Cradle Her In Darkness, Love Her In Light

Chapter 3

A/N: Possible dubcon/noncon in this chapter but I am unsure whether to call it that. For more details (including spoilers) please read below. Otherwise, please feel free to skip the rest of this note and enjoy the chapter!

** SPOILERS **
As a demon, Ava has a handful of special abilities/powers she can use on humans. One of these is entering their dreams / manipulating the themes and locations of dreams. Ava uses this to enter Tara's dream and has sex with her. Tara is fully aware of the act and participates with Ava, but believes this is simply a dream. It feels very real but she is of the understanding that it's not. So, she consents to having sex with dream-Ava, but is not aware it is the real Ava. Therefore, Ava is technically taking advantage of her while she's asleep.
** SPOILERS END **

Dinner was arranged for seven at a small Italian restaurant down the street from Jessi's Java.

Tara had packed an extra outfit into her bag that morning (approved by her best friend Daisy beforehand, of course), and she changed into it the moment her shift was over. Fluffy baby blue sweater, blue jeans with embroidered white flowers and white trainers.

Ava was standing outside the restaurant, still as a statue, when Tara crossed the street.

"Hey."

"Hey."

"I-I know that this isn't a date," Tara blurted nervously.

Ava's eyes grazed over her hungrily. "Why do you look so cute then?"

Tara flushed, opened her mouth a little, and froze.

Ava's short and sharp laugh knocked her soul back into her body. She managed to close her mouth and winced a little.

"I am teasing you. I am glad I don't have to remind you that I don't do relationships."

"I guess I'm a quick learner," Tara mumbled.

"Mmm, very puppy-like, I would say."

"I'll take it," said Tara, pushing the glass door of the restaurant open. "There are worse things you could say about me."

Ava didn't respond but followed her inside. The dining area was warm, filled with yellow light and calorific smells. Tara could feel herself gaining ten pounds from the thick scent of carbs alone. There were a few couples dotted about and they were given a small table just far enough apart from them to have some privacy.

Ava flicked through the menu incredibly quickly, her black eyes zipping down each page with ease. Tara wondered if she was trying to get the night over with. The thought made her feel a little nauseated with embarrassment. When Ava had raced through every single page, she put the menu to the table, closed it, and glanced up to Tara's face.

"What's wrong?" Ava asked with a concerned frown.

Tara shrugged and continued looking at her own menu. Ava watched her for a few moments, her eyes were softer than usual.

Finally, she said, "Do you mind if we get starters? I'm starving."

"Oh, s-sure," Tara agreed without thinking. "You've decided what you want already?"

Ava tapped her menu twice with her finger. "Yeah, I don't like to waste any time when it comes to food," she said with a half-grin showing a pointed canine.

"I-I'll hurry up then."

"Don't feel pressured," said Ava coolly.

Their waiter meandered over a few minutes later to take their orders and then returned shortly afterwards with water and breadsticks.