Page 29 of Demon's Desire

Fuck, Onyx wanted to spend time with Nico. How annoying. He couldn’t even deny it to himself.

“You won’t get rid of me that easily,” he grumbled.

8

NICO

Nico handed Onyx a controller.“I’m not trying to get rid of you.”

Onyx glared, like the reassurance was offensive. “Even if you were, it’s not like I need you to entertain me.”

“Of course not.” Nico sagged into the couch. A moment ago, Onyx had been opening up, and Nico wanted that back. “Maybe I needyouto entertainme.”

Onyx didn’t seem to know what to say to that.

Nico’s face heated, and he turned his attention to the TV. Hopefully, Onyx wouldn’t read into it.

He didn’treallyneed anyone to keep him company. He wasn’t lonely. But he wanted this. Onyx next to him on his couch was…not soothing—because it wasOnyx—but welcome. The prickly demon fit, strangely like he belonged, even if Nico kept most of his friends out of his private space.

“Let’s start withPower. It’s by the same people who createdWorld’s End, but it’s not as involved.” Nico selected the game and started from the beginning. The intro music played, and Onyx watched the screen with apparent interest.

After a minute, he said, “Why are we watching a movie?”

Nico laughed. “Just be patient.”

Onyx crossed his arms and slouched further into the couch. Once the intro was over, Nico attempted to guide Onyx through creating his character, but he didn’t seem interested in any of the options. Nico quickly chose what he needed and passed him the controller.

“Play through the tutorial.”

Onyx looked from the screen to his hands. “I don’t get what it’s telling me to do.”

Nico scooched closer until he was almost pressed against Onyx. “The buttons are labeled.” He pointed.

“Oh.” Onyx pressed a mash of buttons, and the character on screen did a random mix of moves. “It’s going to take forever to get good at this. How much damn time has Dante wasted learning so many games?”

“It’s not like either of you are short on time.”

“No. I guess not. And I do like to try everything once.” Onyx made more of an effort to follow the on-screen instructions.

“Everything?” Nico couldn’t help asking.

Onyx cocked his head, blue hair falling artfully to the side. “Pretty much. Though if it’s sexual, I like to give it more than a one-and-done. To be sure. Things like ironing or building a ship in a bottle don’t need further investigation.”

“You’ve built a ship in a bottle?” Nico wasn’t sure if mentioning it in the same breath as ironing or sex was weirder.

“Miniatures are fascinating, even if I don’t particularly enjoy making them myself.” Onyx turned back to the TV and tried again. “Don’t look so shocked that I have hobbies.”

“Sorry. I’ve never met anyone who’s built a ship in a bottle.”

“I guess I’ll forgive you then. I’m sure it’s not the last time I’ll shock you.”

Nico bristled. “I’m not exactly innocent.”

Onyx’s attention snapped back to Nico, glee brightening his face. “Oh? Are you a naughty little witch?”

“Fuck.” Nico’s body flashed hot. Not expecting that, he scrambled, “I-I’m not little.”

Onyx’s gaze raked over him, searing even without fire in his eyes. “Would you prefer young?”