Knave of Heaven and Earth

Chapter Thirteen: Best Fucking Friend

Moments after Aitken left, Jeremy is still burdened by his high fever. His body sweats too much, muscles stiff, and breathing labored. Even if you are not a professional in the medical field, you can see his suffering. Truth to be told, this is the reaction he got from the poison-laced bite of the Devil Spawn but there is something more.

“I'm sorry...”, he groans weakly and helplessly as he lay on the bed.

Suddenly, a soft glow was emitted from his chest. It is coming from his tattoo just above his heart. The tattoo was etched in an elaborate design with unrecognizable characters. They are glowing in a soft green hue similar to a pastel color. Slowly, Jeremy's labored breathing turned into soft calm ones. The beads of sweat stopped forming on his body and his muscles relaxed as if he has melted into bliss. The tattoo continue to glow until the bite wounds were nearly closed before it seized its illumination.

Jeremy released a grunt as he stir to wake up. He opened his eyes and blinked a few times for the sleepiness to leave.

“What the fuck?” His eyes widened as a blush crept upon his face when he noticed himself lacking any clothing.

“Did something happen? God, what the hell?” Seems like Jeremey can't keep his cool as he frantically tries to recollect what happened but to his demise, he can't remember a thing after he lost consciousness when Aitken left.

Jeremy, feeling not too well yet again, found his clothes neatly placed on the nightstand beside his bed. Picking up the piece of paper placed on top of his things, it read:

I'll be gone for a while so don't bother looking for me. Eat and rest well. Don't worry, I'll be back.

-Aitken

Jeremy crumpled the paper before he threw it in the trash, then he snatched his clothes to change. His mind drifted away as he try to replay many scenarios that could have happened when he was out. Like how he got completely naked? Did something happen between the two of them? Did Aitken take advantage of him? What if Aitken raped him?!

He shook the thought away while putting on his shirt. He knows Aitken is a good person, sweet and kind. He is pure and innocent, he would never do something so vulgar.

Jeremy is putting on his boots when the door flew open and Aitken entered looking tired. Aitken stared at Jeremy for a second before he went to the other side of the room where his bed lies. Aitken let his sore body fall into perfect happiness, heaven, called bed. The name is so appealing to Aitken right now that just hearing it would make him moan.

Jeremy crinkled his nose when he caught a whiff of burned fabric and wood smoke. He snapped his head towards Aitken's direction and saw black spots and burnt holes on his white hoodie. Slightly alarmed and worried, he sat down on the other side of his bed where it was closest to Aitken's then he exclaimed, “Where in the hell did you go? What happened?! Why do you have fucking burns?!”

Aitken lifted his head to look at the worried face Jeremy is making before he relaxed again then he said casually, “Good to see you doing fine.”

“That's not the damn issue right now! What the fuck happened to you?” He stands up and glared at Aitken with anger flickering in his eyes.

Aitken rolled his emerald orbs before he sighed defeatedly and narrated, “I went back home to get my stuff–”

“Are you out of your goddamn mind?!”

Aitken glared back at Jeremy before he continues, “then someone was there looking for my father. After a series of questions, the bitch burned down my home with me inside. Long story short, I saved myself out and then returned here. The end.”