Nocturnal

When we went back inside all was quiet and it seemed very strange. Daniel was sat at the kitchen table with Dad. Jenny was nearby, boiling the kettle. She offered to make drinks.

Dad looked pale and more than a little nervous. He was staring at the far wall and didn’t seem to notice anyone else in the room. I felt a little awkward until I felt a cold hand clasp my own.

I smiled up at Jinxx. He was calm as always. I was glad of that. My emotions seemed less confusing and I was able to process everything better, but I was still concerned for my Dad.

“Dad?” Daniel was the first to speak.

Dad looked round as though noticing us for the first time. He managed a weary smile and then let out a huge sigh. What had actually happened? Where was Mum?

In the far corner, Jenny had finished boiling the kettle and was handing out drinks. She placed a cup next to Dad and he smiled at her, muttering his thanks.

“What happened? Where’s Mum?” I asked, noticing the way Dad winced.

Daniel looked at me and smiled gently.

“Mum’s gone to stop at a hotel,” He replied. I guessed she’d cool off and return in the morning. “She’s started divorce proceedings.”

I thought I had misheard him. I couldn’t feel anything at first. My gaze fell on Dad. He didn’t speak. I knew my parents had their problems and had split before, but they had never divorced.

“What’s going to happen to the house?” Jenny mumbled.

Everyone in the room looked at Dad and he glanced round again. He took a sip of tea and this seemed to anchor him a bit more.

“The mortgage is in my name.” Dad said, solemnly.

“Mum’s sister, Joan will probably take her in.” Daniel sat next to Dad. It was an effort to reassure Dad.

I knew Mum would be fine. She was independent and had always been very free-spirited. Dad had always been more dependent. It worried me that he’d be here on his own.

“I can stay here for a bit, Dad.” Daniel seemed to sense what I was thinking.

“No, no, you kids have lives. I want you all to continue college, get houses and have children.” Thanks for that, Dad.

I looked at Jenny and she was blushing. I know how you feel, girl. I took a cautionary look at my, now, boyfriend. His blue eyes locked with mine and I swear there was an evil grin on his face.

“It’s sweet how smitten you two are.” Jenny gushed.

“I’m already plotting murder.” I grumbled. The answer to that statement was an arm round my shoulder.

Dad laughed at that. He seemed to be in a better mood. It was getting pretty late and after a while Dad excused himself to go bed.

Daniel and Jenny went upstairs to Daniel’s old room. I had been a little embarrassed earlier, showing Jinxx my room.

Even now I was stood awkwardly by the door. He was looking at photos of me and my school friends that I had decorated my mirror with. This whole situation made me nervous. I had never had a guy in my room.

At the same time it was thrilling, or it would have been thrilling had my room been less like a ten year old’s room. No seriously, my walls were a soft pink along with my bedding. I forgot that Mum had decorated my bedroom.

At the time she had been doing up the house. She didn’t really know what I wanted so just painted it baby pink. I wandered over and looked at the photos.

“What’s happening in this photo?” He pointed at one and I followed his gaze.

The photo was of Sophie and me. We had gone to comic con with her older brother and I had cosplayed. I was dressed as Haruhi Suzumiya. I couldn’t help but giggle.

“It’s cosplaying. I love anime. We could watch some together, if you want,” I blurted.

He chuckled and smiled again. I could practically feel the heat on my face. Jinxx glanced at me and he leaned in again. Was he going to kiss me again? I parted my lips.

“It’s fun teasing you.” He pulled back.

I think I blushed again. I grabbed a pillow from the chair near the window and waited for him to turn round. I grinned and moved forward, hitting the back of his head.

Well, I would have, but he spun round. He grabbed my wrists and twirled me round so my back was pressed against his chest. I shrieked with laughter and tried to raise the pillow.

“Let me go.” I giggled.

“So you can hit me with a pillow.” Jinxx laughed.

“No, I would never do that.” I squirmed again.

He spun me round and pressed his lips to mine, catching me off guard. The kiss was very brief because I kept laughing.

I sighed, trying to stop the giggles. I felt tired after the day we’d had. Jinxx stopped laughing and released his grip on my waist.

I still wasn’t sure what the sleeping arrangements were until he sat on the bed, smirking at my dumbstruck expression. Were we sharing a bed? I nearly freaked out when he patted the bed.

“Maybe I should sleep downstairs. You are my guest, after all.” I fumbled nervously.

“You don’t want to cuddle me, babe?” He pouted.

“We’ve been together for like, five minutes.” I retorted.

“It’s actually been about an hour. Happy hour anniversary,” He grinned, reclining on the pillows. “Come here and hug me.”

Did I dare step closer? I made an informed decision, or what I hoped was an informed decision. I walked over and sat on the other side of the bed. I leaned closer and smiled at Jinxx.

“Are you seriously watching me?” He raised a brow, and I couldn’t help but giggle.

“Does it creep you out? Now you know how I felt.” I said, squeaking when he suddenly sat up, locking eyes with me.

“Yeah, you look really freaked out right about now.” His eyes trailed down to my lips.

He leaned forward and I pulled back, grinning. He smirked at me. I couldn’t help but feel victorious. Jinxx’s eyes left mine and looked at the far wall. I frowned and tilted my head, following his gaze.

There was nothing there and my eyes flitted back to Jinxx. I didn’t get much of chance as his lips claimed mine. Good lord, I can’t believe I fell for that.

His tongue brushed against my lower lip. It forced me to part my lips and his tongue slipped into my mouth and I tried to mimic him. I whimpered into the kiss. A giddy thrill of pleasure surged down my spine and ignited my body.

I lifted my hand and clasped his t-shirt and I gasped into the kiss when I felt a cold hand slip under my t-shirt. I panicked for a minute. Was he going to go further? He didn’t, instead he traced delicate circles on my skin.

I yelped when he bit down on my lip. I pulled back, glowering at him sulkily. His eyes sparkled with mischief. I sighed and laid down. Jinxx laid down and I smiled at him. He lifted his hand and brushed some hair from my eyes.

My eyes felt heavy and I cuddled closer to him. The last thing I remember was falling asleep in his arms.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Baal shifted in his chair, the spikes were digging into his spine again. He pulled himself up and grunted angrily. He stretched and walked into the other pocket dimension.

“Jinxx?” He called.

His red eyes scanned the dimension and he walked around. Everything seemed normal and he moved round, pausing when he got to the rose on the table.

It stood on the table, encased in its glass case. He traced a clawed hand on the glass, tapping it with a claw.

A single petal fell off and landed on the table. Baal grinned. The rose was starting to show signs of decay now.

The younger demon didn’t have much time left. Baal highly doubted Jinxx would find someone, especially a human.

He couldn’t help but wonder where the younger demon was though. It was strange that he wasn’t here. The lack of souls bothered Baal, but he didn’t complain.

There was a supply on the self so he knew tonight would be all right. The older demon shuffled back to his dimension and he lowered himself back into his chair, hissing as the spikes cut into his skin.

“Not long now, Jinxx.” He chuckled.

Notes