Love, Your Demon | j.jk

Chapter 6 : Limbo

"This is the worst!" I sighed as my hands scurry over my neatly combed hair. Next to me is Hoseok, pondering on what to do with his nails in between his teeth again.

I know for a fact that Yoongi and Willow can smell the awkwardness in the air. Who wouldn't? Taehyung is Yoongi's childhood friend after all, and he happened to be Willow's first puppy love before. And apparently, I can see that Taehyung wants to steal Willow from Yoongi. Though, it's unpleasant to coin it as 'steal', let's say he has affections for Willow— affections that exceed for just a friend.

"I heard you're back," Taehyung continued.

"Yeah, have a seat. Have you eaten anything?" Yoongi didn't even need Hoseok to say those. He's plain nice and all.

"I already ate. I just came by to check on you," Taehyung sat in front of the two of them. I noticed how he would steal a glance of Willow every now and then during their entire conversation.

We weren't entirely involved with their settlements. All they did was talk stuff out which didn't require much work from us. Sometimes, our subjects respond differently to situations instead of what their guardian or shadow advice. And I adore how their actions proved that there is balance in everything. Although, I'm not saying that having a bad element is the best option. Still, pure kindness should reign.

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"I can't believe you're friends with Taehyung's shadow," I spoke loudly once I sensed that Willow is already in deep slumber— not that it matters if she's awake, she still can't hear me regardless. "You're putting up a great job," I genuinely complimented. After all, this is the first time I've encountered a very challenging co-worker.

"What do you want?" he snarled, and he destroyed my positive mood. Or was I just excessively enthusiastic as I spoke and it pissed him? No matter, being me isn't something I should stop doing. Actually, we're encouraged to have positive mindsets to help our subjects.

"Nothing, I was just complimenting you," I frowned. "Why, you rarely get commended?"

"Tch, the Underworld applauded me for having a streak," he shrugged casually.

"You talk to the Underworld?" I blurted out. The thought itself amazes me. Angels like us seldomly get to have a conversation with the Heavens.

"Every one of us does. You see the Underworld is actually friendly, unlike your Cloud Master," he said the last two words with much disgust on his tone. The term itself is already offensive.

"That's utterly rude," I mumbled and he definitely heard every bit of it.

"As I should, right?" he remarked and I shook my head 'no'.

"Please forgive me Heavens for boasting like this, but our Master is actually considerate. Imagine entering the next life, isn't that nice?" I placed my hands on each side of my waist.

"You're not wrong, but not entirely correct either," he pouted in a smug way.

"What do you mean?" I questioned. He then stood up from his seat and grabbed a ruler from Willow's penholder. He was too careless that it made a clanking sound which almost woke dear Willow up. "Can you please be more careful?"

"See this?" he demonstrated; completely ignoring my request. JK held the ruler with his index and thumb flipping it horizontally. "You and me, we're currently both at this level," he started, next he pointed at the space above the ruler. "Now, from your kind's perspective, there's only two above, and one of those is your Cloud Master—"

"Heavens," I said through gritted teeth as I cut in.

"—from our kind's perspective, there's actually four. And I'm striving to be at the highest level," he smirked before tossing the ruler away and it hit Willow's wardrobe. Fortunately, not loud enough to startle Willow in her sleep. Four? I only know two.

"Wait, I have two higher-ups?" I croaked accidentally but he didn't mind. "I didn't know that. You're probably lying."

"You're too naive, that is," he cocked an eyebrow and I frowned even more at his nice insult. I know he'd prefer calling me stupid or something, but he must've felt I would cry if he did.

"Well, good luck on your journey for getting the highest seat. If that is even possible." He's probably referring to the Underworld as the highest position. Mere creatures like us can only fathom the idea of replacing those who control us.

"Of course, if I want to, I'll take the next step first, and that's the Demon position," he looked really determined to be one. Demons are like Pokemon Evolutions of Devils. Only the Underworld can grant them that reward. A position where they can haunt their subjects. But I rarely meet some. I've heard it can be tiresome to work with one.

"Yeah, I know that. That is if you do great at your work. Unlucky for you, I'm your rival," I shrugged.

"I doubt that," he snarled.

"If the space above us are the higher-ups, then who's below us?" I wondered.

"It's the humans," he looked at me as if I should've known that long ago.

"That doesn't sound right, the Heavens told us we're all—"

"Equal? Then why are they above you?" he seriously asked, and for a fact there, I don't have an answer to his surprise question. "Of course, humans are below us, can they do this?" he suddenly disappeared and puffed a black trail of smoke.

"Hey, where are you?" I called.

"Here," I turned around as I heard his voice from below and behind me. Automatically, I jumped from my spot when I saw his head on the floor.

"Goodness, stop doing that!" I shrieked and my distress caused him laughter on the other side.

"Can they?" he repeated his previous question.

"No," I give in. "But that doesn't mean they're inferior."

JK finally swooped up from the floor, standing at the same level as me. "Whatever you say," he rolled his fiery eyes.

"What's up with you?" he turned his head to face me.  "Why are you suddenly opening up to me about your devil lifestyle?" I chuckled for a second.

"I wondered how you survived that long without that information and figured you'd need it if you plan on getting me fired," he sounded pleased with himself.

"Oh, so you helped me?" I gave him a sly smile with my eyes narrowed towards him.

"I want to win this subject fair and square, so it's better if you know every corner of this limbo life," he huffed. "Okay, fair and square sounded weird."

"Yeah, I'm surprised you have such principles. I salute you. It means you hate the idea of cheating," I teased.

"Whatever," he sighed and went back to his seat.

"Okay, enough with the chitchats. Let's go to the beach!" I excitedly invited him.

"Oh, I'm not going," he sounded cold, which disappointed me to the bits.

"Fine. I need to go, Julia's calling for me." I didn't know if I should say goodbye to him. Instead, "Don't make Willow evil while I'm gone!" is what I managed to say to him before disappearing into his plain sight.

The second I reached the beach, I quickly pondered why he chose to not attend the party when his friend Namjoon is even here.