“Have you ever killed anyone?”

“What?” Cal looked up at Josh, who was currently sitting cross-legged with a book in his hand. Josh looked up at him, “Have you ever killed someone, y’know. Being a demon and all,” His small voice having a guilty effect on Cal. “Well, I mean, only when needed,” The older man watched Josh’s eyes widen and then quickly added, “But it wasn’t full on murder, my family had to banish a smaller demon for mucking up a job, an’ consequently he was among other banished demons and well. They just don’t take kindly to having company I guess. That an’ there was the one time when I had to sentence some trickster to death for attempting to poison me. But I didn’t do the deed as such…” He trailed off, rubbing his neck and glancing up at Josh, who was listening curiously.

“So you won’t kill me right?” Josh tried to ignore his obvious voice crack, admittedly regretting asking such a random questions – one that he was pretty sure he knew the answer too anyway. “No of course not, for one you’d have to have actually done something bad, like try to poison me, an’ I wouldn’t be the one to even do it!” The demon laughed slightly before realising the teen wasn’t amused, and sighed, “I get that this is awkward. Me being here, and you probably hate me, but I won’t hurt ya, Josh.”

As Josh opened his mouth to speak, Friday padded into the room, making herself known with a loud meow, and dropping a freshly killed mouse onto Cal’s lap. “You’re not helping,” Cal thought out loud, picking up the still warm rodent by the tail and placing it by the cat’s paws, ignoring a snort from Josh, who was now putting down his book and brushing his hands through his hair – which was currently fluffed up and wild, not that far from how it usually was.

Josh’s P.O.V

I sighed and tried to flick my hair out of my eyes, getting rid of the black blur it was causing in my vision. I mean, of course, I was relieved that I wouldn’t be killed anytime soon, not that I thought he would to be fair – but when you have a literal demon in your house it’s kind of usual to ask? Eh, anyway, Friday both helped and ruined the moment, but that’s pretty normal for her.

Contrary to what Cal said, I didn’t hate him, nor dislike him. I was…confused, both mentally and emotionally, by what was going on. But I didn’t hate him. Not right now anyway.

“I don’t hate you Cal, but you…I mean…You have horns for god sake! Fangs. You’re a bloody demon, that’s a big thing.” I say, my voice once again cracking. Why does it always crack when I’m trying to be serious? “You’re attractive and you have a decent personality sure, but I barely know you, and the whole suitor thing is just scary. I mean, would I have to meet your family? Go see more demons? Would I still have some freedom?” I watch Cal’s face change as I talk and I sigh, standing up and shrugging, speaking up again before he can reply. “It’s not an easy thing to think about. I’d rather get to know you properly before thinking about something like this. I need to go out, I need some stuff from the store.”