Dante paced.

The last time he had paced had been back in Temen Ni Gru as Agni and Rudra had bored the pants off him, discussing what a sigh was. This time unfortunately, because he couldn't move far, he was reduced to more or less turning around in a circle.

Dante felt dizzy.

He didn't really need much sleep, and ever since Lady had nailed him in the chest with a rather aggressive, Teflon coated bullet, he had been too freaked out to nap. However, he just felt lucky that wall she'd sent him flying into hadn't been too far from the bed, because if Lady had been woken up by flying violently into Dante with that gun in her hand, he was willing to bet more than his chest and head would've taken a beating…

He paused at the window; the faint bluish dawn light came through the gap in the curtain, and Dante could see pink streaks in the pale, indigo sky, signalling the rising of the sun.

He sighed, figuring he had about an hour or two before Lady woke up, which was good, he supposed. Dante needed time to think because what had happened last night had definitely been strange and unnerving; Dante didn't know what to think.

A large part of him though, wanted it to be that the two sides of Lady had fought it out in her unconscious mind. In all his egotistical glory, Dante was certain Lady wanted him, but he knew since it was her, she wouldn't just give herself over to him.

He smiled grimly, he had to admit the prospect of flirting with and teasing her to make her give in had its appeal, it even turned him on… But then again, his annoying sensitive side (of which he wanted quite badly to be rid of) kept telling him he didn't want her to feel trapped or tricked into anything… And he certainly didn't want to make her feel helpless. That would just make her come to hate him again. Dante did want her to feel safe, but he wasn't willing to let that get in the way of his fun.

He felt like kicking himself in the head for giving her so much thought.

It wasn't as if he was in love with her or…

Dante stopped, not wanting to think anymore. Gritting his teeth and squeezing his eyes closed, he chastised himself.

Don't think it, don't think it at all. If you do it means that it's true on some level, so shut up.

He tried to relax, to calm down but as Lady sighed gently; his attention was drawn to her sleeping form and his heart sank…

"Oh… Fuck me dead…" Dante whispered.

She looked so damn innocent with her hair spread messily across her forehead and clutching her pillow tightly. And just to make things worse for Dante, the pale dawn light illuminated her clear, alabaster skin, cruelly touching on all her gorgeous facial features.

Dante gulped, really considering the whole kicking himself in the head gig.

"Fuck it." He said, not willing to hang around this girl who made him loose himself so much.

One wonders how he could forget yet again that he was bound to her by magic. And as he was flung onto the bed, Dante began praying she wouldn't wake up.

But of course, when a one hundred and ninety pound human-demon hybrid is thrown on top of you, there isn't really a snowball's chance in hell you won't wake up. Of course Lady was, thankfully for Dante, in a rather forgiving mood, due to her having a good night's rest…

But there was that snowball analogy again that she would ignore it.

"Dante…" She growled sleepily.

It took him a minute to respond, it was really soft and warm lying there…

"Sorry, I fucked up. I'm getting off."

She yanked him back down and Dante froze as she whispered into his ear;

"I think you did that on purpose, Dante."

He grinned "So what if I-" a rather large gun barrel was placed underneath his chin "–did…"

Lady sounded serious, but her words didn't seem to match her tone "If you want to be in this bed, you better take off the coat."

… Come again?

Too shocked to do anything else, Dante obeyed and took off his crimson leather coat he had put back on for warmth. As he did, he thought he caught Lady taking a good look at his muscles and his usual confidence returned.

"Any other demands, babe? I can take off the pants too…"

Her gun pressed into his neck "Just keep talking."

Dante didn't really want her to stop whatever it was she was doing, so immediately shut his mouth. Lady gestured to the bed cover

"Under" was all she muttered.

Dante did not hesitate to obey.

Once underneath the soft covers, Dante made the mistake of speaking again "Next time you want to play, maybe we can leave out the dangerous toys, I already have one, you know."

Lady bought the gun so close to his eye that he felt if he so much as blinked, he'd end up in a truckload of pain.

"Shut up, you idiot. I'm not asking for anything kinky, you looked cold and tired and I'm not getting up yet, so quit yapping and go to sleep."

Dante almost nodded, but thought better of it.

Lady replaced the gun in whatever secret place she let it reside in and rolled over.

But was Dante going to let her have all the fun?

Put it this way, is water wet?

Lady yelped as Dante pulled her against him and struggled helplessly in his arms.

"What? Come on babe, did you think you could get away with holding a gun to my head like that?" He whispered in her ear.

Lady could barely conceal her shiver of pleasure at being pressed to his warm and naked chest.

"This is the price, babe." He said, suddenly sleepy.

Lady was stiff in his hold for a long time before she realised he had fallen asleep.

She briefly considered trying to free herself, but couldn't deny that she enjoyed the sensation of being held by him.

Lady felt… Safe.

So with his arms wrapped tightly around her, Lady too drifted off, feeling content.

Chapter. Yes.