The Devil's Love

||. Chapter 12: Decisions .||

"No," chuckled Angelo dryly as he picked up the cup of coffee from the table. "You are joking. Right? You are using this as a trick so I would return." 

Angelo studied Jonathan's blue eyes that glimmered without regret. The younger resumed his attention towards the leftover cherry pie on his plate and began savouring it bit by bit. He wasn't joking. Angelo reached out to pick up the cup of coffee with shaky fingers. The once cold espresso that had been his joy felt like bitter medicine in his throat. Angelo tried his best to digest those new pieces of information from Jonathan. Everything seemed to have lost in between them. The whirring sounds of the coffee machine began to distance themselves. Chattering sounds went inaudible and the sounds of vehicles were lost. Angelo felt like he had been swirling in a black hole.

"What's your hesitation, brother?" Jonathan questioned curiously once he devoured the last cherry. "The last time this happened, you agreed to help. You swoop up like a hero, saving most of us from dying. You can do it again. All you need to do is ignite your power again. Just a little boost. I..."

Angelo threw Jonathan a threatening stare, gritting his teeth.

"That action was a mistake. It should never be spoken of. I did not cleanse anything, back then. If it did, you would be drinking the best wine in the Golden Chateau and have forgotten me. My help did not make anything better, Jonathan. I sparked a war that might erupt anytime on those blue lands. Now, it's sending me a sequel," stated Angelo as he pointed at Jonathan while resting his back on the comforting chair. "I cannot give you an answer today, Jon. Not today."

"Very well," nodded Jonathan. "I'll know when you've decided. I hope you think it through, brother. We really need you there to put matters correctly. We are desperate for your help. Now, more than ever, Angelo. I do not want to bombard you with too much information, but if anything happened again, I will not hesitate to swoop down to her house to search for you. Look, walk me out will you?"

Angelo nodded. Picking up the tray, he settled it into the sink gently. Jonathan's words gave him lots to think about. He had enough of being a hero. He wanted to have a peaceful life. Angelo recalled the first few moments he descended to Earth. Everything had been so calm and silent that he managed to regain his magic through years of hardcore cultivation. Angelo did not expect such problems to resurface like an iceberg. He should have taken those ashes and fed them to his precious demon at his home. Tightening the grip at the corner of his apron, he walked out of the coffee house with Jonathan. The scent of fresh flowers from the opposite road reminded him of the peony gardens he used to reside in.

"Let me say this once more," assured Jonathan as he tugged his palms into the pocket of his coat.

Angelo snickered at those words.

"You are going to tell me to return. That is what you are going to say again. I can't say I'm certain with my own choices, Jon. I'll think it through and like you said," Angelo winked, clicking his tongue. "I'm a reasonable one out of all of them."

Jonathan raised his palms in the air in defeat at the topic.

"Alright, alright, you got that issue covered. Now, what about the girl? You're going to tell her about yourself, will you?" Jonathan questioned, leaning his back on the cold pillar. "Don't hide your identity from her. I understand that this is your choice, but just a piece of advice from an old acquaintance, don't lie to her about what you've been through. I must admit, girls, love a sexy mythical being."

Angelo laughed at Jonathan's words before reaching out to ruffle those black hair. He patted onto his shoulders, tearing the younger from the comfortable pole.

"Right, child. You've said enough. I got that issue covered," Angelo assured. "But you must remember, we are not living in the age of Hitler anymore. Knock some common sense in your head, little boy. You can't go around using your magic to woo girls you like. It's pointless."