Raising The Stakes

~Thirteen~

   "Hinata-kun. . .Hinata-kun, wake up!"

   "Argh. . .Leave me alone, stupid demon."

   Komaeda flicks his forehead. "No. Wake up."

   "Argh. . .Hey, wait for a second," Hinata's eyes fly open, and he glares at his supernatural boyfriend, "Did you fucking put me to sleep?! With your magic or whatever?!"

   Komaeda looks away. "Ah, I just wanted to take a nap with my beloved. Plus, you were angry, and I didn't feel like dealing with that. My sincerest apologies."

   The brunet raises an eyebrow. ". . .Do not ever do that again."

   "Fine, fine, sorry. But it's morning! This means it's time for you to train with me! The despair is coming, faster than we were already expecting. You need to be ready."

   "And when exactly will I be considered ready?"

   "Ideally, when you can beat me in a fight when I'm using my full power against you. But I don't know how long that might take. So we'll just train and see how things go until you absolutely must fight Enoshima and Shirogane."

   "Which will be. . ?"

   "According to what I saw last time I was at the hideout, extremely soon. I think Enoshima still just wants to find it first."

   Hinata sits up, now eye-level with Komaeda. "Okay, I've had enough. What exactly is this 'it?'" He demands. 

   The demon hums. "Some weird jewel that's going to help Enoshima take over the world or something. She hasn't told me much about it. She hasn't told me much about anything since we formed a contract. I'm pretty sure she knows the contract is to help you take her down or something like that, so she doesn't really use me as much anymore. Sorry I haven't been able to bring you much information." He mumbles.

   Hinata's eyes soften, and he reaches out and squeezes the demon's hand. "No, you've already done so much for me—more than you know. I mean, I never pictured myself falling for a demon! I never imagined I would meet a good one that I'd trust with my life and soul!" 

   Komaeda kisses his forehead. "And what a delicious soul it is. You're so important to me, Hinata-kun. I'm so excited to see you go forth and defeat despair."

   Hinata pecks his lips. "And then you're going to kill me and finish off my soul." He murmurs. 

   Komaeda looks a tad bit uncomfortable. "Beloved, my precious Hajime, stop worrying about that. You know I never want to hurt you. I love you so much. So relax."

   "It doesn't change the fact that it's going to ha-" 

   "Relax," Komaeda repeats, cupping the human's cheek and kissing him. 

   Hinata sighs, leaning into him. "Komaeda, I don't want-"

   "Shhhh. I'm taking care of everything so don't worry. Quiet."

   "Komaeda-"

   "Shhh."

   Hinata sighs, burying his head in Komaeda's chest. The demon wraps his arms around him and holds him close.

-

   Hinata grunts as his back hits the ground hard, nearly knocking the air out of him.

   Komaeda sighs and clucks his tongue, folding his arms over his chest. "No, beloved, you're still performing the move incorrectly, and that's why you're not getting a hit on me. Try again."