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Chapter Text

Soulmates are a royal privilege.

Only kings and nobles got to feel the warmth of words blossom over their skin and gaze upon the first words their soulmate would ever direct towards them.

Norman was the heir of the most powerful kingdom in the world -or so his father said- but despite all his harsh politic lessons and military training, Norman remained a romantic at heart, secretly longing for his mark, dreaming of funny phrases and sweet words. A glimpse of the soul that would perfectly match his.

A sudden tingle in his neck was more than enough to drop his lessons and sprint towards the nearest mirror, happy to see beautiful black letters adorning his skin. It was hard to read it in reverse but Norman was a genius, taking no time to decipher it all and break his own heart. “You think this is funny, don’t you bastard?! Mark my words you piece of shit, I will kill you.”

Norman started to wear dress shirts with high collars and thick mantles after that. Hiding from the hate engraved in his flesh.

.

Prince Ray gritted his teeth, trying to scrub his soulmark away, make the “What a pretty little slave you make~” disappear from his neck. Hating the fancy letter with every fiber of his being.

Chapter Text

Ray is a famous prosecutor. Determined to put every criminal in jail after watching his best friend killer face no repercussions for his actions.

He addopts a cold persona in court, no matter how good the suspect’s acting skills, how high the bribe, Ray always do his best to land them in prison.The only defendent that could put up a fight agaisn’t his brutal evidences and determination was Emma, a rockie that was far too optimistic and stubborn for her own good. He used to think she was a delusional madwoman but he may or may not have grow a soft spot for the idiot, still unwilling to go easy on her in court but reluntantly accepting her invitations to hang out after a long night.

They have a strange friendship, most would say they’re friendnemies. It’s chaotic and Emma is far more work than she looks but Ray likes it. In fact, he have never been happier! He have good friends, his job is stable and no matter how brutal, his cases no longer shocked him.

Or so he thought. Perfect cold mask falling when his childhood best friend, a kind and gentle boy he was ceirtain has died ages ago, walked to the stands, acused of killing an entire family and calmly agreeing with the judge’s accusations, smiling as if he was looking foward to prison and refusing to look at Ray in the eye.

It was the first time both Ray and Emma didn’t knew how to do their jobs. 

Chapter Text

Where Emma is a little angel that lives on Norman’s right shoulder and Ray is a devil that lives on his left. Emma guides Norman to be altruistic and Ray guides him to be selfish.

They’re constantly fighting and bickering and pulling at each other’s hair. Their orders are nearly always conflicting. Creating a belief the other wanted what was worse for their human.

"Norman should help that poor dog. I think its hurt."

You can have a new friend. It will make you both less lonely!

"No, are you crazy? Get away from that dog Norman! You don't know if it will bite you, if it's carrying some disease."

I don't want you to get sick again. You hate being in bed.

"Norman! Your new friend is bad at math, you can tutor him!"

"They're not his friend! We meet them yesterday, do you really want them to see Norman as someone to dump homework on??"

It was clear Norman liked Emma better, usually doing kind and selfless acts for her, always happy when Emma clapped her little hands in pride. He didn't hate his devil but he rarely listened to him. It was something Ray hated. He may have a different view but he really wanted what was best for Norman, aware people got crueler and crueler the older Norman got. His jobs and responsibilities started piling up and it was harder to find the energy and time to be kind.

Norman insisted on being a selfless person anyway, it was admirable but he was overdoing. Norman was imbalanced. Emma eventually noticed Norman wasn't as happy as he used to be, so she encouraged him to spend more time with his friends, for their friends made him happy! "It's too much. Make him reject the invitation", Ray had said, voice so quietly Emma did not take him seriously, growing angry when the devil lashed out at her refusal, tugging at her halo and ripping her feathers in panic and anger. Emma had not faltered, shaking the devil off.

She was confident she was right at first but now...  Norman looked so spent. Ray looked so sad. Emma was completely helpless, her angel instincts not helping her like they used to. She was panicking and nearly ripping her hair out when Ray bowed before her practically begging her to ignore the angel laws and let their human be selfish. She was the voice he connected to good things. If she told Norman to be selfish, he might listen to her and get some rest instead of attending to another party he did not have the energy to go.

"If you do this, I promise I'll stay silent for a while, Norman can barely hear me anyway" Ray whispered, nearly impossible to hear. Had he always been this quiet? " I know our friends will be sad but please Emma. Have him be selfish this time."

Emma bit her lips, swallowing her pride and saying "Norman, you should-"

Her strong voice abruptly died out

She tried again and again and again but it seemed she was physically unable to give selfish advice. Her voice always disappearing.

Chapter Text

Neverland Norman

Norman had a plan to carry. Recently reunited with his two best friends, he felt more determined than ever to succeed in this genocide. Bring freedom for all the kids that still had a future before he died.

.

“Boss! Dodge!!”

Norman barely saw the ball approaching before being knocked out. 

.

He woke up in an unfamiliar room.

An unfamiliar body.

The way his lungs breathed was so much easier, body far less heavy. It made his eyes widen in shock. His hands looked older, his body covered in a type of clothes he has never seen before. It was knighted and cozy like the books of what feels like a lifetime ago used to describe sweaters as.

He narrowed his eyes in confusion and wariness, hesitantly pushing this strange body mutation to the back of his mind and analyzing his surroundings, fearing from the way his body changed that he was in a new Lamba facility.

He took in the blue blanket with a minimalistic world map aesthetic, the wood wardrobes, and the colorful shoes thrown around. Everything looked bright. The place had a nice illumination, way brighter than Minerva’s Paradise oil lamps and weak ceiling lamps. 

It was very technological but too cozy to be Lamba. It had a door to get out. 

But the shoes, adult shoes, made him tense up. 

Colorful notebooks on a desk and an unfamiliar device by the notebook side called his attention. He had to investigate what was going on. His head hurt when he tried to move around but it was nothing compared to the pain he was used to.  He walked up to the desk, noticing a picture frame and smiling warmly at the picture of him and Emma laughing under a tree. The unfamiliar clothes caught him off guard. The tie… The matching colors…

It almost looked like a school uniform.

He stared at their happy faces, eyes lingering on their naked necks, both devoid of numbers. After a full analyzes of the scenario, he stared at Emma’s smile, her green eyes full of life. Just like they are supposed to be.

He knew something about the picture was off. Surreal, but they looked so happy… He urgently had to look for a way back to the hideout but he couldn’t help indulging for a second, gently running his finger over the picture. So warm by it, it took a moment to notice the other picture by its side.

A picture frame with him and Ray.

His best friend was older on the photo, snuggling his back comfortably, resting his head on his shoulder and gently kissing his cheek, acting as if the affection was as easy as breathing. That alone was enough to catch him off guard, things only further surprising him when he saw how happy his older self looked.

Don’t get him wrong. He’s always happy to see Ray happy, the boy was his best friend, a soul that understand him and protect him. He loves him, but he only ever looked at Emma like that.

He frowned at the picture. Tensing up when he heard the door open.

“Oh. Already up, I see.” 

Norman startled. The voice was deep, he never heard it before, but the lazy way it was said, the timber, it was so familiar. He looked at the door, expecting to see the man in the photo but still caught off guard by how adult Ray looked, his reading glasses making his eyes soften “That was an ugly fall." He set a cup of steaming tea on the table "How’s your head, dear?”

Norman just stared, awkward.

Dear...?

He resisted the urge to gulp connecting the nickname and the picture but trying not to think about it. He had more urgent matters to settle  “...I am fine. Do you know where everyone is?”

“Everyone?”

“Emma. Gilda. Vincent…”

Ray blinked, confused by the question. Thankfully, this older version of his best friend was indulgent “Emma is probably on another job interview. Gilda must be working on her dress shop and I don’t think you ever mentioned a Vincent. Is he a work buddy?”

Job interview. Dress shop.

The picture of a school setting. No numbers.

This was unsettling. Too unreal. 

Too good to be true.

“And the demons?” He asked with a small smile, trying to not sound as desperate and lost as he felt.

“Demons...?”  Ray raised a brown, confused at first but quick to lit up in amusement, letting out a short chuckle. The act so carefree and devoid of bitterness it made his heart ache “Thoma and Lani are with Emma, you don’t have to worry about them pranking you again Princess.” 

Princess.

The teasing nickname made his gut twist but he managed to fake a smile, feeling his mind work in overdrive

No demons.

No numbers - No farms.

Polished rooms.

This can only be the human world.

‘We are free. We are finally free! He can rest in peace, no more Miner-’

No.

No. Is too early to celebrate. No matter how tempting the dream, he can’t help but feel wrong.

Ray is an adult. Ray is an adult that doesn’t remember demons. The pictures of Emma and him at school is old, they are as young as Gracefield years. They shouldn’t be at school. Ray has already met Vincent, he should remember him.

“Hey...” Ray said with worry in his eyes, resting his hand on his shoulder. The act was familiar enough to actually relax Norman “Are you okay?”

“I am fine.”

Ray clearly didn’t believe him, gently giving the tea “Drink a little and go back to bed.”

.

Modern Norman

.

"Morning Love" Norman kissed his lover's cheek, feeling warm the moment Ray send a cute smile his way.

"Morning Princess" Ray hummed, the teasing nickname full of fondness.

Norman felt his smile unconsciously widen. 

They have been dating for almost 3 years and it was amazing. Started at 19 and now, at 22, he is certain Ray is his soulmate. He was -and still is!- extremely happy to share a house with this wonderful man, and now, he is ready to ask his hand in marriage. He felt giggly about the idea, head full of nice fantasies he held close, which did make actually asking the big question a little bit less nerve-wracking. But not by much. He know Ray loves him but marriage is such a big step. He hopes it doesn't scare him.

The little box in his wardrobe wouldn’t leave his mind. 

.

“Ray, do yo-” He spotted the toy bear too late, tripping on it and falling down. He widened his eyes, hearing his boyfriend yell “Norman!” before his face meet the ground and he blacked out.

.

He woke up in pain. His body feels heavy and his lungs are catching less oxygen than normal. It hurt. A lot. 

He must have gotten sick again.

Damn it, he hopes he doesn’t worry Ray too much.

When he fully registered the pain he started noticing a ton of hushed voices. Young voices, surrounding him. 

Norman blinked, getting used to the sunlight and freezing at all the unfamiliar people around him. Kids and teens eyed him with worry. All dressed with uniformed clothes, even the little ones. Some had weapons on their back, from bats to actual guns. Most had numbers on their necks. None were familiar.

He unconsciously took a step back from the mass of worried children, feeling alarmed and more than a little confused. 

“How are you feeling?” A tall young man with glasses and a bald head asked.

Norman didn’t sense any hostility in the man so he was honest “I… I am having trouble breathing and my legs feel weak” Everyone around him tensed up. Part of him feel guilty for making them more worried but he was still too stressed and confused by this sudden pain, - this strange environment not helping- to reassure a bunch of unfamiliar kids. He need to focus on understanding what was happening first “My head hurt as well, I might be sick. It’s not grave so we can take care of it later” He smiled gently at the kids. Noticing even with all the chaos that his hand was smaller and his voice was more high pitched than usual but keeping his freak out internal. “I am mostly confused to be honest. Where am I, sir?” 

The bald man froze at the question, eyes wide. In fact, everyone seemed shocked or confused by his question.

Norman felt awkward. Was he supposed to know this place?

Glasses composed himself quickly. Oh… There were scars on his head. Big ones. “You’re on Paradise Hideout.” 

A rebellious teen girl with golden eyes nodded by his side, looking expectantly at him. As if the name would miraculously make the bizarre place familiar.

He frowned, trying to get what was going on, guessing from the guns and the injures on some kids it was no joke “...Hideout? What are you all hiding from…?”

Everyone looked at each other anxiously, mumbling things from “This is bad...” to “No, it must be temporary. The boss can’t have amnesia!”

“Demons” The rebellious girl practically pleaded “You remember the demons? Come on boss, a measly ball can’t wipe them out of your head!”

“The plan.” Glasses sounded angry but just as desperate, clearly trying not to panic “Do you remember the plan??”

He leaned away from the near-hysterical girl and panicked young man. A muscled boy held her back, looking nervous himself but calmer than the other two “Barbara, Vincent, calm down. We’ll fix this. Right now you’re only making him nervous”

Barbara paused, giving him a look. A good look and calming down “Shit, sorry boss. Well get you better, don’t worry.”

Boss? 

Fix?

There’s nothing to fix. He’s not broken.

This is too much.

He wasn’t comfortable here. He wants his friends. His lover.

He wants Ray.

“Where’s Ray?”

They paused, hope in their eyes “Ray?”

“Yes. Black hair, grey eyes. We were together before this I-” He suddenly felt a wave of anxiety but made sure to sound calm. The kids were already stressed enough at it is, he shouldn’t make it worse “Where is he?”

Oh god, where was he?!

He got up as gracefully as he could, wincing at the headache - god, his head hurt so bad, he hopes his body isn’t trembling- and looking around for a familiar face.

“He’s here. We’ll call him don’t worry” The same kind and muscled man said “Do you remember Emma too. Do you want her?”

So they are here! 

Norman felt his shoulder drop in relief “Please sir”

“Cislo”

He nodded “Please Cislo”

While everyone introduced themselves, sounding either awkward or pained by his polite smile but clear lack of recognition, he saw Emma approach, yelling “Norman!”

His smile dropped. He couldn’t stop staring, noticing right away she looked different.

“I heard what happened! Are you okay?”

The girl's hairstyle and energy were exactly like his childhood best friend but the Emma in front of him was young. So, so young. A girl, not a woman. Wearing the same clothes as those around her and packing more muscle than his already fit friend “Do you really don’t remember anything about the demons?”

“Emma,” Ray said, despite wearing combat clothes and a dark expression he rarely saw on his boyfriend, Ray too, looked young “Give him space. He’s disoriented.”

Norman stared at the boy, feeling weird. He only meets Ray when he was 18, never this young. He couldn’t be older than 15.

He keeps staring until Ray got tired of it. “...Norman?”

He was just a boy.

“...Are you my Ray?” He approached the familiar yet strange boy, cradling his cheeks and noticing he was even younger up close. Very Ray. Also marked by numbers. 

The boy seemed caught off guard by the touch. Confused.

Norman felt his heart drop, certain the answer was ‘no’ before the other could even open his mouth.

Chapter Text

Norman and Ayshe are from different kingdoms. One kingdom is known for using smart owls to catch information on the enemy and blind soldiers the other kingdom uses strong and loyal wolves on the battlefield. They're at war.

With no place to hide in her hometown, she runs away with fresh burns, hiding in the forest and befriended a dying pack of three wolves. They became good friends.

When she wakes up, she kills him on the spot. Startled and full of hatred, believing is a nightmare. Norman can't blame her.

Chapter Text

Like all Ratris, Emma was introduced at a young age to the mass production farms, however, her learning was paused by her drastic negative reaction. She sobbed for hours in her room and got physically sick. People let her be, give her time.

Emma eventually came out and hugged her worried family, she may hate the idea of having to kill for the greater good but she loves her older brother Peter with all her heart and deeply believes he and everyone that dotes on her are good people.

Because of her bad reaction, Peter was scared she would end up like James and betray them. He loves his little sister so he cut off her plantation studies, told everyone to put her on economics and demon studies instead. She made friends with various demons and was genuinely happy when demon children visited, but she always remembered the images of those sickly humans hooked to machines, feeling a pang in her heart at the memory.

Near her 7th birthday, Peter went out on a business trip to meet the royal demons, and Emma used the opportunity to sneak out in search of the machinery kids, she ended up in Gracefield instead, curious about the unfamiliar place.

Demons recognized her and reluctantly let her in.

Her presence put Isabella in complete shock, but she is the best of the best in her field, briefly warned Emma should not talk about demons or farms, before letting her play, well aware Emma was higher in power than her, and could not be kicked out of the plantation. Everyone in Gracefield treated her like a pleasant surprise, eager to welcome her.

Emma assumed Isabella didn't want to spook them. She has a high view of her family so she never even considered these bright kids are food too. Unable to compare them to the haunting vision of the mass production farm.

She was questioned and looked at with awe, making friends easily, letting Gilda wear her skirts, playing with the little kids, and making friends everywhere. Her natural bright charisma and power to get what she wants made Norman flustered, constantly asking more and more questions. She doesn't understand why Ray is so spooked though, whenever she tried to talk to him he sends her a wary look and sounds very rude when asking even the most trivial questions.

"Where are your numbers?"

"Where are your parents?"

"...are there many adults outside?"

And after a while, all their questions and reactions started to make her wary. The more the kids asked their questions the more she noticed something was wrong. When the lack of letters was mentioned she finally connected the dots she so terribly has been avoiding.

In no time, her mind is made.

"I am adopting everyone"

Isabella is very much against it but she can't disobey the Ratri heir so she calls Grandma, who connects the line to Peter. They have a big argument. He does not allow her to adopt everyone, promising her only 1 cattle kid as an early birthday present if she came back and apologized for her bad behavior. After nearly two hours of arguing, offering deals, and faking a bratty attitude, Peter reluctantly let her adopt 2 kids to be her 'friends' as long as she doesn't tell anyone.

She accepts the deal, pretends to be overjoyed! Well aware her brother is suspicious of traitors after James but planning on following her deceased brother's footsteps and rebel. She studied everyone and decided the best people to help her do a revolution, plus, the one she liked the most, would be Norman and Ray, but she did cry when she had to go out, hugging every single kid and promising to came back someday to take them all with her.

Ray is visibly distressed and reluctant to be adopted, never letting go of Norman's hand (the one person he planned to save), he doesn't trust Isabella when she promises they'll be safe and keep giving Emma confused and wary looks. Norman is overjoyed to go outside and clearly worried about Ray.

Emma is a bit distracted when answering Norman's questions, busy wondering how to break the truth. What jobs to give her friends to keep Peter happy, which demon friends might help her, and trying to come up with a way to save everyone.

Chapter Text

Ray has always been intrigued by humans, having read about the Ratris and heard rumors regarding James for a while now, well aware the human traitor was dead.

When Lord Giran got an owl message from the dead man, Ray got on edge, asking his lord's permission to check the suspicious newcomer himself before allowing them to meet Giran.

His boss agreed quite easily to the condition. It did nothing to relax Ray.

When their mysterious visitor arrived, it was impossible to deny the false Minerva was beautiful, as pale as the dead kids they used to eat when they were part of the royal family, yet far more tempting: skin flushed with life, eyes full of fire yet very calm, displaying such beautiful colors, a mix of vibrant blue and pink that only humanity was able to have. 

He could feel the awe, the hunger, and the envy in the air.

Maybe it was the fancy clothes the human adorned, or the way he raised his head high when walking in enemy’s territory, never showing an ounce of fear in the face of every set of sharp teeth stained with drool, but something about the reckless man made him pause. No matter how delicious the exposed skin looked in these trying times, Ray wasn’t sure he wanted to eat the fake Minerva. It seemed like a waste to destroy something so pretty. 

So he offered the man a seat and watched as the human marched closer instead of running away. Showing off a fake identity and offering their dream at the palm of his hand.

Dangerous.

Intriguing. 

Enough to make Ray raise his hand and order his underlings to back off, ignore this hunger, let the human talk.

“What is in the bag?”

“An offering,” He said, smiling carelessly at Ray's scowl and nodding at the human with a paper bag on his head, letting him see its content “Heads from high ranking of the mass production farms. I promise I have no desire to hurt your lord. I only have a goal that aligns with his.”

Ray didn’t trust this fake Minerva, but at the same time, he couldn’t see him and his lackey defeating Giran's whole army. He knew his men needed food. The heads would be appreciated.

Normally, he would kill this stranger and steal the food, for it would be safer, but Ray has been oddly bored ever since his banishment, feeling like this human was not normal. So he told the fake Ratri to sit down, wanting to test him “I’m aware you’re not Willian Minerva, he has been dead for a decade or so. I have seen the body.” Ray lied about the last part, raising a hand when everyone tensed up, their reaction proving they are fellow liars “I do not care about your real identity. You may not be Minerva but I can tell you are no fool, escapee. So I’ll be willing to test your competence”

“Test?” One of the fake Minerva’s guards, the only female, growled.

“Barbara.” Her boss raised his hand in reprimand, smiling pleasantly at her “Don’t be like that, our host is being generous enough to still give us a chance, you should be grateful.” he directed that charming smile his way. “I hope you don’t have something too physical in mind. I am afraid I am not an athlete.”

“It isn’t fair to test strength with humans” Ray agreed “We’ll merely play a harmless game, you can take your guards with you if it makes you feel better.”

He waited until the man -Or was he still a boy…? Ray wasn’t very good at distinguishing human ages- to follow him, his guards followed.

Ray brought an old chess set to the table, smirking at the flash of surprise in the composed human face “I see you recognize chess. Good. ”

“Of course.” He smiled but his eyes grew colder, clearly not expecting a match of chess “I am a busy person however, my free time is not endless, for how long do you plan to play, Commander Ray?”

His smirk sharpened at the brat, intrigued as to how he got a hold of his name. A mere human might have heard rumors about master Giran, but no one would be talking about Ray in this day and age, plus, books are not written in cattle language.

“If you don't lose on purpose. One match should be enough.”

Minerva narrowed his eyes, definitively disliking this test, but recognizing he shouldn’t openly challenge someone with as much power as Ray if he wanted a nice and peaceful alliance.

“Very well.”

The human hand was small when holding the chess pieces, making them look far bigger and heavier than they really were. But he made his moves quickly. Confident.

“How will this test me?” He seemed genuinely curious.

Ray didn’t answer.

The fake Minerva spared him a look but didn’t push it.

The game seemed to put the guards on edge but Ray wasn’t able to read the fake Minerva very well.

“This is quite boring, what do you say we make a bet?” Ray asked when his knight was eaten, wanting to shake his opponent, see if his confidence could last. 

“A bet?” Minerva narrowed his eyes, showing more interest than distrust.

“If I win the game, I’ll eat you.” 

No reaction at all. Interesting.

“If you win, I’ll do you a favor.”

“A favor?” That caught his attention “I am afraid that’s far too vague, sir. A favor could be something as simple as bringing me a glass of water or giving me your life.” He still sounded confident “What kind of favor do you speak of?”

Ray smirked at his hidden caution. Usually, he would say “Anything” but despite being confident he would win, he has a feeling his subordinates wouldn’t take kindly to insinuating his life has the same value as a young human. “Anything that does not endanger my clan. If you wish for me to deliver a message to another country or help search for a missing child. I will do it.”

He is tired of hiding. He needs excuses to get out.

His opponent seemed to be thinking, eyes sparkling in a way that made Ray feel like he walked into a trap “Then, I accept your bet.”

.

Ray stared at his fallen king, genuinely caught off guard.

Minerva smirked, not as smug as he would have expected but still clearly satisfied with his victory.

He felt excited. How long has it been since anyone won against him? 50 years??

Fifty years is a long time.

And to be beaten by a human of all things, a creature that must be younger than a tiny demon child…

Ray chuckled, bitter but honoring his words “So?”

“Be my servant for a week.”

That would give him a free ticket to give a lot of orders. Ray almost laughed “Can’t do False Minerva, I only serve one master. And being a traitor is far from a favor I’ll ever do for you.”

“Then I’ll tell you after my meeting with Giran.”

.

The meeting was straight to the point, with a shake of the hand, The fake Minerva became an ally.

After it was done, he turned to Ray and dragged him to a more secluded area. His smell stronger without a load of demons packing the place.

“...I wish for you to break a mass production farm” His blue eyes sparkled “I heard you used to be a great warrior.” from where did he hear that? Who still talked about him?“I trust you can do that and not die. It would be a shame if you weren't present to avenge your clan after all these years.”

Ray stared down at the cocky human, not as surprised as he probably should that Minerva was the one behind their supply shortage. Unsure what to feel when facing those pretty eyes.

So cold.

“I can’t be seen invading the place,” Ray said “I am confident in my skill but I am not stupid enough to slaughter their guards and bring attention to my clan.”

“Good, you have some brains.” Minerva smirked, “Sneak inside, burn the place.” He gave him a paper, in it was a map with the farm location, a very far away farm location, with a way to sneak inside their sewers “Burn it all. You can have any food from there, consider it a token from our alliance, but do not bring food with you. Do not mention where you’ve been to your clan.

The human did not trust him at all. Ray could see it in his eyes. It made him wonder what trap would be set if he tried to betray him. What game the human was playing.

Ray's face broke into a crooked smile, itching to prove him wrong.

“Consider it done.”

.

He did as told with no issues, watching the flames consume the building and wondering why he didn’t disobey the brat.

Minerva and his guards visited for another meeting, apparently to discuss the details of his master plan.

Again, Ray called him for a match. 

The human seemed tired today, he refused to put bets but he reluctantly played. This time Ray did not underestimate him. It was a far longer game, challenging enough to melt the cold look from the cattle lider face into one of faint interest and frustration. That bright spark of concentration made him look even more appetizing.

Ray had to cover his face to not drool on the board.

He lost.

.

Whenever Minerva visited, they played chess. His visits were rare, but Ray cherished them. Always telling any important information to his lord but still growing quite fond of the witty human. Of the challenge.

There was an itch to protect him that Ray hadn't felt before. Only noticing he was getting too attached when he got comfortable enough to carelessly touch the human, shocked by the way the fake Minerva stared at the hand on his thin and fragile shoulder, his smile becoming cold “I am not fond of you touching me.”

Ray reluctantly let him go.

.

“Another bet, shall we?” The human said, no amount of confidence masking the bags under his eyes “I need a favor.”

Ray raised a brow, both loving and hating how the human casually implied his victory was already set in stone.

“Alright, if you win, I’ll give you another favor.”

“And if you win, you can eat me” His retort was almost teasing, oh how he wanted to bite that smug smile off.

“No” Ray shot him down, feeling Minerva pause, surprised “If I win, I’ll want a favor as well. Since you’re so fond of details, I am talking of the same favor you asked of me. It won’t endanger your or your team's life.”

“...Very well.”

It was a long game but Ray is an adaptable demon, by this point he had learned how the human played, he held back on their last game since there were no bets involved but now…

Checkmate.

Ray wins.

Minerva stared at his dead king in a deafening silence. Face unreadable. 

“I want to play more games with you,” Ray admitted. “Come here every day. For as long as we’re allies.”

The human narrowed his eyes at the ‘for as long’ but Ray didn't bat an eye, well aware this alliance wasn't going to last.

As good as an actor as Minerva is, Ray has vivid memories of the people who betrayed him. It may have been years ago, while he was barely a decade old, but he can recognize a fake smile. And this nameless escapee clearly hates demons.

A betrayal is inevitable.

Minerva seemed conflicted “...I am afraid that would be prejudicial for the children under my protection. I am a busy man, the walk here is long. Taking so much time off my day would be prejudicial.”

“Alright,” Ray could sense his genuine unease “Once a week.”

“One match.”

Ray nodded “One match per week.”

.

Ray quickly connected the rumors in the city with Minerva’s existence, noticing Minerva's actions were calculated to save humans, provide them food, warmth, and protection. He had seen him get frustrated and laugh more as the weeks went by, believing the leader of the escapes was not as cold as his eyes suggested, his jabs still sharp and ruthless, but more teasing than hateful nowadays.

If he could make him see just how kind most demons could be, how eating was nothing personal, the human might warm up to them. He was not as optimistic to expect Minerva to show his hideout, but maybe hang out more.

‘Why do you want to hang out with a human? Are you planning on eating him yourself?’  His elder 'friend's' words rung in his head while he headed towards their typical meeting place, a chess box in hand.

He knew it would blow their mind, but Ray found Minerva fun… He wanted to hang out cause he felt alive when those colorful eyes met his own. He may love his clan, forever grateful for Giran's kindness, but he wouldn't call them his equal. No one matched him in chess, in fights, in debates. It's wonderful to play with the younger members and hear tales from the old ones, he would die for most of them, but Minerva offers a strange kind of fun Ray quickly grew to treasure. The unwritten deadline of their friendship only added to the excitement of being in his presence.

No one was as sharp as Minerva. As fun to talk to, ironically enough.

But he underestimated how cautious the boy was.

Ray may be wary, being careful to never reveal any secrets from his clan, mentally building walls thick enough to cut Minerva off at any moment, but the human was even warier of him. He had to strike a deal to take him on a walk alone.

“I’ll stay for two hours.” Minerva had said, those pretty eyes more blue than purple today. Cold. Very cold. Exactly as they were on the day they first met “If I am not back by then, my team will be worried. They get reckless when they’re worried.”

It was impossible to tell if the little bastard was threatening his clan's safety or if he was genuinely worried his team would get killed. Either way, two hours was enough.

.

The sight of his people talking on markets and playing around may fill Ray with love but it made the false Minerva frightened, inching closer. Close enough to touch Ray, something the human never did, going as far as to make “Do not touch me” a rule.

It’s understandable, if a demon got very close, they would notice a delicious fragrance underneath the smell caking Minerva’s disguise. As a demon himself, the close proximity made his stomach twist with hunger, tempted to nib at the human nose, just a taste test, see how such smooth looking skin felt between his teeth. Maybe a bit of his ear… The human had two, surely a tiny corner of one ear would not be missed? 

(Ray shouldn’t have let him borrow one of his old clothes to use it as a disguise. Taking his smell home would leave him drooling. Painfully hungry.)

Minerva looked around, no doubt analyzing everything from underneath his mask. Pausing and staring intensely at a pair of demon teens playing ball on the side of the street, giggling to themselves and completely ignoring their older brother's warning to be careful with the ball.

“They’re mischievous but good kids.” Ray smiled, wanting to take Minerva's mask away, see what expression he was wearing. If he truly was as young as Ray suspects it, he could let them play. Ray sees these kids a lot, they are good kids, the human would have fun if he gave them a chance.

Minerva’s voice had no clear judgment to it, but his pleasant tone didn’t match his cold words “...I wonder how many mischievous human children they had to eat to get like that.”

“It's the circle of life Minerva” Ray argued, hating when he used his wit to cement his hate.

“It looks like an imperfect copy to me.”

“Don’t shame our biology, you brick” Ray deadpanned, unimpressed. “And if we’re copies, you understand we don’t eat too despise you, don’t you?”

“Ray” He sounded tired, looking away from the kids “ If someone could destroy all you value, would their intentions matter?”

“Of course.” He touched his frail shoulder, feeling the boy immediately snap his attention towards his claws “You’re still alive aren’t you?”

Minerva tensed up, definitively smart enough to understand he was alone. Ray had the opportunity to eat him on numerous occasions.

“It's different.” He eventually said, sounding as confident as always but far too rigid. Bothered for once “You’re different.”

So that’s how it is.

“I have eaten countless humans.” Ray admitted, sure being so blunt could fuck the human trust even further but trusting he was smart enough to not do anything reckless in a demon city. The bastard needs to realize Ray is not different at all “I still want to eat you.”

Minerva let out an amused snort of all things.

“I am well aware.” He relaxed “I don’t need to see your eyes to sense your hunger. Even if you didn’t drool every time I got close, ‘We don’t eat it’ would have been a dead giveaway they aren’t alone in their feasting.’’

Ray was quiet. Once again puzzled.

“Don’t get me wrong” Minerva chuckled “You’re different but I was never under the impression you’re trustworthy. I merely find you amusing.”

“I see,” Ray smirked, certain Minerva would never go to a demon city if he didn’t trust Ray to keep him safe. It was amusing but he didn’t call him out.

.

The streets got more crowded. It put Minerva on edge. 

A young demon paused after Minerva bumped into him, slowly sniffing the place Norman touched.

Ray took this as a warning sign, pushing his company closer. He didn’t intend to intimidate his… friend of sorts… when inviting Minerva here, so he offered his hand “Don’t stray too far, you might get lost.”

Surprisingly, the human took the offered hand, grabbing three of his fingers. His little hand was cold and soft, tugging him, wanting Ray close.

With the boy nearly touching him, it was easy to notice his smell was getting noticeable. The ridiculously clean human didn’t even have dirt and grime to mask it, so Ray sighed “I can smell you.”

“...I see” He hummed “ It would be safer if we return earlier.”

“No need, just stay still for a second.”

The human froze when Ray lowered himself to eye level, pushing him into a hug. Ray tucked him close, resting his head on top of the now warm boy and rubbing it. Letting go before any drool could get on his hair.

“There, you smell weird again.” Ray teased, keeping his hold on his hand.

The human was oddly quiet.

“Minerva?”

He tugged his hand, voice unreadable, “You should give me a warning next time.”

“Sorry” He lied “I don’t think you would allow me if I warned you I would hug you”

“So you just did it before I could explicitly not give my consent.” He said dryly, adding a rude remark but lacking his usual bite “Demons truly are barbaric.”

.

Ray saw many dishes stolen from human culture but decided to take a gamble and buy a traditional demon snack that had no human meat in it, also taking some rabbit meat in case Minerva disliked his favorite dish. He guided his human to an isolated area so he could take his mask away and taste it. Minerva seemed to like it, or at least, not mind the traditional dish, but he still enjoyed the rabbit meat more.

Soon after their meal, Minerva urged them to go back, his two hours running out, their paths split.

Minerva went to wherever his hideout is. Ray went to Giran’s hideout.

. 

“You’re so stubborn” Ray sighed, not in the mood to deal with the human hate “There are bad demons, horrible ones. No race is built on saints, but humans can be bad too.”

“I am aware,” Minerva spoke coldly, “Humanity has the capacity to do despicable acts, I do not doubt their genes are behind your kind cruelty as well. I myself am far from the worst humanity can get.”

Ray was taken aback by the repugnance in his eyes, used to a very thin layer of hate when he talked about demons, something mockingly calm.

This? It was personal.

Ray was worried, undeniably curious too.

“Would you kill a human?”

Minerva didn’t hesitate “If I have to.”

.

The fake Minerva kept giving him weird stares today, not as into their chess game as usual.

Ray could read him like a book, certain something was troubling him.

He narrowed his eyes, fearing that their alliance was near its end, that Norman has already set the date to break this mockery of a friendship, force them to become enemies "What's on your mind?"

Instead of answering, Minerva pricked his finger on the king’s pointy crown.

Ray instinctively focused on the blood… The way it stained the white king, filling the room with its aroma.

It was mesmerizing.

'I want to lick it.'

He covered his mouth with both hands, feeling his stomach twist with want at the way the blood dripped from his finger.

“You can have it,” Minerva said calmly, pushing the finger his way with an unreadable look on his face.

Ray cursed at the wonderful smell, sure Grace Field top cattle would be the best meal of his life.

“Drink it." Minerva ordered “Drink it without taking my finger off and I’ll tell you my real name”

Goddamnit!

He grabbed his thin wrist and roughly pushed him closer, practically forcing the human to sit on the table, knocking the chess pieces off the board.

He licked the blood on his ring finger, unconsciously holding on tighter at the divine taste. Ray never considered himself too greedy but at the moment his belly burned with an insatiable hunger for more, putting the entire hand inside his mouth and watching the strange mix of fear and smugness in his meal’s eyes.

Ray growled, scratching his frail knuckles with the tip of his fangs but forcing himself to shove Minerva away instead of devouring his hand. 

Even with the human far away, his mouth was still salivating, addicted to the drops of blood he got to taste “What the hell Minerva!”

“Norman.”

A name.

Ray frowned, still hungry. Hungrier than ever.

“What was that for Norman ?”

Norman just stared at his scraped knuckles, not offering any explanation.

.

When they kissed Ray felt extremely disgusted and starved at the same time. Undeniably pleased. In love with this taste.

It was weird to be allowed to hold his frail back, his bones as weak as all the humans he met before, glistening skin soft to the touch.

“I’ll die soon” Norman casually revealed.

“What…” Ray froze, as confused as he was scared.

“I'm sick. Mortally so.” Norman elaborated, face unreadable as he held Ray's chin “You can eat my body when I am gone, just make sure to leave a piece for my family to bury"

Ray froze, a cold feeling clawing at his heart. It killed his appetite.

"You don't look very pleased" The human gave him an unsettling smile "I suppose a sick meal isn't very appealing."