30 Day Writing Challenge: Day 5- the Last Piece of Pie

 Guilt is a relatively new emotion for Aeron. Of course he has always had the capacity to feel guilt but what purpose would it have served in his daily life? Torturing human souls would be impossible if guilt came with every plea for mercy. So it is an emotion that he is unfamiliar and uncomfortable, to be quite frank.

Which made it all the more exasperating when he now has to address his guilt and the actions that led to him feeling this way. Truly maddening and something Aeron would find a waste of time. 

But if he dismisses the guilt he feels, then Harper will eventually move on from him, and the demon knows that he would have to confront another emotion he is unversed in: regret. 

However, one glance at Harper’s sibling proved that Aeron was not alone in his guilt. Good. The audacity the younger man must have to enter a demon’s domain and try to assert his dominance. Absolutely ridiculous. The creature is fortunate that he fears Harper’s disappointment more than he feels the need to defend his territory. Kye would have quickly became dinner for Dave if that were not the case. Oh, how would the brother react to his sister caring for a zombie? How could the two be introduced? The possibilities are endless.

“Great job stressing Harper out and pissing her off on one of the few days she is supposed to be relaxing,” Kye grumbled as he shoved the plate of pie away from him. “If you pay any attention to her, then you know work’s been hell lately. Should’ve just kept your mouth shut.”

Aeron tilted his head back and stared at the ceiling, praying that he could keep his promise to Harper and not bisembowl her sibling in her kitchen. The cleaning process alone makes the plan an undesirable one, but the idea of starting over and trying to find another human companion as understanding as she was highly unpleasant. 

“I am uncertain how you came to the conclusion that this is my fault,” the demon finally ground out, keeping his voice low to avoid disturbing the woman in the other room. “You are the one who came into our home with not only a hostile attitude but also lacking your progenitors. Therefore, it can be concluded that you are the source of your sister’s burdens.”

“Progenitors…wait! Are you saying it is my fault that our parents didn’t come to dinner?”

“No, just merely implying it.”

“That’s the same damn thing!”

“Oh, so you are more intelligent than you appear.”

“God you’re an asshole.” Kye glared at the demon for a minute before his expression melted into one of sorrow. “Look, I tried to convince my parents to come but I guess me being back in the country and Har being in a new relationship wasn’t enough to take them away from ‘her eldest son and her grandbabies’.” 

The rolled eyes and the arms crossed over his chest did little to hide the hurt he was feeling from Aeron. Feelings of anger, rejection, betrayal, and resignation filled the air of the tiny kitchen. Usually the demon indulged himself in these emotions for they were the sweetest next to fear. But some foreign emotions stopped him from feeding on the younger man’s pain. 

Ahh, it must be that pesky guilt again. Curse these human emotions. The spell that bound them should have cautioned that one of the side effects would be an increase in sentimentality.If this continues he is going to be as emotional as a vampire.Truly disgusting. However, the whale creature might prove a useful test subject for how he could utilize these new sensations.

“Perhaps,” Aeron began slowly, deciding to try his hand at being comforting. “them selecting your more favored sibling was, what do you humans say? Oh! ‘A blessing in disguise!’”

“What the hell? Why would you say that?”

Ah, more practice is needed.

“Since they did not attend, they did not hear that you now live part of the month as a horrific crossover between whale and human. As far as they know you are simply a man who is not as desirable as his brother. Personally I think it is because of the fish smell, but that sounds like a new issue. So it must be the troll-like personality.”

Rage enveloped Kye as he shot up out of his seat, rattling the dishes left on the table as he did. The younger men paused and stared at the demon before quietly walking over to him and grabbing a fistful of shirt and pulling him out of his chair. 

While normally Aeron would tear off the appendages of anyone who dared touch him in anger, this side of Kye intrigued and, the demon was reluctant to admit it even to himself, impressed him.

“You know why my mom adores my brother and doesn’t care about me or my sister,” the werecreature hissed as he pulled Aeron close enough that the demon could feel the other man’s breath on his cheek. “It’s because she didn’t want us. She was happy when it was just her, her husband, and Bradie. But then her husband died, she got remarried, and the new husband pressured her into having kids with him so that he could have a ‘real family.’ And now that we are adults, she spends all of her time with the one son she wanted, and Har and I are stuck getting whatever scraps of affection she wants to throw our way.

“So, no, not the troll-like personality,” Kye finishes as he shoves Aeron away with a firm push on the center of his chest. “Just born to the wrong man. And maybe I deserve it because I am an asshole, but Harper doesn’t. She deserves to have a family that loves her.” 

“That is what I am endeavoring to do here.”

Wait..who spoke such a sentimental proclamation. Oh, damn these uncontrollable emotions!

Kye stared at the demon for a minute before snorting in disbelief. “How painful was that for you to say?”

“Extremely.”

“Well, I appreciate it nonetheless.” A pained expression crossed his own face as he glanced towards the living room. “Listen, it sounds like we both want the same thing: for Harper to be happy. Which means seeing more of each other.”

“As such, we must learn to get along?”

“Exactly.”

“...if we must.” Aeron silently appraised the young man. Although especially irritating, he does carry a significant meaning for Harper. Injury to him is an injury to her. Therefore, he must also be protected at all cost. How exhausting. At least he is incredibly alluring when angered. Perhaps angering him will become his new hobby.

“The full moon is in five days. Do you have a plan for this?”

“Not yet. I’ll think of something.”

“Hmm Harper and I will assist you with this tomorrow.” Turning back to the table, Aeron collected the plate with the slice of pumpkin pie on it. “But for now let us enjoy the last bit of this day for giving thanks.”

“Hey, I wanted that piece of pie. You can’t even eat pie!”

“Who said it was to be ingested?”

“...Oh gross! I don’t want to know about that!”