30

That was usually how things worked out when he stayed over. He would either stay in pajamas, or he would just go back upstairs into my bedroom to sleep for an hour or two before heading back downstairs to eat dinner. Sometimes though, he stayed downstairs with me and watched some TV while we talked… Or if he was feeling particularly restless he would start cooking us dinner… Or he would sit in silence with me in the lounge area watching TV while we talked about whatever was currently on the television… Or he would play some kind of music… Mostly he slept. Whenever I got home and found him asleep on the sofa, I would always gently wake him by kissing the top of his head, then go to bed. A few weeks passed by, and we became even closer. Even more intimate. And it was almost as if we never stopped hugging each other. Almost like nothing had changed between us. Except that the tension I had built up inside of myself ever since Beelzebub had spoken those terrible words seemed to lessen a little, leaving only an overwhelming relief whenever he held me close to him. And I could finally relax. I didn't dare ask him for a real relationship with him, knowing that he wouldn't be able to give me what I wanted. But still, I couldn't stop imagining the possibilities in my head as I imagined what it could be like to live with him, and hold his hand, and share kisses and cuddles. Things were still tense at times, especially during the nights. But for now, for the time being, things were starting to look up for us. Everything seemed perfect for the time being... But it seemed as if things would only get better from here, right? Maybe I was just overthinking everything… I don't know… "Hey." I jolted awake suddenly as I heard Beelzebub's voice, causing me to jump slightly. "Wuh?" I slurred groggily, staring blearily up at my friend who was leaning against the counter across from me. "What do you want for breakfast?" Beelzebub asked lazily, yawning into their fist as they rested their chin against the back of their other arm. "Oh, uh… I was thinking… maybe bacon and eggs?" I offered, smiling sheepishly at them when they turned towards me expectantly. "Really… Bacon? You like bacon?" "Why not?" I chuckled, shrugging a shoulder at them. "Okay, sure. That sounds good. Let me finish cooking breakfast, though…" They said, making my heart skip a beat with slight panic when they disappeared into my kitchen. "Is something wrong?" I asked tentatively as I leant forwards onto the bar stool. I wasn't too keen on sitting around doing nothing while Beelzebub cooked breakfast. Especially considering that I had been lying around on the couch for three hours waiting for their return and I really wanted to talk to them. I was hoping they would invite me in with them, but they were completely ignoring me. 'Maybe I've misread everything. Maybe they have accepted me, which is fantastic because I honestly don't know what I'd do if I lost them again.' 'They wouldn't do anything, Azira. Of course they wouldn't do anything, you idiot. They already told you they would always stand by you. That you're important to them. They can't just forget about their promises like that'… I sighed heavily and ran my hands through my messy black curls, trying my best not to get distracted. 'He loves you. What are you doing?' It didn't help though; my mind kept wandering and my thoughts wouldn't shut up. '