” Nona promised. She gave Mezuma one last smile before going down the walkway onto the sidewalk. Mezuma kept watching her until she turned the corner out of her sight.

~~~

As promised, Nona was waiting patiently outside Club Crimson. She arrived at 1 am so she hadn’t gone into the club, thinking Mezuma would be hopefully coming out soon and they could walk to her place together. But her phone going off in her pocket would change her plans for the evening.

“Nana Banas, how’s my favorite other worldly assassin doin’?”

“What is it Mikla, I’m a little busy.”

“Uncle O business?”

“Personal.”

“I didn’ know you had personal business. Well uhh, is it hugely important business? Cause I could kinda use your assistance right now..”

“What’s going on?” Nona was already running off down the sidewalk because in the past 2 years, Mikla has never called her asking for help last minute like this unless he was in actual danger.

“Alright well, there I was, havin’ a grand ol’ time, catchin’ up wifh the boys. Some big bloke invites us into the owners private room, I’m thinkin’ he wants to party with us, get on my good side, all that jazz. Turns out he’s got beef with me bein’ here and the private room is actually an ambush.”

“Mikla, what did you do.”

“Oi, it’s not my fault his daughter’s a two timer that can’t handle being called out for her shitty behavior and being dumped in the same day. I’m valid in my decision. She just got pissy and had her dear old daddy handle her business.”

“I’m gonna kill you.”

“Yeah, yeah. Save me first, then you can kill me.” Nona could hear gunshots from Mikla’s end and picked up the pace. “You mind hurryin’ it up a bit, love?”

“You still have the card I gave you?”

“Yeah, course. What do I do wifh it again?”

“Call me with it.”

“What, like, hold it up to my face like a phone and say ‘Nona’?” 

A swirl of black smoke appeared next to Mikla, it startled him so much he nearly dropped his phone as he jumped away from it. Nona was crouched down next to him, still holding her phone, when the smoke cleared.

“Fancy seein’ you here.” Mikla greeted, shoving his phone into his pocket.

“How many are there?” 

“’bout a dozen last I saw.”

“You take six, I’ll take six then.” Nona pressed her index finger and middle finger to the moon carved on her forehead. The moon itself started to peel away from her skin and erupted into a black smoke as it floated a few inches from the top of her head. She reached into the smoke, her hand disappearing within it. From the moon symbol, she pulled a black bladed knife, then a small smoky hand gun.

“One of those wouldn’ happen to be for me would it?”

“The knife, if you want.”

“Cheers.” he caught the knife when Nona tossed it to him and followed her out of their hiding spot.

~~~

Back at Club Crimson, Mezuma was lingering around the bar, thinking Nona would be meeting her inside the club. At 1:15, she considered maybe Nona was waiting for her outside. So she gathered her things and made her way out.

Upon not seeing anyone outside, Mezuma felt angry and bitter tears threatening to fall. But she just kept telling herself it wasn’t worth it and instead started walking home.

It felt like it took forever to get home. Her feet hurt and her back ached. And all she wanted to do at this point was lay down in her bed, maybe cry a little bit, and eat the rest of her chocolate she had stowed away for emergencies.

“Wasn’t worth it anyway.” Mezuma said to herself as she entered her apartment. “Sure she was gorgeous and her dumb fuckin’ smile made you want to turn into a puddle of goo, but it ain’t worth feelin’ like this.” she kicked off her shoes, hung up her coat, and dropped her purse on her bed.

After a quick shower and putting on her pajama shirt and shorts, Mezuma walked back out to go to her kitchen and grab herself a glass of water.

“Hey, Mez.”

The familiar and sudden voice made Mezuma drop her glass onto the ground. It shattered and she spun around to find Kozic sitting on the couch in her living room.

~~~

Even though they were out numbered, Nona and Mikla had no trouble fighting their way through these goons. They didn’t take any lives, but certainly left a lot of demons with some serious injuries. It ended when Mikla finally got to the club owner and threatened his life for trying to attack Mikla. Apologies were given once the demon realized who Mikla was.

“Nans, I owe you one big time.” Mikla handed the knife back to her and reached into his pocket for his cigarette case. “So what was this personal business I so rudely interrupted?”

“It’s... nothing now. I’m too late.”

“What you got a date or somethin’?”

“It doesn’t matter now. ” Nona put both the gun and the knife back into the symbol above her head, and it receded back onto her forehead. “She wont want to see me now.”

“Wait you serious?” Mikla stopped her from walking and made her face him. “You seriously had a date? I ain’t never seen you date before, Nona. You exclusively have one nighters. Is this why you’ve been disappearing the past couple o’ nights?”

“I said it doesn’t matter.” Nona shoved past him. “I had to leave to help you. How am I suppose to be with someone if what I do keeps pulling me away from everything.”

“Nan I’m so sorry.” Mikla jogged to keep up with her fast stride. “She’d probably understand if ya explained things to her!”

“This wont be the only time this happens, Mikla. I’ll keep getting pulled away to do this. It’s not.. fair to bring someone into a life like this.”

“You wont know unless you say somethin’ to her. You can’t just assume you’ll know what people want, Nona. You of all people should know in the freedom of someone’s choice.”

“What if she gets hurt.” Nona stopped and turned to stare sadly at him. “Being around me.. is dangerous. She doesn’t deserve that.”

“I think you should at least give her a chance to make that choice, Nan.. it’s only fair.” Mikla pulled a lighter out of his coat pocket, lit up his cig, and took a deep drag. “How long you known this lass? Cause you got it real bad already, love.”

“Not long.” Nona rubbed her forehead and sighed. “It’s too late anyway.”

“Nah, it’s never too late. I bet she’d still be pleased as punch to see you when you explain everythin’ to her.” Mikla searched around in his pockets and tossed Nona a set of keys. “Take my bike, it’s down the block, tell me how it goes tomorrow.” he gave her a two finger salute and jogged back to the club.

~~~

“K-kozic!? You.. you can’t be here..”

“I ain’t allowed to see my best girl anymore.” Kozic rose from the couch just as Mezuma started to slowly make her way to her bedroom. “I missed you baby.”

“You’re gonna be sorry if you don’t leave now.” Mezuma ducked when Kozic rushed at her and she scrambled to get into her room. But Kozic was quick and managed to get an arm around her neck. Gasping, Mezuma stomped her heel down on his foot and used his moment of weakness to slam the back of her head into his face. He let go, holding his broken nose, and Mezuma dove into her room, kicking the door shut behind her.

“Mez!!” Kozic slammed on the door to open it but Mezuma had already locked it. Panicking, Mezuma shoved her shaky hands into her purse and dug out her small hand gun to protect herself with. Looking through her bag, she cursed at herself for putting her phone into her coat, which was hanging by the door, but her hand brushed along the sleek black card Nona had given her.

“What the fuck am I suppose to do with a dumb blank card!” She crumbled up the card in her fist and screamed when she heard Kozic banging against the door.

“Mez! You let me in right now or you’re gonna be in big trouble!”

“Go away!!” she climbed over her bed and curled up in the gap between her bed and the wall.

“You listen to me right now, Mez!”

“I said go away!!” Mezuma was sobbing and holding the card so tightly in her fist it was starting to hurt. “Stupid card. You’re so full of shit, Nona!!”

“Mez, there’s only one way out!” The bashing against the door stopped for a moment. Mezume was so terrified of what he could possible be doing on the other side of the door. After the silence, there was a very loud thud against the wall along with yelling and more thudding noises. The silence that followed everything was deafening and Mezuma covered her mouth to quiet herself so she could hear what would happen next.

“Mezuma..” A soft knock on the door made Mezuma start crying again. “Mezuma, it’s me Nona. You’re safe now. Please..”

Mezume had never felt the relief she felt when she finally got up, unlocked her door, and saw Nona standing there. She didn’t even hesitate to fall into Nona’s arms and start bawling. In return, Nona wrapped her arms tightly around the smaller woman and held her as close as possible.

“I know. I’m sorry. This is my fault.”

“You’re here.” Mezuma said between sobs. “I thought.. I thought I was gonna die. B-but.. you’re here.”

“Yeah, I’m here.” Nona slowly shuffled them back into Mezuma’s room and shut the door behind them.

“Is he.. is he still here?”

“Yes, but I’m having some of my associates come and get him. They will deal with him. He’s lucky... I wanted to kill him..”

“Please don’t.. not here.. I..”

“I know, it’s okay.” Nona ran a hand soothingly along Mezuma’s back while she continued to cry. “I can stay here tonight..”

“No.” Mezuma pushed herself off of Nona and rubbed her shaky hands over her face. “I don’t want to be here. I-i can’t be here. I have to be somewhere else.”

“Okay okay.” Nona gently took Mezuma’s face in both her hands. “Go pack a bag. I’ll take you to my place.. if that’s okay.”

“Yeah... yeah.. okay.” Mezuma took a deep shaky breath and began searching for things to throw into her purse for the night. Nona stood by the door, waiting patiently for her to finish packing. When she finished, Nona took the purse from her and guided her out of her room. Nona purposely steered her to avoid going near or even looking at the living room and Mezuma didn’t want to know why she wasn’t allowed to look. She just very quickly put on her coat and slipped on her shoes.

~~~

They arrived at Nona’s apartment after a 20 minute motorcycle ride. Mezuma was cold and exhausted from this evening’s events. She barely had time to register that the apartment building Nona was staying at was in the nicer part of Unerverse.

One elevator ride later, Nona was gently pushing Mezuma into her apartment. It was a small but nice apartment. The kitchen was right when you walked in and there was a wall stopping half way through the room that separated it from the bedroom. There was such minimal furniture and decorations.. it looked like Nona had just moved in.

“Do you.. need to shower?”

“I showered already.” Mezuma kicked her shoes off by the door and tossed her coat onto one of the chairs by the kitchen table. “I could use a drink, if you’re offering.”

“Sure.” Nona searched around for a glass, then searched around for the bottle of vodka Mikla gave her months ago for some strange reason. She filled the glass half way and handed it to Mezuma who was sitting on her bed, staring blankly at the wall.

“Thanks.” Mezuma drank half of it easily and grimaced at the taste of it. Nona dragged one of the chairs from the kitchen to sit across from Mezuma. “Where were you..” Mezuma finally asked, after a few moments of silence.

“Mikla needed my help. I was there and.. I should’ve went looking for you and said something but.. It was an emergency- he...” Nona rubbed her hands over her face and leaned forward to rest her elbows on her knees. “There’s no excuse. I’m.. sorry.”

“That sucked. A lot. And on top of that, my psychopath ex decided to pay me a visit.” Mezuma spat bitterly. “I don’t deserve to be treated like this. And you need to decide what you want cause I’m getting really tired of all this shit.”

“I want.. you to be safe. And if you’re with me.. People are in danger when they’re around me. What I do.. isn’t exactly an easy profession. I could get called away at any point during the day, just like I was tonight. I have enemies. Anyone mad at me.. they’ll find out who you are and.. they could hurt you.”

“I don’t know if you were 100 percent paying attention.. but you just got into it with my ex. And even before I met him, my life was plenty dangerous before you showed up.”

“This danger isn’t moronic exes with power complexes. It’s demons who have an arsenal of weapons and people that do whatever they want to whomever they want, just because they can.”

“I almost got killed tonight.. by my moronic ex. But I didn’t. Because you were there to protect me, Nona. And I think with you being around me a lot, you’re gonna be protecting me A LOT.” Mezuma sipped her drink and made another face. “And jobs pull all kind of stupid shit all the time. I get called into the club at weird hours. The shitty thing would be not tellin’ me you got called, like you did tonight.”

“I know.. I’m sorry.” Nona sighed and hung her head. “I’m not good at.. this.”

“Yeah that’s pretty obvious.” Mezuma set her glass on the floor. “See, communication issues was one of the hundreds of reasons I dumped Kozic. He’d do stupid shit and disappear all the time without tellin’ me a damn thing.”

“I don’t want to be compared to him.”

“Then talk to me. It ain’t hard, Nona, we’re doin’ it right now.”

“I just... I don’t want to force you into anything.. that you didn’t agree to.”

“No one’s forcing anyone to do anything. I had some idea of who you are and what you do when I saw you last night at the club. If I didn’t want to get involved in this, I wouldn’t have sat across from you in that booth. And I know for a fact you could’ve made me go away that night but you didn’t.”

“No, I suppose I didn’t.” Nona sighed again and cracked her knuckles. “Why did you sit across from me?”

“Mostly I wanted to thank you.” Mezume crossed her legs up on the bed and rested her elbows on her knees. “The first time you saved me, I was so convinced that you were going to kill me because of Kozic. But.. you looked at me, like you cared for me. And I ain’t never had anyone look at me like that ever. And I just kept thinkin’ back to all those stories I’ve heard of you and everything was outweighed by that look you gave me. I wasn’t afraid of you.”

“I think that’s why I didn’t make you leave.” Nona carefully reached a hand out to Mezuma, allowing her to move away if she wanted, but when she was met with no resistance, Nona gently took the pink demon’s hand in hers. “I have.. a.. sense I can feel from demons. I don’t know exactly what it is. I can’t read minds but I can sense things.. emotions, actions, energies. Even the demons I’m hired to protect look at me with fear. Last night.. you were the first to look at me and not have an ounce of fear in you.”

“I’m afraid of heights and rats. But I ain’t afraid of you.” Mezuma smiled and took Nona’s hands with both of hers. “That scares you doesn’t it? That I’m not afraid of you?”

“A lot of things involving you scare me.” Nona answered quietly. “I’m afraid of how different I feel around you. Of how much I’m drawn to you after knowing you for barely two days. How ready I was to take the life of someone for you. And, yes, how much you’re not afraid of me. I make a career out of people being afraid of me, you know.”

“I wont tell anyone.” Mezuma winked and chuckled softly. “I made my decision last night when it was obvious you were interested in me. I.. have a better understanding of the risks that come with being around you.. and it still hasn’t really changed my mind. Cause I can usually handle myself. I did break Kozic’s nose, after all.”

“You did. I was impressed.”

“I’m just sayin’.. I can do a decent job of handling my own troubles. I don’t want you picking me up every time I fall. I’ve survived this long on my own. And I’ll continue doing well enough on my own.”

“But I can take care of you..”

“How about we take care of each other?” Mezume squeezed Nona’s hands. “We’ll take this slow. Feel each other out. Continue doing what we do every day, just, yanno, keepin’ communication open. Starting with maybe givin’ me your damn phone number?”

“Yes.” Nona cleared her throat. “I had thought of that after I left. Having each other’s numbers would’ve made this a lot easier.”

“Exactly.” Mezuma smiled and started swinging their hands a little bit. “So.. I’m on board if you are?”

“I... yes. I want.. this.”

“Great!” Mezume tugged on Nona’s arms to help her off the bed before she climbed onto the other woman’s lap, straddling her legs.

“Mezuma.” Nona warned, even as Mezuma was lifting up her hands to put them on around her waist. “Please, you went through a lot this evening, you must be exhausted.”

“What, I’m not allowed to sit on your lap?”

“Not when I know where it’s going.”

“I’m just sitting on your lap, Nona.”

“I want to take you out before.. anything happens.”

“Wow, you really wanna date me then. That’s adorable.”

“I’m not adorable.” Nona stood from the chair, easily lifting up the other woman in her arms. Mezuma squeaked and wrapped her limbs around Nona as she was carried over to the bed. When Nona gently laid them both onto the bed, Mezuma felt the exhaustion hit her like a truck and she wanted nothing more than to sleep now

“Don’t go.” Mezuma whined pathetically when Nona made any sort of movement to separate herself from her.

“Okay.” Nona shifted a bit and made herself comfortable while Mezuma tightened her hold. “I wont.” she ran her fingers through the pink demon’s hair and exhaled softly. “I’m here.”

“‘dorable..” Was the last thing Mezuma mumbled before finally falling asleep. Nona smiled softly, running her thumb over Mezuma’s cheek, before leaning forward and pressing a soft kiss the same cheek.

~~~

Mezume was so comfortable laying in Nona’s bed that she debated for a very long time if it was worth it to get up or not. Her curiosity to where Nona was won out in her debate and she quietly crawled out of bed.

Nona was on the other side of the half wall in the kitchen, making what smelled like eggs and toast. It took Mezuma a second to realize that Nona was wearing normal clothes. No leather jacket or black jeans with harsh, heavy boots. She was wearing grey joggers and a plain white shirt. But it wasn’t the casual clothes that caught Mezuma’s attention, even tho she found Nona adorable in them, it was looking up at Nona’s head and realizing her long horns were suddenly two small nubs.

“What happened to your horns?” she asked loudly with a lot of concern.

“Hm?” Nona glanced over her shoulder at Mezuma, distracted for a moment by how sleepy she looked, and reached up to touch a hand to her little horn nubs. “Oh.” And just like that, they grew back to their normal height. “Sorry.. it’s hard to sleep when they’re longer.”

“You can make them smaller?”

“I’m not sure what it is about me.. but I can change certain aspects of my physical appearance. Nothing extreme. I can give myself sharper teeth or more eyes.”

“Really? Let me see.” Nona chuckled at Mezuma’s excitement and bared her suddenly too sharp teeth at her. She carefully cupped Nona’s face and pressed one of her thumbs to her teeth. “Why only these things you can change?”

“We’re not sure.” Nona took both of Mezuma’s hands and removed them from her face so she could shift her teeth back. “I’ve tried changing other things about myself, my height, my face, but it’s specifically those three things.”

“What about these?” Mezuma reached a hand up to Nona’s neck, brushing her fingers along the strange red line that went around her throat.

“I don’t know.” Nona turned off the stove and reached up to touch them herself. “I’ve always had these. They’re not just on my neck.” she tugged her shirt collar down to expose more of her neck and collar bone. The same red marks traveled down the center of her body in different sized circles.

“Are they scars?” she sat at the table and accepted the plate of eggs and toast when Nona handed it to her.

“I’m not sure.” Nona rubbed her hand along her neck and rolled her shoulder. “They somewhat imply that I was beheaded.. I think I would remember something like that.”

“I don’t think you’d survive from something like that. Even powerful demons wouldn’t survive a beheading.”

“I’ve never scarred before either. They could just be marks.” Nona picked up her own plate and sat at the table across from Mezuma. “How did you sleep?”

“Your bed is a dream. I didn’t want to leave it.”

“Well, you’re welcome any time to use it.”

“Don’t make that offer, I’ll never want to leave this place.”

“I’m not entirely against that.”

“So forward, Nona.” Mezuma teased. “And so soon, what will everyone think? We haven’t even properly dated yet.”

“You climbed into my lap last night.”

“I’ll admit, I blame most of that on the vodka, but have you seen yourself? If that demon the other night wasn’t gonna pay for that dance, I would’ve danced for you for free.”

“Mezume you can’t say things like that.” Nona groaned and rubbed her hands on her face.

“Aw why? You gettin’ all bashful now? Big ol’ bad demon from the Wastelands gettin’ flustered cause of lil’ ol’ me?” Mezuma abandoned her half finished plate, went over to Nona’s side of the table, and plopped herself down in the green haired demon’s lap.

“Mezuma.”

“You wanted to say yes didn’t you? When that demon offered to buy ya a dance from me. You know, you shouldn’t start off a relationship on a lie, Nona.”

“I.. I wanted to say yes.” Nona leaned back in her seat, making their faces much more closer to each other. “I did.. but it was-”

“Complicated, I know that now. You didn’t want a fling, you wanted to date me then mate me.”

“That’s-” Nona snorted and tried desperately not to laugh. “That’s awful, don’t ever say that again.” Mezuma smiled and wondered how many other demons got to see Nona like this and she felt incredibly lucky for once in her life.

“You should kiss me.” Nona’s laughter faded away and was replaced with a small smile. She brought her hands up to gently hold Mezuma’s face, leaning up, she finally pressed their lips together. Mezuma sighed, draped her arms around Nona’s shoulders, pressing as close she could get to the other woman and kissed back. It didn’t last long enough to Mezuma’s liking because she whined the second Nona pulled away from her.

“I would like to take you out to tonight. After work... please.”

“We could get cheap burgers and eat outside for all I care. I ain’t a fancy lady.”

“We wouldn’t go somewhere terribly fancy. I.. would like to take you somewhere nice. On a proper date.”

“Fine, you’ve convinced me.” Mezume replied with an over-exaggerated sigh. “I get off at midnight tonight. For Hell’s sake you better give me your number, Nona.”

“I will when I can get up.”

“Go ahead, nothing’s stopping you.”

“You in my lap is what’s stopping me.”

“You carried me to bed last night.”

“You’re the one who said you didn’t need me to pick you up every time you fell.” Nona said with a smirk.

“Oooh, she’s a sassy one.” Mezuma squeaked again when Nona lifted her up, bridle style, got up from her seat, and set the smaller woman on it. “You should know that’s a turn on of mine.”

“Behave.” Nona warned. She disappeared for a moment around the other side of the half wall and came back with her phone in her hand. “I can take you home before you go to work.”

“I have.. clothes at work.” 

“There’s nothing to be afraid of. He’s not there anymore and my associates cleaned your apartment for you.” She knelt down next to Mezuma and handed her the phone. “You still have the card I gave you?”

“Yes, but I still don’t understand how the damn thing worked.”

“It’s a summoning card. You hold it and say my name, I can be summoned to you from anywhere. I’ve only given one to 2 other people.”

“I’m guessin’ Big Bad and your partner.”

“Correct.” Nona smiled. “Only use it in emergencies.”

“What qualifies an emergency?”

“Life threatening situations.”

Just as Mezuma finished typing her number into Nona’s phone, it started to ring and flashed Mikla’s name and a photo of him crouched on the ground with his hands clasped in front of him.

“Oh my Gods, is this Mikla?” Mezuma asked with such joy in her voice.

“He insisted I take that photo of him.” Nona responded with annoyance in her voice and snatched the phone away.

“Oh, I love him already.”

“You two will not meet, I will make sure of that.” Nona pressed her phone to her ear. “What did you do now, Mikla.”

“Oi, I didn’ do nothin’. I was just checkin’ in to see how last night went with your lady friend.”

“This is not a subject I wish to discuss with you.”

“So it went well, eh?”

“Mikla.”

“I don’ mean it like that. I’m genuinely curious to see how it went. Last night was a different side to you I havn’ seen before and believe it or not I care about your well bein’ so I’m just makin’ sure everythin’s alright, Nona.”

“It went... fine.” she watched Mezuma watching her while she ate.

“She must mean a fuckin’ lot to ya to have ya that strung out like that, Nans. I ain’t never seen you so flustered.”

“Mikla.”

“I’m ain’t sayin’ it to be malicious or nothin’, I promise. You’d be the last person I’d wanna piss off, Nans.”

“I appreciate the sentiment.”

“Don’ get all mushy on me now, Nona, I need your assistance with a meeting I’m going to today with a couple of potential new clients.”

“How long will it take?”

“Not long, couple hours. Why? Got plans this evening?”

“Yes.. if you must know.”

“I told ya she’d be pleased as punch to see ya. We can easily wrap this up around 9 or 10, you have my word, Nans.”

“I’ll bring your bike back.” Nona hung up the phone before Mikla could even say goodbye and placed it on the table.

“Work stuff?”

“New clients.” Nona quickly ate a couple bites of her meal. “I am to accompany Mikla to a meeting and basically stand there and look intimidating.”

“Interesting how similar our jobs are. You make a livin’ standin’ around looking deadly, and I make a livin’ standin’ around and looking gorgeous.”

“You’re not wrong.” Nona chuckled. “I’ve been given his word it wont interfere with our date.”

“If it does, you’ll call me?”

“If it does, I will call you.”

“You promise?”

“Clearly not.”

“Oh Nona..” he stopped pacing and stared thoughtfully out the large window overlooking the vast landscape outside. “Is there no way I could convince you to change your mind on this?”

“I’m sorry, dear friend, but that is not the path for me.” she pushed herself off the door frame and walked over to Oserious.

“And I will continue to respect your decision, as I always do.” he signed and rubbed his forehead between the two small nubbed horns. “What could I possibly do to teach this bratty child a single damn thing?”

“Let me handle it. If you’ll allow me.”

“How will you handle it?”

“You will just have to trust me, old friend.”

“As I always do, my dear.”

~~~

Mikla’s usual entourage were a couple of demon’s Oserious hired specifically for his great nephew. But this night, Nona insisted on joining him to whatever club he planned on visiting. The entire idea made Mikla so ecstatic he could hardly contain himself.

“I’ve got the guard dog to the Blue Demon followin’ me around the clubs, the boys are gonna flip their tits!” Mikla bellied up to the bar and ordered himself and a few other people around him shots. He downed two easily and handed one to Nona, who declined it instantly. “Cheers.” he tapped the glass on the counter top and downed that one as well.

The evening passed in a blur of people dancing and Mikla showing off nonstop. 3 bottles of champagne later, Mikla was lounging in the VIP area, surrounded by his friends he met up with and random people he accumulated after dropping his uncle’s name a few times. Nona stood quietly in the corner and watched all the club goers passing by the lounge.

“Oi! Ladies!” Mikla shot up when a group of girl passed by the door. “Wanna come join us then? We’ve got bubbly and lovely couches to sit your pretty selves in.” The girls  couldn’t resist a chance to be in the VIP lounge and agreed to join him and the group.

"Who are you suppose to be then?" one of the girls asked, taking a drink offered to her by Mikla.

"I'm so glad you ask, love. I happen to be the great nephew of a very powerful demon." Mikla smirked. "Dark and brooding over there is my body guard for the evenin'." he crowded in the girls space. "She just so happens to be a certain wondering demon from the Wastelands."

"Wastelands?" the girl whispered back loudly. "Like, Big Blue? That's his guard dog?!"

"Sure enough." Mikla winked and drank heavily from the bottle he was carrying.

"Uncle let me 'ave her for the evenin'."

"What's he like?"

"He's a boring ol' git, if I'm bein' honest. She's the real deal, however. I've seen her break a demon's arm like it was a toothpick."

"Are all the stories about her true?" she crowded into Mikla's space, wrapping an arm around him to try and keep him as a barrier between her and Nona. Mikla mistook it for flirting and proceeded to hold her close by her waist.

"Don't sweat it, love, Miky's here to protect ya, don' chu worry."

“Hey!!” a large tri horned demon burst into the lounge and shoved Mikla away from the girl he was wrapped up in. “Fucking keep your hands off my girl, bruh.”

“Mate, she was gettin’ handsy wit me first. Ain’t my fault, ‘bruh’.”

“You keep talkin’ I’m gonna be shoving tea and biscuits down your throat, ‘mate’.”

“You can’t touch me, boyo. I’ve got a guard dog with me. She’s the Blue Demon’s guard dog. So i wouldn’t mess wifh me if I was you, yeah?”

Nona stayed silent in the corner and shrugged her shoulders, playing dumb when the tri horned demon gave her a once over.

“She don’t look like much to me, pal.” he grabbed Mikla by the shirt, easily lifting him from the ground. “I think you’re all talk buddy.”

“Oi! Put me down, ya dickhead! She’s the real deal she’ll kick your bloody face in, I’m not jokin, bruv!” Mikla twisted himself to look over at Nona, who continued standing in the corner. “Whatcu standin’ around for, get him off me.”

Nona made eye contact with the tri horned demon again and simply shrugged once again. Mikla could barely get a word out before he was slammed into the ground.

The group of people in the lounge gathered around as the tri horned demon just started laying into him. Beating him to a bloody mess. And Mikla the whole time just didn’t stand a fight against him, he curled up into a pathetic ball to defend himself.

“Alright. That’s enough.” Nona had shoved her way through the group and caught the tri horned demon’s arm, yanking him away from Mikla’s beaten form.

“Woman, if you don’t-” the demon was thrown onto the ground with Nona standing over him, twisting his arm until he screamed. “Fucking bitch!! Let go!”

“A lesson has been learned here. I suggest you leave.. Or I will break this.” she twisted his arm slightly, causing him to yell out again.

"Alright, Alright!" Nona released his arm and the demon quickly got up from the ground to gather his girlfriend and leave the lounge. Mikla’s friends began to disappear as well. One by one from the VIP lounge leaving  Mikla laying helplessly on the floor.

“Are you fucking mad!?” he spat, wiping blood from his mouth. “You just let that bloke beat me within an inch of my bloody life!!”

"Seems like you had it under control 'Miky'. You were just offering to protect that girl from me." Nona hooked her hand under Mikla’s arm and helped him to his feet.

"I don't need your help." he hissed, shoving her away from him.

"A minute ago you were begging for my help."

"Fuck off." Mikla pressed a hand to his eye and stumbled out of the lounge. "You wait until my uncle hears what happened, dog."

~~~

Back home, Mikla was sitting in his great uncle’s study, pressing a cube of ice to his eye. His already blue tinted skin was covered in darker blue, almost black, spots from where he was hit. And he was bleeding from his eyebrow and bottom lip. Nona stood by Oserious’s desk as Mikla retold how the evening went.

“And you allowed this young man to beat my nephew?” he asked, turning to look at his young friend.

“I told you to trust me, Oserious.”

“I do, Nona, I’m just curious to see how this fits into what we discussed earlier.”

“Discussed what earlier?” Mikla demanded.

“Your behavior, nephew. You have been a colossal pain in my side since you moved here. Do you understand I’ve spent years working on everything I have today? And you think you get everything by default just because you’re family.”

“Well ain’t that the point?”

“To an extent yes. But it’s my say in the end of who gets to be my partner in all this- my ward, Miklazal. And if you don’t start learning some respect for me and respect for everything I do and everyone I associate myself with, then you don’t deserve a place here.”

“How can I respect you, or this bitch, when you both treat me like I'm a child.”

“Because you ARE a child, Mikla.” Nona walked around Oserious’s desk and stood herself right in front of Mikla. “You treated me as something to parade around. Like you would with a car or a watch. I am not an object. I am not your excuse to be an asshole to people. I am not a thing you can summon every time you get a scrape on your knee. You treat your uncle and everything he’s worked for the same way. As something you can use.”

Mikla pursed his lips and huffed angrily before Nona took the ice from his hand.

“You said horrid things about your uncle this evening, your own blood. Respect it something you give to someone even when they're not in the room. And it's something YOU haven't earned yet. Especially from me." she threw the ice into his lap. "Your uncle is one of the most powerful demons in Unervrse. He doesn't need my help, I've choose to stay here and.. 'be his guard dog' as everyone keeps calling it. Oserious is perfectly capable of handling himself, I know this because he was the only demon to beat me in a fight. I killed countless demons out there in the Wastelands, and your uncle was the only one who stood a chance against me. You on the other hand, can barely blow your  nose without whining about it."

“Yeah, well, I ain’t my uncle, love.” Mikla picked up the melting ice cube from his lap and pressed it back to his eye. "And i'd really rather not be him."

“You’re not here to be me, Mikla.” Oserious stood from his desk. "I want you to be the best version of yourself and I know that I have the ability to help you mature and grow into that. But all you've done is taken advantage of the resources I've given you. You've barely given me any chance of reaching out to you. Instead, you only seem to care about partying and getting yourself into trouble. Demons have killed to try and have the opportunity to be in this position that you were born into. My legacy could be your, if you'll just grow up." “Alright well, what if I don’t live up to this idea you have of me then, eh? What if I don’t want to be apart of your legacy?”

“Then leave.” Oserious clasped his hands behind his back and wondered over to the window. “No one’s making you stay here, Mikla. You can go back home and continue being the disappointment your mother sees of you. Or you could stay here and work harder then you've ever had in your entire life. I didn't give this opportunity to you because you're blood, Mikla, I gave it to you because I see potential."

“And what about you?” he asked Nona after a moment of silence, ”Do you see ‘potential’ in me?”

“I didn’t let that demon kill you did I?” Nona answered with a smirk.

“Gee, thanks for that. Really appreciate it.” Mikla licked his bloodied lip and sighed through his nose. “You really see potential in me?”

“Yes.” Oserious spun around to his face his nephew. “I wouldn’t have allowed you to be here this long if I didn’t think so otherwise. I just think you lack focus and drive. I don’t want you here to be a replacement me. I want you here to be someone I can trust everything to. My work. My ideas. I want to be able to share these things with you and hear what you have to say. But I cannot entrust that to someone who doesn’t understand himself and his own greatness.”

“You sayin’ I got greatness in me, uncle?”

“I see potential.” Oserious chuckled. “It’ll take hard work. But I can already see you’ve got the makings in you to become a very powerful demon in your own right. Who knows? You could outshine me one day.”

“Mum told me I wouldn’t amount to anythin’.” Mikla admitted quietly. “I’d kinda like to prove her wrong.”

"Good." Oserious walked up to his nephew and took the ice cube from his hand.

"Get yourself presentable and join me in the main room, we have a guest arriving soon."

"A guest, Oserious?" Nona asked, following easily into his stride out the door.

"Someone wishes to air some grievances, Nona, and I've agreed to meet with him tonight."

"Shall I stay close by?"

"Out of sight preferably, but yes stay close by." Oserious turned to his young friend but was greeted with a faded cloud of black smoke. He chuckled and went towards the main room alone.

Mikla joined him moments later. His face cleaned of any blood and his bruises were already starting to fade back to his natural blue color.

"Nephew, tonight continues to be a learning experience for you." Oserious went to the great stone chair in the center of the room. "Now, I implore you to stay here, watch, and listen carefully to everything that happens here tonight. You are, at no point, allowed to speak. Am I clear?"

"Does that include right now?"

Oserious stared at him amused as he sat down in the chair. Mikla held up his hands in surrender and mimed zipping his own lip.

The doors to the main room flung open, forcing Oserious and Mikla's attention to the cause of the interruption. A tall and lanky demon with half of one of his horns missing came stumping through the room, followed by three other demons. He stopped several feet from Oserious in his chair.

"I've got issues with you, Oserious."

"So i've been told, Salsi. Do go on." Oserious leaned back in his seat, crossing one leg over the other.

"You've been shorting me and my gang's weapons. We're good payin' customers, Oserious, nothin' but loyalty from us and this is how we're thanked?"

"I truly have no idea what you're referring to, Salsi. I pack and send out all the weapons myself. I keep reosters of every gun, knife, and sword I've ever sent out. I have been doing this for quite a while, you know, decades before you were a child shitting in your own pants. So now tell me this: why are you lying to me?"

"I ain't lying to ya! We ordered and bought four crates of weapons and we only got three. Teht here got the crates himself."

"Interesting you bring up Teht." Oserious clasped his hands on his lap and cleared his throat. "I happen to have an associate who stumbled upon a demon selling a box of MY weapons. And I don't particularly remember authorizing someone to be selling my merch on the western part of Unerverse, ironically, where you and your gang have set base."

From somewhere behind Mikla, there was a sound of someone pushing something heavy across the floor. Appearing from the shadows, a box  was pushed out with such force it slid onto the ground and landed almost perfectly next to Oserious.

"Do you know the weapons that are missing from your order? I think you'll find them in that box."

Salsi looked suspiciously from Oserious to the box. But Oserious gestured for Salsi to check the box himself, so that's what he did. Sure enough, after opening it, all the weapons that were missing from his order were sitting in the box.

"What the hell is this?" Salsi demanded, looking back at the three other demons he had come in with.

"Boss, he's full of shit! He's lying! He probably put the weapons in the box himself to fuck with us!"

"I am not a lying demon, Teht. I make good on my word. I sent out four crates and you yourself said you've only received three of them." Oserious spoke.

"He was the only one that saw em when we got em boss." one of the other demons mentioned.

"I ain't lying!!"

"Teht, you gotta come clean, right now." Salsi warned. "Oserious wouldn' have reason to lie to me about somethin' like this, I've known him a long time."

"Boss you've known me a long time!" Teht was becoming agitated, but Oserious remained incredibly calm during the whole exchange.

"The way I see it, mister Teht. You have one of two options. Tell the truth and face the consequences or... continue lying to your boss, and to me.. and face the consequences." Oserious shrugged his shoulders half heartedly. "Your choice."

Teht's breathing was picking up, his eyes darting wildly to each person in the room. Mikla was the only one to see Teht subtly reaching for the knife that was hanging from a pouch on his hip. He was torn between listening to his uncle telling him not to talk, or warning his uncle of the weapon about to be drawn.

The decision was made when Teht yanked the knife from the holster and flung it with precision right at Oserious's head. Salsi and his gang began yelling and holding Teht back. Oserious didn't even make any movement to avoid the knife. But he didn't have to. A cloud of faded black smoke appeared and a hand shot out to grab the knife as it was inches away from Oserious's face.

"Nona, thank you for joining us."

The smoke cleared away, leaving Nona standing to Oserious's right side, still holding the handle of the knife. Salsi and his gang instantly fell silent as Nona brought the knife up to inspect it.

"Horribly unbalanced." she flipped the weapon around, catching it by the blade and held it out for Oserious to take.

"Hm, not only was my life threatened.. it was threatened by a lessor weapon."

"You deserve better." Oserious hummed his agreement and studied the knife.

"Well now, this must be terribly awkward for you, mister Teht." Oserious rose from his seat. "Not only were you caught in a lie.. but your half assed assassination attempt was thwarted very easily."

"Please, I didn't mean to. It was a mistake!"

"Oh this was no mistake, Teht. You're now back peddling because my dear friend is here, and you're afraid of her." he shoved the handle of the knife into Teht's stomach, causing him to double over and fall to his knees. Oserious got down on one knee in front of Teht and grabbed a handful of his hair. "She is dangerous yes, but.. I have wisdom and years of experience she doesn't have. I have a vast knowledge of fighting, war tactics, weapons old and new. I've seen things you wouldn't be able to conceive in your tiny head. I'm the only one to have beaten her in combat and I'm the one who has taught her everything she knows. So, mister Teht, if you're afraid of her... you must be terrified of me."

Still clutching Teht's hair, Oserious stood up from the ground, having no trouble dragging Teht with him as he walked over to the box of weapons. Teht recovered enough from the blow to the stomach to try and grab at Oserious's arm, but Oserious was not having it. Teht's body was thrown against the side of the box, knocking the wind out of him. Mikla stood silently by, watching his uncle grab and hold Teht's left arm up against the box before stabbing the knife through the palm of his hand. Teht's agonizing scream echoed through room as dark green blood ran down his arm to the stone floor underneath him.

"Now," Oserious cleared his throat and straightened his mussed suit up. "I believe a lesson has been learned here today. Salsi, I hold no ill will towards you and your wrongful convictions. Take the box, those weapons are rightfully yours, after all. But I strongly suggest that if you wish to continue a partnership with me, you need to do something with Teht yourself."

"Yes Oserious." Salsi looked back at his two other men and motioned for them to get Teht. Both men scrambled past Oserious, yanked the knife from Teht's hand, and dragged him and the box over to Salsi. "I'm real sorry about all this, Oserious. I had no idea-"

"Apology accepted, Salsi. No further explanations needed." Oserious took his place back in his chair and got himself comfortable. "Mister Teht, you should count yourself lucky you're walking out of here in one piece. I cannot speak on behalf of your luck when you return home with your associates however. But I hope the punishment you receive is equal to the trouble you've caused here today."

"Don't worry, Oserious, I'm gonna handle it." Salsi grabbed the collar of Teht's shirt and dragged him towards the door with his other two men carrying the box out behind them.

"I believe your nephew is dying to say something, Oserious." Nona said with a chuckle, watching Mikla open and close his mouth like a fish.

"I had actually forgotten you were here, dear nephew. I'm please you finally did as you were told." Mikla began doing wild hand gestures, looking between his uncle and Nona very quickly as if he were trying to convey something to the both of them. With a sigh, Oserious put a hand on his shoulder. "You may speak now nephew."

"What the Hell?! That was the coolest bloody thing I've ever seen in my entire life!! You stabbed that guy's hand! Like it was nothing!!"

"Not so old and boring now, is he?" Nona sighed, raising a brow at the young man.

"Fuck no! I mean.. I only heard stories about you really." Mikla said, pointing at Nona. "Wasteland guard dog and what have you, but I didn't know how incredibly bad-fucking-ass my own uncle was!"

"You flatter me nephew."

"No, honestly, how come I've never heard anythin' about you? All I hear about is Nona this, Nona that! Not that there's anythin' wrong with that, love. But did he really beat you in a fight?"

"It was a long drawn out fight that inevitably ended with me being victorious. And well, here we are. The reason I stay sidelined now, Mikla, is because of how vast my empire is. I cannot afford to be doing my own dirty work anymore because I am now the head of the largest weapon manufacturers in the Unerverse."

"So you have Nona protectin' your work while you continue to grow it. You can't waste your own time and energy on petty dealings  with small groups of demons because you've got big names and partners you need to keep satisfied with your product and ideas."

"Now you're getting it." Oserious proudly patted Mikla's shoulder. "I'm still only one demon, Mikla, I can't be in multiple places at once."

"Yeah." Mikla rubbed his hand along his bottom lip, wincing a bit at his finger touching the healing cut there. "So.. where do I fit in wit' all this then?"

"That... is entirely up to you, Mikla." Oserious smiled before putting an arm around his nephew's shoulder and guiding him out of the room.

~~~

2 years ago

~~~

"Nona, Nana, Banana, my buddy, my mate, my tall lass with the big sass who kicks ass." MIkla strutted into the dining room of his uncles home, where Nona was sitting at the grand table, sipping tea and looking over a small pile of paper.

"What do you need, Mikla."

"Told ya to call me Miky, love."

"And I told you not to call me Nana or Banana."

"They're lovely nicknames, Banana, it's a common thing that friends do wifh each other, ya know."

"We're not friends."

"Oh Nanas.." Mikla clutched at his heart. "You wound me." Putting down her paper with a sigh, Nona turned her attention to the young man.

"You'll actually be clutching your heart in pain if you don't tell me what it is you need."

"Alright, straight to the point, I wanted to try and get some lovely conversation going before I asked anything of ya but you're an all business gal, and I like that about you-"

"Mikla." Nona warned.

"Some bloke's stolen one of my weapon designs."

"That's quite a serious problem, Mikla." Nona leaned back in her seat. "Does Oserious know?"

"Gods no, I don't wanna bother the old man with this. Plus I knew you and I could handle it no problem."

"When did this become my problem?"

"When I asked you for help... now... I'm asking you for help now. Please? As a favor to a friend?"

"We're not friends. And I thought you were will equipped with handling your own problems now, Mikla. I didn't spend months training you for no reason."

"And I can, usually," Mikla hopped up on the table, ignoring all the papers Nona was looking over, "but the thing is, I know this guy and he's very unpredictable, so I just wanna make sure I ain't goin' into nothin' without any sort of back up."

"How do you know who it is?"

"Well I've only shown the design to three other people. You, uncle O, and Hultt."

"What would Hultt want with one of your designs?"

"Well if I knew that I'd be handling it, wouldn't I, Nana?"

"You must stop calling me that." Nona huffed and crossed her arms in thought. "So you want me to conduct an interrogation?"

"No no no, I will be handlin' everythin' involving gettin' the information from Hultt along with the original design back. I just needed to know that I'd have back up in case he decided to go mental."

"A good point, Hultt would break you easily," Nona grabbed her cup of tea before taking a sip. "Let me know when you'll be needing my assistance."

"Oh I'll be needing it in about.. 5 minutes?" Mikla pushed himself off the table, making some papers fly off.

"Mikla, I'll kill you."

"Later, we gotta deal with this first Nana." Mikla beckoned her over to the door all while shimmying his shoulders.

"I don't know how you keep talking me into these things." they both made their way down the hall, probably to one of the meeting rooms in the back of the mansion.

"It's part of my natural charm, love. I once talked a man into givin' me his hat."

"The same man that beat you to a pulp afterwards?"

"Apples and oranges, Nans, I got the hat, didn't I?"

"That doesn't bod well for you in this scenario."

"And that's why you're here!" Mikla pushed open the door at the end of the hall. The room was small and simple. Only a long table and half a dozen chairs occupied the inside of it. "He should be here soon, so where are you-" he turned to Nona, but she was already gone, leaving the faded black smoke where she just was seconds ago. "I need to put a bell on that one.."

Mikla fell into one of the chairs and kicked his feet up on the table. He barely had time to pull out his phone to occupy himself when a large and towering demon entered the room.

"Hulttsie tootsie, how ya doin' bruv?"

"Doin' good, doin' good." Hultts sat in one of the seats on the left side of the table. Mikla put away his phone and crossed his arms while leaning back more in the seat. "Is this why you asked me here?"

"No no, just making polite conversation. Uncle O's always tellin' me small talk makes it easier to discuss serious business."

"Serious business? Miky's what's goin' on?"

"I've been hearin' things, Hultt. I got eyes and ears out there, and someone picked up that someone in here is tryin' to sell one of my designs out there. Now.. you wouldn't happen to know anythin' about that, would ya?"

"I thoght yous guys kept that sort of stuff under lock and key. How could someone get one of ya's designs?"

"You tell me, Hultt. Cause I only showed 3 people that design.. and you were one of them."

"I don' appreciate what you're implyin' here, Mikla. You sayin' I would betray yous like this?"

"Look, all I'm sayin' is... out of the 3 people I showed my design to, one of them being my uncle, one of them being one of the most dangerous women in the entire Unerverse, I don't think either of them would do somethin' like this to me. So I'm gonna ask you this only once, and I want an honest answer: why you stealin' my designs and tryin' to sell em, Hultt?"

"Listen," Hultt started after a beat of silence. "I wasn' really intendin' on sellin' em to anyone just yet. I wanted to talk to you and Oserious and make a deal."

"First off, those are my designs. If you're talkin' to anyone, it's gonna be me and only me. Secondly,  you must be really thick if you think you're gonna steal my ideas and demand to make a deal with me."

"Look if you want them papers back, you'll listen to what I have to say, Mikla." Hultt slammed one of his big hands on the table, causing it to shift a little, but Mikla didn't move his legs from their perch.

"Alright.. I'm listenin'."

"You and your uncle ruined my friend's life. After leavin' here four years ago, his buddies dropped him and his gang abandoned him after years of serving with them. Teht is a good demon, he just needed a little extra money, and you and your family ruined his life."

"Teht stole weapons. Not only from Oserious, but from his own gang. There are plenty other ways of makin' money that don't involve stealin' from your own friends and powerful demons, Hultt."

"You took everything from him! You and your damned uncle."

"Anything that happened to him when he left this building was not our doing. He received the punishment my uncle thought he deserved. Whatever his gang did to him afterwards, is not our fault. He only has himself to blame."

"His gang wouldn'ta done that to him if it weren't for your uncle.."

"He shouldn't have stolen goods from the Big Bad, Hultt." Mikla kicked the table with the heel of his shoe, slammed his feet on the floor, and stood up from the chair. "No matter how you look at this, it started off with him makin' that choice when those four crates showed up in his care. You don' betray your mates and you don't steal from people you can't protect yourself from."

Hultt's fists were clenched and trembling, by his body language it was clear he was doing everything in his power not to lash out at Mikla. But Mikla didn't show the slightest bit of concern.

"Now. Give me back my designs... or I'll beat you to Hell and take them back from you." Mikla stared Hultt down and waited for him to make any sort of movement, whether to actually give him back his designs, or try to fight him. After a few moments of tense silence, Hultt reached into a pocket inside his jacket and pulled out an envelope with Mikla's handwriting on it. Mikla sneaked it from Hultt and shoved the envelope inside his pocket.

"Your civilery and commitment to your friends will not go unnoticed. But your arrogance and poorly misguided sense of justice just lost you your job here." Mikla turned to leave, shoving his chair out of his path towards the door. Through gritted teeth, Hultt started yelling, and pulled a gun out of his pocket. Taking aim at the back of Mikla's head, he moved to pull the trigger. A cloud of black smoke appeared at his side as he gripped the trigger with his finger. An arm shot out, grabbing his wrist and twisting his arm so the gun was pointing towards the ceiling when it shot off. The smoke cleared and Nona hooked her foot around Hultt's to get him to fall to his knee before making him drop the gun and pinning his own arm behind his back.

"That wasn't a very well thought out idea." Mikla tsked at Hultt and picked up the dropped gun from the floor. "Thank you, Nona, but you can let him go." When Nona released Hultt, he made no movement to get up. He just stayed kneeling on the ground, breathing heavily and refusing to look up at either of them.

"Teht must've told ya what happened to him four years ago. He threatened my uncle's life with a knife and failed. You've threatened my life with a gun... and failed. Did he also tell ya what my uncle did with his knife?" Mikla kicked Hultt on the side of his head causing him to slam against the wall next to him. Groaning pathetically, Hultt went to reach for his head, but was stopped by Mikla grabbing his hand and holding it against the wall. Then, he pressed the gun against the meatiest part of his hand. "Oserious, being the nice demon he is, returned Teht's knife to him."

"Mikla no, please!!" Hultt begged, trying to wrench his arm away from Mikla. "Have mercy!"

"Mercy is given to those who deserve it. You were about to murder me in a cowardly way. If you're gonna shoot someone, you should at least have the decency of looking them in the eye when you pull the trigger, Hultt."

"I'm sorry!!"

"I'm sure you are." Miklea let go of his wrist and removed the gun. Hultt let out a sob of relief and brought his arm to cradle it against his chest. "You're lucky I hate guns." he handed over the gun to Nona, who took it and unloaded the clip from it. "I prefer a more hands on approach."

From his coat pocket, Mikla pulled out a pair of thick, black metal brass knuckles.When he slid them onto his hands, he flexed his fingers and rolled his shoulders to loosen himself up. Hultt attempted to stand up, possibly to get away, but Mikla's knuckles met the side of his face and he dropped down to the ground with a heavy thud. There wasn't a window Hultt could get into to try and fight back. Any time he tried to, Mikla would just sucker punch him back to the ground.

This went on for several minutes until Mikla decided that he was done and Hultt was a beaten mess. Spitting purple blood out, Hultt made a noise like a dying animal and limply laid down on his side.

"Now i do feel a little bad for you, Hultt." Mikla crouched down in front of him as he removed the brass knuckles from his fists. "You just lost your job and got the ever lovin' shit beaten out of ya by a demon half your size. But, this was the choice you made when you took my shit. If you had possibly come clean to me before... maybe this coulda all been avoided.. but it's a bit late for that, innit?" he chuckled and patted the side of Hultt's head before standing up.

"Are you gonna kill me?" Hultt asked after spitting out more blood.

"No, you get to live today. But I want you to understand that everything that has happened here was entirely your fault. You can accept it now or accept it later, dealers choice. I will warn you that.. if I see your mug 'round here after today, you will not have this opportunity to leave my home in one piece again. So.. count ya blessin', if you're into that sorta thing." the knuckles were put back into his pockets and he straightened his jacket. "Nona, would you be an absolute lamb and escort this young man from my home?"

"Sure thing, boss." ~~~

"And is there any particular reason I wasn't informed of any of this?" Oserious had found out, of course, and was now holding Mikla and Nona for question in his study.

"Well it didn't really 100% concern ya, Uncle. I mean, yeah, he was one of your guys but it was my designs and my problem to deal with."

"And it was dealt with?"

"Obviously yeah." Mikla pulled out the envelope from his jacket and tossed it onto Oserious's desk.

"And Hultt will not be returning here again, I hope."

"I told 'im, he comes round here again, he ain't leavin' in one piece. I clean up my messes, Uncle, I don't appreciate the 3rd degree here."

"The fact that this demon was able to get your designs in the first place has me baffled. And while I am concerned with how he got ahold of them, I am filled with.. pride at how well it sounds like you handle the situation, Mikla."

"He did very well, sir." Nona informed.

"Aw, Nans, you old softy." Mikla playfully punched Nona's arm. "Ain't no big deal, this is what you taught me to do."

"Yes but it was your choice to listen and learn from my teachings. You've come a long way and I'm proud to see how much you've grown and how much you will continue to grow. You'll make a fine partner one day, Mikla." Oserious waved his hand off to dismiss his nephew and motioned for Nona to stay behind while Mikla left the room.

Some time later, Nona found Mikla lounging in the parlor, nursing a glass of whiskey.

"You did very well today, Mikla."

"You flatter me, love." Mikla pressed the back of his hand to his forehead and feigned swooning. "What is it you and Uncle O were dicussin' when I left? Top secret information? Takin' secret smack about me?"

"He wanted to hear the events of today from my perspective. So I told him. He's still very impressed. And he has asked if I would offer my services to you to which I agreed."

"Wait." Mikla sat up, nearly dropping his glass on the ground. "What does that mean exactly?"

"You've shown maturity. You didn't have me fight your battle for you. But you also knew your own limits and didn't try to over compensate just to prove a point. Oserious believes that this warrants more responsibility.. to continue testing you.. and I agreed with him. Oserious has given you permission to use my assistance when you need it, as long as it doesn't affect or interrupt any order he has me doing for him. So, now you wont have to ask me to do anything as a friend, I'll be working for you."

"Aha! So we are friends."

"That's really the thing you're taking away from this?"

"Yup, you and I are like two peas in a pod now, Nana Banana."

"Mikla I will kill you."

"Oh Nona, you sweet talker you."

"You're not my type."

"Devilishly handsome not your type then?"

"I'm starting to regret my decision."

"Alright alright." Mikla set his drink down on the coffee table by the couch and stood up. "I appreciate the offer, I do. And I'm willin' to accept it, knowing full well my Uncle is testin' me to make sure I ain't just usin' you to run my errands and pick up my dry cleaning. But.. let's not label it that you 'work for me'. In the pyramid of power, I'd like to think we're on the same level now. So, let's just call it 'working with each other' and go on with our lives, yeah?"

"We're still not friends."

"Aw, come now Nona, admit it you enjoy spending time with me. I add color to your black and grey life. But if you really feel that way, I wouldn't want to have you 'round me just cause my uncle said so. Everyone's got a choice, Nona. If you don't wanna work with me, I wont be offended. The last thing I would do it make someone do somethin' they don't wanna do."

"You're too chatty-"

"-It's part of my charm."

"-and it was my idea. Not Oserious's. I'm aware I have the freedom to make my own choices. I've told you before, your uncle gave me the choice to leave whenever I wanted to. But I've chosen to stay. And I've chosen to work for you."

"With me." Mikla corrected.

"With you." Nona agreed.

"Excellent." Mikla picked up his glass and went to the cabnit to grab Nona one. He returned to her with the empty glass and raised his up to hers. "To a lovely partnership and the continuing saga of our friendship."

"Not friends."

"We're a little friends." Mikla tapped his glass against Nona's and sipped his whiskey. "You've tolerated me this long, that's friendship baby."

"I wouldn't classify tolerating someone as friendship."

"I wouldn't have any friends if people didn't tolerate me, Nans. The sooner you accept the wonderful experience that is this friendship the happier you'll be. Who knows? I might even get you laid one day."

"I manage to do pretty well without your help." Nona smirked and left the room after putting her empty glass on the table.

"What?! Wait!!" Mikla roughly set his glass down onto the table and practically tripped over himself following Nona out of the study. "Nona, Nans, terrifying amazonian goddess you are, you gotta give your old pal the details. You're tellin' me you've been gettin' tail?"

"This is not a subject I wish to discuss with you."

"You gotta throw me a bone here, love. I've been here this whole time thinkin' all you know in your entire life is murder and and you're tellin' me you've got game?? I gotta know what kind fellas you're in to!"

"Other team."

"Nooo..." Mikla exclaimed in disbelief. "This whole time we coulda been out on the town together!! Mikla and Nona, charmin' the ladies. My entire world view has shifted now, I hope you know."

"You are the most infuriating person I've ever had the displeasure of interacting with."

"Aw, I love you too Nans."

Now that just won’t do. Oserious has been making weapons for decades. He’s always had a hand in distributing them out to the right paying consumers. There’s never been a middle man and there never will be.

It didn’t take long for Oserious to find out where these demons were hiding. It pays to have eyes and ears everywhere.

He would go to deal with the problem himself, but Oserious had a prior engagement. A meeting with some associates he cannot postpone. And if nothing was done with these scoundrels tonight, the could potentially move their base of operation. So time was of the essence.

Inside an old apartment building, several of the gang members were scrambling to box every weapon they had spread out among the apartment. Two of them were keeping an eye on the exits and one of them was standing watch by windows facing the dark street.

Closed off in a room in the back of the building, the leader of this unorganized group, Kozic, was dealing with his own problems: his ex.

“I hope you eat a fat one, Kozic.” Spat a pink hair, short horned demon. “You and your idiot gang would be the only mooks to think they could get away with some shit like this.”

“Mez, I was doin’ it for us! How else am i gonna keep buyin’ ya pretty things!”

“There ain’t no ‘us’! I broke up with you a week ago and you went nutso and kidnapped me!!” To emphasize her point, she yanked at the handcuffs around her wrists, keeping her hunched over the bed she was chained to.

“Mez, it was for your own good! You made a mistake, but I’m willin’ ta forgive ya tryin’ to dump me. I know you weren’t in your right mindset.”

“I wasn’t in my right mind?!” She yanked on the handcuffs again, wanting desperately to have her hands free so she could sock Kozic in the face. “You’re the one kidnappin’ people and stealin’ guns from Big Bad!! You’ve never had a decent thought in that black hole you call a brain in your entire life!! You heard the stories! And I hope they’re true! Cause Big Bad’s gonna send Her after you and your idiotic gang!”

Kozic rushed at Mezuma with such sudden movement, she barely had time to register before his hand was around her throat, stilling her movements.

“Shut it.” Kozic squeezed until Mezuma was wheezing in his grip. “Or I’ll shut ya up myself, Mezuma.”

“Eat.. shit.” Mezuma managed to rasp out. Kozic released his fist, causing Mezuma to collapse onto the floor. She gulped in breaths as she tried sitting up, but Kozic brought his hand hard across her face and she slammed into the side of the bed.

“Babe I warned ya...” Kozic knelt down next to her, grabbing her face again. “That mouths gonna getcha in a lotta trouble if ya ain’t too careful. I keep tellin’ ya: a mouth like that is only good for one thing.”

“Kozic!!” One of the watchers was pounding on the other side of the door, ripping Kozic’s attention away from Mezuma for a moment. “We got company.”

Kozic stood up and went over to the table in the corner of the room to grab his gun. “I ain’t done with you.” He looked over to Mezuma as he loaded the gun. “As soon as this mess is sorted, I want a nice apology.”

A crash brought both their attention to the door. After a beat of silence, there was a disembodied groan and a silent thud. Kozic clicked the safety off his gun, quietly opened the door, and disappeared into the hallway.

Mezuma sat curled up in a panic. The side of her face her like hell and she had nothing to arm herself with. Kozic took everything off her person she could use as a weapon or to escape with, leaving her only in her shirt and shorts. Hell, she’d probably be able to free herself if she had a bobby pin but the bastard was smart enough to get rid of those as well.

Every moment felt like agony. The Big Bad wasn’t merciful with his enemies. Mezuma had heard the stories. How he found Her wondering around the Wastelands, feral and dangerous, like she was born to fight. He was the only demon who got close enough to tame her. And now she’s his faithful guard dog. Mezuma was starting to think her life was in danger just being associated with Kozic and his gang. She blinked back bitter tears and cursed the day she ever met Kozic.

There was a creak in the hall. Slow and steady foot steps growing louder as they approached the door. Mezuma ducked behind the bed as much as she could, but the handcuffs made it difficult to hid without having to twist her body uncomfortably. The door squeaked open. Tears were rolling down her face, but she held her breath to stay silent for as long as she could.

It felt like years past before she heard any sort of movement. But the moment she felt hands touch hers, Mezuma started sobbing.

“It’s okay.”

Mezuma had heard the stories. The wondering demon, No Name. Stories among younglings were, if you said her name enough, she’d appear and rip your horns off. Just stories kids told each other to scare themselves. But it was convincing enough that not a single person, adult or child, dared to whisper her name. Some stories say, No Name was so terrifying that looking at her banished you to the Wastelands. That her very presence scared the Gods themselves.

But that’s not what Mezuma saw when she looked up. Instead, she saw a woman. A woman covered in freckles. With long green hair and 2 black horns. The only oddity about her was an upside down crescent moon that looks like it was carved into her forehead. But.. Mezuma looked up at her, and saw nothing that any of the stories she had heard describe. Just a woman staring at her with such concern on her face that it made Mezume start crying again.

“You’re with them?”

Mezuma could barely speak, so she shook her head in response.

“Then I won’t hurt you.”

The woman tucked her fingers into the cuffs and easily ripped them open, freely Mezuma’s bruised wrists. Mezuma rubbed at the red, raw skin, already fading into her natural pink tint, and kept staring at this woman.

“Are you hurt?”

Mezuma didn’t respond, but she gently touched her fingers to where Kozic had hit her moments before. The other woman saw her reddened cheek and her jaw clenched.

“What’s your name?”

“Mez… Mezuma.”

“Mezuma.. I’m going to get you out of here.”

“My things…”

The woman stood and looked around the room. There wasn’t much. The bed. The table covered in guns and ammo. Kozic had left all of Mezuma’s stuff in the far corner. The woman gathered her things and brought them over to Mezuma. Her purse and fur coat were in tact, but the heels from one of her shoes was snapped off.

”Fucker.” Mezuma tossed the broken shoe against the wall before putting on the fur coat. “Is he… dead?”

“Oserious will deal with him.” The green haired woman responded ominously. “I can take you home safely.”

“Okay.”

For a moment, Mezuma thought she saw surprise on the other woman’s face. But it was only for a second.

The woman held out a hand to Mezuma and helped her stand up. There were other demons in suits packing up all the weapons in the building. Most of Kozic’s gang laid lifeless on the ground. Mezuma decided not to test her luck and stayed silent as she was escorted outside.

“Nona, you have friend?” a hulking horned demon with a heavy Russian accent greet Mezuma and her savior outside the building.

“She was handcuffed in one of the rooms.”

“Oh poor dear.” he held out a giant hand to Mezuma, which she automatically took with her own hand. “You must be so scared. Good thing, Nona was there to save you, no?”

“Jengi.” Nona interrupted. “If you could do me a small favor-”

“Yes, yes of course! I take her home, no problem. She will be in good hands.”

“Jengi will take you home safely.” Nona spoke softly. “He’s trustworthy.” She carefully took Mezuma’s hand in hers, such a simple and gentle gesture it made Mezuma even more speechless then she already was. It was only for a moment. When Mezuma came back to herself and she was sitting in the backseat of a black car, clutching her purse in one hand and holding a sleek black card in the other hand.

~~~

A week later Mezuma was back in her regular routine. After having to explain her sudden absence to her boss and coworkers, they were all very understanding, and luckily she still had her job at the club. Extra precautions were taken, more so than usual at this particular club. Bouncers were being more careful with who they let in. And all of the dancer had created a text group to inform each other their whereabouts when they left home or the club.

Now they only thing they had to worry about was the usual creeps that got too handsy with the dancers.

Mezuma had finished her set when three men walked into the seating area. It was no surprise that big named leaders found their ways here. But hey, a buck was a buck. She was in the back of the club at the bar, sipping on a cup of water. She avoided drinking while she worked, preferring to be more clear headed in case she needed to shove a guy off of her. Mezume has broken her fair share of noses and fingers before. But she was friends with the bouncers and bartender and knew they all had her back.

“This guy must be a big deal.” the bartender said  gesturing to the three men. Two of them were standing a few feet away from the shorter larger demon who was sitting at one of the tables in front of the stage. “Most big names have one or two guards. This guy has three with him.”

“I only see two, Malii. Your eyesights gettin’ worse in your old age.”

Alright, smartass.” Malii tossed a towel over his shoulder and leaned over the bar so only Mezuma could hear him. “I got a head count on every customer in this club. Before that guy and his boyband walked in, there were 28 patrons. After he walked in, there’s 32. Secret body guard number 3 snuck in here as soon as that guy sat down. She’s been sitting in that corner watchin’ him.”

Mezuma picked up her glass, sipping from it hide the fact that she was going to be blatantly looking at the corner Malii just pointed at. Malii went back to work so he never got to see Mezuma almost choking on her water when she saw who was sitting in the corner.

That green hair haunted her dreams for the past week.

Mezuma slid from the barstool, leaving her glass behind, and made her way to the dark corner of the room that Nona was occupying.

“You don’t look surprised to see me.” Mezuma greeted, easily sliding into the booth across from Nona.

“I saw you when I walked in.” Nona sat up a little straighter. “You work here?”

“Mhm. I know I’m gorgeous and I make big money doing what I do.” she smiled and winked at Nona, hoping to get a reaction but received none. “What brings you here? Business.. or pleasure?”

“Business.” Nona crossed her arms and nodded her head in the direction of the round demon sitting by the stage. “I’m here on a job.”

“So you’re at a strip club. Not watching any of the dancers. Instead, you’re gonna be watching some old mook get his jimmies off watching pretty ladies dance?” Mezuma sighed and leaned back against the booth seats. “That sounds horribly boring.”

“My job isn’t exactly fun. Despite what other’s may say.” Nona kept her gaze trained on her target, purposely avoiding looking at Mezuma. But it wasn’t going to stop Mezuma from talking to her.

“Are the stories about you true?”

“What stories?”

“You know..” Mezuma leaned her elbows on the table, keeping her voice low, “the ones saying you’re from the Wastelands. You’re a feral killer....”

“You mean the ones that say, ‘i’m an abomination to the Gods’? ‘Her face is so gruesome, people go mad when they meet her gaze’?” Nona switched her attention from the stage to Mezuma now, her lip twitching up in a small smirk. “Tell me, Mezuma... Does my gaze make you go mad?”

“I dunno..” Mezuma fluttered her lashes in response. “Does mine?”

Nona stared blankly at her for a beat longer than she would care to admit and went back to watching her job tossing dollars on the stage.

“You shouldn’t believe everything you hear.”

“You hear the rumors and enough demons pop up dead, you start believing some of the things you hear.”

“It’s not done out of malice. It’s done out of purpose.”

“Killing people is your purpose?”

“So far yes.”

“How come you didn’t kill me?”

Nona’s attention snapped back to Mezuma. The lights in the club were flickering along to whatever bass heavy song was playing as the dancer on stage performed.

“You were scared.”

“I imagine Kozic was scared too.”

“It was a different kind of scared. Demons like Kozic... they feel fear when they know they’ve done something wrong and they’ve been caught. It’s the fear in the consequences that they feel.” Nona licked her lips in thought and her posture relaxed just a touch. “You felt fear in the unknown of the circumstances. You  were forced into someone else’s mess despite having done nothing wrong yourself. You were afraid of.. me.”

“I was before.. I’m not now.” Mezuma sat up, picking at the nails on her left hand. “You know... when you hear horror stories about the type of being someone is and then you meet them and they treat someone the way you treated me that night, it does something to a girl.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong, there was no reason for me to be malicious towards you.” Nona answered with a shrug.

“What did you do to Kozic?”

“Kozic technically hadn’t sold any of the weapons. So Oserious let him off with a very painful warning, as a... message to other who would think to try and do the same thing Kozic did. He or anyone else tries it again, it will not end well. Sometimes Oserious can be merciful.”

“Kozic is still alive then..”

“Unfortunately yes. But.. I did give him a warning of my own.” Nona reached a hand out to one of Mezuma’s and gently touched where the handcuffs had left their mark a week ago on her wrist. “If you’re worried for your own safety, that’s why I gave you my card.”

“That entirely black card? With no name, phone number, or address on it?” Mezuma pulled her hand away from Nona’s and clasped her fingers together to rest her chin on them. “I imagine that will be very helpful in the future. I’ll just throw it at Kozic if he shows his mug around here again.”

“Just keep it on you. It’ll keep you safe.” Nona sat up straight again. “Besides, you have good people here.”

“Here, yes, but not at my apartment. That asshole knows where i live.”

“Like I said: keep the card on you.” The man at the stage waved his hand at Nona in a ‘come here’ gesture. So Nona rose from her seat and stalked over to him. Mezuma watched over her shoulder as the pair talked, wondering if Nona would come back and maybe if she was over staying her welcome by continuing to sit there. But Nona did come back moments later, looking slightly annoyed.

“Something wrong?”

“He.. ahem.. noticed us talking and asked if I wanted a dance from you.” Nona sat in the booth across from Mezuma, pointedly making as much distance between them as possible. “He was very enthusiastic about paying for it.”

“I see.” Mezuma grinned. “And here I was thinking my flirting was getting rusty But if someone from tables away noticed, you’re either oblivious, or not interested.”

“I’m very observant.”

“So you’re not interested then.”

“I’m doing a job, I cannot be distracted.”

“You’re saying I’m distractin’ you then? Little ol’ me?” Mezuma pouted her lips out and fluttered her lashes again.

“I was hired to watch him. I wasn’t hired to watch.. the dancers.”

“What did you say when he asked to buy you a dance? Mm?”

“I thanked him and said it wasn’t necessary.”

“But what did you want to say.”

“What are you hoping to accomplish by asking these questions?” Nona’s demeanor changed. Her posture was more ridged and her face was void of any emotion.”What’s your overall goal here, Mezuma.”

“I’ve seen you as something else. Not the one they tell those stories about. Not the dangerous monster. You were soft... And kind..” Mezuma smiled. “And you seem to care about my well being, or else you wouldn’t have given me that card. Of course, if it actually does anythin’.”

“It does.”

“So you say. But, I’d rather have you around protectin’ me.” she shrugged and leaned back against the leather seats. “And you seem to want to be around me too since you haven’t left or asked me to leave yet. I’m a smart girl, I know when my time is being wasted. So,” she crossed one leg over the other, bumping her ankle against Nona’s shin. “What did you want to say?”

Nona continued staring at Mezuma, expression still blank. Mezuma busied herself with picking at her nails again. Nona’s suddenly flicked over to the stage where the man she’s been watching finally stood up from his table and made his way over to the bar. He beckoned Nona over to him again and she willingly went, leaving Mezuma to sulk at the table.

Mezume decided a couple moments later her time was being wasted. She was going to leave the booth and go back stage to get ready for her next set, but Nona was walking back towards her.

“May I walk you home tonight?” Nona asked, bending her head down low enough so Mezume could hear her through the music.

“Is that an answer to my question?”

“You’re worried about your safety.. and so am I. I.. I want to walk you home.. If that’s alright.”

“You should know I’m takin’ this as a ‘yes’ to my question.”

“Believe what you want.” Nona’s face softened to a small smile. “When do you finish?”

“1 am.”

“I’ll be outside for you by then.” Nona turned to leave but was stopped by Mezuma grabbed her elbow.

“Wait, are you leaving?”

“I go where he goes until the job is done.” she gestured to the three men making their leave towards the front door. “But I’ll be back.

“If you’re trickin’ me I’m gonna be real pissed off.”