Here's Chapter 9, I hope you all enjoy this one ok and Maric, thanks for the favourite on that ButterFly DA Art I've put up awhile ago. Now then :)

Chapter 9 : Alone while getting To Know

It was Sunday morning and Aquilo was with the Ramirez family outside the house, while Dawn was explaining to him.

'' If there's any problem or an emergency, just give us a call on this number here. ''

Dawn hands him a piece of paper with their mobile number on it, Aquilo accepts the paper and faintly nod his head at her. Lucas smiles as he then says in gratitude to the demon.

'' Thank you again for doing this Aquilo, it's very good of you to do this despite you being our guest. ''

Aquilo writes on his notepad then shows it as it said.

'' Your welcome, also...

When will he, be awake? ''

Dawn and Lucas smile slightly as Dawn says to him.

'' Marco always likes to sleep in a little, so he'll up a bit later on. ''

Aquilo gave them a blank blink before Keira asks her parents in wonder.

'' Mum, Dad, why's Marco staying at home? ''

Dawn and Lucas smile gently at their youngest daughter as Lucas kindly explained to her.

'' Marco hasn't been feeling too well lately love, so he has to stay here and rest up. ''

Keira looks up at them in understanding while Fatch just wore a confused look and asks them curiously.

'' But why does Aquilo have to stay here too? ''

His parents turned to him as Dawn says gently to him.

'' Aquilo has to make sure your brother is doing ok Fatch. ''

Then Dusk says to him whilst his smiles a little.

'' Besides, Aquilo's the one who offered to as well. ''

Fatch lowers his eyes slightly as he frowns a bit, but that quickly disappears as he now wore a happy look then walks up to Aquilo and hugs him for a bit as he says brightly to him.

'' Well Aquilo, hope you have a fun time babysitting him. ''

While he says bitterly in his mind.

'' Cause looking after that attention-seeking mop, will be a PAIN! ''

Aquilo writes on his notepad then shows it as it said.

'' Goodbye. ''

This made the Ramirez family smile as they waved their goodbyes to Aquilo, as he watches the siblings head straight north to the forest while Dawn and Lucas went around to the back of their house, to their garage where their car is. Aquilo walks inside the house and closes the door behind him before he heads straight up the stairs, to see how Marco's doing.


Inside the bedroom, Marco slowly gets up from the blanket, as he yawns slightly and rubs away the sleep from his eyes for a second till he mumbles in confusion to himself.

'' Ugh... W-Where am I? ''

then his ruby eyes widens up as he realizes he's in his bedroom, before he glances down slightly as he moved his feet to the side of the bed. Marco says quietly in his mind.

'' W-Why did he bring me back here?.. Why didn't he want me to kill myself... Just who-! ''

Marco then hears someone knocking a few times on his door, which made him sigh a bit in defeat as he thought it was his parents or siblings, probably feeling REALLY angry/worried with him and wants him to explain EVERYTHING to them. Marco lowers his eyes sadly as he calls out to whoever's behind his bedroom door.

'' Come in...''

The door slowly opens and Marcos eyes slowly went wide in shock once he sees the white demon step into his bedroom. Marcos mouth began to quiver slightly as he fearfully eyes the demon as he came slowly towards him before he asks him a bit in both fear/nervousness.

'' W-W-Wha... Why are y-y-you still here?... W-Where's my family? WHAT did you do to THEM? ''

The demon stops at the end of his bed, looks at him blankly for a second till he writes on his notepad then shows it to him as it said.

'' Don't be afraid... Your family is

not at all harmed, they're all just

out for the day.. ''

This made Marco wore a slightly relieved but confused look, as he then asks the demon in confusion now.

'' O-Out?... Out doing what?... But most of all, why are you still here? Shouldn't you be back with Thanatos? ''

The demon looks blankly at him for a second before writes on his notepad then shows it to him as it said.

'' I know nothing of Thanatos, I'm

only a guest that your young brother Fatch,

brought along with to your place to stay for the

weekend. ''

Marco looked up at him in pure wide-eyed gobsmack as he goes on in his mind.

'' S-So t-t-that's wha... What the others were TRYING to tell me! Only I-I... Going as far as... ''

Marcos eyes began to well up with tears then he collaspes face-first onto his pillow as he shakes and cries quietly, while he beats himself up in his mind.

'' STUPID! STUPID, STUPID, GREAT BIG IDIOT! I've acted so lifeless towards my parents and siblings and... I even YELLED at my youngest sister... Why couldn't have I just- I'm such a monster, I should've-? ''

Marco suddenly feels a cold hand rubbing the back of his shoulder slowly, then lifts his tear-stained face to see the demon sitting beside him on his bed. He then sees the demons notepad as it said on it.

'' Why are you crying?... Did I

upset you, in some way?... If I did,

I apologise for it. ''

Marco lets out a short sniff before he sits up and uses his sleeve to wipe away his tears, while saying softly to the demon.

'' N-No, you haven't at all... I was just beating myself up that moment, for being not only the worst to have ever come in existence, but for also being the MOST insensitive, self-centred guy ever. I-I should've.. Just. ''

Marco was shaking again now as he was trying not to break down again, when he felt a cold hand placed on his hand, which made him blush a bit, but blushed even more when his head was brought onto the demons shoulder. Marco was now wide-eyed in shock while blushing pure red till he notices his notepad lying behind the demon on his bed and it said this time.

'' You're in a need, of great comfort...

Aren't you? ''

Marco's bottom lip began to quiver and his eyes began to water then he shuts his eyes closed as he wraps his arms around the demon and stays like that, for about 2 minutes till Marco pulls away from him and wipes his eyes a bit till he says softly in guilt to him.

'' I-I'm really sorry about, springing it all upon you like that... ''

He sees the demon write on his notepad then shows it to him as it said.

'' It's alright... I don't mind, one

bit. ''

This made Marco smile a small... But sincere, forced-free one this time and just about anyone could do anything. They both hear a low grumbling sound which made Marco looking down embarrassingly, while the demon tilt his head at him blankly then Marco says softly in sheepishness.

'' H-H-Heh, sorry that was my stomach there... Guess I'm getting a bit hungry now. ''

The demon gets up from the bed and shows Marco his notepad as it said.

'' Do you want to get some breakfast? ''

Marco nods at him and gets up as well as he agrees with him.

'' Sure, allow me to lead you to the kitchen.''

The demon nods faintly at him before he follows Marco out of his bedroom and out on the hallway and as they went down the stairs, Marco says in deep guilt in his mind.

'' He doesn't deserve this, he doesn't deserve none of this at all... Not only towards my family, but now to a complete stranger that I don't very much about... Actually, I haven't got his name yet and I wonder if he knows mi-! ''

Marcos deep thinking made him miss a step on the stairs and was about to fall and tumble down them, until, he felt two arms wrap around his waist and being pulled back onto a cold chest, Marco looks upwards and sees the demon staring blankly down at him with his black and blue eyes. Marco begins to blush a bit now as he giggles nervously and says shyly to the demon.

'' S-Sorry again and thanks for saving me there. ''

The demon nods faintly down at him as they stayed in that position for a few seconds while looking into each others eyes. Till unexpectedly, the demon lifts the vampire off of his feet, holds him bridal-style then walks down the rest of the stairs as he carries the now shocked/surprised vampire.

Marco was wide-eyed and blushing brightly now while his mouth is opened slightly as he tries to speak but no words, came out at all. Instead they all went on inside his mind.

'' O.M.G! W-What is he DOING!? W-Why is he CARRYING me down the stairs!? WHY!? ''

Marco looks up at the demon then his face soften slightly and goes softly in his mind.

'' He's very strong though and a... Very interesting looking demon, I've never seen ones like him in books about demons... He's so.. cool-looking, gentle, hands-No! No, no, NO! Don't do that! You're getting worse than ever. ''

Marco looks down shamefully while the demon just made it down the stairs and heads straight for the kitchen and once they got there, the demon gently sets Marco back on his feet and still blushing a bit Marco says a small fluster to him.

'' U-Um.. W-Why did you c-c-carry me down like that? ''

the demon writes on his notepad then shows it to him as it said.

'' I wanted to make sure you didn't

fall again. I'm sorry to have, startled you

like that. ''

Marco widens his eyes at him as he shakes his hands out in front of him slightly, as he says reassuringly to the demon.

'' Oh no, no, no... Don't be sorry, I-I was just a bit surprised at first is all, but... Thanks anyway for that. ''

The demon writes on his notepad then shows it to him as it said.

'' Your welcome. ''

Marco smiles slightly now at him and puts his hands together while saying to the demon.

'' Ok, how about you go and make yourself comfortable, while I make us both some breakfast? ''

The demon writes on his notepad then shows it to him as it said.

'' Are you sure you don't need,

any help? ''

Marco gave him a soft look for his generous offer, then smiles softly at him as he says in sureness to him.

'' I'll be ok besides, you're our guest after all, You just go on ahead and take a seat at the table.''

The demon faintly nods at him before slowly walking away from him as he heads for the table, while Marco gets some ingredients out from the cabinets and fridge to cook with. Marco wears a slight indecisive look as he softly taps his bottom lip with his bright green-clawed finger, while thinking to himself.

'' Now I wonder what he'd like to eat?... I hope I don't make a mess of it, I've hardly EVER cooked that much before... I hope he likes it ok. ''

Marco wears a soft-yet worried look now which lasted for a second, be his eyes widened in shock and shakes his head slightly while shouting inside his mind.

'' Stop that already! You're getting WAY to over the edge here! he's a guest and you HARDLY know him at all... Why? ''

Marco heads over to grab his mum's apron nearby and puts it on while he continues to go on in his mind.

'' Why am I getting so worked up like this? I've never been THIS concerned about anyone else before, besides my family... Anyway, why did he want to stop me back there last night? It doesn't make any sense, after ALL those false, angry accusations I've said to him, he'd should be angry at me, but... He's not in one bit of bad blood towards me at all. ''

Marco sighs softly with a slight frown before he starts on his cooking for their breakfast.


(Meanwhile, inside the Forest)

'' BOO! Found you guys! ''

The Manora family and the Ramirez siblings were playing inside the forest, they were now playing a game of hide-and-seek with both Thatch and Aria in bat form as the seekers, as they now found three bats on top of a tree branch. A grey one which was Fatch and two slightly smaller ones, a light gold one which was Keira and a light silver one which was Kyle. The three bats giggled softly as Fatch fakes a small pout to the two Manora kids.

'' Aw... Well you founds us, but now... ''

Fatch unexpectedly flies away from the four shocked bats, and calls out teasingly in a sing-a-song voice. ''

'' YOU GOTTA CATCH ME! ''

This made Thatch and Aria pout in a playful way as Thatch yells out to him, while flying after him.

'' HEY! NOT FAIR YA CHEATER! ''

Aria giggles softly then looks at the young Ramirez twins and says playfully to them.

'' Come on guys, let's go and teach him a lesson. ''

The twins eagerly agree with her so the three all went flying after Fatch as well. While Dusk just watches this from below on the ground and shakes his head slight, while smiling to himself. He then turns to the Evie, Joshua and Midnight as they all happily conversed with each other.

Evie smiles brightly as she says to Midnight.

'' Well, we're very glad that you all are having a nice time with us... Poor Marco, he must be in such a state. ''

Evie looks down sadly while Joshua glances at her sadly, but then smiles as he wrap his arm around her comfortingly and says to cheer her up.

'' But at least he's with... Um, sorry what was his name again? ''

Midight giggles at him softly for his slight forgetfulness before she answers him softly.

'' His name's Aquilo, Joshua. ''

Joshua snaps his fingers while wearing a knowing smile now as he says brightly.

'' Aquilo, that's it now... My, it's very generous of him to stay at home and look after your twin brother Midnight. ''

Midnight smiles softly at them then looks down slightly and says softly to them.

'' Yeah, it sure is... To be honest, the family and I were a bit... '' concerned '' with Aquilo at first cause he was a demon. Not all demons are, not quite so friendly but... Honestly, Aquilo is a really sweet-natured demon. ''

'' DON'T FORGET COOL BIG SIS! ''

The three vampires yelped in surprise as a grey bat (Which was Katie) landed on Midnight's head before looking down at her sisters face in slight sheepishness while saying sheepishly.

'' Oops... I startled you three there? My bad, my bad. ''

Midnight smirks slightly at Katie as she says a bit too simply to her.

'' Oh don't worry Katie, we're fine, only... ''

A puff of smoke covers Midnight while Katie flies off of her and now sees a mischievous, smirking white bat as it says loudly to her.

'' I'M GONNA GET YOU, YOU LITTLE TWERP! ''

Katie yaps in terror before making a quick beat for it as Midnight followed closely behind her, while Evie and Joshua both laughed heartily at this. Dusk smiles to himself from seeing his sibiling having a good time with the Manora family when suddenly, his phone began to vibrate so he takes it out of his jean pocket and sees it was from his dad, so he answers it and holds it up to his ear and says.

'' Hey Dad, how's Mum and you doing? ''

He hears his dad saying kindly to him.

'' We're both fine son, we're at the police station and we're waiting for our turn to talk with them. ''

Dusk nods a bit while saying to him.

'' Ok Dad. ''

He then hears him asking him softly.

'' how are you and your siblings doing with Manora's Dusk? ''

Dusk grins brightly as he answers him happily.

'' Great Dad, we're having a ball here. ''

He hears him chuckle softly and after that, he asks his dad softly.

'' Oh and Dad?... Did you get any call from Aquilo yet? ''

His dad then says softly to him.

'' Not yet son. ''

This made Dusk smile in relieve to know that nothing is wrong back at their house, suddenly a new voice takes over the phone and speaks in a LOUD, HAPPY tone which made Dusk pull his phone away slightly, as she speaks cheerfully to him.

'' DUSK HONEY! HOW ARE YOU AND THE KIDS DOING? ''

He then hears loud shushing in the background while his mum makes small murmurs of apologies to them, saying that she forgot to stay quiet in the police station before Dusk answers her softly.

'' We're all doing fine thanks Mum. ''

He then hears her say softly to him this time.

'' That's great to hear... Oh! It's our turn now? Sorry love, but we have to cut of short now I'm afraid, bye. ''

'' Bye you guys. ''

Dusk cuts off the call and shakes his head while a soft grin is plastered on his face.


(Back at the Ramirez House)

Aquilo was sitting at the table by himself as he waited for Marco to bring in their breakfast and a few seconds went by, he sees Marco walking towards him while carrying to plates of neatly stacked, fresh pancakes with some strawberries and maple syrup. Marco smiles slightly as he sets down a plate in front of the demon while saying softly to him.

'' Here you are, I've made some pancakes for breakfast... Hope you like them ok. ''

Marco sits down at his own seat at the table in front of the demon and sees him writing on his notepad then shows it to him as it said.

'' Why is there, less food on your plate,

than mine? ''

Marco takes a quick at both of their plates as the demons had a good amount of five pancakes, while his own only had three but smiles at the demon as he says to him.

'' There was little mixture left at the end, but don't worry about me though. ''

Marco started to eat his breakfast while the demon just looks at him blankly for a second, till he looks down at his breakfast, uses his for and knife to cut a piece of pancake, puts it into his mouth and chews on it. Marco hears a soft clatter that made him look at the demon as he watches him put down his fork and knife to grab his notepad and writes on it, Marco wore a slight worried look now as he went on inside his mind.

'' Oh no... Did he not like it? Did I not cook them right?... ''

The demon shows him his notepad as it said.

'' Delicious. ''

This made Marco feel very relieved as his worries just disappeared like mist under a hot sun, he smiles slightly at the demon as he says in soft relief.

'' Oh, I'm glad you think so... I've never cooked that much before and I was worried that, you didn't like it. ''

Aquilo blankly looks at him for a second till he writes on his notepad, shows it to him as it said.

'' Despite that, you're a good cook. ''

This made Marco blush shyly as he says modestly to him.

'' I-I'm not THAT good, but... Thank you. ''

Aquilo writes on his notepad then shows it to him as it said.

'' Tell me... Just what are

these small, red pieces here? ''

Marco watches him holding up his fork with a piece of sliced strawberry on it and at first, Marco thought he was joking but seeing the demons blankness face.. He knew that he wasn't lying. Marco smiles a small smile as he says to him.

'' Those are slices of strawberry. ''

Aquilo tilt his head faintly at him before he writes on his notepad then shows it to him as it said.

'' Strawberry? ''

Marco nods at him and says to him.

'' Yep, strawberries are fruit and they're very good for you. ''

Aquilo looks at his fork with the strawberry slice on it for a second, till he puts inside his mouth and chews on it and after he swallows it... Aquilo froze for a second, while the vampire looks in concern at him until he gets his notepad and writes on it then shows it to him as it said.

'' Sweet... They taste so, nicely

sweet. ''

Marco giggled at him softly and lifts up his fork with a strawberry slice on it, while he says to the demon.

'' Yeah, they sure are sweet. ''

Marco puts the slice into his mouth and chews while making a soft delighted '' Mm '' sound before he sees that the demon, places one of his pancakes ontop of his three pancakes which makes four now, Marco was quite surprised from this as he looks up at the demon and sees what he wrote on his notepad.

'' It wouldn't be fair and,

you'll feel hungry later, right? ''

Marco felt touched from the demons sweet gesture and blushes a bit as he muttered softly to him.

'' Thanks... ''

So now the two started to eat the rest of their pancakes in silence together.


The two were inside the kitchen now as they washed up their dishes and all the bowls, spoons and pan that Marco used for his cooking. Marco said that he'd do it himself but Aquilo wouldn't accept that so Marco agreed to let him help out. Marco was washing the dishes in the water and Aquilo rubs them dry with a tea towel and places them into a neat stack beside him, while they did that Marco glances at the demon a few times as he wonders to himself.

'' Why does he always wear that emotionless look? It's kind of hard to tell what he's feeling, but... I wonder if he's ok, does he... Have any problems that are serious? Or... ''

They soon finished up their work and while Marco unplugs the sink and dries his hands, he says to the demon whilst as he smiled at him.

'' Thanks for helping me out with the dishes, you didn't have to though. ''

Aquilo writes on his notepad then shows it to him as it said.

'' Your welcome and I wanted

to help out. ''

Marco smiles softly at him before the two went to set all the dishes and things back into their cupboards and cabinets and as soon as they were done, Marco dusts his hands off slightly while saying to the demon.

'' Phew, that's them all put aside for now. Let's go and get ourselves freshen up. ''

The two started to walk out of the kitchen and once they got to the bottom of the stairs, Marco turns to the demon beside him and asks him.

'' Oh yeah, you might not know my name yet right? My name's Marco and what's yours. ''

Aquilo writes on his notepad then shows it to him as it said.

'' Aquilo. ''

Marco smiles at him brightly and says softly to him.

'' Aquilo... Nice name, sounds pretty unique. ''

Then unexpectedly, Aquilo lifts Marco up into a bridal-style hold and carries him up the stairs, while Marco blushed brightly and says in a bit of a fluster to him.

'' H-Hey Aquilo! I-I can walk myself, t-there's... ''

But seeing that Aquilo wasn't paying attention to what he was saying, Marco lets out a short sigh and allows himself to be carried up the stairs.


Aquilo was already done washing himself up in the bathroom and was now waiting for Marco to come out so to pass the time, Aquilo walks down the hallway till he stops at Marcos bedroom door, opens it and steps into his room and looks around for a second. Aquilo walks over to Marcos bed and sits down on it and as he did he soon notices something, poking out from under the crimson wardrobe and walks over to it and sits on his knees then pulls it out to reveal... A flat cardboard box and it had words on the front that were made by crayon and it said.

'' My Cool Collection-Marco R ''

Aquilo opens the lid of the box and sees a lot of different kinds of cute animal hats but the one that REALLY caught his eye. Was a black cat hat that had its tongue out and a tail on the back of it, he picks up the hat and looks at it closely for a second until, he hears a horrified gasp. Aquilo turns his head to see Marco, standing at the doorway with a very TERRIFIED face on. He quickly runs over to Aquilo while saying in a total fluster to him.

'' WH-WHA? HOW-I-I... WHY DIDN'T-UM T-THEY... ''

Aquilo writes on his notepad then shows it to him as it said.

'' It says here " My Cool Collection-Marco R "

Is this yours? ''

Blushing brightly in embarrassment/humiliation and not having an excuse for himself, Marco collapses onto his knees beside Aquilo while covering his face with his hands and says quietly in shame.

'' Yes, that's my collection and.. It's wrong. ''

Aquilo faintly tilt his head at him as he continued speaking shamefully with his face still covered.

'' It's just so VERY wrong to have a collection of adorable animal hats... I-I-I mean come on, I'm a vampire of 18 years of age and a creature shouldn't have a something as wrong, shameful... Freakishly... ''

Behind his hands Marcos eyes shut tightly closed as tears pricked at the corners of them... Until, he feels something being placed onto his head and uncovers his face to see Aquilo showing him his notepad

'' It doesn't look bad on you, at

all. ''

Marco feels at the top of his head to find that Aquilo has placed his black cat hat on his head, Marco wears a sad look and says to him whilst shaking his head.

'' I-I-I shouldn't have these at all... I stopped wearing them at my younger age, but still... I have them. ''

He then sees Aquilos notepad as it said.

'' I see nothing wrong with it...

Your hat, looks nice on you. ''

This made Marco blush brightly at him before he pulls his hat down slightly and says shyly to him.

'' D-D-Do you... Honestly mean that? You're not pulling my leg are you? ''

Aquilo writes down on his notepad then shows it to him as it said.

'' I'm not doing, any pulling...

I like your collection, its very cute''

This made Marco look at him in awe as he blushes a little, then a small smile came onto his face and says quietly to him.

'' T-Thank you... So much. ''

Aquilo writes on his notepad then shows it as it said.

'' Do you have, a favourite one? ''

Marco nods at him and says softly with a small smile.

'' Yeah I do, this black cat hat... I used to wear it all the time when I was little. ''

He then sees Aquilos notepad as it said this time.

'' If it's alright with you, could you

show me, what other hats you have? ''

Marco was a bit surprised to see that... Aquilo was THAT interested to see his collection of CUTE animal hats? This made Marco... Have a warm, fuzzy feeling inside as a smile came across his face then he says softly to him.

'' S-Sure, I'd like to show you them. ''

So Marco began to show Aquilo all the animal hats he has in his collection and while he did so, a happy-yet strange feeling grew inside the vampire.


That's all for now guys, I'm glad to see Marco has warmed up to Aquilo as he comforts him, I wonder when he'll tell Aquilo about... What's been bothering him, that nearly caused him to kill himself. :\

All I can say is, all shall be revealed in time guys ;)

A thanks to all you guys for R:R and liking the series so far, stay tuned for the next chapter. ^u^