There Is No Misery In Paradise

Chapter 2

Douma goes to speak again, when Kotoha winces once more, raising her hand to feel the bandage that's wrapped around her head. The demon studies her for a moment, before leaning to his side, lifting the candle up.

A simple blow and it was dark.

"Better?" As soon as her eyes closed, relaxing at not forcing the hard light of even a candle she tries to speak. Only she coughs, racking through her chest.

A hand rests on her back, patting lightly before she can finally breathe again.

"You've been out for three days, your poor throat must be dry." She feels a hand trail her arm, a shiver running up her spine as fingers trace her skin before settling on her wrist. His other hand had left her back and soon it gives her a cup.

A cup filled with cold water that feels so refreshing.

Kotoha doesn't question the stranger's kindness.

"Come, you must feel horrible, let me lead you to the restroom." A blindfold is put on her and she goes to speak-

"I wouldn't want you to be in any more pain. So please keep it on just for a few minutes."

An arm helps her up and soon she is on shaky legs. Enough to the point she is leaning heavily on Douma's body.

Her head must have lean on his shoulder barely and it comes to her attention just how tall he must be.

"Here we go." It was a slow trek with Douma giving small instructions here and there while also explaining where she was.

"You are at my shrine. I've been running it for years now. Most of the townsfolk rarely come but outsiders love coming here. We've been given the nickname of the shrine that shows Paradise." His voice was odd, soothing but she couldn't place what it was that made it bizarre.

Almost like he was monotone, barely putting a reaction into his voice. But with how he twirled his hand in her grip, he must be using more body language than anything else. She wouldn't get the full picture till her head felt better.

"It was quite the walk getting you back here. I was so worried. You had bled quite a bit." Drool was leaving Douma's mouth. Her blood had been collected for the most part and he had gnawed on the changed bandages. It was just so enticing.

His eyes go to focus on her form that leans up against his own as they walked through his temple.

He hadn't lied in any regard so far.

Just leaving out the fact of how many years he truly was running his own temple. Or even how it's truly run.

This was his cult and his words are fact on these grounds.

"With how you reacted earlier, you must have a concussion. Perhaps just a candle for light in the meantime." Douma continued speaking till they finally got to the only working restroom in the entirety of his temple. It had been installed about two decades ago and hadn't been renovated much but his human cult members liked the minimum luxury, that and the installed showers.

He much prefers the tubs and hot springs here.

Hmmmm...

A thought comes to mind and Douma can't help but store it for later.

He opens the door and leads her in, making sure the light is off before taking off her blindfold.

His eyes twinkle at how adorable she was with her little blush, green eyes shyly looking more at his chest that met her nose than his own gaze.

"I'll be outside, just knock when you're done." Her small nod was his only answer and he slips out to allow her to do as she pleases.

—
She would finally speak after he got her some soup. Other dishes stood to the side should she feel hungry for them.