Kissing the Demon (Seoksoo)

Joshua

"Will you sit down?"

Vernon's voice was exasperated as he turned the final page of his book and closed it. He'd popped down to the shop and grabbed a small selection. I'd taken one withering look at the stack before choosing to pace instead. Why did I want to read about someone else getting their happily ever after when mine hung in the balance?

Seeing as his own future was certain, Vernon obviously didn't share my qualms, choosing Whit by Cora Rose and immediately settling down to read. I was grateful he hadn't pushed me to talk and had given me time to process. Unfortunately, it looked like that time was up now that he'd finished the book.

"Easy for you to say," I retorted, continuing to wear a path in his carpet. "It's not your heart and eternal life on the line."

"No, but I was in your exact situation last year." He leaned forward on his knees with his hands clasped together as he peered at me. "I had no idea if Seungkwan would ever return my feelings, let alone feel comfortable enough to accept the bond. You, however, have three big things going in your favour."

"Really? Do share. Because right now, I'm failing to see how this situation could be anything other than shittastic for me." Okay, maybe I was spiralling a little, but could you blame me?

Vernon didn't acknowledge my drama. To be fair, he'd been putting up with my bullshit for millennia, so he probably expected it. "One, you haven't marked Seokmin without his consent...something I definitely fucked up with Seungkwan."

I snorted. "Understatement of the year."

Vernon winced. "Fair. Two, Seungkwan is Seokmin's best friend. He can answer all his questions from a human perspective and reassure him."

"True," I grunted. Deciding I'd worn out the carpet enough, I threw myself into the nearest chair. "What's the third one?"

"Seungkwan will live a much longer life than Seokmin unless the two of you are mated. You really think he's going to let Seokmin choose a path that will leave him outnumbered with us demons for the rest of eternity?"

"So you're saying Seokmin might choose to be my mate purely so he can keep his bestie company for the rest of time?"

Vernon flashed his teeth. "Well, you'd hope you were enough of an incentive, but if you're not...are you going to complain?"

I laughed, a whisper of tension leaving me as I fell into the familiar pattern of banter. "I'd prefer he chose me for me because, hello, who wouldn't want me? But if Seungkwan is what it takes, I'll allow it."

"There's something else you're forgetting," Vernon said, leaning forward with a smirk. "Seungkwan and I are bonded."

The sound of the door opening had me bolting to my feet, but I frowned at Vernon. "And? Are you telling me that to rub it in my face?"

"No, you moron. I'm reminding you that this whole time I've had an open channel on all of Seungkwan's emotions. I could've told you how the conversation was going."

"You're only mentioning this now?" I hissed.

There wasn't an ounce of chagrin in Vernon's expression as he shrugged. "You didn't ask. Besides, it was a good book. I wanted to finish it before they got back."

Before I could take out my frustration and irritation on Vernon in the most satisfyingly violent way possible, Seungkwan and Seokmin entered the room.

"What's going on?" Seungkwan asked, folding his arms and looking between us suspiciously.

"Nothing," I replied, automatically making a beeline for Seokmin. I searched him for any sign that he was freaking out, that he had decided this was all too much. "Are you okay?"