DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT WRITING ABOUT DEMONS AGAIN.

Now that we've got that settled, welcome to His Demons! After taking a couple-week hiatus to determine the meaning of life I am back and more ready than ever. I was given one challenge to do during this story, but I'm not sure if I'll attempt it... You know who you are. Personal challenges include:

-Playing with characters' fears and motivations

-Every character is essential

-Character development

-Actually kill off some characters and STOP BEING A WUSS ABOUT IT

Since that we've established that, just sit back, relax, and watch your favorite personalities crumble as they face the harsh realities of life!

"I bet ten gold nuggets I'm going to win!" Jerome challenged, pulling ahead by a few jumps.

Mitch smirked although he knew the bacca couldn't see it. "Try me."

The wind rushed through his hair as he leapt to a new platform, his feet radiating with slight pain from impact. The sun beat down on his back from the harsh July day, the sweat beads starting to form on his forehead. Jerome and him were recording a parkour course for the viewers on their server they had bought a while back. It was a nice, quiet, deserted area that allowed them to build whatever they needed. Jerome had also taken some more redstone classes and learned how to spawn in blocks- something no one would've thought possible before. Mitch still marveled at the technological advances their civilization had made in the past few years. If only they had existed when he'd gotten captured.

It had been six full months since Mitch and Jerome had been kidnapped and killed the leader, and what a glorious six months it had been. Mitch was enjoying recording without the pressure of putting up an act. He could do whatever he wanted now- make jokes, record with whoever, even tell his fans the truth. Some of the fans had left the moment "merome" wasn't real, ("Ridiculous," Ashley said. "They're only here to feed off your nonexistent relationship.") Others felt hurt that Mitch had betrayed their trust, and he completely understood. The good thing was that they made Yout Ube history- Mitch and Jerome were the first people to hit a million subscribers not once, not twice, but three times, Mitch first and then Jerome. Not exactly a good accomplishment, but an accomplishment nonetheless.

Mitch was so lost in thought that he almost forgot he was racing. "Biggums, I'm gonna win!"Jerome cheered.

Mitch grinned. He had one last trick up his sleeve. With only a few seconds remaining, he placed a command block and typed something in.

"Mitch, I-"

Jerome stopped as TNT rained down from the sky. Everything around them exploded as Mitch laughed his head off. The bacca had died in the blast- apparently he forgot to turn on god mode. Mitch had fallen to the ground and was laughing so hard he was coughing, but he began wheezing as something fell on him. "Jerome!" He sputtered. "Stop doing that!"

"You're the one who sat under the respawn point." Jerome reminded. "Besides, I thought that was our thing."

"Get off of my chest!" Mitch demanded breathlessly.

"Fine, fine..." Jerome rolled off and rested himself next to Mitch. "Beautiful clouds today. How... Romantic-"

"That was parkour races!" Mitch interrupted. "Thanks for watching, we'll see you in the next video!"

"What was that for?" Jerome asked after they turned off the recording.

"I could ask you the same." Mitch replied sternly. "You're going to send the protesters into hysterics!"

Ever since Mitch and Jerome had announced they weren't actually a couple, some fans had gone a bit insane. Every video was flooded with comments telling them to get back together. Sometimes they'd send "fan mail" that was really hurtful letters. Normally they could deal with all this, but what pained Mitch the most is knowing that these people once looked up to them. He felt like a bad role model if this was the path they were turning down.

"It's fun to mess with them." Jerome said, but Mitch gave him a look. "Fine, fine, I'll keep the jokes to a minimum."

"Even when we're free we're not." Mitch sighed. "This sucks."

"At least we aren't dead!" Jerome said optimistically. "Speaking of which... TNT? Really?"

Mitch laughed. "What did you expect? A luxury 5-course meal before I kicked your butt?"

"I was hoping you'd at least take me out to dinner before you let me down, yeah." Jerome agreed.

"Sorry, I'll take that into consideration next time." Mitch laughed, remembering something from earlier. "What are you doing later? Editing?"

"I've still got two more hunger games to post from the other day, so I'm pretty much free. You?"

"Nothing much. Ashley invited us to dinner with Ryan and Jordan, so if you're up to it-"

"Sure!" Jerome said. "We haven't talked to them in a while."

Mitch raised his eyebrows. "It's been two days."

"And that's one day longer than I wanted!" Jerome pounded his fists on the ground for emphasis. "No offense G, but I can't spend every day with just you."

Mitch pouted. "I see how it is. You don't even love me anymore."

"Not really, no." Jerome said. "I mean, being forced to do it for four months changes the mood..."

Mitch lightly punched him on the shoulder. "Let's just put that behind us. The leader is dead, we're free, so who cares what happened in the past?"

Jerome rolled his eyes. "Always so motivational. Let's go home, G."

::::::::::::

The restaurant smelled like death.

The force of the scent hit Mitch head-on as he walked inside. No one else seemed effected, though. He frowned and whispered to Jerome.

"Do you smell that?"

Jerome looked at him oddly. "What? The aroma of food, most of which is probably cooked and not something I'll include in my diet?"

"No..." Mitch said. "It's- you know, forget it."

Jerome raised his eyebrows. "I don't care for steak, either, but I think you're overreacting."

"Steak." Mitch repeated dumbly. So that's what it was. A smell that could make him cringe with just a whiff.

"That's what I said." Jerome confirmed. "Buddy, are you feeling okay? Do you have a fever?"

"Everything alright?" Ashley asked as the waiter showed them to their table.

"Mitch is just being himself."

"Oh." She said as if she understood. Mitch frowned. Was there something wrong with his personality that everyone knew about?

"Relax." Jerome whispered as though he could hear Mitch's thoughts. "Everything will be fine."

Mitch elbowed him. "I'm okay. Just thought of something."

The five sat down at their table as the waitress introduced herself. "My name is Fiona and I'll be serving you tonight. What can I get you to drink?"

They all ordered some water and began small talk. "So," Jerome said, "are you still crashing at Ashley's place?"

"She kicked us out." Jordan replied flatly, giving her a glare. "We've built a small place on the outskirts of town until we can get back on our feet."

"We still have to get a job, man." Ryan moaned. "You think you'd be a bit more grateful considering we saved your life."

"Oh come on." She whined. "Don't be like Mitch and Jerome and keep track. Besides, you guys trashed my house with your stupid 'strength exercises'. Go annoy someone else."

"Rude." Jordan muttered. Jerome and Mitch held back their laughter and sipped some water. How had these three fought for the greater good together?

"So, what've you guys been up to?" Ryan asked.

Jerome shrugged. "Parkour, irritating fans, reporting the death threats..."

"Those guys are still salty?" Jordan asked.

Mitch nodded in agreement. "My favorite was the one that threatened to kill us and force our corpses to make out."

"What about the voodo dolls they sent?" Jerome said. "Those were good."

"That's ridiculous." Ashley slammed her water onto the table. "How can people be so dense? Don't they see how messed up you are because of this?"

"Everything okay over here?" Fiona looked slightly concerned by Ashley's outburst.

"I'm fine." She said in a raised voice. "Just discussing politics and stuff, right?"

The waitress warily nodded and set down their appetizers. "Let me know if you need anything. Food will be ready soon."

Jerome eyed the cooked fish on Mitch's plate. "What is that?"

"Fish and apple?" Mitch replied.

Jerome frowned. "Vile creatures. Have to eat 'em raw."

Mitch noticed Ryan watching the debate. "You guys really are messed up." He commented.

"No kidding." Ashley agreed.

"Nuh uh." Jerome argued.

"Let's go skydiving then. Afterwards, maybe some lava parkour?"

Mitch shuddered and Jerome shut his mouth in defeat. "Point taken."

Ashley smirked. Mitch sighed, his gaze drifting towards a steak dish. A small feeling of regret resided in his gut, a feeling that almost wished Jerome had never saved him. He could go back to that darkened abyss free of care, free of complication, and full of freedom. Now he was just a caged animal- free to roam but only in a confined space.

Maybe death was the better option.

I'm starting to realize how dark this story sounds.

So I have a beginning(this), some middle events, and a finale, but that's it. Updates may be a bit slow at first, but I promise as I get to the good dramatic stuff it will come to me quickly. Also, if you could tell me if this seems like a good start that would be cool. Yeah.

~Scarlett