Raising The Stakes

~Twelve~

     Komaeda hums and purrs, pulling his human closer and tucking the covers tighter around the two. 

   "Hinata-kun. . .psst, Hinata-kun!"

   The brunet groans, shifting his body so that they're now face-to-face. He wraps his arms around the demon's waist and sighs. "What's up, Demon-kun?"

   "Sorry, did I wake you?" 

   "Does it matter?"

   Komaeda shrugs. "I guess it doesn't now. Sorry."

   Hinata blinks heavily before focusing on his partner. "Hurry up; getting your soul sucked really takes it out of you." 

   "That's what I wanted to talk to you about. What you did for me today. . .that was. . .I have no words. The fact that you would do that for someone like me. . .Thank you so much. You are an incredible person, Hinata Hajime."

   The brunet smiles tiredly, pecking Komaeda's lips. "Sure. But if anyone finds out I did that; my reputation is shot to hell."

   "But now I'm worried," Komaeda admits, "Because I don't know what I'm going to do after you kill Enoshima? How am I going to get food after she's gone and you're soulless? I don't want to be a bad person, Hinata-kun."

   Hinata yawns. "Alright," He shifts, so he's now propped up on his elbow, "That's a valid concern. Are you sure there's no like soul-alternative you can get your hands on? Like. . .I don't know, blood or something? Flesh? Chocolate? Beer?"

   Komaeda sighs. "No one's researched that kind of stuff before. But man, that would be a total game-changer."

   "Wait-you said demons need souls in or around them to live! What does around mean?"

   Komaeda groans. "Yeah, if a demon is strong and powerful enough, they can feed off of the energy of the souls of humans around them. It doesn't harm them as much. But, only certain demons can do it. And it involves a lot of charms to perform on themselves beforehand. But I'm not strong enough to do it."

   "Can Enoshima do it?"

   "Oh yeah. But apparently, it's not as satisfying."

   "I wonder. . ," Hinata ponders, "If when Enoshima is killed, is there a way you can absorb her power?"

   "I'm not sure. I'd have to ask Yumeno-san about it. But maybe."

   The demon looks so distraught, and suddenly it's as if Hinata is looking at him in a whole new light. Komaeda was never a bad guy, no matter how the hunter viewed him in the beginning. Komaeda could have killed him in an instant, but he had spared him without a second thought. He had insisted he had not participated in the evil activities, and he had been honest. He had been starving and had a delicious-smelling soul still inside a body right in front of him, but he'd gathered all of his strength and refused because it would have been wrong. Recently he's always been there for Hinata, keeping him company and cheering him up when he's down.

   Komaeda Nagito is an amazing person.

   Hinata's lips part in awe, and he says, "I love you." 

   Komaeda's eyes widen. ". . .Hinata-"

   "No, I love you. I do."

   Komaeda blushes slightly. "I think you're just sleep-deprived, darling. After all, you said the attraction was purely physical."

   "That's what I thought. But I was wrong. Sorry for lying. It's okay if you don't feel that way about me. I just had the realization and had to tell you."