"Open your mouth for me, nice and wide. Good girl."

As I did as instructed, the casual praise felt funny. Not quite good, but nowhere close to bad. Just...strange. It wasn't something I was used to, so comprehending it properly was a challenge.

Two-toned eyes met mine as something long and hard was pressed upon my tongue, and I didn't dare look away. It felt like it would be a colossal mistake to do so, no matter how hard it was to keep from gagging.

If it makes him happy, then this is fine...

"Alright, good. You're the epitome of health." The demon nodded to himself, removing the tongue depressor from my mouth. "My apologies. I have to keep a close eye on any change in your health, you know that. I understand if it feels invasive."

"Yeah, no, I get it. I'm pretty used to it by now, so I don't mind." I kind of did, but it wasn't like it was doing me any harm, so there was no point in complaining about it. "So...am I, like, compatible, or whatever I'm supposed to be..? You never tell me, no matter how many times you do this."

The demon's expression shifted upon hearing my question, somewhat disappointed, yet apologetic at the same time.
"The problem is that you're not supposed to be compatible, yet here you are, thriving. It doesn't make a lick of sense."

Believe me, I know that...

Tapping my fingers on the aged wooden dining table I was seated at, I followed the movement of his hands packing away the utensils he had used to check me over.
"You still haven't told anybody about me, have you?"

It was a very fair, straightforward question, in my opinion, but his hands still made pause, muscles momentarily tense before he turned to offer me what he likely deemed to be an apologetic smile.

"Can you really blame me for wanting to keep such a gorgeous young woman all to myself?" He tried his hand at teasing, though this time I wasn't quite the fool.
"I'm really starting to question whether or not that's a joke nowadays..." I deadpanned.

With a closed-eyed sigh, the demon approached, the silky touch of his gloved hands cupping my cheeks welcomed, despite my responses to his words.

"(Y/N), my dear, I've explained this to you, time and time again, in great length and detail." He began, using that kind, soft tone that part of me hoped was just for me. "Your situation is unheard of, and therefore brings an astronomical risk, not only to your well-being, but that of the entire Devildom. Soon, I-"

"I know, but what does soon mean for you? Because I think there may be a completely different definition down here compared to what I'm used to." I seldom ever cut off his words, but I was growing weary of the same explanation, day in and day out.

Every damn time...

"Can you even tell me how long I've been hidden away here in this cabin? No offence, but considering I'm not even allowed outside, and you're the only person I ever see, it's making you look a lot like one of those creepy men who abduct girls to keep as wives."

Sweeping my hair out of my face, the demonic man genuinely appeared to be apologetic, his lips pursed as he tried to formulate a new response that would sound like a broken record.
"It has been...a while, yes, and I do apologise. Really, I do. This whole situation isn't fair on you, but I want to keep you safe, and I also want to keep the Devildom safe, too."

It was hard not to allow his tender words and touch to distract me, but even though it softened my exterior just a little, I held strong, taking one of his hands and pulling it away from my face.
"What isn't fair is that I'm not getting my questions answered. Please, just, tell me how long it's been?"

That was the question I wanted answered the most. I could tell it had been a very, very long time, but due to my circumstances, I didn't know exactly how long. I had the right to know, and I prayed that he would honour that.

He didn't want to tell me, that much was obvious, but there was no possible way he could avoid it any longer. He knew that just as well as I did.
"It's nearing...forty years..."

Forty...what..?

I felt my body slump, the tension of my anticipation rushing away on the non-existent wind. I knew it wasn't a very long time for a demon, just a fleeting moment, really, but for me? Forty years he'd held me here? How had I not realised that much time had elapsed?

"Forty...years..." I found myself repeating those words, and the demon tried to caress my face once more.
"Now, I understand that it's a lot to comprehend, bu-"
"FORTY FREAKING YEARS?!"

I stood abruptly, the chair tipping over and causing a loud bang, but he didn't even flinch. He just stood there, ready for me to work through my whirlwind of emotions as I saw fit.
"Yes. Forty years."

Taking him by the shoulders, I began to shake him back and forth, but he allowed it, looking empathetic but not at all frazzled.
"HOW HAS IT BEEN THAT LONG?! I HAVEN'T AGED A DAY?! START TALKING, MISTER!"

He just looked at me, as if to say I should know the answer, and truly, I did. That didn't make it any less horrifying to accept, though. The Devildom was still a mystery to me, but even this seemed a little far fetched to me.

"Calm yourself." Gloved hands took hold of my waist, stilling me instantly with very little effort. I already knew that, if he wanted to, at any point, he could completely overpower me. "All I can say is that I am sorry, and I will endeavour to sort this situation out as quickly as I can. No more delaying things. I want to do right by you."

Demon or not, I was positive the creature before me was being sincere. Despite the way he was going about things, he genuinely gave a damn, which was more than I could say about others who had been a part of my life.

"Then do right by me and let me out of here. Please..." I could see the reflection of my face in his two-toned eyes, no different than yesterday, or a month ago, or even forty years ago, pleading for some kind of help.

Taking a step back, but not before giving my waist a slight squeeze, the man took a slow breath and placed a hand to his chest.
"My apologies, (Y/N), but I have been summoned. I shall return soon to bring you your dinner."

Before he had even finished his sentence I had sprung forth, reaching out to likely throttle him once more.
"No no no no no!" But it was too late. Without smoke or shift, he had vanished into thin air, as though he had never existed at all.

Fists balling at my sides, I felt my frustrations welling up to the point of overflow. Ignoring the itch at my scalp and tail bone, I threw my head back and screamed towards the ceiling, hoping that, by some miracle, he would hear it.

"BARBATOS, YOU SON OF A BITCH!"