That Damn Imp

by CultOfStrawberry

For over 1,000 years, the powerful nature spirit known as Puck, among many other names, has been in love with a demon. After centuries of failed effort to win the heart of the demon he is head over heels for, Puck has come up with a new scheme to woo his lady love. Will he succeed, and will he learn what he needs along the way?

10. Chapter 9

That Damn Imp

IX

o0o

Edinburgh, Scotland (newly part of the United Kingdom) 1710

Even though Edinburgh was emerging as a banking center, its sheer population density led it to being one of the most overcrowded cities in Europe, and naturally, there was an almost innumerable amount of people living in, or near poverty. A large part of the urban center was made of tenements, and it was not simply the poorest who lived in these closely-built structures. With the wide diversity in economic status, the gap between rich and poor intensified further with the unsanitary conditions generally to be found throughout much of the overpopulated city.

Like so many other densely-populated human centers, misery was inevitable. Suffering in many forms existed, from the cruelty of a human hand, to the vermin ad diseases that traveled easily between bodies, to sheer bad luck like dying in childbirth. Many crimes were committed out of desperation, and the people who were so desperate were often themselves the victims of crimes of greed or hate. Inevitably, vengeance would be called for.

Going about as a charity worker was a surprisingly effective disguise. Clad in plain gray traveling clothes with a hat and veil, she was easily identified by the cut and modesty of her garb, as well as the modest-sized cross she had pinned to her breast. Deference to the rank Koshka masqueraded to led her to a certain leeway not afforded to a woman of propriety or gentility. Had Catholicism been more tolerated in the United Kingdom, she would have masqueraded as a nun, but the strife between Catholicism and Protestantism had culminated in the exclusion of Catholics from the line of succession to the Crown, and the firm establishment of Protestantism as the state religion.

Regardless of the popular religion though, there was always the poor and downtrodden, as well as people of wealth – for money was just as much a lure to evil deeds as lack thereof – and people would always seek redress.

Her last vengeance spree was for a young woman whose father had sold her into servitude to cover some of his debt. It was not uncommon for daughters to be sent to maid or laundress services to support their family, but much more had been asked for – or more accurately, taken from – the girl. Her father, along with the men she'd been forced to service, fell before the meat knife that Venjanca had placed in her hand, and the next day there were stories of a demon haunting the neighborhood. The young woman was of course unharmed, as the demon had used her power to shield her from identification.

There were many others in the maid's position, but the ancient laws that even such beings like her had to follow prevented magical folk from wreaking too much havoc upon the world, and even curbed their benevolence. For her to grant vengeance, her name had to be invoked, but then, it was a good thing she'd gone by multiple names, and she was not without a name in the tongues of the Isles.

The demon who had been known as Ekdisiki, Venjanca, Koshka, and now Aicheamhail, was the image of piety as she strolled down the street, ignoring the scent of garbage on this warm day, and the clouds of flies that hovered over the waste thrown from the windows of the buildings that lined the streets and alleys. Hands folded into her sleeves, her pace was brisk.

o0o

Though Puck normally kept to the peacefulness of the countryside, sometimes, going into town became necessary. Or, if nothing else, it provided for amusement one could rarely find amongst goat-herders and their ilk. Floating over the crowd unseen, he marveled at the displays below. He couldn't understand how the humans allowed their kin to descend into such abject poverty. Even amongst the Fair Folk, with all their trickery and backbiting, they still took care of their own.

He sensed a magical aura that was almost as familiar to him as his own, and a slow grin stretched across his lips. Here, in Edinburgh, that far west? It was a surprise… but not at all unpleasant one. It did not take him long to track her down, and looked over the people milling about along the street, narrowing his eyes as he looked for a familiar face. That is, if she'd chosen her usual human appearance.

He did a double-take when he figured out that the somberly-garbed woman with her face hidden under the brim of her hair making a brisk pace was the woman he was looking for. He trailed after her for several minutes, watching as she tossed a coin to a woman begging, a grubby-looking infant at her breast. She said several words to the woman before making a sign of benevolence. Whatever it was she said, the woman frowned, weeping as she clutched the coin in her fist. Likely from some firmly-worded advice, but then the vengeance demon wasn't known for honeying her words.

A vengeance demon doing charity? Puck mused. Well, it was nice to know that somewhere inside of the hot-tempered demon was a soft touch.

When she turned into a poorly-lit alleyway, he alighted beside her and let himself be visible. He'd taken on the glamour of a mortal man with sandy blonde hair, and clothing that was somewhat shabby, fitting in with the general fashion and class level of this area.

"Hey, you," he murmured happily. "Nice hat."

Without missing a beat, she kept walking, and he maintained her pace, keeping at her sides unless he had to duck around a pile of garbage, or a person out and about.

"Yes. It's all the rage in London and Dublin." she replied lightly as she regarded him. "And what's a pretty thing like you doing in a place like this?" she asked.

"Just people-watching. Though now I'm focused on one person in particular," he smirked, winking at her, "So you're up to date on the fashions in England and Ireland, but you decide to come out here, and you even called me pretty! Did you miss me?"

"I've already been to London and Dublin, and other places. Quite a time for the Isles. And of course, in all that turmoil, plenty of people here needing vengeance," she commented, sidestepping his question.

"Yeah, it looked like you were administering out some vengeance. No, wait," he cast a sidelong glance her way, "that was food, and money. All your time among people make you grow soft, Venjanca?" He was teasing, of course, and lightly nudged at her side with the tip of his elbow.

"Retribution is meted upon people who deserve it. Little children don't. It's not their fault they have parents who would rather spend money on alcohol instead of food, or keep breeding like rabbits even if they can't afford the children they already have,. It's common sense, really." She huffed and rolled her eyes, "And what have you been up to? Swapping human babies for fae babies?" she teased back.

She seems to be in a relatively good mood, Puck mused. If anything, she almost actually seemed happy to see him.

"Nah," he waved the comment off dismissively. "I'm more the baby-eating type. They're so soft and juicy. You know how it is."

"That's funny. Out of the two of us, I'm sure that others would agree I'm the one more likely to eat babies," she shot back.

"Yeah, probably," he quipped back, winking. Of course, both of them knew very well he that neither of them ever engaged in the horrendous pursuit of stealing and consuming babies.

"So you didn't come to a city jam-packed full of people just to cause mischief? Goodness knows plenty of people around here could use some cheering up." She shook her head. "Humans can create such putrid shitholes sometimes." She wrinkled her nose a bit as they passed by the open door of a tenement that looked as if it might collapse at any moment, hearing the crying of babies and the arguing of adults from within.

"Well I'll do that when I'm here too. Just a matter of finding some people that it'll actually cheer up. So many of these folks are so down that a bit of mischief can end up breaking them," He shrugged, kicking a stone down the street. "But when I find some folks that actually have it together and are still in need of some levity... well, you know what happens next."

"Oh, believe me, I know. Your reputation precedes you, Goodfellow." There was a legless man begging in the street. Koshka dropped a coin in his hat as she passed by, making the sign of the cross, which was ironic given her origin. "Still, this place is... interesting. It's amazing how little common sense some of these people have." A drunk man staggered out of one of the taverns, and from the looks of his clothing, appeared as if he spent all his wages on booze and nothing else.

"Some of it's lack of sense. Some of it's the times. People are desperate. When you're desperate, it's easy to just give up," Puck sighed, sounding more serious than usual. "It's still human weakness, but it's rooted in more than ignorance."

"Yes, of course. There's also greed and cruelty." She waved her arm. The upper classes and much of the clergy do their part in keeping the peasants poor and ignorant. But that's nothing new, is it?" Some things had never changed since the dawn of civilization. "Course, there's only so much vengeance I can wreak at a time. Cosmic laws and all that." Puck was just as bound by these laws as his demonic counterpart, so he could only do so much mischief, or so much good with his magic. It was a way of keeping things in balance.

"Right. Stupid balance," he grumbled, kicking the stone again. "You all tapped out on vengeance right now? I need to take a little break from mischief-making and could certainly use some company."

She smiled. "Company? Are you sure it's not just an excuse to try to get a peek up my robes?" she replied glibly.

"That hadn't been the idea. But if you're offering a look up your robes," he shifted a bit closer, "I'm not about to turn that down."

"Well, you caught me in a good mood this time around. So I'm willing t tolerate your company, at least for a bit. Is there anything you had in mind?"

"Well now my mind's stuck on the whole getting a peek beneath your robes thing..."

She gave him a light elbow to the side. "Well, I suppose I can accept blame for that. You know, I'm getting tired of the smells of this place. So what do you say we go somewhere a bit fresher and cleaner?"

"You suppose. It's totally your fault, being so beautiful and all," he teased, smiling softly. He offered her the crook of his arm. "Shall we?" She glanced at his arm for a moment before meeting his eyes and hooking her arm through his.

Winds blew, light flashed and in a mere moment they were standing in a field far from civilization, deep into the wild heaths of Scotland, A tree dotted the clearing here and there, and she heard the call of birds above the bubbling of the brook that ran past them.

"Will this do? Or did you have something else in mind?" Slowly, he slid his arm from hers, reluctant to break the contact.

o0o

"No, actually, this is a very welcome change." She took a deep breath. She wasn't a nature demon, but that didn't mean she couldn't enjoy Puck's domain. With a sigh of relief, she took off her hat, welcoming the breeze on her neck. "Mmm. That's much better."

"That's right... take it off," he teased, grinning impishly as he nodded at her.

She smirked at him before taking off her boots and stockings, setting them aside and dipping her toes into the water. This was one of the streams that ended up feeding into the river that passed through Edinburgh. The crystal purity she saw here would in due time, become muddy and brown, carrying garbage along its currents. She picked up her skirt a little, enjoying the cool stream. It had been a warm day – not the best for wearing an extremely modest woolen robes or veil.

Puck was into the water quickly, his glamour gone. The trickster was shirtless, shoeless and in baggy, green-brown breeches. He dropped into the stream with just enough impact to splash her lightly. "I like it here. Far enough from people for some real peace and quiet."

She nodded. "Sometimes I wonder why I bother with this." She gestured to her outfit. "Humans are very interesting creatures. But so bloody annoying sometimes," she remarked. "Their arguing over whose church is better... I'm sure that if Martin Luther could see what was happening, he might have reconsidered the 95 theses," In response to the splashing, she kicked some water at him.

"Well if you're that unsure about it, you should take it off," he teased, giggling, then shrugged. "Can't blame me for trying." He batted his eyes at her.

"We've been doing this dance for what, a thousand years. I've come to know you well, Puck, and what to expect for you. So I can't say I'm the least bit surprised." she grinned.

He grinned back. "Well then, are you going to take it off, or what? Dancing's a lot more fun when you're naked anyway."

"Come now, Puck. You should know me well enough by now to know I'm not going to just do that and make it easy for you. This is the most I'm going to do." She lifted the hem of her skirt a bit, adjusting her robe as she redid her belt so that the hem wouldn't drag n the water, giving Puck a glimpse of ankles and calves. "That should be enough for you, little imp." She wouldn't admit it out loud but she enjoyed his teasing and flirtations, at least when she was in a receptive mood.

"No such thing as 'enough'," he snickered, eying her legs lustfully. "So, what you're saying is you're just playing hard to get?"

"Playing hard to get implies that eventually you'll get what you want. Which I have no intention of giving you," she replied, and though she sounded firm, there was the faint twinkle in her eye that she was unable to hide.

"Talking like that isn't gonna make me stop trying," he smirked, crossing his arms over his chest. His foot kicked out quickly, splashing her a bit more forcefully than before.

She responded with a kick of her own, almost falling in the water as she did so, since she didn't do this sort of thing often while Puck was comfortable in any natural element.

Puck giggled, kicking more water her way. He shifted to the left then right, playing at dodging splashes. Then, bounding forward, he tackled Koshka down into the water. It wasn't deep, and he was off her after just a moment, laughing on the shore.

"Imp!" she exclaimed, though she wasn't as angry she would have normally sounded. The cool water was a welcome change to the heat and humidity, "I'm going to kick your ass for that!" she said, shaking her fist at him as she got to her feet, the wool now heavy against her body. She added in several other colorful threats as she wrung her skirt.

"Oh, tell me how you really feel," he teased, sitting up and dipping his feet back in the water. "You look nice all wet," he added, grinning and playfully quirking his eyebrows.

She rolled her eyes. "Have you ever worn wet wool? That shite is heavy." She looked down at it for a moment before deciding to remove it. She saw Puck's eyes light up as she started, knowing he hoped to see her naked. His pants now clung to him since he'd gotten himself wet too, clinging to his legs and other parts, giving her more than a little hint of his endowment. Not for nothing did he carry a reputation as an endowed lover.

Under her habit, she had on an ordinary linen chemise, and since this was wet, it clung to her as well. Given her garb, the shift was longer than what one would expect, and of a finer quality, the thin fabric hugging her breasts and outlining her nipples. She regarded him with a small smirk, placing her hands on her hips.

"See," he gestured to her with a grin, "you look even better in less clothes. Don't know if you should get naked though. At that point, I just wouldn't be able to control myself." Puck ran a hand down the front of his pants slowly and firmly, letting her appreciate the show.

She raised an eyebrow. "Self-control isn't one of your strong points, we both know. So I guess I'll do you a favor and keep on my clothing," she teased. She was unable to stop herself from glancing at what Puck was doing for several long, lingering moments before managing to tear her gaze away. "I don't suppose if I wave this cross in front of you, it'll make you go away?" she teased as she unpinned the pewter ornament from her robe, both of them knowing very well that religious icons did absolutely nothing to him.

"No such luck. Sorry," he teased, the movement of his hand finally stopping. He had the hint of an erection beneath the pants, and bulged against his leg. "And come on. You don't really want me to go away, do you?"

"Well, like I said, you caught me in a good mood. So we can have a nice sit-down and talk about Jesus and all. Open your heart and let him in." she said, placing her hands together in a praying position, cross just visible as it dangled from its bit.

"I'm sure we can come up with something better to talk about. Unless you're just trying to role-play with me. Have me corrupt the sweet, innocent earthbound angel of God and ravish her alongside the creek," he replied.

At that, she let out a warm, hearty laugh, which was a rare sound from the usually dour and bitchy demon. "And what would you be, Satan? With big horns and all? I've also heard he's also very endowed." she joked. She kicked some water at him again.

"I'd be me," he scoffed. "As if the trickster Puck has never seduced anyone. You've heard the stories." Puck licked his lips suggestively, letting the water splash against his chest.

"Believe me, trickery and mischief are not the only things you're known for, Goodfellow." she replied, wiggling her eyebrows. She waded through the water, approaching him, placing her hand on his chest... before she pushed him into the water, grinning down at him. "Turnabout is fair play, after all."

Puck giggled, kicking water her way before floating up out of the creek. Once again he dived at her, this time rolling the two of them across the tall grass along the creek. He landed looking down at her and grinned suggestively. "Gonna toss me back into the water?" he teased, tucking a few strands of Koshka's hair behind her ear.

"That's generally what one does with fish they don't want, eh?" Koshka snapped back as she looked up at him, twirling one of his long forelocks between her fingers. "Though I'll say you do smell much better than a fish." She had never admitted it to him, but she liked the way he smelled, of flower-streaked meadows, and deep, ancient forests, and the earthy smell of bogs. Much better than the smell most humans had, for sure.

"I'd hope so," he wrinkled his nose. Leaning down, he inhaled, his eyes half-lidded. "You smell pretty nice too," he murmured, his lips brushing against her neck with each syllable. She let him enjoy her scent for a moment, before lightly pushing him away, causing him to tumble across the grass. "Sometimes I wonder why I put up with you."

"It's because you're into me," he sat up in the grass, crossing his legs. "You hide it sometimes, but I can tell. I'm perceptive like that."

"Oh., now you're an expert in women, huh? I suppose having all these lovers makes you think you know so much about the female species, huh?" She sat up, crossing her arms, smirking faintly. "Come now, Puck. After a thousand years, I'm still saying no. I'm pretty sure that means I don't like you."

"If you didn't like me, you wouldn't be here," he grinned. "And there are no experts on women. I'm just good at telling when one has a crush on me. How do you think I end up with so many lovers. I have a good eye for people that are interested. Though if you prefer something more casual," he added, "we could just have some fun and then be on our ways."

"Sorry, Goodfellow. But I am set against being another notch on someone's bedpost. So my answer remains ever the same, but I'll still talk to you about Jesus. You could become a monk or pastor. I'm sure you'd look sharp in somber colors."

"I prefer clothes that are less confining," he shrugged. "And not endlessly prattling on about invisible men in the sky."

"Human notions certainly are odd, aren't they? So many humans refuse to see fae or demons, but they're willing to go for some invisible guy in the sky who let his son be crucified. But I'm sure you'd still look very dignified in black." she poked his side lightly.

Puck squirmed. "I look better out of black. But if I don't get a show, then no show for you either," he teased, sticking out his tongue.

"So... if I flash you my tits, you'll show me your cock?' she asked, the faintest of smirks on her lips as she regarded him. He was indeed a handsome sight, relaxing there in the grass, the dampness of his pants making no secret of his semi-hard cock. She did feel a tingle of warmth between her legs, and squirmed around a bit., Not for the first time, she wondered what it would be like to have him in her bed, but as she'd commented before, she didn't want to be simply another conquest.

"Well I'd like more than that," he shifted, sliding a hand down to the waist of his pants suggestively. "But it's certainly a good start."

"Allrightythen, so I know what you would do if I let you see my tits. What would you do if I let you see... other parts?" she asked, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively. "What do I get in return for that?"

"Just seeing them?" he inquired, smirking. "Not sure what all I can give you for just getting to see. What do you want? A show?"

"And you would put on a good show, imp. I don't doubt that the sight of my feminine parts would be very helpful towards that goal," she teased. She knew that if Puck saw her parts, he would never forget. Hell, she doubted that he would be sated with the sight of them. He would want to touch them... and more.

"So when you talk about what I would do, rather than what I will do, is that your way of turning me down again?"

She blinked before grinning. "You're pretty sharp when you out your mind to it, Puck. At least, when you use the head on your shoulders instead of the one between your legs."

"You say that, but with the way your eyes travel, I think you're more interested in..." he looked down between his legs and raised his eyebrows, "that one."

"Why says I can't appreciate both?" Koshka replied. "After all, with someone with my looks, cock is pretty easy for me to get. I require something more... substantial." She stretched out in the grass, the sun helping to dry the linen that had been clinging to her body

"Like really big cock? Because I think I can help there."

She chuckled softly at hat, her eyes moving down to his groin for a moment before looking back into his eyes. "Perhaps I keep saying no because I find our banter to delightful," she replied, lightly tapping his nose.

"There can still be banter after sex," he suggested, shifting his legs to allow her a better look. "I like it too. Certainly not about to give up the banter."

She smiled, and then paused. "I am sure that post-sex banter would be just as delightful. But the thing is, as I said before, I'm not interested in being yet another lay of yours. You never remain with any one lover too long. You go from place to place like the wind, and skilled as you may be, I do require a bit more... constancy." she replied in a more serious tone

"You say that, but I think you just know that if you have me, you're gonna fall for me. And you want to be able to focus on wandering Europe, meting out vengeance. Can't do that when you're spending all of your time jumping on Puck."

She laughed softly at that. "Are you sure it's not the chase that's keeping you interested in me? I know you've never chased after anyone for so long. Sometimes I wonder if you like the challenge, and once that is gone, you'll get bored, like you often do."

She shifted around, the line around her breasts still a bit damp, making the outline of her nipples visible, and this did not escape his scrutiny, his gaze flicking to her chest.

"I can chase lots of people, so it's certainly not that. It's the person. And you'll still be around even after the chase. Besides," he stretched, "I know you. You won't stop challenging me just because we have ourselves some fun."

She reached out to very lightly run a fingernail along his stomach, circling around his navel. "So you can absolutely guarantee that if I say yes, you won't simply wander off after that? Because you do have a reputation for breaking hearts, imp."

"Well..." he shifted closer, leaning into her hand, "sometimes I've gotta wander. Free spirit and all that. Nature is an entity of chaos. But as you've already seen, I do come back."

She did not reply for several moments, allowing her finger to continue to explore his stomach. She noticed him shiver a bit when her finger dipped lower, above the waistband of his pants. Puck was a powerful temptation, indeed. It wasn't that she expected marriage from him or anything like that. But she wanted her relationships to be more lasting, to have some meaning to her. It wasn't that she sought love, but she held standards for those who would share intimacy with her.

Her finger trailed up his chest and jaw, trailing along his pointed chin. "You may be a free spirit, but I'm not quite as fickle as you."

"I know," he tilted his head, kissing and nipping at her fingers. "Doesn't mean we can't have ourselves a bit of fun though. I'm not too fickle for doing that. Then doing it again. Again. And again."

She smiled, for once, allowing him to bite and nibble at her fingers. She was actually enjoying his attentions, and lightly ran her fingers along his lips. She glanced at his groin, where it seemed like her attentions had roused him a bit more. "I don't doubt that, little imp. I will say that you are very powerful temptation for this worker of God. Fortunately, I have Jesus on my side to help me resist temptation." Se grinned as she withdrew her hand away from him, almost regretfully. She did enjoy teasing him, but she was getting aroused by the sight of his cock hardening in his pants, and was smart enough to back away before there was no turning back. She picked up the ornament, which she'd casually dropped onto the grass, feeling the weight of the cross in her palm.

"Tease," he murmured, watching her hand withdraw. "You'll come around eventually though. I've got all the time in the world."

"I think you enjoy my teasing. I'm interesting to you because I don't get all starry-eyed like the girls who hop in your bed." She rose to her feet, brushing the grass off her clothing as she looked down at him, for a moment having a mental image of climbing on top of him and riding him right then and there in the grass after pulling down his pants just enough to free his cock. Her pussy ached at the thought, and she bit back a groan. Bloody damn imp, being all... cute and clever and silly and sexy. He was quite the package, even if he wasn't always as mature as she liked her men to be.

She picked up her damp robes. "Although I just might get rid of this, Modesty's nice and all but not when it demands you wear a long wool dress on a hot summer day," she said with an exaggerated sigh and shake of her head.

"Do it. I'm all for you wearing less clothes all the time," he grinned. "And I do enjoy your teasing. But I would prefer a bit more follow-through," he exhaled softly. "Alright... a lot more follow-through."

She paused and turned back to him. Usually, she was a lot more bitchy, but today had been a genuinely pleasant time, and she couldn't begrudge Puck his teasing when she teased him right back.

"Well, you do have certain qualities that make you appealing. Perhaps, if you worked a bit more on maturity, you just might get lucky."

"I can get lucky anytime," he teased. "Remember? Starry-eyed girls hopping into my bed? I've gotta be more mature to get you though? Hmmm..." he put his finger to his lips, tapping thoughtfully. "That's not gonna be easy..."

She grinned at that. Imagine, Puck admitting something wouldn't be easy for him! "Well, you know the saying. 'Nothing worth getting is easily gotten.' Or something along these lines," she said, stroking her chin. She picked up her veil and shoes and stockings, bundling them to her chest. "I will say though, that I did have a very pleasant time with you today. A nice wade in the stream and a tumble in the grass certainly picked up my mood after the city." It was obvious from the warmth in her tone that she meant it.

"I assure you, you'd enjoy an actual tumble in the grass a great deal more," he teased, kipping to his feet. "But it seems you're going to be on your way. I had a nice time too. We should do this more often. See how long it takes you to get sick of me."

She laughed at that. "Well, you've always had a knack for finding me, no matter where I am. Come by and say hello later." She gave him a friendly wave before waving her hand, a red aura rippling around her before she disappeared.

Puck stood at the edge of the stream, watching the water for a while before fading from sight.

o0o

Puck squirmed around on the bed, his hands and feet secured to the bedposts with silk ties. As Malcolm, he cheerfully submitted to Koshka's sexual dominance. Once in a while he might even challenge her a bit, just so she would treat him with a firm hand. Blindfolds, hot wax, feathers, spankings… the vengeance demon wasn't a sadist in the bedroom, but Puck had come to learn that she enjoyed exerting control in various ways that led to their mutual pleasure.

He wasn't about to object to these games… at least not too strenuously, when she teased him for so long, holding off his release or forbidding him to touch himself for a few days while doing things that she knew provoked his sexual urges.

He stared up into darkness as he felt fingernails slowly caress his inner thigh, skirting around his sac and the base of his throbbing manhood. As Puck, he could easily zap away the blindfold and bindings, and have his way with his feisty lover, and show her a thing or two about what she really was dealing with.

However, he'd learned to refine a certain sense of patience as Malcolm, and enjoy various aspects of her ministrations. Without sight, he focused on his other senses, detecting a note of her perfume. It as a combination of orange flowers and sweet musk. A tremble passed through his groin as her fingers drew closer, oh so close, before pulling back.

He let out a frustrated moan, twisting his hips around and causing his manhood to bob side to side.

"Mistress…" he breathed, tilting his head in what he was certain was the direction of her face.

(cutscene)

o0o

He stretched out in bed several hours later, free from any bindings. Koshka lay next to him, idly stroking his arm as they basked in the afterglow of their shared pleasure.

"So I was thinking in the morning I'll have breakfast delivered, hm?" They were both familiar with his shortcomings as a cook, but Koshka accepted as a fair bargain Malcolm's use of restaurants to provide his meals. It gave them the chance to try out various items, and let Koshka enjoy some nights to herself without the worry of preparation or the mess of dishes.

"Sounds good to me," she said with an easy shrug. He grinned at that. It was amazing what humans could do with modern technology. In some ways, it was easier than magic.

They cuddled together in companionable silence for a good while, each lost in their own thoughts. He ran his fingers through her hair, placing light kisses along her neck.

"Koshka, I know this is not the first time I've told you about how much our time together means to me." He looked into her eyes, running a finger along her jaw. "I've told you before that I am yours."

Puck had thought long and hard about what he planned to say. He'd never said it to anyone else, not had he ever seriously considered it. He was a flirt, a rogue, a charmer, but he did not fool his lovers into believing that he cared for them any more than he actually did. There had been a few broken hearts left in his wake, but not through his own caprices.

The guise of Malcolm might be a deception, but Puck knew his feelings for her were true. As true as anything could have ever been. For centuries he had yearned after her, longing to get to know her better, curious about what lay behind the facade of the ancient goddess. Regardless of how many times she had turned him down, he felt inevitably drawn back to her. And now that he had had his chance to know her better, he only wanted more. And it wasn't simply learning things about her, he'd also explored facets of himself that he hadn't been aware existed.

As a primeval nature god given power and form through millennia, the lack of mortal limitations had affected Puck's spiritual growth. He never had to worry about going hungry, or cold, or getting sick and dying. He was well aware of death, of course; it was a part of nature. But the fae was in many ways like Nature itself – wild, unrestrained, following laws more ancient than the ones man wrote.

He'd taken human guises in the past, of course, but none that required him to adhere so much to human ways as Malcolm did. Unable to do magic around or near Koshka without hinting at his true self, he'd learned all the more quickly for being so immersed in the ways of humans. Sure, there were challenges, but there came with it a better understanding of these ephemeral beings.

"I love you." There. He had said it. He'd been nervous about it, but now seemed as good a time as any, when they were relaxed and enjoying one another's company.

"Oh. Malcolm." Her expression, already placid, softened in such a way that Puck had no doubt of the effect of his words on her. It warmed his heart to see her respond so openly to his declaration.

"I love you," he repeated tenderly before pressing his lips to her forehead.

o0o

It'd been so long since someone had told her that they loved her. She'd enjoyed some of her previous relationships very much, but nobody had ever made her feel the way Malcolm did.

How would he feel if he knew of her true nature? Would it corrupt the relationship? In a relationship with a mortal, a demon risked their human partner trying to take advantage of their power. An cautionary tale among magical folk concerned a tennyo and a mortal man, in ancient Japan. Venjanca was an old and powerful creature, and vendetta was as old as any other human social institution.

She'd gained self-awareness when Cain killed Abel, and she alone knew the truth behind the story of the two brothers. Through the ages, as humans evolved and their societies became more complex, she answered to the ancient call of retribution. How would Malcolm feel if he knew how much bloodshed she had been responsible for, however justified the cause? Much as he'd demonstrated his affection and respect, a demon or fae revealing their true self could cause an enormous strain on a relationship.

She reached out to run her hand along his hair, enjoying the feel of short, thick locks under her fingers.

"I've never felt about anybody else the way I feel about you," Koshka admitted. He regarded her with a gentle smile.

"I mirror that sentiment, kitten. Otherwise I wouldn't have told you I loved you." He pulled close to kiss her cheek. "You're the only one I've ever even considered saying it to." He stared into her eyes, and although she'd looked into them often enough, there was something slightly different this time. As if something glimmered within them, unguarded and true. His words were uttered calmly, with a faint hint of a purr. She stared into his eyes, hoping to catch that glimmer again, but she didn't notice anything unusual. Perhaps it was simply the tenderness of the moment that caused her to think she'd seen something. Oh well.

"You certainly know how to make a girl feel good," she replied casually before he pulled her in for a fierce hug. He peppered her face with kisses before looking down at her fondly.

"Is something the matter?" he asked. She blinked in confusion, and he regarded her with a gentle smile.

"What? No, what makes you say that?" she asked. As he looked into her eyes, she was certain she saw that glimmer again.

"It's just…" he paused as he rubbed her arm. "You seemed anxious about something. I wondered why you might be worried at a time like this and then..." He looked down almost bashfully. "I hope I didn't make you uncomfortable."

"No, no." She nuzzled him and kissed his temple. "You didn't say anything wrong. It just melted my heart." She ran her thumb along his cheek. "And I'm generally not prone to such moments."

"You're a bad-ass, Koshka. And you'll always be, regardless of how much of a softy I know you cam be," he responded lightly. Squeezing her hand, he nuzzled her. "I can tell you this, there is absolutely no need to worry how I will think of you. You're the most amazing woman I've ever known and I've never told anyone else, or even thought, about telling them I loved them. I generally consider myself a good judge of character, and I know I want to share my life with you. I hope you feel the same way."

"… I do," she admitted quietly. "Ever since I first laid eyes upon you, there's been the most incredible spark between us."

"Believe me, you're not the only one who felt it." He kissed her brow. "I am all yours, kitten. Then, now, and forever."