Commissioned [completed]

Chapter 12 - humour me in occult lite

"This kinda sucks, and I think we could maybe get arrested," you stated, looking up at the church behind the large wrought iron gates.

"I know this church well enough; hanging around holding hateful signs in front of marriage venues never got them arrested; plus, what are we doing wrong?"

"Feels like what they mean when they say loitering? I certainly feel aimless. Nothing is happening."

"Pfft. Loitering," he chuckled.

"Capitalism's greatest boogeyman," you gave him a seedy look.

"You said you were feeling pungent; maybe you should go for a run? Get a sweat up?"

You blinked slowly at Sodo in his Victorian-looking road leathers, helmet and goggles with his little white horns and material over his mouth. "Is this a personal request or....?" You narrowed your eyes.

The black glinting goggles left you in the dark.

"I don't run; it's not in my contract. How do you know these husk-y things be sniffing for me anyway?"

"The 'husk-y things' wont be, but their masters will have something scanning for you; anyway, you said you didn't want to know about any of this stuff." He accused; he looked like he wanted to lean against the iron fence but thought better of it like the thing would burn him.

"Humour me in occult lite," you shrugged.

"It's how I'd do it if I was contracted to kill you," he informed, and you could hear his grin.

"You think about hypothetically killing me often?" You piqued a brow.

"Nah, I spend more time thinking about stabbing you with something else. Min kuk."

"Was that Swedish? Where the fuck did that come from?"

"I crawled out of a hole in Sweden; it's the closest thing to a hometown ghouls get," he shrugged, "do you know what I said?"

"I can guess, Sodomiser. You really do just say what's on your mind, huh?" You rubbed circles into your temple. "This is our third church, you know? It's getting late; I'm starting to wonder...."

"Shh."

You stopped suddenly; he cocked his head and leaned into you. Then downward.

"What the fuck...?" And your stomach growled. You sighed and let your head droop. "Is that all?"

"Yeah," he laughed.

"Was this a day wasted?"

"I got to see some of my favourite cemeteries, so, no?"

"Does it ever get tiring, being so edgy and all?" You asked incredulously.

"You think I'm edgy?" His head tilted again.

"You don't? You have a horned helmet and sharpened teeth. You're dressed like a black monochrome shadow," you gestured to his strangely formal attire, "and who has favourite cemeteries?! And you watch gore to wind down for the day."

"And masturbate to. I'm a ghoul." He said in explanation.

"Fu-ucking overshare. All ghouls? Surely not."

"You want the occult lite version, so I can't ever take this off around you." He pointed to the helmet. "It's just stuff we like," he looked away.

You wondered if you imagined the hurt in his voice. "I'm.. sorry, Sodo. You're right; if I want to keep my worldview, I must start ignoring... facts. Which is so against everything I believe in." You massaged your neck. "So how is it a worldview at all?" You felt an existential crisis creeping on.