Ashen Demon

5

"Now let's see here..." Byleth held onto her chin with pursed lips, looking at her recent project. Which reveals to be a box with straps on, or rather it's gonna have straps on.

While waiting for her second sword to be forged and delivered to her personally, she decided to try making a box for Douma to settle in to hide away from the sun. If he's gonna be with her, he might as well accompany her at all times, The thought of him staying within the house while she is out performing duties as a slayer doesn't sit well with her.

She went on a scavenger hunt for wood that would be beneficial for her to carry without a problem. Within four days, she found the perfect candidate which is Cloud Mist Pine. Though she knew she also needs to make the box durable, so she went around asking and was eventually recommended rock lacquer.

 She managed to built it and coated the exterior, and so far it was looking good. Now, the straps are left to be added.

"Douma, you can shrink right?" Byleth asked while working to attach the straps. 

 She forgot to ask him beforehand, as the realization struck her while she was building the box itself. Douma was sitting on the other side of the room, fanning himself as he watches the mint-haired woman work on the box. Upon hearing the question, he hums in thought with a look that says it all.

"I believe I can!" he responded.

"Good to hear. Otherwise I would've started the whole thing all over again." she sighed in relief, as she gives strong tugs to see if the straps are secured to the box. She then leans back, admiring the finished look with a satisfied expression. 

"All set." she added while patting the top of the box.

"Is that for me?" Douma scoots over, as he looks at the box in different angles for a better look.

"Why did I bother asking if you could shrink?" Byleth questioned him, which was a definite yes. "There's no way I am leaving you behind, so you're coming with me."

"REALLY?" Douma looks at her with shimmering eyes and a wide smile, making the woman nod even though she nearly flinched from his reaction. "Oooh, I'm so happy!! It'll be like a getaway between the two of us~!!" he gushes with his face rosy, both of his hands cupping his own face to feel it burning.

B O N K

"Don't get too carried away." Byleth deadpans after she karate-chops Douma atop of his head, not too hard but not too soft either. But still enough to leave behind dull pain, not that it ever bothered the Upper Moon. "Remember, now that I am officially a demon slayer, I'll be out slaying demons from one spot to another. Don't forget since you swore to defend humans from other demons, you have to kill them."

"Haaaai..." Douma pouts, his cheeks a little puffed up.

Suddenly, there was a knock from the front door which caused both of them to look over from the main room of the manor. Byleth at first was confused, until she remembers that a certain amount of days have already passed for her new sword to be made and delivered. She was so caught up in making the box, she forgot to keep track.

She shot a look to Douma, signaling him to quickly hide.

However, she blinked upon seeing that Douma made a subtle chance with his appearance. His silver locks are now blonde and the bloodstain is gone from atop of his head, his skin coloration taking on an ivory tone from being pale as snow. His rainbow eyes dulled to misty-grey, with no kanji visible. His sharp nails are now blunt, but kept on the light blue coloring.

He made himself take on a human appearance.

"Byleth-chan, the door~" Douma giggles at the expression she made. She flushed red in embarrassment that she was staring, and quickly got up to make her way to the front door.