Needing is One Thing

Chapter 6. I just want to see some pleasure in your eyes

"Cold cereal?" Matthew stared skeptically at the desiccated corn flakes scattered into five bowls. James frowned at him, setting the coffee machine. He'd specifically gotten up early to make them all breakfast.

"You've got to be kidding," Sam moaned, walking into the kitchen.

"I like cereal," Damien commented, following Sam in while pulling his jacket on.

"You would," the brute brother threw the words back at him but still snatched up one of the bowls and a spoon.

Matthew picked up a couple of flakes and studied them. "What are these even made of?"

"Corn, doofus." Sam pointed his spoon at the box, before dropping it back into his bowl and walking to the refrigerator for some milk.

Matthew shook his head, "Corn doesn't look like this." He pushed his own bowl away and followed him towards the fridge.

"Just eat it," James sighed. "There aren't enough eggs to make us all breakfast." He folded his arms, trying to hold onto his patience.

"Why are you always so loud in the morning?" Erik wandered into the kitchen, yawning and rolling his shirt cuffs, looking for coffee. "Mika's still sleeping."

Damien looked up at him from the table where he was eating his corn flakes, dry. They really weren't that bad; he'd had worse meals. "They're unhappy about breakfast," he explained.

"Oh, god." Erik stopped, staring at the bowls on the counter. "Do not tell me you expect me to eat that."

"I know, right?" Matthew nodded to him in agreement.

"I'm using the last of the groceries to make Mika breakfast," James declared, walking up and shoving a mug of coffee and bowl of cereal into Erik's hands. The moment he turned his back, Erik quickly tucked the bowl behind the box on the counter.

"Sam!" James snapped, glaring at his brother standing in front of the open refrigerator door.

Chugging milk straight from the bottle, Sam rolled his eyes at his eldest brother and stopped, swallowing. "What?"

"I cannot believe this! Do you have any idea how disgusting that is?" James snatched the bottle from him.

"Do you have any idea how disgusting that cereal is?" Sam snatched the bottle back.

Exasperated, James shoveled up a spoonful from his own bowl and shoved it in his own mouth. One chew and he stopped cold. Looking around quickly, he snatched up a napkin, spitting into it.

"See?" Matthew laughed.

"This is vile," James cringed and picked up the box, looking it over in disgust before dropping it in the trash with his napkin. "How can humans eat this?"

Crunch, crunch, crunch.

The boys all turned to Damien who was munching away. He looked up at them with a shrug. "What? They kind of grow on you."

"Like mold," Matthew quickly tossed the rest of the cereal in the garbage.

"Well, while you make the princess a well-deserved breakfast, we'll go shopping." Erik smiled, grabbing the keys from their hook by the door. The boys had found Harry's SUV in the garage and Sam and Erik had been waiting for an excuse to take it for a drive.

"Yes!" Matthew cheered, ditching the bowls in the sink.

Sam snatched the keys from Erik. "I'm driving." He was out the door a second later, Erik giving James a wave over his shoulder as he followed him.

Damien quickly ate the last spoonful of his cereal. "Have a good morning! And thank you for breakfast." He ran out the door with Matthew, flashing James a sunny smile as he passed by.

With a chuckle at their antics, James gathered the rest of the dishes. He'd have to hurry if he wanted to surprise Mika.

*

James watched as Mika entered the dining room and exclaimed over the meal he'd made for her. He quickly ducked out of view as she lifted her head and searched for him, stepping back into the kitchen silently before she could see him.

He wasn't quite sure why he was hiding from her. He supposed he just wanted the chance to look at her, watch her enjoy breakfast. Just seeing her made him smile.

His smile grew as she hummed in delight. He sighed with her when she tasted the coffee. It was his personal blend with a generous sprinkle of cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg added to the freshly ground beans. He enjoyed it himself that morning, tasting it to make sure it was perfect for her as he cooked. It was worth it and he cherished seeing her so happy, knowing he made her so.

Mika's phone rang and she answered, snatching a few more quick bites before hanging up. She finished her coffee and rose from her chair, wishing she had more time. Suzu and Naomi were already outside, waiting to drive her to school. Snatching up her bag, she headed for the door.

James shook himself out of his reverie and quickly strode after her. It is now or never.

This was a big step for him. It was a big step for any demon, but he trusted Mika. He had thought it through all night, weighing out both sides of the decision. His brothers would probably think he was crazy but no matter how James looked at it, with his heart or his head, he always came to the same answer.

He caught Mika's wrist in the lobby and stopped her before she could reach the door. Pulled her back to him, she looked up, shocked to see him now. James forced himself to continue, to get it out before he could change his mind. Leaning in, he whispered to her.

"Mika, my true name isn't James," he murmured in her ear. "My name is Raestrao."

James closed his eyes as he gave himself to her, made himself vulnerable, all for her. To know a demon's true name, especially as a human, gave her power over him. Warlocks and witches could use his name to control him. The magic of it flowed around and through them, binding his name into her mind forever. "If you ever need me," he continued, "Call my true name and I will be summoned to your side."

He released her and stepped away, quickly turning around before she could meet his eyes, and fleeing back into the kitchen. His heart was pounding, his body shaking in reaction as the magic settled within him. He didn't want her to see how strongly this affected him, didn't want to show any weakness to her. Not yet.

He heard Mika pause for a moment, then slowly leave. As the front door closed, James let out a deep breath. I did it. Everything would be okay. If Mika found herself in trouble, she could call him and he would protect her. If she needed him, if she wanted him, he would be there for her.

Always.

James took another breath, laid his hand against his heart, and willed himself to calm down. Mika would be home after school. They'd all have dinner as a family. Then afterward, alone with her, they would talk. He wanted to explain everything to her. He would tell her about himself, the Abyssal plains, his father. He would tell her how much he enjoyed being with her. And if he was lucky, if she accepted him, he would kiss Mika again.

James didn't think he would ever have his fill of kissing her.

Author's Note

Sorry to interrupt, but wanted to let you know:

We're leaving the rails of SM after this chapter to go into AU territory. 

I've been messing with a slow build but things will start to speed up from here.

In this AU, Mika's been through some nasty shit with her dad that's going to cause some issues.

If abuse is a trigger, take care and please consider yourself warned.