The clearing looks much the same as it did the last time you were here. However, the leaves have started to change color and the moon hangs full in the sky, not a cloud in sight. There is a chill in the air that you no longer feel, immune to such trivial things as the cold of winter from the mortal realm.
Dominique appears across the clearing, like an apparition emerging from the slow-rolling fog blanketing the tall grass of the crossroads. Even from this distance, you can see the exhaustion around her eyes, more profound than last time.
She breaks out into a run. "Oh my gods, it's so good to see—" Dominique slams to a stuttering halt a few feet from you. Her arms windmill in the arm to keep herself from falling flat on her face. "What the fuck!" she screams.
You cringe at the loudness, barely holding back a frown. It's safe to say you went into this meeting blind, uncertain how Dominique was going to react to your...situation. But fear and anger were definitely at the top of your prospective emotions list.
"Dom," you say in way of greeting.
The jewelry in her nose glints as her nostrils flare. "What. The. Fuck! Don't Dom me, what the actual fuck has happened to you! What did you do?!" The last part is snarled in Jimin's direction.
He lounges against the central tree, absently picking at his fingernails like he's bored and would rather be elsewhere. Before coming topside, you told him you didn't want him to interfere, that you would handle Dominique. So, he just heaves a sigh and continues to ignore her screeching accusations.
"Dom. Dom, stop. Calm down." You hold up a hand, trying to slow down her torrent of word-slinging.
"Calm down?! How do you expect me to calm down?" she shrieks, throwing her hands up before stepping close and grabbing you by the shoulders, giving you a little shake. "Your eyes! Your skin! Your hair! For fucks sake, you're not even you anymore! What did he do to you?"
It's true. Becoming a demon changed you, most notably on the outside. Your skin is smooth as silk, glowing in a way no makeup could ever achieve. The lustrous shine of your hair is unnatural, but emphasizes the ethereal beauty of the creature you've become.
"It's not what you think." And indeed, it isn't...because there is no way Dominique would even entertain the possibility that you've metamorphosized so drastically...willingly.
"Clearly you've been harmed. He's broken the deal," she whispers. "It's broken. That means..." She trails off, confusion clouding her tired eyes. "If it's broken...I don't understand."
"It wasn't broken. At least, not by...him." You almost slipped up and said his name, but giving Dominique that power is the last thing you want. "It was me."
"What do you mean? I don't understand." Only, you're certain she does, as horror quickly replaces the confusion on her face. "No...no, that's not possible."
You shrug, intentionally casting off her hands from your shoulders. "It's possible...and real. This was my choice."
"I don't believe that. He manipulated you. He's a demon...that's what they do." She shakes her head in frustration. "It should have been me, not you!"
Your lips twitch, but you suppress the smile that's trying to form there. This shouldn't be funny. Only, now that you see things differently, you can't help it. Despite her best efforts at showing concern for you and disbelief at the revelation of your choice...deep down, Dominique is jealous. You can see it in the faint green hue emanating from her heart.
Jimin's told you it's easy to read humans: seems he's not wrong. You can distinguish Dominique's emotions as if reading them straight from a book. It's become clear now, the real reason Dom wanted to summon a demon that night. She would never tell you exactly what she wanted—the deal she would have struck with a demon if the summoning were successful. Now, you're pretty sure you know what it would have been.
Perhaps...you can help—a little offer of your own.
Looking over your shoulder at Jimin, he gives you a subtle nod, approving of your plan—your first deal.
"Dominique," you say coyly, looking your friend in the eyes, "I have an offer for you..."
YOU ARE READING
The Demon Is In The Details | PJM
FanficSummary: It was a terrible idea-letting your friend bury that box at the crossroads. She claimed it was just for fun, but in the end, you were the one faced with paying the ultimate price. The devil-or in this case, demon-is in the details, so be su...
