To Hell and Back for You

The Path of the Divine

I was left not knowing how to respond to the girl's wit. Not only did her counter-inquiry catch me off guard, I honestly was yet to take time to plan much of anything with respect to the future.

"Probably fuck like rabbits," Devin flipped his hand to the side matter-of-factly, "Eat some food, do a little shopping, and maybe pull a prank on an unsuspecting person or two."

Fiona and I stared for a minute before I laughed, "I already told you I'm not letting you use my form for mischief like that."

"Ah, I see," he smirked, "Don't want to be shared with others. That's understandable. I get you all to myself then."

My chest started to shake with contented chuckles. Fiona seemed equally amused because she shook her head and with a smile, ignored the inappropriate joking to continue on her way. Once she had vanished, I turned my attention to the man stepping toward the driver's side of the car.

"You know, you can be quite a brat sometimes," although I chortled the words, I took a forceful stance with each arm on either side of his shoulders, claws resting on the vehicle I was all but pinning him to.

"You say that like you wouldn't enjoy punishing me," he smirked, calling my playful bluff, "Let's not waste any time. I still have to go to work tomorrow."

For the rest of the day, I listened to a lot of chattering from Devin about how he'd been contemplating enrolling in trade school of some sort. He said he had always thought owning a business would suit him well and the idea of it made him feel accomplished. Apparently, he had already learned that many small businessmen began by working as an apprentice and climbing the ladder from there.

"I use to worry that concerning myself with too much responsibility would make my social or well, I guess my romantic life suffer. I never wanted to be that stereotype, you know? The successful man who neglected the ones he loved while focusing on his career."

"I can understand that, but I don't think it's even possible for you to do so, no matter what job you have. You've always been way too considerate," I brushed the back of my hand up and down his thigh.

"I had a therapist say I just used it as an excuse not to try in the first place," he snuggled closer to me on the sofa.

"Possibly," I shrugged, "But either way, that's nothing you have to worry about now because I can be with you every waking moment if you want. There's no business trip, meeting, or even on my end, responsibilities that will keep me from being forever at your side."

"That's very true. I hadn't really thought about it. Nobody can complain about something they can't see."

My heart sunk, "To be honest, that was something that scared me: you never being able to have someone others can see and interact with. It's certainly strange. Everyone will think you're all alone."

"Who gives a shit?" he squeezed me tightly, "Relationships aren't about what others can see or judge. You're here. I can feel you; I can kiss you. That's all I need."

The next day, I followed him to work. Initially, I didn't dress and simply prepared for a day by myself. Our earlier comments replayed in my mind, however, and I realized I wasn't ready to be separated again, even if just for a short while. Not an hour after he left, I hopped out of bed and flew through the apartment window.

On my way to the small packaging unit, something distracted me. Someone, actually. I hadn't seen that face since about a year after Tyler's death. Knowing I was at no risk of falling down that road again, I hovered closer to the ally where the man leaned idly against the vacant building's brick wall.

When I was only feet away, I stopped, watching him light up a cigarette. The dealer seemed no worse for wear. He also looked as though not much in his life had changed. From what I knew, he lived comfortably, fairly below the level of his suppliers. He was a self-important ass who loved toying with his junkie customers.