Makima woke up groggily as her mind was still strained by the images of those people wailing and dying a horrible death. For any ordinary person, this alone could make them go mad and gauge their own eyes or end their life immediately, but not her. She was a Devil so it only took a couple hours for her mind to become normal.
However, upon her awakening, she realized herself was dozing off in the knight's tight embrace.
Veilhem patted her head gently all the while running his hand through her hair. Normally, she would kill or control anyone who did this to her but strangely enough, she didn't feel like it this time. In fact, she was quite embarrassed of her own demeanor. Albeit, she let it slide.
So this was the feeling that she always yearned for. How comfortable.
She laid in his arms in silence for a little while more, enjoying the moment.
Perhaps Veilhem felt her moving in his arms, the knight turned his head down to look at her. Seeing that her eyes were still closed, he sighed and let her be.
___
It had been a few weeks or months since he met Makima, he didn't know as he had lost his sense of time in this eternal darkness. The Control Devil herself was not at all being hostile to him and in fact, quite pleasant to be around so he let her be.
But why… Why is she so bothersome?!
Makima was currently sitting on his thigh and wrapped her hands around his neck. At first he thought that she would spare him if he played along so he hugged her back. But that seemed to have the opposite outcome as she became more attached to him as time passed… like that of a cat pleading for attention.
Long story short, she refused to let him go.
He locked his helpless eyes onto her, reminiscent of the time they spent together in this dark place.
They often shared their story and he learned that she used to think creating an utopia for humans would make them accept her. The Devil's purpose is noble, but her method was a bit extreme in his opinion.
Not that Veilhem judged her but at least can you let me go?!
He sighed inwardly and decided to give up but somehow that didn't bypass Makima's eyes.
"What is it, Mr.V?"
"Nothing…" He began to sweat at her sharp instinct.
"Hmm, it seems that I'm bothering you then." She said with skeptical eyes and placed her chin on her palm, looking up at him.
"Not at all Ma'am." He replied in an instant, a bead of sweat began to form on his forehead. If she knew that he was complaining then she would tease him even more and his peaceful time was over.
"But I'm afraid that I can't let you be on your own." Makima sighed and turned her head sideways.
"Wait what? Why?" He was a bit surprised at that and his hand subconsciously patted her head. It had become a habit for him at this point. You can't blame him because they both enjoyed it so what is the matter?
"Remember the last time I left you alone? You became a depressed person in an instant. You looked so much like that of a wet dog and I consider myself as a dog person so… I will play with you so that you can get your mind out of that depressing state." Her reason was sound and all but he felt like there was something more to it. The feeling of almost getting the truth but couldn't quite grasp it made him irritated a bit. After contemplating a bit, he decided it was not worth it.
"Pfft" Makima bursted out laughing seeing his defeated state.
Veilhem felt quite annoyed so he pinched her cheek lightly in his petty revenge. Till this day, he was still amazed by how she could keep that stoic smile and cold face all the time. But it seemed like she was capable of expressing other emotions too. That was new, at least to him.
She let out a groan and bit his finger, more like she wanted to chew off his finger. This action caught him off guard due to her sudden seductive action.
His body stiffened as he froze in place but he was quick to pull himself out of that. He could feel the inside of her mouth and the softness of her tongue, even through the fabric of his chain armor. He swiftly jerked back his hand, a string of saliva still sticking on his finger and her mouth.
'Damn, that was too close! Really, she isn't a Devil for nothing!' He thought to himself. He could have died to overload cuteness.
Perhaps she caught a glimpse of him stiffening, she smiled more cunningly. Suddenly, he felt like his upcoming days would be bleaked.
"Are you embarrassed?" Makima asked in a playful tone, her finger poking his cheek.
"...No?" He replied, certainly feeling pressure.
"So you did." She smiled even more beamingly. It was a rare moment that she had genuinely smiled without faking it. Seeing her smugly face made him feel a bit helpless.
Veilhem picked her up and placed her in front of him then proceeded to hug her from behind so she couldn't turn around to tease him. He placed his chin on top of her head and held her by the waist, locking her up completely. Makima looked up at him and at this point did she realize how tall he really is. Despite the fact that they were sitting, he was still a head taller than her.
Apparently, it seemed like she didn't mind his action at all as they enjoyed the other party company in silence, staring at the flame and its crackling sound.
"Do you want to have a contract with me?" Makima asked out of the blue.
"And be your dog? No thanks, I will pass." He teased her, making her quite embarrassed but she controlled it well to keep up a straight face.
"No, I ask for real. An equal contract with each other and free will." She exclaimed. She couldn't say that the time they spent with each other wasn't enjoyable but the feeling she was sensing right now made her heart beat faster and faster. She averted his gaze, fearing that he would turn her down.
It hadn't happened to her before but this feeling was not unwelcome at all.
"A contract you say… Hmm… what can you give me?" Veilhem was contemplating this offer that suddenly came out of nowhere.
"I will help you to escape the cycle of life and death. In addition, I will stay with you for a while." She pointed it out splendidly.
"How is the last part a benefit?"
"Why not? It helps you keep sanity anyway." As if she was stating some facts, she shrugged her shoulders.
"That's fair so what is the price?" He nodded in understanding.
"The damage I take will be transferred to you instead. I've seen you die many times in your memory so that shouldn't be a problem."
"So basically, you have me as an unlimited spare life for you."
Usually, everyone would say this contract is horrible but he begged to be differ. He quite liked the terms of the contract actually. If he died more times then he would lose his humanity and become hollow, escaping this cycle of Light and Dark. Plus, he had a pleasant companion with him so why not?
Veilhem probably didn't notice yet but he quite adored this Devil already.
"But why would I do that?" He teased her by pinching her cheeks and extending it lightly. Perhaps she was annoyed by his action, so she slapped his hands away.
'Yep, definitely a cat.' thought he.
"Because I'm the only one who could grant you what you wish." Makima replied, pushing his hand away as she looked up, her head leaning backward as she fixed her gaze on him. Those unusual eyes glowing in the dark, indicating the nature of what she really is, a Devil.
"Look at how this cunning and prideful devil talks. Count me in then." Veilhem cut short and patted her head.
A deal with the Devil.
But that was the only thing he could hope for. It would be a lie if he said that he was not looking forward to how this Devil would truly kill him and free his soul from this grand ordeal. Even if his soul was consumed in any way, he would gladly accept it.
Suddenly, the flame grew a bit and it made him curious as to why this abrupt change occured. He reached out his hand and touched the flame in order to inspect it more carefully but the moment he did that, it wrapped around his hand and burst into a firestorm, consuming him and Makima.
Then, their vision went dark.
(A/N: Fast travel unlock baby. Anyway, might off for a while to think about the plot)