Gabriela felt like her ex was only a bad far away memory. She waited the next few days for a message from Ozzie, meanwhile getting in a box all the things her ex left in her apartment . She thought about throwing them or giving them to him.

She bought enough ingredients for a delightful meal for two and won Azrael heart by his stomach .

Two days after their coffee date, Azrael finally worked up the courage to call Gaby again. “H-hello? Gaby? I was wondering if you may want to meet again...” He stammered, worried that he had waited too long or that she had decided he was not her type.

“ Hi ! Of course I want to! You have time this weekend ? I can prepare some dinner for us as i promised you. What do you say, handsome? “ 

“Of course! Dinner sounds great!” He said happily, nearly falling over his bed as he happy danced in his room. “Can I bring anything to help? Maybe wine or dessert?”

“ Of course ! Bring something to drink. I’m in charge of the food. I hope sticky spicy chicken it’s fine by you “

“Anything you make will be delicious, I am sure. See you this weekend beautiful!”

It was almost the weekend, but even another day felt like forever. Still, Ozzie used his time wisely. It would be more than just a bottle of wine he would bring…

“ Bye! See you Saturday night! “ She hung the phone squeaking in delight. 

The days passed , the date was in some hours ,and she received one message ... From her ex. ‘ You seemed pretty cozy with that demon dude’ . She took a deep breath and answered ‘ Don’t be a stalker please :) . And come for your junk before I throw it in the trash ‘ . She wanted to tell him so much things, like that he was a total hypocrite. That he made her feel in the last months of their relationship like he was missing so much for being with her. But she contained her anger Let’s concentrate in have a lovely night. Screw you Mark .

Azrael swallowed hard and tried to steady his nerves. He was in his best silk shirt with a bottle of wine tucked under one arm as he rang Gabriela’s doorbell... but he was most concerned about a small box he had tucked in his pocket. Would she like it?

Gaby made sure to be ready on time. She applied a tiny bit of makeup when her date knocked on the door . “Hellooo! “ She said opening the door “ Looking good , Ozzie “ she smiled and kissed his cheek .

Azrael smiled warmly when Gaby answered the door. God but she was beautiful. “You look lovely tonight too, Gaby dear.” He replied, letting her usher him inside.

“Let me throw this outside, i can’t stand it anymore” she grabbed a box full of things a left it outside her door . “ Mark’s trash.“ she explained “ It’s not anymore welcome in my home.“

Neither noticed the man who had been tailing Ozzie for the past several blocks before watching him and Gaby meet.

“Good riddance to bad rubbish.” Azrael agreed.

“Yup! “ She takes the wine “ Thank you for this “

“It is my pleasure darling.” He looked around as she took the wine, still not fully believing he was really at Gaby’s home. Subconsciously, he reached for the gift in his pocket and held it tightly. When would be the best time to give it to her?

“ Well, make yourself comfy. “ She went for the food.

There was spicy chicken, some green salad and baked potatoes with cream. She poured two glasses of wine. “I hope you like it . Are you fine? “

“Hmm? Oh, oh yes. I’m alright. It looks and smells delicious!” He replied with a smile, pulling out Gaby’s chair for her before being seated himself. “I’m just a little nervous. I got you something, but worry it might be too much.”

“Something for me? Oh Ozzie, I wanted to treat you, not the other way around, you silly. But I will not say no. “ she sat.

After a moment’s hesitation, he pulled the small box out from his pocket and placed it on the table before Gaby. Inside was a gold and silver necklace with a pendant shaped like a serpentine dragon surrounding a ruby cut in the shape of a heart. “I... hope it is not too much to give so soon.”

“Oh god... Its beautiful ... I don’t know what to say “ she felt her heart melting “ Ozzie, I don’t want to regret you gift, its beautiful… “ she looked at him with a serious tone. “ But I hope you understand you don’t need to buy my affection “ 

“I know I don’t have to buy your affection, Gaby. I just... you are special to me like no one ever has been before and I wanted to give you something special to keep for when we are apart.” He stammered, almost afraid to look her in the eyes. Do not mess up, man. You do not scare her away.

She took the necklace and placed it it around her neck “Then, I accept it.“ she kissed his cheek again. “I will treasure it.“ she promised “ Now let’s eat. Im ready for some food.“

“So am I.” Ozzie smiled wide,  for once not afraid to show his fangs in front of his Gabriela. The food was excellent, as was the company. “This has to be some of the best cooking I have ever tasted! “

“ Aw thank you, but I just copy recipes... I really need to use more imagination. Inherited the spicy cooking from my mom “ Tiene que picar hija’ “

“Copied or not, I could eat your cooking every day.” Ozzie said emphatically , topping off their wine glasses as they came closer to finishing dinner.

When the dinner was finishing, someone knocked the door. “ Uh weird... I did not order anything.“ Gaby said , and the knocks repeated. “ Wait a minute Ozzie. “ she went to the door “ Who is it ? “

“ Its me. “ a male voice answered 

“ You? What you want? “ Se said and opened the door “ Dammit Mark what you want”

“ Hey , I just wanted to say hi... You left my things outside”

Listening in from the dining room, Azrael heard what was going on and got up to investigate. Seeing the man he assumed was Gabriela’s ex standing in the front door, he stood to his full height, just over 2m with his horns, and flared his wings dramatically as he came up behind Gabriela. “You have your things and Gabriela does not seem to want you near. I suggest you leave.” He said in a carefully neutral tone, though his pupils narrowed to slits like those of a snake, and his lip curled back to show his sharp teeth.

The guy flinched a little. “Excuse me, I’m talking to her, dude. Gaby  you don’t have to be so sore about this. You make me look like the evil guy here. “ He tried to don’t stare at the draconian.

“ Oh, you got me Mark . I’m a sore loser. I don’t like to be dumped knowing I was just going to be replaced.” she said sarcastically.

“ That’s not true! “ He pointed at Ozzie ‘’ I turned my back and you instantly started to hang out with some demon dude ...”

“ He isn’t a demon, you idiot! And I can hang out with whoever I want ! “

“You do not make a convincing argument about not cheating when you have lipstick on your collar.” Azrael smirked, nodding to a red stain on Mark’s shirt collar. “It is best you leave before something happens that you will regret.”  He added, wrapping a protective arm around Gaby as he felt a familiar heat building in his chest. If this Mark did not take the hint and leave soon, he would be in more trouble than he realized.

“ Okay, you got me ! I tried to just move from us, you did the same Gaby.” He looked at the sky in resignation. “ You cannot blame me, you know compromise was not my thing, that doesn’t mean I didn’t like you. You can revengefuck however you want.” he grabbed the box and was ready to turn around. 

“ Me what? “ She give him a puzzled look.

“Do NOT talk about Gabriela like she is some common whore, you bastard! If you cared about her at all, you would not have hurt her!” Azrael roared, literally steaming with rage. No one insults this dragon’s princess and gets away with it! Smoke started leaking from between his clenched teeth. He was ready to unleash hell on this son of a bitch.

Mark did a step back “ Dude relax, you don’t take a joke ? I know her more than you... “

“Fucking other girls is not a joke when you are in a relationship.” He scolded, ready to see the scum leave. “Leave and do not come back, or you will regret it.”

“What are you ‘gonna do? Pinch me with a trident ? Come on, man... She is pretty but doesn’t worth it a black eye “ Mark tried to  apparent no fear.

Goddamnit Mark, you never know when to shut up ! Gaby held her breath ready to hit Mark herself if it was necessary .

“That shows how little you know her, after all. Gaby is worth fighting for...” He growled, feeling fire climbing the back of his throat. “Oh, and I am not a demon, idiot. Gaby found herself a dragon!” He roared, opening his mouth and breathing a burst of bright yellow flame at Mark, lighting his box of belongings on fire... and his hair. “Now leave before you really get burned!”

Mark screamed like crazy, trying to save his hair. The smell of burn hair invaded the air “ FUCKING PSICO!!!” He yelled and ran saying something about calling the police . 

Gaby gasped when the fire appeared. Frozen in her place .

Ozzie watched as Mark ran, taking a sort of smug satisfaction in seeing that most of the front of his hair was burned away, leaving him looking almost bald. When he looked down at Gaby though, seeing her frozen with wide eyes, he felt terrible. He had scared her...