The moment he said it, he could have beaten himself. What are you doing, you idiot?

He saw Nix disappear into the washroom in a good mood while he remained seated. What do I even want?

They had just shared an emotional moment and he had felt connected to him. Like Lyric, he wore a curse, wasn't able to be close to anyone. Would sex between them be a solution? Would he feel better? Nix didn't know what he was missing, because he didn't know it. He didn't know the closeness, the deep emotions, the bond that two could share with each other. He had slept with others before his curse without having deep feelings, so why was he worried? Shouldn't he be glad that fate gave him this chance?

Again Lyric was at the start of the spiral, what did he want? Did he really want sex? Why had he let Nix take him by surprise? Was it simply the vision the oracle had? Is it my destiny to be with him?

No, he had agreed for another reason. It had been the look in Nix' eyes. Lyric couldn't touch anyone or stay too long near others, but the protective spell allowed him at least a certain closeness. Nix was completely isolated.

"I need you. You are my... buffer. My haven of peace."

Was it a coincidence that Nix showed no signs of his curse and that Lyric suppressed the voices in his head? Was Lyric really destined to be close to Nix?

But how close is close? Nix' words were clear. Lyric had just been on the road with this demon for two days and he was completely confused. This demon was different from what he had imagined. He had seen so many facets of him during that time, and he felt something like affection for him. But that wasn't love. They weren't deep feelings, but he couldn't name what exactly it was.

At the same time, he was also afraid to find out what that might be. Sighing, he lay down on his back, staring at the ceiling. "Why are you actually worried? It's just sex. You've done it in the past." He talked to himself, but no one would answer him.

At that moment, Nix' gaze came to mind again. Was this longing really just the desire for physical closeness? Did Lyric even want more?

Hell, stop giving yourself hope. There is no heart for you, as well there isn't one for Nix. But why should they abstain from the rest? He wanted to explore this something more closely, this feeling that he had had since meeting Nix in Astaroth's home. He had been fascinated from the beginning, but when he touched Nix, something had happened. Lyric didn't know why, but his inner demon had growled. It has never done that before.

If I can touch him, if the curse really doesn't work, then maybe there is hope for me. And that's exactly what he would do. He would find out why Nix was special and whether he was immune or not.

His inner demon growled. You want him, don't you? A silent approval was given, although he had remained silent for so long.

______________________________

Feelings, romance, love at first sight. I know many people hope that it will be the absolute romantic happiness that will give rise to a lot of feelings, but I ask you a question.

How can two people who suppress their feelings for years, who have resigned themselves to loneliness, fall in love with each other?

You will receive an answer to this over time. =)

Your Mouse Goddess

Nix came out of the shower and looked at Lyric. He saw it in his face – he struggled. Had he been too hasty?

As he washed himself, he had calmed down and the excitement had flattened out a bit. You're forcing him to do something, you're taking advantage of his situation.

Hell again, and if so? He was fed up. He was tired of always being alone. The loneliness, the coldness, the distance. Nix hadn't touched anyone since his initiation, but this demon simply carried him in his warm arms. This demon silenced the voices. It was no coincidence that their paths crossed because Nix knew that Lyric was his only and last chance at something that everyone took for granted – closeness.

Of course, he wanted more. He wanted to be loved like everyone, but if he only got physical closeness, he would be content with just that. It was more than the cold nothingness of the past centuries. He felt a connection to Lyric because he understood him. This demon could understand his situation, could understand the extent of his burden.

Maybe he will see me differently at some point. He had seen Aleksander and Belial many times. He had also seen Lyric, had seen his pain. The person who means the most to you finds his heart. Lyric had seen their happiness, had seen this closeness and connectedness. That's what I want too. But Nix wouldn't have that. He wouldn't get a heart, he had come to terms with that.

But now this demon sat there, with his absolutely fascinating eyes, with this look that made his heart flutter. The last two days were the most exciting he had experienced, and he knew this trip would give him what he wanted. He would have a personal adventure, he would have fun and screw with people and now he would experience something he would never get the chance to do again.

I want to be connected to someone at least once before I leave. Yes, that was selfish and probably not fair to Lyric, but life wasn't fair. Life was a series of fateful whims and for him there would be no happy ending. That's the way it was.

Lyric sat up and looked at him. That moment seemed to last forever. Both thought the same thing. What do you really want?

Silently, Nix sat down next to the rune demon. "You don't want to, do you?" Nix noted. He bit his lip because he feared the answer.

"Latíz, what is it that you want? Do you really want it?"

This counter-question was a gruesome move. How could he argue for it, without...

"Yes." No arguments. Either Lyric would agree or not.

Nix wanted to know where this could lead, but he certainly wouldn't force the demon in front of him. He wanted Lyric to be free from fear of the consequences of the curse, maybe they would be able to get closer on an emotional level – no fear, no retention.

There were only two people Nix trusted, and those were the two who knew his real name. He had never had a choice in his life, but now he would have it. He finally wanted to take something for himself, to have something for himself. He wanted an unforgettable journey where he could tick off everything he wanted to do before his end. Do you need feelings? No. But Lyric certainly wouldn't allow any as long as this curse stood between them. Maybe it was better that way, because then Lyric wouldn't be too sad when he left.

Enough with that thought.

He gently put his hand on Lyric's cheek. His skin was soft and warm, a feeling he held on to. Warmth, proximity.

Lyric took Nix' hand and gently pulled it away. With one movement, he cast off the protective spell that had been stretched around his skin, then he led it back to the place. The warmth burned on his skin and his eyes closed with relish.

Nix couldn't help it. He ran his fingers along Lyric's face, stroked his eyebrows, down over Lyric's nose to his lips. Slowly he wandered along the curved lip arch, wanting to taste those juicy lips.

A deep, animalistic feeling rose in Nix. I want this demon.

Lyric gently broke away and pressed a kiss on the oracle's palm. Nix had touched him directly, had been in contact for a long time, but he saw no signs of his curse. I need to know if he is immune. However, this would only work if he dared to do so, if he was close to him, if he touched him. But he didn't want to sleep with Nix for a deeper reason, he wasn't ready for that.

The red eyes captivated him and for a moment he felt something like a connection, just a second. A smile spread on the face of the rune demon. "Are you sure, Nix?"

He asked the question again, but the demon's posture had changed. A harsh smell penetrated into Lyric's nose. The smell of a Fir tree at dawn and fresh dew. His inner demon growled again and he felt the heat flowing through his body. It was as if all the shackles that held him captive were falling off, for he was free. He could touch this demon, he could feel him and nothing would stop him.

Nix felt the change, the look, the hunger. "I'm ready," he said with a challenging look, aware that he was attracting Lyric.

"You will shout my name," replied the rune demon, and any doubt fell away from him.

He leaned gently over Nix and whispered in a deep voice. "Time for you to learn to fly, Kəpək."