Commissioned [completed]

Chapter 21 - Because I can

It was dark when a shift of weight on the mattress woke you. You got up quickly, expecting imminent death.

A white-horned, grey-skinned, pointy-toothed demon gave an apologetic look beside you. One of his horns was cracked; you'd noticed that about his riding helmet. So those had been his all along?—Right out there in the open.

"You're in my bed," you observed.

"Your bed...?" Sodomizer said slowly and squinted, looking lost, "No, no, I distinctly remember this being the boss's."

"And were you expecting Terzo?"

He flashed his jagged teeth with an impish smile. "No."

"And why are you in Papa's bed with me?"

"Because I can," he shrugged, resting against the headboard.

"Oh, can you now? Did you ask?"

A spaded tail flicked behind him, "Consider this me asking?"

You looked him over; he had a plain black tee with plain black trackies, which made him the most human you've probably ever seen him—and the most not. You had wondered if he even had pyjamas or if he slept upside down in his formalwear like a bat. "No touching."

"I can do that," he was already getting under the sheets.

"Fine," you laid back down but faced him to watch what he was up to.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Trying to figure out your game," you said with narrowed eyes.

"You think I've got game?"

You batted him with a spare pillow.

"You trying to start shit, Bait? You won't like how it ends for you." He piffed it back in your face.

You decided to stow it for now. "How was your holiday, anyway, Sodo?"

"Holiday? Oh... it's in the name, Bait...." His mood seemed to dim.

"I'm sorry, I thought... it was like home to you or something?"

"'Home isn't always the best place to be... I don't want to talk about it."

"I'm glad you're topside, Sodo," you murmured softly.

"Yeah, I know, crying and everything; you really missed me, huh?" he was trying to pass it off; you could see it. "Tell me more about this cop car. Was there a chase?"

"Realised the detective I called to pick me up from the sewers was lying. He wasn't going where he said he was and stole my phone. I spat ghost pepper in his face and stole his car. Not my finest hour," you laughed, "to be fair, you told me to do it."

"Ah, my fault, it makes sense. I should have been there, Bait." He huffed a sigh, "I hardly ever get to do shit like that... I've had my eye on all the law enforcement in this town; I do not trust them." He admitted and scrounged his pillow to him.

"Would have been nice to know about," you squinted at him.

"Sister has told me I'm paranoid about them."

"To be fair, you might also be paranoid."

He shrugged, "Maybe, I'll give you that."

"Do you trust her, though? I don't think I do."

"I don't trust anyone, Bait."

You could see the truth in him, wary, on edge. He trusted no one; he would never feel safe with anyone. "Oh? What do you think I'm going to do to you?" You gave a challenging brow.

"You shouldn't have been able to down those husks; you're supposed to be a painter, Bait."

You had teased, but his answer was serious. He really did not trust you. "And you're in my bed to what... watch me, Sodo?"

"Amongst reasons."

"Reasons?"

"Reasons," he said a little more firmly.

You sighed softly and silently agreed not to press it, "I'm happy to finally see you, Sodo."

He sniffed at you and cocked his head. "You're odd."

"You smell truths, huh? What does that smell like?"

"It's not perfect; I can be tricked. I smell perspiration, cortisol, hear heartbeats...."

"Am I tricking you, Sodo?" You asked curiously.

"I don't know, Bait."

"I'm not a very good liar; how about two lies and a truth?"

"A good liar can fake that," he shrugged.

"You are very hard to get along with, Sodo," you said simply.

"Not so," he stretched tiredly, his tail curling around him, "actions are undeniable truths."

"And if you're only waiting for betrayal?"

"Then I'll always be ready."

"Idiot," you said softly. But he was right; actions spoke louder than words, despite what he might have said—he was curling up to sleep beside you.

"Asshole." His breathing slowed.

"Your name is Sodomiser; you like assholes."

"Fuck off."

***

You woke in the morning with a tail curled about your thigh, so much for not touching.