Chapter 34. Love.
Jack, Millie, and Shelly walked out of a red gate into the I.M.P. lobby.
"Man farmwork is difficult," Jack said, straightening his back.
"Probably have an easier time if it wasn't for those injuries," Millie commented.
"Yeah," Shelly got in front of him, "what's up with that? Yeah I know it's been a few days since the last but what's up these trials you take? What's causing you to get hurt just by standing around in some place?"
"I told you, I'm getting challenged by something and I fight it. I've only fought some silhouettes I can't make out yet, but it's still something."
"What's challenging you, how is it challenging you? Part of me is afraid it's Dust."
"Why would it be Dust? I got to stage two just fine, remember." He went to sit down on the couch, right next to Dundy who was texting someone.
"If it was Dust hurting him you'd see it summoned and striking him, so it's reasonable to assume it's something else," Dundy said.
"When'd you become a part of this convo?"
"Since now. Anyways, Jack, I would advise asking Stolas about this since it very well may be demon related."
"I'm a human though, I only got a demonic form, that's all. Why would it be demon related?"
"We may be humans just mutated, but there's still hell intertwined with us, so anything demonly could still have some form of resonance with us," Shelly said.
"Yeah, like how yall can kinda interact with demon spells," Millie added.
"I doubt it's that," Jack brushed off.
"Jack," Shelly and Millie gave him a concerned look.
"...I'll ask Stolas about it later today, that ok?"
"That's all we're asking." Millie smiled.
Loona walked in, coming through another gate.
"Hey, Loona," Shelly waved.
"Oh, uh hey." Loona waved.
"You ok?" Millie asked.
"I'm...fine...actually," She sheepishly approached them, scratching the back of her head, "Could I...talk to you two?" She gestured to Shelly and Millie.
"What's up?"
"Alone...in the breakroom...Please?"
Millie and Shelly looked at each other curiously before looking at Loona. "Alright," Shelly answered as they followed her to the break room.
"Wonder what that was about," Jack asked.
"Girl stuff probably," Dundy answered. His phone buzzed and he checked it, smiling at the notification he received.
"How's Octavia?"
"Shes fi- wait how'd you know I was messaging her?"
"I didn't," Jack smirked.
"Ugh." Dundy rolled his eyes.
Poch came in through the front door. He noticed Jack and Dundy. "Oh, hey guys,"
"Sup dude," Jack waved, "how's it going?"
"Going alright….uh...actually I'm gl-"
Poch was cut off by two loud, nearly high pitched screams coming from the break room. It was Shelly and Millie. It surprised the guys and they got up, about to draw their weapons and head to the room.
Shelly and Millie popped out with wide smiles, calming them.
"Everythings fine guys!" Shelly said.
"We just screamed out of excitement!" Millie added.
"Excitement for what?" Poch asked.
"Nothing. Hey Poch, how's it going?" Millie waved gingerly with a giddy smile.
"Uh, it's going alright?...You guys?"
"Oh great! Especially Loona!" Shelly said.
"Oh yeah she's doing awesome! Especially once she realized something!" Shelly noted.
"Loona's there? Wait, realize what?" Poch asked, curious.
"Oh you'll see." The two giggled.
"For the love of-" Loona reached out and pulled them back in, shutting the door.
The guys looked among themselves.
"What was that about?" Jack asked.
"No idea….but um...back to what I was saying...I actually….I need some...help...on something," Poch brought up, nervously.
"Yeah?"
"Something wrong?" Dundy asked.
"No I just….I...ummm," Poch struggled.
"Is it Loona related? Cause I noticed you two avoiding each other lately," Jack wondered.
"No well, yeah it's something about her...we did have...an argument but um...we patched it up."
"Then what's the issue?" Dundy questioned.
"..." Poch took a deep breath, "I...I wanna….Iwannaaskherout!"
"What?"
"Huh?" Jack tilted his head.
"I….wanna….ask her out...on...a date," Poch managed to say, blushing.
"...Sorry what? Can you um….can you say that again?" Jack smirked along with Dundy.
Poch groaned. "I wanna...ask Loona out...on a date."
"Do you? And why exactly is that?" Dundy smugly asked.
"Grrrg...Because…"
"Becauuuuuse?" He and Jack leaned in.
"Because I….realized something."
"What'd you realize?" Jack asked in a playful tone.
"I realized that….I'm…" He saw the two lean in closer, smiling even smugger. He turned even redder, breathed in. "I'm in love with her! There I said it!"
"Did you get all that, Dund!?" Jack looked at the owl.
"Got it!" Dundy said, waving his phone.
"Wh- did you record that!?" Poch confronted.
"Yep! Video and audio!"
"You...sunnuva- Ugh," Poch groaned in his hand.
"Sorry but we've been going for months with your denial when there was such obvious chemistry, especially after you two kissed twice! So I think we're justified in our actions!" Jack explained.
"What made you finally realize it?" Dundy asked.
"A certain...event," Poch answered.
"It was your third kiss wasn't it?" Jack asked.
"Wh- how'd you know!?"
"I didn't," he smirked.
"Oh you asshole."
"Anyways, once the others get here we can-"
Moxxie, Shred, Echo, Solis, and Blitzø came in through a gate.
"Mox, do me a favor. Next time you offer to help with farm work," Blitzø stretched, his back cracking, "Leave me out of it."
"Not my fault you volunteered," Moxxie said.
"And we offered to help but you said no," Shred told.
"I didn't need you show offs!" Blitzø turned to the others. "Hey, guys, what's up?"
"Well we-" Jack started but was cut off when the girls came out with Loona pinching the bridge of her nose, groaning.
"Hey guys, how was farm work?" Millie greeted.
"Back breaking. Now what were you saying Jack?" Blitzø asked the imp.
"I was saying we should meet in the meeting room!" Jack said.
"Sweet, I'm ready to shoot some heads!" Shelly stretched.
"Great, you're gonna have to wait though, cause us guys need a little chat. C'mon fellas!" He dragged Poch and Dundy into the meeting room. The rest of the males looked amongst themselves, shrugged, and entered the room, leaving the girls alone.
Millie got beside Loona. "Remember the plan alright!"
Shelly got on her other side. "And don't worry we got a plan B if it fails!"
Loona sighed, "Yeah I know."
Earlier
Loona closed the door behind her after Shelly and Millie came in.
"So what's up?" Shelly asked the hound.
Loona took a deep breath before turning to face them. "Um...I uh...need...your help on something," she asked nervously.
"With what?" Millie questioned.
"I...um...well I wanna ask….Poch to….um." She blushed.
"Need help patching things up with him?"
"N-no we...already...made up...I just…"
"Just what?" Shelly said, a bit impatiently.
"...I wanna...ask...Poch out...on a….date!" She turned real red.
Shelly and Millie looked at her wide eyed. They took a deep breath and screamed with excitement, smiling wide, hurting Loona's ears.
"Ow! What the fu-!?"
Shelly and Millie were quick to rush out, knowing the boys heard them.
"Everythings fine guys!" Shelly said.
"We just screamed out of excitement!" Mille added.
"Excitement for what?" Poch asked.
"Nothing. Hey Poch, how's it going?" Millie waved gingerly with a giddy smile.
"Uh, it's going alright?...You guys?"
"Oh great! Especially Loona!" Shelly said.
"Oh yeah she's doing awesome! Especially once she realized something!" Shelly noted.
"Loona's there? Wait, realize what?" Poch asked, curious.
"Oh you'll see." The two giggled.
"For the love of-" Loona reached out and pulled them back in, shutting the door, "Can you no-"
Millie got close. "So what made you finally decide to date him?"
"Well...after we made up I….realized something…" She backed up some.
"Yeah," Shelly got close, "what'd you realize? and why did it make you want to ask him out?"
She backed up some more, pressing against the door. "Well…"
"Hold up! Is this date gonna be a one time deal?" Millie asked.
"I...don't thi-"
"What do you plan on coming out as?"
"What?"
"When this date of yours ends what do you hope to accomplish?"
"I-"
"What do you want to be different?" Shelly added,
"I-"
"What do you want him to think of you? rather...what do you want to be to him?"
She fidgeted around with her fingers, avoiding eye contact shyly. She knew what she wanted but not how to answer it, these feelings being new to her. It didn't take long for her to find her answer however. "...His."
"Huh?"
"...I...want to be his...he means so much to me...he makes me...so happy…" She smiled, "He's...a helluva hound, and I don't care if he's actually human...he's still a hound to me." She felt calmer, continuing, "...I realized yesterday that...I want to be his...and I want him to be mine...I already promised to be there when he cries...now I just wanna be there forever….I...I love him." She looked up to them and saw their sparkling eyes on their giddy school girl faces, realizing everything she had just said was outloud to them. She turned as red as a beet.
"Oh my Lucifer, she finally admitted it!" Millie said, bouncing on her heels.
"Oh I wish I recorded that!" Shelly took out her phone, "Can you say it again?"
"Urg can you just help me ask him out!?" Loona groaned in some embarrassment.
"Oh sure! So we have three plans! Plan one is-"
"Wait, how do you have three plans already?"
"Oh we thought it up a while ago, just for this moment," Millie answered.
Loona sighed. "Why am I not surprised?...What's plan one?"
"Plan one is asking him out on the job! You two get some heads rolling and then bam!" Shelly closed the distance, surprising Loona when she slammed her hand on the wall when getting close. "You close the distance, surprising him, then tell him you wanna go out this friday!"
"I...could do that."
"And if that doesn work, plan two is more casual," Millie talked while Shelly backed up, "I'll convince Moxxie to ask me out for a date some place and have it be planned for next week, make it so were heard by yall and then you can bring it up and say it'd be a nice place for the two of you to go."
"Alright, what place?"
"It's called The Barghest Den. It's in the Lust Ring."
"Ok, what's plane three?"
"That's...well probably best we tell it for later."
"It's a bit...provocative," Shelly admitted.
"Provocative?" Loona rose a brow.
"Well you have seen each other nude so…"
"Millie you told her!"
"You expect me not to?" Millie said.
Loona pinched the bridge of her nose. "Who else did you tell?"
"No one...except maybe Keenie...and Ilas….and Nala."
"Great, just great." Loona turned and exited the room, groaning.
The three of them were waiting in the lobby as they boys talked about something. Loona was a bit nervous but tried to keep her cool, knowing as soon as they entered that lobby is when the plan started. She was gonna go out on a mission with Poch and ask him out right after. Simple, right?
The door opened. "You can come in now!" Blitzø announced.
They walked in and everyone took a seat, Loona sitting next to Poch.
"Hey," she said to him.
"H-Hey," Poch replied, blushing a bit.
"So uh...what'd you guys talk about?"
"Just some...guy stuff."
Earlier.
"So what'd you wanna talk to us about?" Blitzø asked.
"You see-" Dundy started.
"Poch just admitted he loves Loona!" Jack butted in.
The guys all went wide-eyed.
"He did!?" Moxxie and Blitzø gasped.
"Finally!" Solis stated.
"Took ya long enough," Shred smirked.
"What made you come to reality?" Echo asked.
"Their third kiss," Jack answered.
"You kissed again!?" Blitzø's smile got wider.
Poch groaned in his hands. "...Yes we kissed again. You happy?"
"Not as happy as you are, I bet!" Shred smirked.
"That's not all. What exactly did you ask from us again Poch?" Dundy smugly questioned.
Poch glared at the owl, sighed, and faced the others. "I...wanna ask her...out on a date."
"..." Blitzø took out his phone, dialing someone.
"What are you-?"
"Hello?" The voice of Stolas came through.
"Stolas, get to the meeting room now! You're gonna love this!" Blitzø called out.
"I'm a bit busy, Blitzy. Can't this wa-"
"Poch admitted he loves Loona and wants to ask her out!"
"..." One of Stolases portals opened right next to them all and Stolas popped out in a red dress shirt and black formal shorts, "Did he now!?" He had a huge smile on his face.
"And now Stolas is here," Poch rubbed his hand down his face.
"It's about time! Seriously seeing you two be so dense about your feelings was exhausting! Anyways, what's our game plan?"
"Well that's what we're gonna discuss! We need a place for him to take her out!" Jack explained.
"Oh! I know some places and I can get some reservations too!"
"Whaddya got?" Blitzø asked.
"What are you looking for?"
"How bout somewhere romantic, where they can get a good view of Hell, have the singer serenade in the background and he-" Moxxie started.
"Cheesy!" Jack cut him off, "They ain't the kind of lovebirds you and Millie are, plus Poch hates cheesy love songs."
"And musicals," Dundy added, "How bout something with just a nice ambience, where they could get some wine, and so-"
"I um...I don't drink…" Poch admitted a bit meekly.
"Why not?" Blitzø asked.
"It's uh...one time I tried while I was….getting detoxed and well….it didn't go well."
"Oh," Stolas gave him a sympathetic look, "well that was then, you could perhaps try again?"
"I...don't wanna risk an episode."
"Alright wine's out. How bout someplace connected to or near a motel?" Shred suggested.
"Why?"
"Just in case you guys wanna get freaky in love and Stolas aint available," he smirked.
Poch turned bright red. "I- Why would- We're not-"
"Well they have seen each other without clothes so it's only natural they take that step," Stolas added, making Poch's jaw drop and the guys whiped their heads to the royal, before looking quickly at Poch.
"You've seen each other naked!?" Shred confronted.
"N-no!" Poch quickly denied.
"Seeing how red your face is, I'm thinking you're a liar," Echo smirked.
"So how much did you oogle at my daughter, Pocho?" Blitzø asked with a little sternness.
"I didn't oogle at her!"
"So you admit it!"
"No!"
"You're lying!"
"Am not!"
"Hold on. I got a simple solution to this," Solis grined. "Hey Shivarna? Has Poch seen Loona nude."
"I'm not sum-"
Shivarna appeared beside Poch. "He did," The shadow demon answered.
Poch facepalmed. "Fucking asshole."
"So the truth comes out!" Echo announced.
"So when did this happen?" Shred asked.
"Well-" Shivarna was gonna explain it.
"Stop! Go away!" Poch dismissed him out of embarrassment. "Ok...I saw her nude...once," They gave them a look. "...Ok twice…"
"You also-" Stolas was about to add more.
"Shut up! Back on target! Places to go!"
"Maybe somewhere that's got a private room with a pole," Shred smirked. He saw Poch write for Taurus. "Kidding! I'm kidding!"
"Well what would you like Poch?" Stolas asked him.
"Just...someplace nice...nothing too fancy….a bit casual but not like real casual...and maybe...somewhere we could...dance? And...maybe an open mic?" Poch mulled it over as he talked about it.
"Hmm...I know just the place!" He got everyone's attention.
"You do?"
"Yes! I know of this nice cafe that would be perfect for you two! In fact, I'll handle all payments and even make a reservation for you when you ask her out!"
"Really, uh...thanks!" Poch smiled.
"You're welcome! Just let me know when you ask her out! I'll also be available if you want to head to your place for...reasons," he said with emphasis.
Poch sighed and pinched his nose, not even bothering with a reply.
"Ok now all Poch has to do is ask her out," Dundy brought up.
"Shouldn't be too hard, like he's got all day to. Cleansing isn't till three days from now on friday, no bases to go into, all they got is work which no doubt they'll be going together on," Solis brought up.
"That's true," Moxxie acknowledged
"I say give it two days, based on how long it took him to realize how he feels," Dundy said.
"Oh lets make a bet!" Jack said.
"I'm in!" Moxxie added.
"So am I," Stolas came in.
"Can yall not?" Poch huffed.
"Alright...we'll do it later!" Jack schemed.
"Ugh."
Stolas's phone buzzed. "Oh dear. I should go. Dont forget to message me!" Stolas gave Blitzø a quick kiss before he went away.
"Let's get to work shall we?" Jack said, cracking his knuckles.
"We should go see if they need more help at the farm," Echo told Dundy and Solis, activating his T-watch
"Lemme get the girls in!" Blitzø announced.
"So we got a few clients and a lot of targets, so I'm gonna hand out files and then we can get some heads rolling!" Blitzø told everyone, grabbing a few files. He went around and handed them out. "For Millie and Shelly." He handed the two a file.
"Oh cool, another biker gang!" Shelly responded.
"For Jack and Shred." He handed another file.
"Hm," Shred inspected it, "Sweet a stealth mission."
"Ah you suck at those," Jack commented.
"Would be better if I could Dust Dive, ya cheater."
"Abilities aint cheats, salty bitch."
"And for our hound duo." He handed one last file to Poch and Loona.
They both reached for it and their hands touched, making them both reel back and blush.
"Uh s-sorry," Poch apologized.
"No you're...good...you wanna read it?" Loona asked.
"Y-yeah sure," He opened up the file. "Looks like we got some gang members. Should be easy."
"Especially with you around."
"Yeah, you wanna join in or should I do all the work while you laze about and look cute?" He slightly turned red but kept a smirk.
"Heh, you say that like you're not gonna be the cute one." She also smirked
"Yeah, cutting heads is real cute," he said with sarcasm.
"The way you do it."
"I look sexy when I cut heads."
"Eh, that's not untrue, but still cute." She turned a bit redder, knowing how flirty that sounded.
"Yeah but I bet you'd look even hotter doing it. Heck you looked hot as hell when you tore up those Dhorks, so maybe I'll let you do it and just oogle a bit." His face flushed when he said that, looking at Loona who looked at him with shock before smugly smirking.
"Did you just admit to ogling me?"
"I...I admitted I might! And only a bit!"
"You didn't say you might."
"Well...it's only fair since...you oogle me whenever I'm doing it."
Now Loonas face flushed red. "I-I dont oogle you!"
"You so do! I saw how you looked at me that time we made that bet!"
"I was busy with my own guys, I didn't have time to!"
"I dealt with most of them so you definitely had time! I saw you looking at my tail!"
"Oh like you dont look at mine?"
"Well duh, how can I not when you got such a soft tail and ass!" Poch shut his mouth, both him and Loona taken aback by what he said, especially when they both know they've touched each other.
"You say that like you've touched her ass before Poch," Blitzø butted in with a bit of a trigger finger on his gun, "Care to explain?"
"...No…" Poch carefully answered.
"Can we just...start?" Loona asked, wanting the conversation to end.
Poch and Loona exited the gate to a vacant parking lot. They didn't use their disguises and were still blushing a bit.
"So uh...how do you wanna do this? Like I take three quarters, you take a quarter?" He said somewhat jokingly to try and ease tension.
"Yeah that's..fine."
"...Sorry about earlier."
"...It's ok…besides I...did actually...kinda...oogle you that time." She avoided eye contact
"Y-You did?"
"Yeah I mean….You did actually look..pretty..cool and...hot."
"Oh...Thanks." He smiled without really meaning too and rubbed the back of his neck. "Sha...shall we?"
"Yeah, let's do it."
Loona had finished up already while Poch was taking down the last few. He could've ended it quickly but he was taking his time, probably because Loona was watching or because he just wanted to have a little fun with the sword he was lent.
Two guys were left, Poch was approaching them with his sword grazing on the ground as it was in its saw mode. They had just witnessed the other members slaughtered after being toyed with by the brown hound. One of them had already pissed himself, huddled against the wall.
"Wh-what do you want!?" The one with wet pants asked.
"..." Poch didn't answer and just got closer.
"If it's money you want you can take it!" The other guy reached into his back pocket, pulled out his wallet and flung the money inside of it, it was at least 200 dollars.
"..." Poch still didn't respond.
"Wh-what about...bitches, we got bitches! We know a few stripclubs we could hook you up at!" Said the one who pissed himself.
"..."Poch got ever so closer.
Both were shaking in their shoes. "Will give you anything! ANYTHING! JUST NAME IT! WHAT DO YOU WANT!?"
Poch smirked before closing the distance quickly, gaining a wicked smile before saying in a raspy voice, "Your soul!" With a swift slice, they were cut in half, the top of their bodies flying and both ends spewing blood. Poch stopped the chainsaw, shook off the blood, and sheathed the sword, stretching. "That was fun!"
"Really? Your soul?" Loona said, somewhat unamused.
"Hey, some cliches are good ones." He took his phone out while they headed to the exit. "I'll text Blitzø we're ready to get back….you don't think he still wants to shoot me right?"
"Nah I doubt it...kinda."
"I'm...gonna message to see if anyone else is at the office." Poch started messaging the others.
As they were walking, Loona would glance over at Poch. She was thinking about the first plan, what Shelly advised.
Meanwhile when Poch messaged Jack, the Imp exterminator asked if he had asked her out yet. He did a quick look over, making sure she wasn't reading, before saying not yet. Jack messaged back, telling him to go for it now that they're coming back. Poch was nervous but he felt like now would be a good time. He took a breath and turned to her. "So uh-"
He was cut off when Loona slammed her hand against the wall, pinning him against it, towering over him, looking down. "..." She didn't say anything.
Poch felt a bit intimidated. "Um…"
"..." She turned a bit red but kept most of her composure, finally speaking. "So…"
"...So what?"
"...Do you….uh…" She shook a bit, "you um….wanna...g-g...go….g-g-go…"
"Go…..where?"
"O...ouuu….ou…..out of here…" She said almost squeamishly.
"Uh...weren't we….already?"
"...Right!" She smiled embarrassingly and oddly, backing off, "we should...totally get that...yeah!" She hurriedly rushed off infront of him.
"Y...Yeah," Poch said, dumbfounded.
Poch and Loona were at the desk, watching an anime on the computer. Neither were paying attention. Loona was too embarrassed by her flop and Poch was still a bit dumbfounded by what happened earlier but was mainly focused on how he could ask her out. She seemed a bit flabbergasted by what happened earlier so he thought it'd be weird to ask her now.
Millie noticed the two when she and Moxxie were sitting nearby. She turned to her husband. "Ok, time for plan B! Ready Mox?"
Moxxie nodded. "Ready!"
"Ahem, so babe! Since Ozzies went so well, why don't we have another date?" Millie said, loud enough for the hounds to hear.
"I thought you'd never ask! In fact I know the perfect place!"
"Oh you do? Tell me!"
Poch gave them an odd look while Loona facepalmed, thinking they were so fucking obvious.
"Well babe," Moxxie continued, "It's this place called The Barghest Den!"
"The Barghest Den! Ain't that a place recommended for Hellhounds?"
"Yeah but Imps can still go! They got great food, and their service is pretty good too, plus I heard they got a couples section for a bit more romance!"
"Really? Sounds like a perfect place for a date!" Millie gave Loona a wink.
Poch noticed it. "She just wink at us?"
"I uh...I don't know," Loona said, knowing who Millie was winking at. "...You….ever heard of that restaurant? The Barghest Den?"
"No. Though...I don't really know many places here, being that I live on Earth and stuff...should probably fix that."
"Well...a good way to fix that could be...visiting some places."
"That could help…" Poch thought about mentioning the cafe Stolas talked about.
"...Why not sta-"
"...There is thi-"
They both spoke at the same time, stopping when they realized.
"Uh...yo-you first," Loona offered.
"No, that's fine...go ahead," Poch said.
"Well...if you wanna...find more places...why not...start with….with that place?"
"...What place?"
"The one they just mentioned."
"Oh Barghest? I mean I guess but… maybe another time, when I got a reason to go."
"Who…. says you dont?"
"Um…My planner?...What do you-"
"No I mean...you...c-c-could...um…" She started to get nervous again, "You….could go…. wwwiii-...w-w-w-with…" She was choking on her words, stuttering but trying to talk nonetheless, blushing and but constantly glancing at him.
"Cmon cmon!" Millie was silently egging her on.
"...With…" She took a deep breath and turned to face him, looking a bit more determined. "...Why don't you...go with-!"
Poch's phone rang and cut her off. "Oh! Sorry!" He took out his phone. "It's Nure. I-I...gotta take this." He hit answer. "Hello….Right now? Why?...Oh they're done!...What problem?...Ok? I'll be there, just lemme call-...you can?...Ok see you soon." He hung up.
"Everything ok?"
"Apparently something's going wrong with my daggers upgrades and Nure needs to see me now." A yellow portal opened up next to him. "That's him...uh, what were you saying earlier?"
"Oh um, I was….just gonna...well I was…." She sighed, not wanting to take up his time, this seeming urgent. "Nothing just...see you when you get back." She weakly smiled.
Poch wasn't convinced but when he heard Nure call him he didn't have time to ask. "Ok...seeya," He got up and left for Nure, the gate closing behind him.
Loona huffed and sunk into her chair, mad and disappointed with herself.
Millie approached her. "You were so close!"
"Yeah...I woulda just messed it up anyway."
"Oh c'mon, Loona! You were just about to say it! Are you aint gonna just give up are ya?"
"...What's plan C?"
"There we go! Now, here's the plan!"
Poch walked up to Nure in his workshop. "What's up, Nure?"
"It's about your modifications," Nure told him, "I uh...made a miscalculation to say the least."
"What happened?"
"C'mere please." He led the exterminator to the table where his daggers were getting modified. At the table were Poch's daggers in front of the cube where the other weapons faced the other sides, being opaque as a wraith-like beam covered them.
"What's wrong?"
"Well...I may have miscalculated how this would go. Y'see I thought they would be able to take no problem in their dagger form. Sadly that doesn't seem to be the case."
"Whaddya mean?"
"Well, and I'm assuming because it's taken its chaos form as its true form, it's refusing to absorb the other weapons."
"They are? Well what do we do?"
"YOU are going to combine them. Even though I can touch them, I can't interact with them as the Chaos Blade."
"Ok, but how long till completion then?"
"...A…" He coughed "...Another week."
"Another week!? And as the Chaos Blade!?"
"Yes...sorry."
"The next Cleansing is in like three days, plus I cant keep it as the Chaos Blade for this long, they'll either separate on their own or the feedback could literally kill me!"
"It's fine, they should separate on their own when the process finishes, plus for the Cleansing you still have that blade." He pointed at Rex's sword that Poch was borrowing.
"Yeah but….I guess I should be ok. I'll be handicapped without my portals, but I can adjust."
"You could use your warp ability to make up for it...at least somewhat."
"Yeah but I'll need either Shivarna or Taurus to throw something for me to reach somewhere far….ah well I'll manage." He walked to his daggers, grabbed them, and turned them into the Chaos Blade. "There."
"Thank you. I'll let you know when its do-"
Pochs phone rang. "Hm?" He picked it up. It was Millie calling. "Hello?"
"Hey, sorry to bother but ya mind taking something from the office over to Blitzø's?" Millie asked.
"Yeah sure, what is it?"
"It's on the desk, you'll know when you see it."
"Ok."
"Thanks! Bye!" She hung up.
Poch put his phone away. "Think you can gate me to I.M.P.?" He asked Nure.
A portal opened in Blitzø's living room and Poch came through, holding a small box.
"Hey, Loona you here?" Poch called out.
"In the kitchen," Loona replied.
Poch came in, setting the package on the table. "Got Blitzø's package." He saw her adding to a blender. "What are you making?"
"Smoothie? Want one?"
"Sure, mind adding a few strawberries?"
"Yeah sure." She went to the fridge, opening it and reaching in, grabbing a few things.
Poch found himself staring at her butt and quickly looked away. 'Stop it!' He thought. He would glance every now and then, not to her ass specifically, but more so her.
Shivarna appeared. "Here's your chance," he whispered.
"What?" Poch whispered back.
"Ask her!"
"N-Now!?"
"Yes! Go!" He pushed him forward, gave him a thumbs up, and dispersed.
Poch gulped, stepping forward as she pulled out, holding a strawberries, some milk, and a banana. "Hope you don't mind if I add a banana," she said.
"That's...fine...um...so…" Poch started to talk
"What?"
"Uh...what's...the plan...for tomorrow?" He smiled, feeling like an idiot after he said that.
"Uh...work I guess."
"Right me too...ob...viously….what about...later?"
"Later?...Well" Now she was thinking of asking him out, "...I...was actually...gonna...go...do a...thing."
"A thing? Is it...an important thing?"
"Not...I mean...it…could be."
"Uh...well...if it isn't….I...could...make….it uh." He got nervous, trying to power through, but as he looked into those red eyes he felt a bit shaky.
"Make it...what?"
"Make...make….smoothies!"
"Huh?"
"Smoothies! We're making smoothies right!" He took a few strawberries and the milk, "Here I got it!" He added it to the blender and put the lid on, hitting max.
"Wait!"
The top popped off and the contents spilled and splashed all over. "AH!" Poch quickly tried to hit off, hitting a few buttons before finally hitting the off switch. Both he and Loona were splashed with a hefty amount of smoothie juice and nearly cut up fruits. "...Sorry."
"It's a twist on...it's fine you didn't know," she said, licking some off her snout.
"Ugh it's all in my fur, I need a shower...deja vu."
"You...could shower here… It'd be easier than calling Stolas for a ride home."
"Double deja vu. You're gonna wash my clothes too?"
"Sure."
"Alright, not even gonna argue." He unhooked Rex's sword and set it on the table. "I know I got us both but mind if I go first?"
"That's fine, just leave your clothes outside and I'll throw them in that wash. Let me know when you're in."
"Thanks. I'll be back." Poch walked off to her room to get to the shower. Once he got in the room he sighed and face palmed. "Stupid! Make smoothies? Really!? Uuuugh!" He took his clothes off and set them at the door to the bathroom, heading in. "Loona I'm in!" He shouted before turning on the shower.
Loona came into her room, took Poch's clothes and headed to the washer, throwing them in. She took a breath. "Ok...you can do this...you can do this!" She took off her clothes, striping to nothing and throwing it in the wash with his, starting it. She then made her way back to her room and in front of the bathroom door. She took another deep breath and knocked.
Poch just got in, the water just getting right, washing his head first. He heard the knock. "Hm? Loona?"
"Yeah it's me!...I'm...I'm coming in!"
"Ok….wait what!?" The door opened and he heard her footsteps come closer to the shower. 'She...she didnt mean in the shower ri-' His thoughts were cut off when she opened the curtains, blushing, looking nervous and nearly covering herself with her arms. 'She did!' He froze.
"...Y-...You mind...scooting back."
"Huh?" He snapped out of it. "Y-Yeah sure." He took a few steps back.
She stepped in, her heart rate increasing, trying to act calm, facing away and getting some shampoo, slowly bending down, knowing he'd be looking at her rear, but she moved slower because she felt like somewhat flaunting it to him. She subconsciously moved her tail blushing harder when she realized she was basically giving him a better view, squirting more than enough shampoo into her hand. she snapped back to reality when she noticed the massive amount in her hand, raising up quickly. "Um...I uh…" She turned to him, 'h-here I...got some for you." She felt a bit dumb with what she said.
"Uh...thanks," he said, trying not to look at her, taking some and applying it to himself, looking down.
She also started to wash herself, trying not to look at him as well, especially his crotch which was...active.
"...I'll...be quick so I can leave ya be."
"Huh?"
"I'll be quick so-"
"You don't have too."
"Yeah but...this is awkward...ain't it...us being nude together...I mean I'm trying not to look and-"
"Look."
"Huh?"
"Look...at me."
"I...w-w-what do you-"
"Remember what I said...in that photo booth?"
"About...seeing you naked?"
"I don't...mind you seeing me naked...and...I know you feel the same...so...I want you to look at me...please."
"...Ok...but...can...can I touch you? I'll even help you wash up."
"...Can I do the same?"
"...Sure."
They reached for each other, no longer avoiding their gazes, Poch took hold of her hips while Loona went for his ears. He went up and down her sides while she was being thorough with his ears and the back of his head. As they let the water wash over them, scrubbing the other, her getting his neck and him getting to her thighs, they felt...calmer, enjoying the others touch without really realizing. She was biting her lip to his fingers pressing and running through her legs.
Poch went higher, getting her tail. As he did he started to admire her body, her not minding him looking at her putting him at some ease. He was not only admiring her curves and sleekness but also how soft she felt, going and giving her butt a squeeze, making her gasp. "...Your mom may be a bitch...and a major one at that...but can at least thank her for giving you such a nice body."
"Snrk, did you really just say that?" She chuckled.
"Heh...yeah I did…"
"Pervert."
"...I mean it though...you have a really nice body… Your fur is so smooth...your tail is nice and fluffy...you have such a soft ass…" he looked up at her, "...and...you have such...nice eyes,"
She looked at him softly, speechless, and blushing.
"You're...so cute yet...so sexy..and beautiful...I love the way you smile...and how your eyes soften up at times when you do…" He reached up and cupped both her cheeks, "You can be so...sassy and snarky but….I love that about you...you act like you dont care but you do especially about Blitzø and the others...I noticed you're...a bit more open about that."
"..." She reached for his hands, holding them while she eased into his touch. "I guess I am...You...changed me...I never really cared or thought of anyone as someone special to me….then I met you...and you became someone….so important to me...If you died that day...I didn't know how I could move on...or even if I could...I'm...so glad I met you." She smiled.
Poch smiled also. "I am too...you also mean alot to me...maybe that's why I'm struggling to ask you out on a date."
"What?" Her eyes went wide and shock hit her face.
Poch also went wide-eyed and was surprised. "Huh?"
"What did you just say!?"
"I uh...sa-said...uh.." He started to turn red.
"Did...you just say you wanted to ask me out?"
"...Yes...I...want to...go out with you...on a date...just me and you… Stolas knows a good place, said he'll even make a reservation for us and he'll pay for everything, all I had to do was ask you out...and now I am...so wou-"
"Yes."
"Huh?"
"Yes! Let's go out!" Her face lit up and her tail wagged.
"Really!?" His tail did the same.
"Yes!"
"A-alright! I'll let Stolas know and I'll text you when!"
"Great!"
"In fact I'll go tell him now!" He got out the shower, rushing out the room, "Text ya later!" He said before exiting.
"..." Loona's tail couldn't stop moving, she felt so excited that her smile was wide. She tried to hold it in, to calm down, but she couldn't nor did she really want to. "...YYYES!" She shouted.
As soon as he left the bathroom he rushed to the kitchen where his phone was, dialing Stolas up.
Solas answered. "Hello?"
"I asked her out! She said yes!" Poch nearly yelled.
"Wonderful!" Stolas neay squealed. "I'll book you a reservation at six pm tomorrow, I'll even gate you two right there when your ready!"
"Thanks!"
"Oh I'm so happy for you two! When it's all over I want to know how it went, ok?"
"Sure thing!"
"Do you need a way home?"
"Yeah su-"
Shivarna appeared and tapped Poch's shoulder.
"Hm?" Poch looked at him curiously.
Shivarna gestured at Poch's body, pointed to the washer, then pointed at the book on the table in the living room.
Poch then remembered he was nude, his clothes were washing and he could get home himself with Stolas's book. "Uh...actually I'm good, I can get home myself."
"Alright. Take care now!" Stolas hung up.
"Thanks, Shivarna."
"Mhm." He dismissed himself.
Poch got to the book, opening the way home and making sure to take Rex's sword with him along with his phone. When he got to his room he got dressed in some exercise shorts and a plain red shirt, shooting Loona a text to just drop off his clothes when they're done.
Poch laid in his bed, watching an anime, trying to pass the time, still excited about tomorrow. A gate opened in his room and Loona came in holding his clothes, folded.
"Hey," She smiled at him, "Got your clothes."
"Thanks! You can set them on the drawer." Poch told her.
She went ahead and set them on the bed. 'Well...see you tomorrow," she said with a wide smile, waving as she felt.
"Wait, where you going?"
"Hm?" She stopped, "Home. Why?"
"Oh...I...Thought you'd want to sleep over."
"Can I?" Her ears perked up, blushing a bit.
"Why not?"
She got redder in the cheeks. "Mind...if I get into something comfy."
"Course."
Loona was in a blue pair of soft panties and had some sort of pajama-like bra on. She climbed into the bed with Poch.
"Hey um...mind if we...try a certain position?" She asked.
"What'd you have in mind?"
"Just... turn around will ya?"
"Ok." He turned around, laying on his side.
Loona shuffled closer to him, wrapping her arms around him, coming closer, pressing her chest against his back. She held him close. "This ok?"
He held her hands that were around his waist. "It's great."
"...Thanks for asking me out...I'm...really looking forward to tomorrow."
"I'm just glad you said yes...was honestly afraid I wasn't gonna be able to ask you today...or tomorrow." He chuckled.
"So was I...Millie and Shelly came up with some plans to ask you out somehow."
"Is that why Mils and Mox were talking about that one restaurant?"
"They were so fucking obvious."
"It does explain a lot...like how you tried to pin me this morning after work."
"Oh don't remind me. I felt so embarrassed."
"Not as embarrassed as I did when it came to the smoothies."
They both shared a laugh. Loona pressed herself closer to him, putting her nose against his head, breathing in his scent. She breathed calmly, feeling comfortable. Poch also nuzzled against her the best he could, his tail wrapping around her waist, hooking on the base of her tail. They both fell asleep, smiling.
Morning came and they were in the kitchen, having a casual conversation while Poch cooked breakfast.
"Here ya go." He set a plate in front of her.
"Thanks," she said to him, taking her fork. He set himself next to her and before he sat down she stopped him. "Wait."
"Hm? What's up?"
Her cheeks turned a little red. "Can you...sit on my lap?"
Poch got the same redness. "Oh um...I don't have to."
"...I want you to."
"Oh...o-ok." He scooted his plate closer and sat himself on her thighs, sitting comfortably on her lap, feeling a bit shy.
They started to eat, the tension in the air getting a bit awkward.
"So...how do you think the others will react when they find out we're going out on a date?" Poch asked.
"Well dad was so happy, he nearly fainted. Kept saying he told me there was a connection." She rolled her eyes but smiled.
"Wow really? Knowing him he probably called everyone to tell them."
"It wouldn't surprise me."
"I swear Jack and the others are gonna have such smug grins."
"Knowing them..yeah."
"...So after work...wanna just head home and get ready? Stolas said he'd warp us right to the place, just need to call him."
"Works for me… Hey um...when we get to work...could you...still...sit in my lap?"
"Uh….You sure?I don't ha-"
"I want you to." She said, looking away but blushing.
"...Ok." Poch was secretly glad she offered for him to sit on her lap. He liked sitting there. He tried not to wag his tail.
They finished up breakfast and messaged for a portal to work after getting dressed.
Once Loona and Poch came in it didn't take a second for the first tease to come.
"Hey, there's our couple of the day!" Shred greeted.
"Heya, love birds!" Jack added.
Both of them had smug grins while Loona and Poch just rolled their eyes.
"Alright, get it out of your system," Poch said to them.
Blitzø came up behind Poch, putting his arm around. "I'm so proud of you, son in law! Took you one day to ask my Loonie out! You owe me twenty though."
"Why?"
"You made me lose the bet."
"Ok I'm gonna regret asking but...who won?"
"Well Nala won the first bet, Shred won the second and the third well,"
"Third?" Loona rose a brow.
"Yeah there's also a fourth part but that one's long running."
"I don't wanna know," she pinched the bridge of her nose, "let's just get to work."
"Alright, yeah bet you want today to go by quickly huh? At least till date time," Moxxie added.
They didn't respond, instead rolling their eyes as they all headed to the meeting room.
"Ok people! I placed us a sale for today so we got a bunch a-" Blitzø froze when he saw Poch set himself on Loona's lap and Loona wrapping her arms around his waist, holding him somewhat close. The two were lightly blushing.
They noticed everyone staring at them with some surprise. "What?" They said in unison.
"...Nothing. Anyways we got a big list today, and I got just the right assignments for everyone." Blitzø took out a stack of papers, handing a huge pile over to Poch.
"Whoa! Why so much?" Poch asked.
"It'll help you pass the time, plus you can take it as punishment for seeing Loonie naked."
Loona turned red. "Wha- how'd you-!"
"How'd you know they showered together last night?" Millie said.
"They what!?" Blitzø got a bit crazy eyed.
"Millie, he didn't know that!" Poch yelled in despair.
"So you admit it!" He pulled out his gun.
"Sir, calm down!" Moxxie tried to pull him back.
"Whoa, boss!" Jack aided him with the help of Shred.
"Dad, chill!" Loona said, backing up with Poch in tow, afraid he'd get shot.
"We can explain!" Poch pleaded.
"Can you!?" Blitzø asked with a raging scowl.
"Uh…" He looked to Loona who shrugged nervously, "Kinda?..."
"That was too close," Poch breathed, holding his chest, having just entered the area where their target was with Loona.
"He nearly shot you. Might wanna avoid him for a while," Loona suggested, patting his back.
"Ugh, and I won't have my daggers back for another week."
"You...got your warp," she tried to cheer him up.
"Nure said the same thing. Warping's a close second but not as good. Anyways," he pulled out Rex's katana, "let's rip some heads."
Hours later.
Shivarna cleaved an armored truck in half by the side with a diamond shaped bone sword arm. The truck was full of gangsters trying to run Poch over. Shivarna shook the blood of his arm before turning it to normal.
"That's the last of them?" Poch asked.
Loona shook the blood off her hand while flicking off an eyeball. "Lemme check," she pulled the files out of her pocket and looked them over. "...we're good!"
"Finally," Poch groaned in relief, slouching a bit. Shivarna also did the same before dismissing. He checked the time. "Just in time too. It's almost four. Good time to head back and get ready."
"Yeah, guess it is." Her tail slightly wagged remembering she had a date with him.
"...You dont think Blitzø will be at the office right now right?"
"...Might wanna check."
Millie had made a portal home for them, letting them know the coast was clear before they entered.
"Thanks, Mils," Poch thanked.
"No prob. Need a way home?" Millie offered.
"If you don't mind."
"One gateway coming up!" She went to the wall to make Poch's way home.
Loona already used her T-watch to open her way home. "So...see you tonight?" She smiled with some enthusiasm.
"Yeah. See you there!" Poch smiled with equal enthusiasm.
They both went their separate ways, their tails not stopping their movement. Before Poch crossed over he paused for a second. "Hey, Loona?"
"Hm?" She turned to face him.
"..." He rushed to her, blushing madly, before grabbing her arm pulling her down while he stretched up, standing on his toes. He placed a kiss on her cheek, stunning her. He rushed back, going through the portal to his home.
She watched him disappear through the gate, rubbing her cheek, still stunned. She slowly formed a somewhat giddy smile while giggling a bit, walking through her gate home.
They showered first, being thorough with their cleaning, wanting to get off all the dirt and blood, before cleaning their teeth, Loona flossing while Poch gargled mouthwash. They brushed their fur and hair, Loona making sure to get her tail really well, while Shivarna helped get Pochs back.
Next was what to wear. Loona stood in front of a mirror, holding different clothes infront of her, seeing if they looked appealing or not. Poch was asking Shivarna, the shadow demon contemplating each suit the exterminator held in front, giving mostly naes till finally giving a yes on one. They found their wears and now came the finishing touches.
Poch double checked his fangs, sprayed some cologne, and mouth spray just in case. Straightening up and double checking himself.
Loona added her makeup, not too much, just some eyeliner, blush, and black lipstick. She gave herself a once over, making sure she didn't get any on her teeth and such.
They were ready, they sent Stolas a text.
The cafe wasn't small, it was actually rather large. It was called Cafe Dusk. The color theme was dark purple, the sign being high above the front doors, having no lights but not needing it with its dim white trim. Loona stood in front, waiting for Poch to come. She wore a red dress with a long black skirt. It was sleeveless and had an open part below the neck, showing some of her chest with a pentagram laced window. She wore long black arm sleeves that went a little past her elbow and were completely fingerless. Around her shoulder was a bright red handbag with a black strap. One of Stolas's gateways opened behind her, she saw the lighting of it and turned to see Poch coming out.
Poch wore long black suit pants, a long sleeved white dress shirt and a pitch black vest where the sleeves only came close to his elbows. It wasn't much but to her, he looked amazing.
Once Poch saw her he felt his heart skip a beat. She looked breathtaking to him. He went up to her, looking astonished. "You look..great."
She smiled and blushed bashfully. "Thanks...you look great too."
Now he got bashful and blushed. "Th-thanks...shall we?" He offered a hand.
Her smile got a bit wider, taking his hand. "Yeah."
They held hands, entering the cafe. There was a bar on the far left side and three circular rows of chairs, with booths on the edge, and the inner circle facing the center, surrounding a black wooden dance floor which acted as a stage since it was elevated up and had a mic in the middle with some speakers hanging from the ceiling. A demon was currently singing there. They talked to the demon on the front podium and he led them to their table, one that was in the inner circle, facing the stage. They sat next to each other, Loona ordering a lemonade while Poch got a fruit punch. The waiter left to get their drinks while they took a look at the menu.
"So what are you getting?" Poch asked.
"Eh...I don't know...honestly I think your cooking spoiled me," Loona answered.
"How so?"
"I'm looking for fried rice," Loona chuckled.
"Snrk, really?"
"Heh yes, I'm even looking for sweet meat!"
They had a laugh before looking over again, knowing what to get when the waiter returned.
"I think I'll get the spaghetti and meatballs." Poch said.
"I'll get the salsbury steak," Loona told him.
The waiter took the menus and left after writing down their order.
Poch looked at the demon singing on the stage. "He's not bad," he commented.
"Yeah...you're better though," Loona replied with a smirk.
Poch got all flustered. "Yo-you promised not to bring that up!"
"You really thought I'd hold that promise?"
"I hoped you would. It's embarrassing."
"...You shouldnt be...you're a good singer." She smiled genuinely.
"...Thanks...Celis always had the habit of singing to his favorite band whenever he listened to his ipod...sometimes he'd pull me into it...that's why I sang that day...felt...right too at that moment."
"That's nice….I think you should do it more often."
"...Maybe I will….and maybe...when you're around…"
"I'd like that."
"Heh…" He smiled a bit shyly. "...Remember that hound that was helping me find my dad?"
"Yeah...does she...she hate me?"
"No no...she did say that until we patch things up we're gonna hold off on the process."
"Oh...sorry."
"It's fine, but I did wanna ask….wanna come with me next time… I'd like it if you were there."
"Really?...Well...sure...how IS she gonna find him?"
"Through connections...ysee sh-"
"Your orders," the waiter came by with a tray holding their food. He placed it in front of them. "Enjoy."
"Thanks!" Poch said, grabbing a fork.
Loona was already cutting into her steak. "So what were you saying?"
"Hm? Mmph!" He was slurping up some noodles, licking some sauce off his lips. "So...what she does is...well she takes you to this inner world of connections."
"Inner world of what?"
"It's this world where there's these threads attached to statues or silhouettes of people you're connected to and what these threads show is the type of connection while the tightness shows how….close it is?... It's a bit...confusing."
"Uh huh...how does this help?"
"See we go through these mental barriers related to my dad's connections to tighten and she can follow it to him. To do so she takes me into the block which is another world, and...to clear it there like this small trial of sorts I," he could see he was losing her, "...It'd be easier if you just saw it."
"Uh huh...looking forward to it." She continued to eat her steak.
"Just be prepared, it's...a bit of a trip."
The two ate a bit, listening to the next singer who was announced. She was singing something jazzy.
"I can imagine Jack playing piano here...not singing though he can't carry a tune."
"Oh I believe you, they got drunk one day and were singing in the lobby. My ears felt like they were bleeding, they were so off key."
"Was that the day you were begging to come cover?"
"Yeah, I wanted out of there."
"So that's why you used caps." He took a meatball. "This spaghettis good."
"Oh yeah? Can I try some?"
"Yeah sure." He rolled up some spaghetti and stabbed a meatball, bringing it to her. "Here."
Loona was about to take her fork and bring it to his plate but stopped when she noticed him get a forkful for her and brought it to her. "Oh uh, thanks." She was a bit red in the cheeks but took the bite anyway. "...Not bad."
"Right? Can I try some of your steak?"
"Yeah sure." She cut off a piece and brought it to him, the exterminator biting it off.
"Juicy," he said between chews.
"You're still the better cook if you ask me."
"Heh, thanks."
The two continued to eat and chat, sharing bites, and having laughs. They were really enjoying their night. Neither realized that there was a slight wag in their tails and boths smiles never dropped. They had just about finished eating and were thinking about dessert.
The waiter came by. "Excuse me, sir. It's gonna be your turn, would you like to go now?"
"Oh, yeah sure!" Poch told him.
Loona rose a brow. "Something wrong?"
"Everythings fine...just…be back soon ok?"
"Ok."She watched as he left with the waiter somewhere to the back. She wondered what he was doing and looked at the dessert menu, thinking of what to get and having the thought of sharing it with him. Since Stolas was paying she didn't worry about pricing and chose a big one for the both of them. She found one and decided to wait. A few minutes passed and she got a little worried. "Where is he?" She looked back.
"Now, ladies and gentleman, introducing our final singer for the night, Poch Rintin!" The announcer said.
Loona's ears perked and she looked to the stage to see Poch walking up to the mike. "Poch!?" She said in shock.
Poch took the mic. "Ahem...I told someone special to me I'd sing this for them so...here I go heh." He smiled a bit nervously. He took a deep breath and the music started.
"Pop in a blink of an eye, fly, fly, until it disappears
Overlapping hands burned us
The sparks that jumped are now
I want to feel your heart right now
You are the place my only hope,"
Loona was taken by surprise but her eyes lit up as soon as he started singing, feeling something in her chest, her mouth coming agape in awe, soon becoming a smile. She didn't think she'd get the full version today.
Hurt and hurt repeatedly
Still we stand up
Are you laughing through the mask? What are you afraid to run away from?
Let's step on our destiny
Even if the fire that was lit at the beginning is about to go out
Just like the flowers that bloom and fall
Repeat over and over again,"
Her tail was wagging uncontrollably, not able to listen to anyone other than his voice from the speakers. She leaned against the table, her eyes still sparkling, looking only at him.
Keep the flame alive
I want to feel your heart right now
You are the place my only hope
I know ... Someday we
We spark like flowers in the sky
No matter where I'm by your side
I know ... our show time
There is no one there anymore
In pursuit, let's run a horse light in the past
There is no answer, no one will tell me
Still, did we choose and come here?
Dancing sparks that shake your heart
You can go crazy for now
I don't need decoration anymore, so here
Fascinate everything and become "high"
So that we can surpass us
Let's put up the existence proof that overlapped and lit up here now
I want to feel your heart right now
You are the place my only hope
I know ... Someday we
We spark like flowers in the sky
No matter where I'm by your side
I know ... forever
Shaving each other, overlapping urges in this hand
Change the blooming present into the future
Like a miracle that can't happen alone
We are like twinkling sparks
Still more sparks Our sparks!"
The crowd applauded and he bashfully smiled, rubbing the back of his head. He exited out back and a couple of flying imps were taking the equipment off, getting the stage ready for platformed lowered and slow music played.
Loona sighed, still in a trance from his performance, her tails movements not even slowing down.
"Ahem," Poch coughed from behind her.
"Hm?" She looked behind to see him reach his hand out.
"M-...may I...have this dance?" He nervously asked.
She kept her smile, got up, and took his hand. "Gladly."
His nervousness went away in a snap when he got her smile and the shine in her eyes. He smiled back, and they went to the dance floor.
They got close to the center, passing by a few demon pairs. He placed a hand on her hip and she placed one on his shoulder, their free hands taking each other. They moved with the music, keeping their eyes on each other. They were careful not to step on any feet, or bump into anyone as they danced. They didn't talk, only smiled and looked into each other's eyes. Loona got lost in a sea of blue while Poch was basking in a red ocean. The world around them felt like it was fading, like the only thing existing in the room right now was them and the music. They got closer and began to slow down, still hearing the music, even though it was slowly being drowned out by their heart beats.
They stopped fully, their hands tightened, and their smiles easing off. Loona bent down as Poch rose up, getting on his toes, their faces getting closer and closer, his hands migrating to the back of her hips while hers went behind his back. They could feel the others' breath, getting so close to contact.
Just then their world was shattered. The music changed to something with a more rapid beat, snapping them back to reality. They looked at each other stunned, before getting bumped by a demon getting to the groove.
"Oh sorry!" The demon apologized
"I-It's...fine." Poch told him. He looked to Loona, who looked back and they shyly looked away.
"Well...that was a sudden change," Loona commented.
"Yeah...sure was…" Poch felt like the moment was ruined by the sudden musical shift, his urge to dance gone.
Loona felt the same but wanted to pick the mood back up. "So...wanna...eat a dessert?...Stolas is paying and...I found a good one...it was called...Stary...Hell I think?"
As soon as she said that he got an idea. "...Loona?...What's the time?"
"Huh? Um…" She checked her phone, "It's fifteen passed nine, why?"
His smile returned. "Wait for me right at the entrance!" He dashed off.
"Wait where are you going!?"
"Trust me, ok?" He went out of sight.
Loona stood there for a minute, curious on what he was planning but decided to move off before someone hit on her. She walked her way to the front, passing by the receptionist who told her to have a good night and to leave a review. She waited outside, hoping he'd be quick.
It only took him a few minutes before coming out and to her. "Hey, hope you didn't wait long."
"No I didnt. What were you-?"
"Close your eyes."
"Huh?"
"Close them."
"..." She sighed and closed her eyes.
"Shiva!" He called for his bone shadow demon.
"What are you calling your shadow demon for?" She asked, still eyes closed.
"You'll see."
She felt his arms wrap around her stomach, keeping a firm grasp. "What are you-? Whoa!" She felt herself lift off the ground. "Poch!?"
"Hold on!" He flew them up.
She held onto him tight, holding onto his arms, while keeping her eyes closed. She could hear the winds blowing, but they weren't flying real fast. His speed slowed and they flew steadily for what she believed to be a few miles up.
"Alright...open them."
She opened her eyes and was stunned. They were high in the sky of the human world, right above the clouds. She could see the collection of lights from the city, only slightly obscured by the clouds, looking like little sparkles as everyone on the ground looked like tiny specks. "...Wow….H-...how did we-?"
"I asked Stolas for a gateway. He opened one up right when I got you to close your eyes."
"...The city looks….amazing from this high up."
"Yeah...though...you should see the sky."
"The sky?" She looked up and was breath taken. There was such a clear view of the night sky, the crescent moon, and the trillions of stars. all shining like a jewel. They were so high up they looked close enough to touch, she even reached up to try to.
Poch chuckled. "I wish you could grab them."
"It's so beautiful…."
"Better than the star room aint it? Even without fireworks."
"Yeah...the room's still a close second though."
"Heh, thanks."
As she looked into the night sky he decided to fly them around a bit, which startled her slightly but she eased into it. They were gliding atop the clouds, scraping by their surfaces, Loona reaching out and letting her hand brush against it, it feeling oddly soft yet a bit tough. She kept her eyes forward, looking around at all they passed by, which were mostly clouds. Each had a different shape and feel, her touching each one she passed by, while looking up at the night sky every time he glided up, or looking down on the city when he went down.
Poch smiled, watching her be amazed. He was glad he thought of taking her up there, also marveling at it all. This was his first time flying up so high and he was glad he could share it with her. He was ready to tell her.
"Hey, Loona?" He spoke.
"Yeah?" Loona relied, somewhat looking back at him.
"Remember how I said….you're special to me."
"Yeah?"
"I knew that but...I didn't know what kind...I...you always make me feel a certain way...something in my chest that...I couldn't describe...but...one that I liked...when we left that booth after we kissed...I realized something...something that...I should have realized a long time ago."
Loona felt her heartbeat increase, holding his arms tight, feeling herself tear up a bit. "What'd you realize?"
"..." He held her tight and close and finally said it. "I love you."
The tears rolled down her face, they were ones of absolute joy. She started laughing while crying. "Hehehehe...hahahahah!"
"Loona?"
"I'm...I'm so glad you said that...so...so glad…"
"You are?"
"...I love you too."
Poch felt a sudden elation in him, his wings popping out, making them jumble a bit. "Y-you do!?" He said just to confirm but mostly to hear her say it again. He had a feeling already but hearing her say it left such an impact.
"Yes!" She wiped some of her tears away, leaning into him. "I love you...so much!...Can we please land?"
"Wh-why? Something wrong?"
"I REALLY wanna kiss you!"
His face lit up and he dived down. They were already above the area where he lives. He swooped in and went for a soft landing, letting her go when she touched the ground. She took a step forward, letting him land and dismiss Shiva, turning to face him.
Her hands went behind his back while his went around her hips, circling back. She bent down, he rose up on his toes, closing in. Their lips met in a passionate kiss, their tails moving uncontrollably, staying connected for longer than five seconds, not wanting to seperate just yet. They felt a great weight off their chest after finally admitting and acknowledging how they felt, feeling lighter than ever.
When they did separate, they said no words, they simply smiled, embraced each other, and headed inside, taking off their clothes and heading to bed, holding each other close, slumbering happily, not letting go.
End
Next chapter: Plans and discussions.
