Deja Vu

Chapter 10: Oh The Humanity

"So Solomon, tell us, what were your intentions with our ___?" Asmodeus coos to his other pact partner, Solomon, draping himself over you at breakfast. You blink, a bit confused. Looking to Asmodeus, you search his eyes for an answer. He sees the quizzical look in your eyes, but just giggles, nuzzling his head in against your neck "Oh don't be shy, you're ours.. ~"

Solomon watches the dynamic curiously. He's seen Asmodeus snuggle up with many a person, but having known him for so long, he knows that this is a bit different. Asmodeus oftentimes showers people with affection, but when he does, he's talking about himself and how lucky they are to get to be with him. With you, he's talking about you. It's a side to Asmodeus that few are afforded, and he's curious as to how you got the honor of experiencing it.

You, however, still don't know why this guy is draping himself all over you. You wonder if it's because of the pact.

"Asmodeus, I'm gonna ask a question, and I just wanna stress that it's not me looking a gift horse in the mouth, but... Do you only like me because of my potential?"

Everyone pauses. Except Beelzebub, who wouldn't stop eating even if everyone in the room died. He'd be sad, but that sadness wouldn't stop him from downing these scrambled eggs you cobbled together. He loves your cooking.

Everyone else is very curious as to whether or not they're about to see you start a fight for the first time. Even Solomon staves off his answer to Asmodeus' question in lieu of seeing how this plays out.

Asmodeus gives ample pause, but he begins laughing. "You've got more than just potential, Darlin'. You're a strong mage as far as I'm concerned. More than worthy of having a pact with me~"

He starts to nuzzle in again, but you gently push him off of you, shrugging. "I've got no magic. While I may have performed well when the moment came, that was just because a-" You pause for a brief second as you carefully choose your words. Solomon lied to Lucifer when asked if he let you borrow his power. You had to keep up the ruse for your snuggle buddy. "Generous benefactor let me borrow their magic. What will you do if I never develop magical inclinations? Will I still be worthy then?"

Levi almost swallows his fork from how forward you're being - Are you looking to start a fight? Right here? Mammon keeps looking between the two of you as Asmodeus slowly peels himself off of and away from you. Mammon hasn't inserted himself because he can't tell if you're upset or not, and he's worried about incurring your wrath. Satan can't sense an inkling of anger off of you, but he understands completely. Asmodeus comes on really strong, and the way he drapes himself over you is more than a bit invasive if you two don't know each other well. And he has this tendency to assume that he's a gift from the heavens and that everyone's gonna be thrilled about being graced with his presence.

While the brothers were used to challenging Asmodeus' narcissism, they'd never seen someone else do it, let alone a human.

Asmodeus is staring at you. He's trying to understand why you're not accepting his advances, and he's confused. Are you self-conscious? "Of course! You'll be wonderful either way! Are you getting upset? Do you not like the touchiness? I can stop being so touchy."

Solomon notes mentally once again that Asmodeus is putting your wellbeing and interests and self esteem as a priority in this conversation. Once again, very strange for the demon.

"Oh I don't really mind the touchiness. My friends from the other world were sometimes touchy. Especially Floyd. Though, his 'hugs' were more of a battle and a threat." You can't help but smile and then chuckle as you remember 'Surprise Wrestling' with Floyd. "Nah, what bugs me is that it feels like ever since we made the pact, you've taken a really affectionate shine to me, but I barely know you, and you barely know me. It doesn't feel real."

"Excuse you, I know you very well. I know the lengths of your fingers, the make of your teeth, the length of your forearms..-"

"Asmodeus, while I know you've got a rep for being someone who is very physically-focused, I know that's not all there is to you. Physical knowledge isn't the same as knowing a person's soul and you know that. From what I can glean about you, you love yourself - Which is great. I love people who love themselves. People who put themselves first are my favorite kinds of people. Back in the other world, everyone I knew put themselves first. At least, that's how the entirety of the NRC operated.
But, because of that, I can't help but be concerned that you're only attached to me as much as you are, because you made a pact with me.
Does making a pact with someone cause you to love them more? And if so, will you be satisfied if you made a pact with me because you wanted to see my power grow, and that never happens?"