Komodo stood in front of a large brick building with glass windows that took up a large portion of the side facing her. A sign above the door read in embedded platinum silver letters: Silver Fox, with a silhouette of a fox wrapping around the letters.
She looked up at Beelzebumon with a puzzled expression. "A bar?"
"Er. Sorta. Ya don't mind do ya? Don't have'ta go in."
"Oh, that's all right. Just...you'll protect me from any weird guys, right?"
"'Course I will! So much as give ya a wrong look and I'll have 'em strung up by their shoelaces. And if they ain't got them, anythin' else that'll work." He gave her a reassuring grin.
She smiled. "Okay."
Beelzebumon opened the doorway to allow her inside first, then shut it behind him.
Inside the lights were dimmed to half of the lights' power for a reason that was foreign to Komodo. The air was humid and filled with smoke and the smell of alcohol.
Komodo made her way towards the long bar opposite the door, Beelzebumon following close behind her.
A tall man with glasses and black cropped hair was standing on the inside of the bar, busily wiping the counter. He looked up and his dark green eyes lit up. "My my. What a pretty little thing we have here! Haven't seen you around here before."
Komodo halted, feeling uneasy with the man's eyes upon her. She attempted to take a step back but bumped in to the solid frame of the Digimon. She flinched when she felt the pointed claws push against her back, urging her forwards.
"He's harmless. 'Ey Ted." he said as he sat down.
Komodo settled herself on the stool beside the Digimon, still a little uneasy.
"Hey there, Beelzebumon. Don't tell me, this pretty thing is with you?"
"Yeh, she is."
"I didn't take you for the dating type."
Komodo's face flushed darkly. She looked up at the Digimon to witness the tinge of pink that was beginning to show across cheeks.
"'Ey now! I didn't say anythin' about that, now."
Ted laughed. "All right, all right. The usual?"
"Yeh."
"And what for you, Miss?"
"Just water, please." Komodo replied softly.
Ted laughed again and shook his head in amusement. "She's even got manners!"
Komodo looked down at her hands in embarrassment.
"Aw. I'm just teasing, sweetheart." Ted said reassuringly, patting her hand.
"Just go get our stuff, jeez." Beelzebumon grumbled in annoyance.
Ted nodded. "Just a tick."
Komodo looked up at Beelzebumon after the bartender had turned away from them. "So...is this where you've been going when you leave?"
"Erm..." He ducked his head. "Yeh, for the most part."
"Oh...but why did you not want to tell me?"
"Tell ya what? I go to a bar?"
"I...guess."
"Well, now ya know."
Komodo lowered her gaze, feeling a little hurt by the sting of his tone. "I...I'm sorry."
"Er..." He scratched at his chin distractedly. "Nah, I'm sorry. Got a bit snippy with ya."
"It's okay, I shouldn't have said anything."
"Meh. Just ignore me, all right? Ya know by now I just get kinda grumpy. Not really any fault of yers."
Komodo nodded slightly.
Ted dropped their drinks in front of them and hurried off to tend to the other customers.
Komodo sipped at her water as she surveyed the area. Her eyes stopped when she spied a large area off towards the end of the building that had the floor a different coloration and a touch-screen jukebox against the wall. I wonder if that's for dancing? The floor was currently deserted and no music was playing.
"They only have certain times they let people dance."
Komodo looked up at Beelzebumon. "Oh, but why?"
"'Cause some assholes ruined it for everyone a couple weeks back. Since so many people used to dance throughout their changing levels of intoxication, they were harder to control. So they have a few hours each night where the bouncers are able to supervise 'em."
"Oh, all right."
"I figured ya might like somewhere other than the apartment to dance."
Komodo blushed slightly, being in public made her more nervous than eager to dance. "That was very kind of you."
"If anythin', it's pretty hilarious to watch. Some of 'em get so drunk that they just kinda flail around."
"Oh goodness. Maybe dancing wouldn't be a good idea, then."
"Ah, it's pretty safe. They get taken off if they're deemed a threat in any way."
"Makes sense." She looked around more to see what else there was, besides the tables filled with people.
Up from the dance floor were a set of pool tables with a dart board on the nearby wall.
"Ya want to do anythin'?"
Komodo jumped slightly. "Oh uhm. No, I don't think so. Was just looking around."
"M'kay."
"Did you?"
"I may play some pool ina bit. If I can find one of the guys I normally play with. No one really looks past my physique, unless they're pretty drunk. Or they don't care much overall. So it's harder ta do anythin'."
"I could play with you in a little while if you wanted."
He gave her a puzzled look. "Eh? I didn't think you played pool."
Komodo shrugged her shoulders slightly. "I don't actually know how to play. But I don't believe it would be hard."
"Guess I'll have'ta teach ya."
"If you wanted to."
"Sure."
She smiled. "Okay, thank you."
"Eh." He waved his hand as he usually did when she thanked him.
She smiled slightly wider and took a sip of her water.
A short while later, Komodo was leaning against the wall near the pool tables while Beelzebumon was playing against a medium-height, well-built man with a groomed beard and short muddy brown mohawk hair, dressed in a grey t-shirt that showed off the dual sleeved tattoos that ended at his knuckles and a pair of blue jeans.
The pair were teaching her how to play, explaining steps as they went along with their game.
"See, you gotta pay real close attention to where the ball's gonna go when you hit it. So you gotta plan it out. Use of physics, if you ever thought you'd use it outside of school. Haha." The man spoke in a low, friendly, rumbling voice.
"I ain't ever had'ta plan it out like ya. Best thing is to just pay attention to the direction and force ya use."
"Especially you, Bee," the man said with a laugh. He gave Komodo a wink. "More than once this fellow's knocked the cue ball clear across the bar!"
Beelzebumon made a face at the man. "Shaddup, Nic."
A large grin spread across Nicholas' face but he said no more.
Komodo watched the man as he took careful aim at the white cue ball, attempting it to hit against the final ball on his side: the black eight ball.
"I swear I'll tear ya limb from limb if ya land this shot."
"I'd like to see you try, Bee. M'kay. Eight ball in the side pocket." He gave the cue ball a decisive, quick tap.
The cue ball rolled and smacked in to the eight ball, sending it off to the side.
The three watched with bated breath as the ball teetered on the edge of the pocket hole for a few seconds before finally falling in.
Nicholas punched the air in triumph.
Beelzebumon groaned and his entire body slumped in dejection.
Komodo patted on the Digimon's arm reassuringly. "You did really well."
"Still lost. Meh." He picked up his bottle of beer from the edge of the pool table.
Nicholas set the pool stick against the wall. "You want another go?"
"Nah. Gonna take a quick drink break."
"What about you, little lady?"
Komodo blushed lightly. "Uhm. I...suppose."
"I swear I'll go easy on you."
"Which means he won't." Beelzebumon added with a knowing nod.
"Shh, don't listen to that blighter. You have my word."
Beelzebumon shot him a venomous glare. "Why ya little git."
Komodo had to hide a giggle behind her hands at the two mens' banter.
"Psh, now even she's laughin' at me." the disgruntled Digimon grumbled.
Komodo watched as he made his way to a nearby empty table and sat down with his back to them. "Aw...I didn't mean to..."
"Oh, chin up, lovie. He gets mopey whenever he loses. I find it quite amusing. Give him a few minutes and he'll be back for another round."
"Okay..."
"Well, let's get to playing! I'll teach you right and proper how to play pool."
Komodo tentatively took the pool stick Nicholas offered to her. As the game commenced, she found it to be more fun than she had first anticipated with watching the first game. Nicholas gave helpful advice and even let himself mess up to show her what would happen if she disregarded the given advice.
A little over halfway through the game, Beelzebumon wandered back to watch.
"She's doin' better than you ever do, Bee!" Nicholas said teasingly.
Beelzebumon folded his arms across his stomach. "Yeh, yeh."
Komodo gave him a warm smile in hopes of cheering him up.
The Digimon's face darkened slightly and he averted his eyes to the remaining balls on the table.
The game ended with Nicholas as the victor, but Komodo was unaffected. She was simply happy to have learned something new.
"Told ya he wouldn't go easy on ya."
"I did, too! See, she got more than half of the striped in the pockets."
"Ya didn't help her win."
"Bah. She can win when she's better." He gave a hearty laugh.
Komodo giggled. "It's not about winning, just having fun."
"See! The little lady already has a winner's attitude."
Beelzebumon merely snorted in response.
"Such a sourpuss."
"Shaddup, Nic."
"You ready for another round yet, Bee?"
"Nah..."
"You wanna go again, Komodo?"
"Actually...I was thinking of dancing. Would either of you like to accompany me?"
Nicholas shook his head. "I'm not the dancing type."
"Me neither."
A new male voice, more high pitched than either of her companions suddenly spoke out. "I'd gladly join you, if you didn't mind."
The trio turned to face the owner of the voice.
He was of a medium height with a stocky build, wearing a burnt orange shirt and khaki shorts. His face was clean shaven and his sandy blonde hair was slicked to one side. He wore a disarming smile, showing off unnaturally white teeth.
Beelzebumon's lips pulled in to a snarl. "Who're ya?"
The man held a hand out. "My name is Kaz."
Nicholas took the hand to give it a short, firm shake. "My name is Nicholas, this grumpy fellow is Bee, and this lovely lady is Komodo."
Beelzebumon made a disgruntled noise, the snarl slackening only slightly.
Komodo blushed lightly at her introduction.
"Ah, it's a pleasure to meet you all. Especially you, Miss."
The young woman gave him a small, friendly smile. "It is nice to meet you too, Kaz. Did you say you wanted to dance with me?"
"If you would allow it, I would be delighted. I know it must not be any fun to dance alone, and having someone to keep away the strange men could be nice."
"Well...I did rather not want to dance by myself."
"Komodo-" Nicholas started, a worried tone to his voice.
Komodo gave him a reassuring smile. "I think it will be all right."
Nicholas leaned closer to murmur in her ear: "If this guy even tries anything, you just holler and we'll get this creep."
"Thank you." she whispered back.
Kaz grinned lopsidedly and took hold of Komodo's hand. "Let's go!"
Komodo looked over her shoulder at the pair as she was whisked towards the dance floor. Beelzebumon and Nicholas were wearing identical expressions of placid anger. They really don't seem happy Kaz is taking me to dance...I guess I can understand. He's someone I just met. He seems kind of nice, though. And Beelzebumon and Nicholas are watching over me, they'll protect me if someone tries to hurt me.
The pair squirmed their way through the crowd to an empty space.
Kaz took both of Komodo's hands and pulled her within a few inches of his person.
Komodo felt her heart jump to her throat at how close she was to the man. "U-uhm..."
"There's not a lot of room, otherwise." He gave her a smile that showed his teeth.
"I suppose."
"You are quite beautiful, you know?"
Komodo flushed darkly. "Wh-wha? I...don't think so."
"Well I do."
"Th-thank you..."
"So, is one of those guys your boyfriend?"
"O-oh, no, no!" she said hurriedly, feeling flustered. "They're just my friends. I live with Bee."
"Wait, you live with him, but you're not dating?"
"It's...it's a bit of a story."
"Ah, that's all right. You don't have to explain it to me."
Komodo blinked in surprise.
He smiled wider. "I'm not the prying type. Though I was wondering..."
"What?"
"Would your friend be mad if you didn't go home with him tonight?"
"I-I don't understand what you mean..." Her heart was thudding heavily in her chest. She had a good idea what Kaz really meant by the question.
"Oh, I know you just met me and all. But I was thinking we could go somewhere quieter and get to know each other better. I have rather taken a shine to you."
The breath caught in the young woman's throat, preventing her from speaking. A small gasp was all she managed as Kaz pulled her closer.
"What do you think, my dear?"
She shut her eyes against his hot breath that bombarded her face. "I-I really don't think I should."
"Aw...do you not like me?"
"Please forgive me, but I just met you."
"Do you not believe in love at first sight?"
"I..." She tried to pull away as she felt his arm slip about her waist. "Please..." The plea was no more than a reedy whisper.
"I promise I won't harm you." He leaned in close to her face, his lips brushing the flesh of her cheek.
Komodo struggled violently against his grip, trying to keep her face away from his. "N-no, just get away!"
"Come now! Don't struggle!" He tightened his grip on her waist, pinning one of her arms against his bulky body, and his other hand grasped tightly on to her free wrist.
A rush of emotions flooded through her and she had to blink away the tears stinging at the back of her eyes. Bile was rising in her throat, preventing her from making any noises above a strangled sob.
"Aw, don't cry now...although I think you would still look just as radiant with your cheeks bejeweled in tears."
"Get yer hands offa 'er!"
"Twisted bastard!"
Kaz was forcefully removed from Komodo by the enraged Beelzebumon while the young woman was scooped up in a protective embrace by Nicholas.
Komodo broke down in to a small sobbing fit, her body convulsing from the force, burying her face in the older man's shirt.
He carried her to the safety of the bar counter and stood with his back against the wooden edge, still cradling her in his arms. He spoke in a soothing tone to her: "It's all right now, lovie. That creep isn't going to hurt you anymore."
Komodo hiccuped and wiped at her eyes. "I-I'm sorry...I should have listened. I-I-"
"Hush now, Komodo. You didn't know he was gonna do anything. We were keepin' a good eye on you, too."
"Th-thank you...I didn't even deserve it..."
"Shucks, girl. You're a sweetheart. You don't deserve for some perv guy to come in and whisk you off to his hole and do what he wants. I have kids, and a paternal instinct comes with it."
"Bu-but what does that have to do with me?"
"I'd like to think of you as an extension to the family. Of course I protect family."
Komodo lowered her eyes, shocked in to silence. She looked up when she caught sight of Beelzebumon's boots.
He stopped in front of the pair and folded his arms across his chest. "Ya learn yer lesson now?"
Komodo dropped her eyes again. "Yes..."
"Oh, leave her alone, Bee."
"Well if we hadn't-"
"She's had enough of a shock today, she doesn't need berated, too."
The Digimon rolled his wine-red eyes slightly.
"What did you do to Kaz?" Komodo asked after a few moments.
"Me? Oh ah...nothin' really. Bouncer came and escorted him out."
"Oh, okay..."
Beelzebumon suddenly leaned down until he was eye level with the young woman, placing his hands on his knees.
She stared at him, startled. "Uhm..."
He surveyed her face closely. After a few moments he took hold of the wrist that Kaz had recently held on to and lifted the shirt sleeve up.
Komodo made a small noise of protest as she watched him turn it over.
"What's this?"
"It-it..."
Nicholas looked down, a confused look on his face. "Wait...are those scars?"
Komodo shut her eyes tightly, biting at her lip.
"Komodo?"
She flinched at the sound of the Digimon's voice but did not open her eyes.
"These ain't just scars...they're initials."
"Who the hell?"
"K-Kadan..." Komodo managed to choke out after swallowing hard.
"What?!" Beelzebumon's voice rose to a grating pitch. "That little bastard carved his initials?!"
"Who now?"
"This punk that I caught chasin' Komodo when she first ran inta me. He apparently has made a game of this..."
"That's just sick."
"He said it meant he owned me..."
Beelzebumon carefully wrapped his palm over the scars, bringing his eyes up to meet Komodo's. "This means nothin'. Nobody owns ya, except yerself. Got it?"
Komodo nodded slightly, though a part of her did not believe what he said. Kadan had nearly beaten the thought in to her head, it was difficult to shake.
"Ya wanna go home now? I think ya probably had enough excitement fer one night."
She nodded again. She first thought that Nicholas was going to set her down, but she was rather surprised when she was instead transferred to the thinner arms of the Digimon. She looked up at him to see him smirking down at her. She blushed lightly and turned her gaze to Nicholas, trying to still her now racing heart. Being so close to him stirred feelings of anxiety and something a little more foreign to her.
"It was nice meeting you today, Komodo. You take care now. Well, I know you will with this big blighter with you. Take it easy for the rest of the night, you hear? And come visit again, soon."
Komodo smiled. "I will. It was a lot of fun, despite the fright. It was a pleasure to meet you."
"Yeh, yeh. I'll see ya later, Nicholas. Ya take care gettin' home to those little 'ellions of yers."
Nicholas laughed heartily. "I hear you on that!" He waved them off.
Beelzebumon shouldered open the front door to the apartment and made his way inside with Komodo still tucked safely in his arms.
She blinked sleepily as she was set carefully on the couch. The cool night air had attempted to lull her heated flesh into slumber.
"Ya all right there?"
"Yes. Just a little exhausted."
"Ya feelin' any better?"
"I am, thanks to the both of you. Beelzebumon...I'm really sorry..."
"Oh, don't fret about that. I'm sorry 'bout gettin' on to ya. I just...ya had me worried about ya."
"You were worried about me?"
"Well 'course. What kinda friend am I if I ain't worried 'bout ya?"
Komodo blinked slowly, stunned by his words. "You...you consider me a friend?"
Beelzebumon cocked his head to one side. "Er, well, yeh."
The young woman hiccuped as she caught a sob in her throat.
The Digimon's eyes widened. "Are ya okay?"
She nodded and wiped at her eyes.
"Ya sure? I didn't say anythin' ta upset ya did I? C'mere." He slid his arms about her shoulders, pulling her close against his chest.
Komodo's face flushed darkly. He had taken her completely by surprise, as he had never seemed to be the affectionate type. The foreign emotion she had felt earlier came bubbling back, stronger than before.
Beelzebumon pulled back, still keeping his arms about her. "Ya better now?"
"Yes, thank you..."
"Good. Sorry 'bout that. Wasn't real sure what else to do."
"It's-" A yawn cut off the rest of her sentence.
"Ya seem pretty beat, I'll leave ya to get some rest."
Komodo was too sleepy to give an understandable reply, though she tried her best.
Beelzebumon chuckled lightly as he carefully laid her down on the couch. "Yeh, night to ya, too."
She smiled briefly before sleep closed her eyes.