𝐑𝐔𝐍𝐄||

Watching her stare at a blank screen is probably the highlight of my day. Every now and then, she'll close her eyes and lean back against the tree, frustration etched across her features. Her brows furrow and her lips press together in a tight line, clearly grappling with whatever mental block is holding her back.

"Having fun yet?" I tease, leaning against a nearby tree, my arms crossed as I take in the scene.

She opens one eye and gives me a withering look. "Loads. It's a writer's dream to sit here and have absolutely nothing come to mind."

"Maybe you just need a little inspiration," I suggest, my tone light and playful.

"Oh, so now you're an expert on overcoming writer's block?" she retorts, closing her laptop with a sigh.

"Well, I've read your stuff. It's not bad, you know," I admit, trying to offer some encouragement.

She looks at me, a mix of surprise and embarrassment on her face. "You read my stuff? Even the... um, more detailed scenes?"

I can't help but grin. "Especially those. Very educational."

She groans, burying her face in her hands. "Great. Just what I needed—a demon critique."

I laugh, stepping closer. "Hey, I'm not just any demon. I'm a fan."

She peeks at me from between her fingers, a reluctant smile tugging at her lips. "Alright, Mr. Fan. How do you suggest I get past this writer's block?"

I think for a moment, then gesture towards the creek. "How about a swim? Clear your mind, and let the ideas flow. Or, if you prefer, we can brainstorm together. Two heads are better than one, right?"

She considers this, then slowly nods. "Alright. But if I catch you reading over my shoulder, you're going to regret it."

I hold up my hands in mock surrender. "Scout's honor. No peeking."

She rolls her eyes but can't hide the small smile forming. As we head towards the creek, I can't help but feel a strange sense of anticipation. Maybe today won't be so boring after all.

Jeniva takes off her top, revealing a dark blue bikini that perfectly complements her skin tone, hair, and even her eyes. The contrast is striking, and I can't help but admire how it all comes together. She slowly steps into the water, each movement deliberate as she inches her way deeper and deeper.

Meanwhile, I take a more direct approach. With a playful grin, I leap straight into the creek, relishing the sudden, exhilarating shock of cold water against my skin. I emerge with a whoop, shaking water from my hair and looking over at Jeniva.

"You sure know how to take your time," I tease, splashing water in her direction.

She laughs, the sound light and free, blending perfectly with the natural symphony around us. "Some of us prefer not to freeze all at once," she retorts, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she finally submerges herself up to her shoulders.

"Come on, it's refreshing!" I insist, swimming closer to her. "And besides, a little shock to the system might be just what you need to shake off that writer's block."

She rolls her eyes but smiles, her tension visibly easing as she acclimates to the water. "I guess there's some truth to that," she admits, paddling a bit further out.

For a while, we swim in companionable silence, the water cool and invigorating. The sun filters through the canopy above, casting dappled patterns on the surface of the creek. It's a moment of tranquility, a rare respite from the constant demands of life and the chaos I tend to bring with me.

"Okay," Jeniva says after a while, floating on her back and looking up at the sky. "I admit, this was a good idea."

"Of course it was," I reply, floating next to her. "I'm full of good ideas."

She laughs again, a sound I could get used to hearing. "We'll see about that."

"So, tell me about the book you're writing," I ask, curious to hear more about her creative process. Jeniva lets out a heavy sigh, clearly frustrated.

"I have so many ideas," she begins, "and every time I try to focus on one, I get bombarded with new ones. But the story I'm working on right now revolves around two characters: Chloe, the main character, and Haye, the male lead. Haye is this intense stalker who's been obsessed with Chloe for a while. Chloe knows she has a stalker, so she installs all these safety measures around her house, things she inherited from her grandparents. She even gets security cameras installed, not realizing that the owner of the security company is Haye himself."

"Sounds intense," I remark, genuinely intrigued.

"It is," Jeniva continues. "Haye's obsession goes so far that he kills anyone who gets too close to Chloe. And the twisted part is, a part of Chloe is thrilled by it. She likes knowing that someone is so fixated on her that he'd kill for her."

"That's definitely dark," I say, nodding. "But fascinating."

"The problem is," Jeniva sighs, "when it comes to writing the... spicier scenes, I get stuck. I've read stories where the male lead chases the female through the woods, and if he catches her, he... you know, takes her. Or they play hide and seek, and if she gets caught, he can do whatever he wants to her. But I've never experienced anything like that, so I struggle to capture the emotions and sensations accurately."

I swim closer, considering her words. "It's a tough balance," I agree. "But you don't need to experience everything firsthand to write about it convincingly. You just need to tap into the underlying emotions—fear, excitement, desire. Those are universal."

Jeniva looks at me thoughtfully. "That makes sense, but there's still a gap between what I can imagine and what I can put into words."

"Have you ever tried role-playing or putting yourself in your characters' shoes?" I suggest. "It might help bridge that gap."

She blushes slightly, looking away. "I've thought about it, but it feels silly. Like I'm just playing pretend."

"Writing is a lot like playing pretend," I point out. "It's about immersing yourself in the story. Start with a scene where Chloe is aware of Haye watching her. Focus on her internal reactions. How does her body respond? What thoughts go through her mind?"

Jeniva considers this, her eyes narrowing in thought. "I guess I could try that. It's just... intimidating."

"Every writer feels that way," I reassure her. "But you've got a great story idea. Just take it one scene at a time. And if you ever need feedback, you've got your own personal demon to help out."

She laughs, the sound bright and genuine. "Thanks, Rune. I might just take you up on that."

As we continue to swim, I can't help but feel a sense of pride. Maybe I'm not just here to spice things up. Maybe I can actually help her, too.

"This is a personal question, but have you ever... fucked anyone?" I ask, unable to mask my curiosity. Jeniva glances over at me, her eyes wide with surprise.

"Um, I... that is none of your business," she stammers, her cheeks flushing.

I let out a sigh, feeling a twinge of regret. "Sorry, I didn't mean to intrude on your personal life," I say, bowing my head slightly in a gesture of apology.

"It's okay," she says after a moment, her tone softening. "Sometimes curiosity gets the better of us." She smiles slightly, trying to keep the peace between us.

I return her smile, feeling relieved. Without warning, I scoop up a handful of the cold creek water and splash her playfully.

Jeniva gasps, momentarily stunned by the icy shock. Then she bursts into laughter, the sound echoing through the trees. "Oh, you're so going to pay for that!" she declares, retaliating with a splash of her own.

We spend the next few minutes splashing each other, our laughter mingling with the sounds of the creek and the rustling leaves. For a moment, it feels like we're the only two people in the world, enjoying the simplicity of the moment.

As the splashing subsides, we find ourselves standing closer together, both of us catching our breath. "You know," I say, grinning, "for someone who claims to be boring, you sure know how to have fun."

Jeniva rolls her eyes but smiles back at me. "Well, maybe you just bring out the fun side of me."

"Maybe I do," I reply, my tone playful yet sincere.

We wade back to the edge of the creek, sitting on a large, smooth rock that overlooks the water. The sun is warm on our skin, and the world feels alive around us.

"To answer your question, no, I haven't ever done... it," Jeniva admits, her cheeks tinged with a hint of pink. She's so innocent. You'd think with her parents being so strict and religious, she'd rebel by doing something like cursing or hooking up with someone, but she's done neither.

"Waiting until marriage?" I ask, genuinely curious.

She shakes her head. "I'm not a prude. I'm just waiting for the right person. I don't want it to be just anyone," she explains, her voice steady.

I nod, understanding where she's coming from. "I get it. You want it to be special, with someone who means something to you."

"Exactly," she replies, her eyes meeting mine. "I don't want it to be a random, meaningless experience. I want it to be memorable, for the right reasons."

I smile at her honesty. "That's actually pretty wise. A lot of people rush into things without thinking it through."

Jeniva shrugs, a small smile playing on her lips. "I guess I just have different priorities. And besides, with everything going on, it's not like I have a lot of time to think about dating."

"Well, whoever that right person ends up being, they're going to be really lucky," I say, sincerity lacing my words.

She laughs softly, shaking her head. "Thanks, Rune. That means a lot."

We fall into a comfortable silence, the sounds of the creek and the rustling leaves filling the space between us. I can't help but feel a growing admiration for her—her strength, her values, and her unwavering sense of self. Maybe, just maybe, I've found something special too.

"So, is this what you normally look like?" Jeniva asks, swimming closer to me, her curiosity palpable. "Because I would have never imagined a demon to look well... like that."

I chuckle, shaking my head. "No, this isn't my true form. I'm normally a much more terrifying sight, but I didn't want to scare you."

Her eyes widen slightly, but she doesn't back away. "Can you show me someday? Since you're going to stay with me until I die," she requests, her tone surprisingly casual.

I raise an eyebrow, surprised by her bravery. "Maybe, but you'd have to promise not to send me back to hell," I remark with a teasing grin.

She laughs, the sound light and musical. "You can't be that scary."

"You'd be surprised," I reply, my voice dropping a notch. "The true form of a demon is something out of nightmares."

Jeniva's laughter fades into a thoughtful smile. "I think I could handle it. Besides, you've been nothing but kind to me so far."

Her words touch something deep inside me. "We'll see," I say, keeping my tone light, but there's a part of me that hopes she never has to see that side of me. "For now, let's just enjoy the creek."

She nods, her smile brightening as she splashes me playfully. "Alright, deal. But someday, I want to see the real you."

"Someday," I agree, splashing her back. "But until then, you'll have to settle for this charming disguise."

"Charming, huh?" she teases, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "We'll see about that."