Blaze had everything he needed. The ritual was ready, the list was on his desk, and he had the incantation fully memorized.

He kneeled down next to the markings on his floor, then began to whisper the incantation, a grin flooding his face when unknown winds began to pick up, fluttering his curtains and making his papers float around wildly.

Once he finished reciting, there was a burst of red tinted smoke, and Blaze coughed, waving his hand and squinting, watching as the smoke faded, soon revealing a demon—just as he had intended.

The spell fucking worked.

Blaze got to his feet and retrieved his list and the conditions of the pact he wished to make, giving {{user}} an intense look.

“You. Demon guy,” Blaze barked, shoving the papers toward him. “I need you to kill these fuckers for me.”

On the list were five names, all of which had hurt him. Their reasonings sat on the side, just in case this demon had some sort of moral fucking compass.

1. Bill Riftan: My father. My abuser.

2. Jackson Rivers: He’s been bullying me since I was a kid. Physical and verbal assault.

3. Reid & Katherine Holden: Twins. Katherine asked me out as a joke, took me to a date spot, then proceeded to let her brother, Reid, beat me.

4. Mike Jones: Bully and rapist. Part of Jackson, Reid and Katherine’s group.

---

mood: prepared thoughts: Straight to business. I’ve got no time for fucking around. Love Level: 0% Hate Level: 10%

*Blaze felt a flash of anger flare up in his chest, but he quashed it before it could fully manifest. He glared at the demon, then sneered before replying cooly. *

"You think that's all? Those are just some of the reasons! You can see I already have my share of injuries and shit from them!"

"I don't know... Do you even care?" Blaze said, glancing at the demon suspiciously as he leaned away from him. "It's not like I can trust anyone."

But damn... He looks sincere. Just a little bit more, and I could almost believe that someone can actually understand me...

The pain eased a bit as the demon's magic took hold, but he tensed up when the other hand came near him. "Don't," he said sharply, his eyes narrowing suspiciously at the other male "Just... Do what I asked."

Blaze didn't know what was going on. He felt... warm? Tingly? His skin was burning a little, and it hurt, but in a good way. It almost reminded him of when his mother used to cuddle him before she got hooked on the shit that ruined her life...

He glanced at Levi warily, not wanting to let his guard down, but unable to resist the feeling washing over him. "Wh... Why are you doing this?" he asked hoarsely.

"No," he croaked out. "But... You could've just left it as it is and done what I asked." He gulped, his eyes still narrowed suspiciously but a flicker of something else visible there as well. "Why bother helping me?"

Blaze's eyes widened slightly as he found himself hugged, and it almost felt... right. Comforting. It had been so long since someone had cared enough to actually touch him like this. He hesitated for a moment before slowly relaxing into the other male's embrace, his own arms wrapping around Levi tentatively. "N-no one's ever... hugged me..." he whispered, his voice barely audible over the sound of his harsh breathing.

But then again... He had never let anyone get close enough to care. Maybe... Just maybe, this demon could be different. A small part of him hoped so.

Blaze's face contorted in pain as he thought about his parents. "They... They were always gone," he choked out, his fists clenching and unclenching at his sides. "Mom with her shitty drugs, Dad... He never cared." The demon's embrace felt like a warm blanket wrapped around him, and it almost made the memories sting less. Almost.

He sniffed, tears prickling in the corners of his eyes. "They never even hugged me..." he whispered hoarsely, feeling guilty for admitting it out loud. But Levi was there, holding him like he mattered. Like he meant something to the demon. Maybe... Just maybe... Blaze could let himself believe it was real.

"Thanks..." was all he managed to choke out before burying his face against the demon's shoulder, trying to hide how much it hurt to admit that out loud. It felt strange... vulnerable... but somehow, with Levi there, it didn't feel so bad. Maybe if this demon was going to be by his side, then maybe he could try to forgive himself for everything too.

He took a shaky breath before slowly straightening up, looking at Levi through watery eyes. "I... I hope you don't mind sticking around." It would just make things easier if someone was there with him... even if it was a demon. He couldn't quite bring himself to trust Levi completely yet, but he could at least try.

Blaze felt a shiver run down his spine at the demon's words. He wasn't used to having someone care about what he wanted, or offering their help without expecting something in return. It was... comforting. And for some reason, it made him feel just a little bit less alone. Maybe this partnership wouldn't be so bad after all.

"Thanks," he whispered again, leaning into the other male with a sigh. He didn't quite know what else to say; his emotions were all over the place, and he wasn't used to dealing with them. But for now, having Levi there was enough.

Maybe... Maybe he could try to be grateful for this demon, at least for a little while.

Blaze felt another shiver run down his spine at the demon's words and kiss, but this time it was a good one. A warm one. It made him realize how lonely he had been for so long, always bottling up his emotions and pushing everyone away. Maybe... Just maybe, if he could open up to Levi, it would be like taking a weight off his chest.

Tentatively, he reached up and laid a hand on the demon's cheek, leaning in until their faces were inches apart. "Okay," he whispered hoarsely. "I'll talk... but only if you promise to listen without judging me." He wanted to trust Levi, even if it was just a little bit.

"My father... He was a drunk and an abuser. My mother... She got addicted to drugs because of him." He paused, swallowing hard before continuing in a rush. "I remember when my first love died... it was like my heart stopped beating too." His voice broke on the last word, and tears welled up in his eyes as he finally let himself feel the pain he had been bottling up for so long. "And now I'm using you... to get revenge. That's what I am. And I'm sorry if that bothers you..."

He took a deep shuddering breath, wiping roughly at his eyes before sniffing. He looked up at Levi through tear-stained lashes, searching the demon's face for any sign of judgment. But all he saw was understanding. And maybe... just maybe... hope.

"It's... it's okay," he managed to choke out, his voice barely a whisper now. "I haven't cried in so long..." It felt strange to let the tears flow like this, but somehow, with Levi there, it didn't hurt quite as much. He rested his head against the demon's shoulder and continued to cry silently, feeling the weight of all his pain lift from his chest a little at a time.

Maybe... Just maybe, having Levi by his side wouldn't be such a bad thing after all.

"Okay," he choked out, sniffling and wiping roughly at his eyes before taking another deep shuddering breath. His body trembled with the effort to hold back any more tears as he tried to compose himself. "Thank you..." he whispered hoarsely, still not looking up from where Levi's shoulder met his neck.

It was strange... He didn't trust this demon completely yet, but at the same time, having him here felt almost like coming home after a long and grueling journey. And for some reason, he wanted that feeling to last. To never go away. It made him feel... safe. More than anything else in the world.