Chapter Text
III couldn’t remember a time when he was so indescribably bored that the drone of reality tv did nothing to quell it. He yawns, leaning against the counter, watching the clock hands drag by into the last hour of his shift. The bell chimes, two guys waltzing in on an air of cheap cologne and stale cigarettes and III scrunches his nose at the scent.
“Just these and a pack of reds.” One of them says placing a box of condoms on the counter with a grin.
III rolls his eyes and grabs the cigarettes knowing that this man isn't getting lucky tonight anymore than he is.
“10.76.”
The man places 11 on the counter before grabbing the boxes and heading towards the door. “Keep the change, I'm feeling generous.”
“Right..” III mumbles, throwing it in the charity jar.
III picks up his phone, scrolling through his socials looking at all the fun his friends were having while he wasted away in some convenience store. It was rare he let himself give in to the pitiful feelings flooding him but, tonight he did, slapping his phone down on the counter with a sigh.
****
The night air is cool, a mist clinging to the air like it couldn't decide if it wanted to rain or not. III pulled his hood up tightly, walking down the cracked pavement, mentally counting the hours until he'd begin this journey all over again. His toe catches on a piece of sidewalk jutting up and he stumbles, the small bag he'd been carrying tumbling to the ground.
“Oh! Let me help you! Are you alright?”
“Yeah.” III grumbles, reaching to grab a few apples that rolled across the pavement.
When he looks up, steely blue eyes that seem to glow in the dim light meet his, a friendly smile on the man's face. Of course, III thinks, leave it to me to stumble in front of a cute guy.
He stands, bag secure in his hands once more and watches the smaller man dust his hands on the pants of a tailored deep blue suit.
“Thanks again.” III says sheepishly. “Guess I should pay more attention.”
The man waves him off before shoving his hands in his pocket with a smile. “Not a bad idea. It can be dangerous out here at night.”
“Right. Well, have a goodnight.” III says, offering the man a smile. He didn't want to seem rude.
“Would you allow me to walk you home? A handsome man like you shouldn't be alone this late.”
III rolls his eyes at that, once again taking in the height difference between them. “Wouldn't the same go for you?”
The man's smile widens. “I'm flattered but I can take care of myself.”
III takes a minute to examine the cut of the man's shoulders, his muscular biceps and chest apparent even under the layers of fabric and shrugs. “Sure.”
“You know, they say on nights like tonight the Devil walks among us, hunting for those who need devouring.”
III snorts, great another religious fanatic. “Is that so?” His voice holds an edge.
The man nods, III's tone not lost on him. “He'll say all the right things too. I hear he's rather polite.”
“Except for the horns and tail, right?” It slips out of III's mouth, dripping with annoyance.
“No tail and he'd only show his horns if provoked.”
“Right.” III mumbles, clearly over the conversation.
They walk the next block in silence, the man glancing over at III from time to time with a soft grin. When III can finally see his apartment building coming into view he's relieved that this dreadful night will finally be over.
Reaching the front door of the old stone building he turns to the man with what he hopes is a friendly smile.
“Thanks for helping me back there and walking me home, …”
“II, the name's II.” The man says, those blue eyes watching III curiously.
“II. Well thank you II, this has all been rather enlightening.”
II lets out a soft laugh, one that rumbles in his throat and has III arching a brow. Something about the sound just felt so out of place for such a small man.
“Remember what I've said III. The devil roams, you best be careful.”
A small spike of fear runs through III. “I never told you my name.”
“It's on your tag.” He answers with a chuckle.
III's cheeks heat as he looks down at the name tag still attached to his shirt. “Right.. Well, goodnight!”
“Goodnight. I'll be seeing you…III.”
III nods, keying in the code to enter his building with a sigh. Like hell, he'd be seeing him again! Something about II made the hair on his neck stand on end yet, II had seemed so gentle. When not spewing nonsense about the devil. Everyone knew he didn't exist.
****
III plops down in the half broken recliner, a bowl of sugary cereal in his hand while he flips on the tv with his other, the news playing while his mind wanders. III thought that the other man, II was rather strange which made it even more disappointing that he had been so cute. Where had he been coming from at such a late hour dressed so nicely, surely he hadn’t been at the office all that time. III shrugs, too tired to give it much thought as he finishes his cereal quickly, leaning back in the recliner. Just a few more minutes and he’ll head to bed…
Crystal blue eyes watch him from the darkness, the sensation crawling over his skin until he wants to reach out to them. II smiles, sharp canines bright in the darkness, like that of a predator, eyes glowing wide. Curled, black horns protrude from his head, a mess of brown hair surrounding them as he circles III, kneeling in the middle of his living room floor.
“You obey rather well.” II hums, the praise has III’s blood soaring. “Perhaps you could be the one.”
III isn’t sure what it means but, he knows that he wants to be whatever it is II is looking for. II’s hand caresses his cheek, sharp claws tracing along his jaw, until he’s whimpering and inching closer with each touch…
“III…. III….. III..”
III wakes with a start, blinking in the early morning light up at his roommate Vessel, his brown eyes concerned. He wipes at his eyes, yawning, his back aching from the lopsided recliner.
“Hey Ves, wha-what time is it?”
“A little after 6am.” III blinks, taking in the workout gear that Vessel’s wearing, his gym bag in his hand. “I was just about to head out, you should get some rest.
III hums in response, standing, long limbs crackling when he stretches. “Yea, good idea. Thanks V, have a good workout.”
“See ya.”
III clicks off the tv, stuck on some religious program, and drops his bowl in the sink before heading down the short hall to his room. The room is pleasantly dark, thanks to his blackout curtains and he pulls off his clothes before flopping into the bed with a groan. What the hell was that dream? It had felt incredibly real and III felt along his jaw just to make sure he didn’t have claw marks there. He chuckles to himself, pulling the covers up and falling back asleep.
*****
The bell dings above the door and III looks up, surprised to see II standing under the fluorescent lights in a burgundy suit. II smiles, blue eyes glowing and III finds himself smiling back, the man simply looked stunning in this color, it also helped that it was his favorite.
“Evening III. Working late again?”
“Hi II. Yeah, every night is the same.” III grumbles, looking down at the dirty counter with a bored expression.
Not having his phone to distract him, had made this night even more unbearable since he couldn’t find it anywhere. He even had Vessel call it as they searched the house but they never heard it and he was forced to leave without it.
“Ah, well. I thought you might be needing this.” II steps up to the counter and sits his phone in front of a very surprised III.
“Wha-where did you find this?”
II smiles rather sheepishly, an expression that III finds rather cute. “You may have dropped it last night and I forgot to hand it back to you.”
III’s eyes narrow, instantly suspicious. “How does one forget to give back a phone?”
“It’s rather light and I mistook it for my own phone. It was silly of me, I guess I was distracted by the company.”
“Hmmm, I see.”
II looks up at III, his eyes rather sad and it has III feeling like a bit of an ass. “I’m sorry. I may have also wanted an excuse to see you again.”
“All you had to do was ask.” III laughs at the surprised look on II’s face. “Something tells me you don’t get out much.”
II laughs, it’s a deep sound that doesn’t match the soft smile crossing his face. “Something like that. Can I walk you home again?”
“Sure. I should be done in about a half hour.”
“Splendid, I’ll see you then.”
III watches as II leaves, a silly smile on his face as he tries to decipher the man before glancing down at his phone.
“Beware the full moon! Evil walks these streets tonight!” The tv blares and III rolls his eyes before flipping the channel even if his mind flashes back to his dream from last night. Placing his phone in his pocket, III begins packing up his stuff, before rounding the counter to finish his inventory list before his co-worker arrives to take over.
“So what do you do?”
II smiles, looking over at the taller man fondly. “A little of this and a little of that.”
“What does that even mean?” III chuckles and II smiles brighter.
“I run my own business, it can be pretty draining but, enough about me. What do you get up to when not stuck behind a counter?”
III thinks that they haven’t talked about II nearly enough and had a lot of curiosity questions. Normally he wouldn’t second guess asking but, he knew people tended to find it invasive and something made him want to keep II around.
“Music. I play bass and my roommate, his name is Vessel, plays a bit of everything.” III looks over at II whose face is pulled into a thoughtful smile.
“Are you in a band?” II asks in a curious tone.
“No, I never really had enough friends for that.” III shrugs and tries not to let the pity wallow.
“Shame. Something tells me you’d be a sight to see.”
III blushes at that, glad the streetlights weren’t bright enough to give him away. “What about you?”
“I do enjoy music.” II says fondly, his fingers twitching in his pockets. “Drums, though it’s been awhile since I’ve played.”
A few millennia, but who’s really counting. Music was always more fun when played with others and II hadn't found anyone worth playing with.
“I’m sure you haven’t forgotten how to use your hands.” III smiles and II looks over at him with a smug expression.
“Hmm, perhaps I’ll show you sometime.”
Hands caress III’s shoulders, drawing a shuddering breath from his lips, skin prickled with anticipation. II takes his time, letting his fingers draw across III’s lithe body until whimpers leave his mouth.
“Please II…”
III isn’t sure what he’s begging for, his hands itching to touch the horns, to use them for his own fantasies. He whimpers when II’s lips are warm against his hip, nipping at the flesh there making III want to grab at him but his wrists are restrained.
“You are perfect, my pet. Simply perfect, perhaps when I’m through with you. I’ll take your roommate too.”
“V-Vessel?” III whispers and II smiles.
“Hmm, yes. You like him don't you?”
III doesn’t say anything, simply stares into those blue eyes until he feels II’s hands trail lower, grazing his inner thigh.
“Ye-es, I do.” The truth falls from his lips rather quickly.
III’s arms fall from the restraints above him and he doesn’t waste time pulling II against him, lips begging to taste him. II leans in, the heat of him filling III’s senses, lips just barely brushing his own…
***
III tried to hide his disappointment that II wasn’t waiting for him when he stepped outside into the warm air of night. He knew that at some point their chance encounters had to come to an end but over the past few days III had convinced himself that they weren’t chance encounters at all. II had always seemed genuinely interested in him and against his better judgement he found himself wanting to know more about the smaller man and his mysterious personality.
Not to mention the dreams that had III waking feeling feverish and tense.
III glances at his phone before taking in a puff of air from his vape while looking down the dark quiet street. He’d never been nervous to walk it alone before and was kinda annoyed that he was feeling slightly anxious without II to accompany him.
“Whatever.” III mutters, keeping his head down.
By the fourth step, III’s mind was already wandering, falling into the airplane mode that often accompanied him when he was doing a task his brain considered routine. He didn’t see the men step out from behind the dumpster, eyeing him with malicious intent, a knife glinting in one of their hands. III yelps when he’s pulled into a dark alley, his back hitting the cold brick with a thud.
“What the hell!” III yells, pushing at the man in front of him.
The man pushes back, trapping III’s arms against the wall, pressing close enough that he can smell the putrid breath leaving his mouth and he looks away. The other guy holds the knife up directly at III’s eye and he swallows.
“Not so brave now are you?” The man laughs and III tries to keep his face neutral.
Showing fear was not an option, even if his mind was racing with it, his limbs stiff with panic while he watched the knife trail down his cheek.
“Wh-what do you want?” III’s voice is soft and the man in front of him laughs.
“Everything ya got.”
The man’s hands begin to roam over III, digging into his pockets to pull out his wallet and phone. Satisfied III’s pockets are empty his hands continue to roam over III who stiffens at the feel of it.
“Please just let me go.”
“I haven’t had my fun yet.” Says the one brandishing the knife, and something in III snaps.
Anger fills him, clouding his mind at the situation he was in and why he was in it. Stupid job making him work nights! Stupid II for not being around when III had grown so used to him. He knew the thought was ridiculous but it didn’t stop it from flooding his mind anyway.
“You’re so fucking cliche.” III growls. “Praying on people at night instead of getting a real fucking job.”
III’s head reels to the side, the metallic taste of iron filling his mouth and he laughs, the sound broken in his ears.
“Quit dicking around and just get it over with.”
Knife guy pushes his friend out of the way and slams III back into the wall, so hard, his breath comes out in a whoosh.
“I’ve always liked the feisty ones. Just know you’ve made this enjoyable for me.”
III spits in his face, even as his vision whirls in and out, his mind falling back to II and those deep blue eyes he’d never see again. He shouldn’t have been so afraid to take that leap, to simply ask II on a date when it was clear that he was somewhat interested. And Vessel, who would take care of Vessel when he’d have his bouts of depression that even his obsessive fitness regime couldn’t pull him from? He hoped he’d be okay, he really cared about the tall, goofy guy. More than he’d ever admitted.
III’s mind continues to wander, even as the man runs the knife along his torso, slicing at his t-shirt and grazing the skin under it.
“You just had to pick him.” II’s voice is low, staticky in III’s ears, his eyes searching for him. “That is rather unfortunate.”
“Oh fuck off, man.” The one, currently going through III’s wallet says.
II lets out a sigh as he steps further into the alley. He really liked this suit, it was a shame after this it’d be ruined. III watched in a foggy haze as II stepped up to the guy, tapping him on the shoulder with what he swears is a bored expression.
“I really must ask you to leave.”
The man turns towards him, eyes taking in II’s small stature and laughs.
“Looks like a two for one special tonight!” He says in between belts of laughter.
II was less than amused, a scowl covering his face, eyes darkening dangerously fast. “Can’t say I didn’t warn you.”
III watches, eyes blinking slowly as II grabs the man and flings him into the wall like he weighs nothing. He hits hard, the sound of bone cracking, the brick crumbling on impact before he lands on the dirty concrete with a thud. Knife guy turns around with an angered yell, leaving III to sag against the wall, his knees finally giving out.
“Look out!” III tries to warn II of the knife in the man’s hand, his words sluggish.
II really hated getting his suits dirty, but the wrecked appearance of III pushed against the wall, shirt ripped, was enough for him to ignore that thought. II blinks slowly at the man in front of him, the knife drawing a chuckle from his lips. Humans, he thinks, never the brightest but objectively the most fun. II was certain he’d arrived just in time, the energy oozing from the man in front of him was anything but friendly, and if he arrived later….. Well he supposed he couldn’t think about that right now, not with the way III’s eyes were unfocused.
His skin tingles on the top of his scalp, his horns pushing through his skin, the ache mingling with the feel of teeth sharpening. He smiles, his tongue flicking out to lick across his lips when the guy lunges at him, knife poised and ready to strike. There’s the sound of ripping flesh, II’s suit warming with blood as the man yells, falling to his knees. Where his arm once was, is a bloody stump, II still holding the severed limb and waving it at the man.
“Wha-what the fuck man! You took my arm!”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Did you need that for something?” II snaps advancing on the pathetic excuse of a man. II leans down, a grin splitting his face when the man lurches back screaming. “Your soul will be a lovely addition to my collection.”
III was sure he had to be hallucinating, staring at the curled, sharp looking horns protruding from II’s head. His hand wrapping around the man’s throat, blood soaked into his suit, a terrifying grin covering his face.
Had he died?
III wasn’t sure with the throbbing in his head growing worse, vision swimming, his eyelids heavy and threatening to close with each slow blink. He tries to take a deep breath and winces at the ache in his ribs, unsure when that even happened? He hears a sharp sound, like a stick of chalk being snapped in half, followed by a strangled cry and a thud. He looks up when a shadow falls over his body, blocking out the only light in the dark alleyway.
“III.” II’s voice is so deep it’s more of a growl. “Are you alright?”
“Mhmph-all good here, totally.” III mumbles, the last thing he sees is II’s frown before darkness consumes him.
III hums happily, eyes opening at the feel of a warm mouth against his neck. He lets out a soft feathery moan, eyes focusing on II when he pulls away.
“I-I don’t understand. Why does this keep happening?”
“You’re subconscious calls to me, its how I found you to begin with.” II says softly and III wraps his arms around him tightly.
Something had him feeling sad, clingy, like if he didn’t hold II in this moment he’d never get to again. He reaches a hand up slowly, his fingers brushing along the outer side of II’s horn and he shivers.
“Sorry, they can be sensitive at times.” II muses and III smiles.
“Is this real?”
II frowns and shakes his head. “No, my love but, some day. Someday soon.”
“I want this to mean something, for us to be something.” III blurts, cheeks dusting pink with the admission.
II’s smile is laced with something morose. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
****
III blinks awake to the sound of beeping and a vague remembrance that he had most definitely seen horns on II’s head. He blinks, looking around at the hospital room, panic blooming under his skin until he feels a hand warm against his. He looks over to see II, now in a ruffled white undershirt, flecks of blood still on the collar.
“II?” His voice cracks, mouth dry as the desert.
“III!” II’s eyes darted to him, his voice sounding more normal. “Shh, just rest. You’re alright.”
III takes a moment to process, his mind fuzzy still but at least the lights weren’t starbursting his vision.
“I’m sorry, I lost track of time and didn’t meet you like I normally do. I’m sorry! If I wouldn’t have followed the same route I never would have found you.”
III squeezes II’s hand, happy to feel the warmth of it in his. “You found me, that’s what matters. Oh my god, Ves! He doesn’t know where I am.”
“He knows.” II says softly. “Your phone went off a bit ago and it was him calling because you weren’t home. He was just here actually, and said something about getting some air.”
III lets out a harsh breath, relaxing slightly against the pillows. “Yeah, he doesn’t do well with hospitals….neither of us do honestly.”
There was a story there, a past, that III didn’t want to get into. II nods but says nothing, too focused on the hazy look that still clouded III’s eyes. How much did he remember?
“Hopefully you’ll be out of here soon.”
“II…I-” III pauses and looks towards him, unable to look away from those ocean eyes. “Did I see what I think I saw?”
His voice held uncertainty, giving II the perfect opportunity to lie but what would be the point. He’d know eventually, II would make sure of it. He wanted this more than he cared to admit.
“You did.” His voice is steady, nerves jumping under the skin for the first time in a long while.
III’s quiet for a moment, the gears of his mind grinding together and causing a dull throb behind his eyes. He glances up at the top of II’s head, hornless, his messy hair falling into his eyes.
“You’re the devil.”
II’s eyes crinkle, a shy grin covering his face. “Yes. Very perceptive of you, III.”
III’s laugh fills the room, startling them both and II cocks his head in the adorable form of a question. His face heats, taking in the rather cute expression on II”s face and III’s sure he’s lost his mind. Leave it to me to crush on the actual devil, III thinks, But have you seen him? Small frame, tailored suits, and intense blue eyes that could get you to do anything with one look. III was very close to doing anything with just one look and it was sexy.
“That’s hot as hell.” III lets slip and II’s laugh reverberates in the room.
“Hell isn’t all that hot depending on where you are.” He shrugs with a smile. “But I enjoy the sentiment.”
“Go on a date with me.” III blurts, cheeks flaring. Maybe he really did have brain damage.
II smirks, his eyes alight with amusement. “I confess I’m the devil and you ask me on a date.”
“What can I say, I like a challenge.”
“If I knew that’s all it would take.” II shrugs and III’s laughing again before it turns into a groan.
II’s hand squeezes his before he leans up, warm soft lips brushing III’s forehead and he sighs, blinking slowly up at II.
“So is that a yes?” III asks softly and instead of answering him, II presses his lips to his.