Chapter 5: Stanzas
Hon slowly opened his eyes with the morning rays of sunshine and got really surprised. Right in front of him was Xuan’s calm face, his eyes half-opened, looking directly into his, so close that it felt very awkward, yet conforming.
Just as he realised that it’s not just his eyes, and that he has the rest of the body, Hon found his left arm circling around Xuan’s shoulders.
„Good morning.“ Xuan said with a smile.
Hon panicked and quickly stood up, lifting his arm. He coughed and turned around to face the door. Oh god, what has he done now?
While Xuan stayed sitting on the chair, watching Hon’s every step, Hon stood up and without a single word by none of them, he speed-walked to the kitchen, closed the doors behind him and sat behind the table.
He stood up again right after and walked to the stove. He totally forgot about the food since he wasn’t hungry, but there was another person who needed to eat. Who knows when Xuan woke up, hungry and all, but wasn’t able to do anything because of the arm that was resteing over him.
He tried to look for some food and stuff for cooking and, eventually, he found a drawer with pots, pans, chopsticks, plates and some other cutlery. He took some stuff out, closing the drawer with his hip.
When he turned around, he was facing Xuan again. Hon took a step back, nearly dropping all of the equipment that he was holding.
Xuan was standing very close to Hon, holding some fruits and vegetables, smiling. „I found this. Let’s cook something.“ He said and together with Hon they put all the stuff and food on the table.
„I- I have no idea how to cook.“ Hon said after calming down a little and, after a while of looking through everything, he remembered that he really didn’t know how to cook. He didn’t even know what some things in front of him were.
What was he even planning to do if Xuan didn’t decide to help him? He could’ve poisoned him! Was it even possible if he just threw what he’d found on the table on the plate?
„Don’t worry, I’ll cook. You just sit down there.“ Xuan pointed at the chair next to a table, signaling Hon to sit there.
Now that he got a moment to think about it, why were there even chairs? Not many people owned chairs, even his family had exactly one, which was only used by his grandfather.
And this small forest cottage had multiple ones? AND IN THE KITCHEN? Wow, Hon must’ve been really rich and fancy if he could afford that.
Xuan shook his head. Of course he was rich, he was the devil. Rika’s letter honestly scared him a bit. Not the letter itself but the things written in there. He couldn’t understand them. He simply couldn’t.
And he still wasn’t over what he did yesterday. That was really terrible, wasn’t it? Cutting someone’s arm off just like that?
But Hon didn’t seem to mind it at all...
Even Xuan was in some way proud of himself that his grandfather’s teachings weren’t for nothing...
He got back to cooking. There was no use overthinking it. That’s what he told himself in the morning, when he woke up with Hon’s arm around him. He knew what was Hon trying to do: Make him feel safe. And it worked. It even made him happy. That’s why he couldn’t stop smiling ever since then.
He took some foodstuff he needed and walked over to the stove.
Hon sat down meanwhile. He was following Xuan with his eyes, supporting his head with his hand, and after a while of silence, he said: „Let’s talk.“
Xuan threw something into the pot in front of him. He didn’t stop cooking and replied: „About what?“
„I-I don’t know. About anything, I guess. I just need to f-fix my speech if I want to return to the demon realm.“
„Is there something wrong with your speech?“
Xuan noticed, but didn’t mind at all. Although, when Rika reminded Hon of it, of something only those who knew him before could really notice, he became even more insecure about his voice.
His speech was always so clean and nearly as beautiful as that of an angel, his voice always soft and gentle.
It was still soft and gentle, even in this body, but in a way that was unnatural for him. He sometimes managed to trip over his words or messed up the word order, which angered him a lot.
„You know there is.“
„Well, I don’t mind it. Everyone has their own ways of...“ He couldn’t finish his thought, because Hon cut him off:
„But others mind. Especially when I’m the- When I’m the demon king.“
Xuan just nodded and added something to the pot.
„Also we’re... f-friends, aren’t we? That’s apparently what friends do.“ Hon added and Xuan laughed.
„What is your favourite colour?“ Hon asked when he realised Xuan wasn’t taking it seriously.
„Are we going to ask questions?“
„No, I am going to ask and you’ll reply. This way I can t-talk more and I’ll also get to know you. We’ll do this every day, alright?“
„Two flies in one hit, I see. Alright, but then you tell me something from your life. You talk more and I will also get to know you better.“
„It’s a deal then. And now- What is your fav- favourite colour?“ Hon insisted.
Xuan smiled again and replied: „Crimson red.“
„Really? I thought it would be green or teal...“
„Just because I wear green clothes doesn’t mean I love green...“
„That’s... Understandable. Why do you have four leaf clovers there?“
„Family tradition and good luck charm.“
„Interesting. Does it work?“
„It didn’t work until now...“ Xuan said silently and glanced at Hon.
„And does it work now?“
„I met you so... I guess?“
Hon smiled, put his hand down and started playing with his fingers. Then, he asked:
„Am I that great?“
„Of course. I don’t feel alone when I’m with you...“
„...“
„Sorry if it was inappropriate...“ Xuan said, slightly embarrassed after not getting any answer.
„No, no. It’s... Fine... I actually feel the same way... It’ll be hard when we’ll have to act-actually part.“
„But I am not planning on leaving you.“
„Xuan... I am a demon king...“ And that was true. Even if he brought him to the demon realm, no matter how much Hon wanted to keep him by his side, sooner or later, Xuan would actually die and his soul would just... But let’s not get ahead of the story.
„Then I’ll work for you. I already told you I would kill myself if it was the only option.“ Xuan said, dead serious.
„Don’t... Don’t say that again.“
„Sorry.“
„...You’ll find someone to stand by your side eventually. Someone better t-than me...“
„...“
„A-Anyways, how come we get to this from a clover ornament?“
Xuan laughed: „I just told you that I won’t leave you, that’s all.“
„Alright... Another question! It might be a little too personal so you... Don’t have to answer... If you don’t want to.“
„What is it?“
„How- Just how big was your family?“
„Grandparents, parents and three siblings. My brother died when I was younger, that was also the reason we moved to this country. I believe you noticed my name’s not very common for this region. Well... Now they’re all gone...“ Xuan said and sighed. He still didn‘t move on, but he managed to think less about it. Was it good trying to forget about them? Who knows. „Why do you ask?“ He added.
„I saw their corpses...“
„You‘ve been in my house?“
„Yes, they were lying in the beds in multiple rooms w-with many talismans stuck all over them, I’ve never seen something like that before.“
„It’s also a tradition. If multiple people from a family die, they are put into separate rooms for a night, so their souls won’t get mixed or something like that... It’s very odd and I have never heard of anyone else doing it too... Ehm... Anyways, when have you been there?“
„After I got rid of those monsters and saved at least you... Later, in the night, I slept there, probably in your room since it was t-the only empty one...“
Xuan didn’t answer this time, just nodded.
„...Your bed was very comfortable.“
„Thank you??“ Xuan didn’t quite understand if it was a compliment or something else.
„No problem. Don’t you want to go back?“
„I don’t have anyone back there...“ Xuan said and looked at the floor.
„And what about that woman who wanted to take you in?“
„How- How do you know about that?“ Xuan raised his head and turned around to look at Hon. Was he actually stalking him or something?
„W-Well... I happened to be in the same restaurant as her and heard her talking about you...“ Hon admitted.
„You knew about me even before you jumped into that river??“
„Yes. What an insane coincidence that it was you who also saved me.“ Hon laughed.
„You weren’t stalking me all this time... Were you?“ Xuan asked, afraid of getting the real answer.
„Of course not! It was just a strange coincidence, nothing else.“
Xuan held the knife tightly, but then relaxed and turned back to his cooking. There wasn’t any point in attacking Hon again. Even if he stalked him, was there really any problem with it? He was still the only one he had at the moment and he didn’t seem like he wanted to hurt him.
But, after all, they were still just strangers. And this stranger happened to be THE demon king. Was it alright to be getting all friendly so soon? He thought about it for the entire night and when he woke up with Hon’s arm around him, he felt like no matter if it was alright, he wanted to wake up like this every morning.
„I trust you.“ Xuan said and thought „Please, don’t do anything weird.“
He genuinely loved this man. Of course he was still afraid of him, but he also felt so comfortable around him and didn’t know what else to use to describe this feeling, so he called it „love“. He was aware of the age difference between them, but didn’t care at all. He didn’t feel this way before and wasn’t sure if it was romantic or platonic, but Hon just generally attracted him.
When he saved him, it wasn’t that deep, but after he cut off his arm and he still forgave him, his heart melted. He didn’t want to just sit next to him, talk and eat together, he wanted to feel his touch, to hug him and never let go, to know everything about him and to be close to him. He never wanted to leave his side.
„Wait, was it even his touch if it wasn’t his body?“ he thought again. He was so confused about all this demon stuff. He actually never believed in ghosts and demons in the first place and now he was in love with one.
This demon was just so interesting, so strong and still so gentle and awkward and his actions were so cute, Xuan just couldn’t help it.
„Anyways, this woman’s name is miss Komaru. She was a family friend, but she never wanted to have anything to do with me. I also don’t want anyone else in that city to suffer because of me.“ He said.
„So you... You don’t want to get close to any human being so you won’t hurt them?“ Hon asked.
„Exactly.“
„I understand why you want to die for me now...“
„Can I?“
„No.“
Xuan stayed silent. He knew that even if he really wanted to, Hon wouldn’t let him kill himself. He didn’t understand why, since Hon was also dead, but Hon had his own reasons.
So, Xuan just nodded and turned around again. „The food’s ready. Close your eyes.“
Hon closed his eyes as ordered and Xuan put two plates full of something on the table.
Xuan forgot about the second part of their deal and didn’t ask anything personal.
Hon opened his eyes after smelling it and looked at it closely.
It looked very tasty. It was a salad made of broccoli and tomatoes. But Xuan didn’t stop serving and when he was about to put two cups of tea and sugar in front of Hon, he noticed that he has already opened his eyes.
„Your highness... You ruined the surprise...“ Xuan said, his face turning down.
Hon was a little surprised by Xuan calling him „your highness“. It was nice when he called him like that, but Hon wasn’t his ruler. Xuan probably didn’t realise it, but it was a bit awkward.
„You can still call me Hon...“
„What’s wrong with „Your highness“? Isn’t it one of your titles too?“
„But I am not your ruler.“
„Oh, but you are the ruler of my heart~“ Xuan said dramatically and started laughing.
„Yeah, yeah, whatever...“ Hon said and added two sugar cubes as usual into his tea.
Xuan stopped laughing but he was still smiling. He said: „Alright, alright... I’ll just call you whatever I feel like calling you. Now, please, enjoy your meal.“
„Thanks.“ Hon said and started eating. His eyes shone since it was so good and when Xuan noticed it, it made him so happy that his beloved liked the meal he made.
He couldn’t help but chuckle and stare at Hon, but he was enjoying his food and ignored Xuan’s stare.
He wasn’t used to eating at all, since he wasn’t feeling hungry and food was too expensive for him. Even though he was a feared demon king, he didn’t have any authority in the human realm. And after so many years with minimum food, he had two amazing meals in just two days! One by Rika and now by Xuan!
He was somehow getting used to this, but also couldn’t wait to get rid of this body and finally be able to forget about the whole „food“ term.
After he finished his meal, he noticed that Xuan’s plate was still full.
„Xuan, you have to eat.“ He said, worried.
„...“ Xuan forgot about the food in front of him while looking at Hon. He never thought that someone would tell him to eat. Definitely not Hon.
„I wanted to cook something just because of you...“ After Hon said this, Xuan’s eyes widened and shone. He really wasn’t expecting Hon to care about him. It made him so incredibly happy that he immediately started eating. Hon was confused, but glad that Xuan ate it.
It was really tasty. Xuan was surprised he managed to make something this good by himself. He has never cooked alone before. Most of the time, he wasn’t even allowed into the kitchen, if he was lucky enough, he got in and watched his mother cook.
He learnt all this by just watching someone else cook. Also, how the hell did he not burn anything?
It was probably thanks to Hon’s aura blocking his bad luck, and thanks to that, the cottage they were staying in still stood.
Hon waited for Xuan to finish eating so they could drink tea together.
Xuan finished it quickly and wanted to wash the dishes first, but Hon stopped him.
„The tea will get c-cold. Let’s drink it first and then I’ll help you with cleaning.“
Xuan smiled and sat back. He also added two sugar cubes, following Hon, and they happily drank it together.
Then Xuan stood up and took the dishes to clean them. „Wait! I told you I’ll help you with it!“ Hon yelled at him.
Xuan turned around, slightly shocked, because he heard Hon yell only once before and that was when they both nearly drowned.
„No offense, but... How do you want to wash the dishes with only one hand?“
„Did you cut off my arm because you wanted to wash the dishes alone?“
„...“
They both fell into silence after this, but Hon started laughing before it became too awkward. Xuan couldn‘t find it funny at all and silently moved to the sink. While was Xuan doing the dishes, Hon spoke up in a serious tone:
„We have to leave today.“
„Alright.“ Xuan nodded. He didn’t ask any further. He knew that Hon was returning to the demon realm so he had to get to the portal soon.
On the other hand, Hon wasn’t planning to return to the demon realm before. He just remembered when he met Rika again, that the last words he told her were „When I travel the entire world, find me.“ And so, she did.
He didn’t even realise it, but after 50 years, he managed to travel around the whole world. He entered the human realm somewhere in China, travelled to Europe, Africa, then he sailed across the sea to South America, then he walked to North America, travelled to Japan and from there he walked blindly over Asia and Australia for 20 years. Now, he is in Japan again.
During his travels, he experienced a lot of things, met a lot of people, and was getting bored of everything. So, of course he was everywhere! And because Rika is Rika, she was probably secretly monitoring his every step so she could find and bring him back anytime.
And, because she probably already let everyone know that he’s returning, he had no other option but to do so.
He just really didn’t know how to take Xuan with him. Was there any ritual or something to bring a mortal into the demon realm? If demons were able to enter the human realm, there had to be a way for sure! And yeah, there was a way, he‘s heard of other demon rulers bringing in some „pets“, but Hon never actually tried it himself. He never even thought about interacting with mortals more than he needed to, so, why on earth would he bring anyone back with him?
If only he could contact Rika and ask her... And then he realised that there has always been a way of contacting the demon realm. The undead birds! Crows!
Crows were the easiest way of communication with the demon realm, but if one wanted to communicate with another this way, they both had to understand the language of birds, which was as natural to know to demons as any other language in the world.
Crows somehow had their own rules of existence and they were able to enter the demon realm as they pleased, so demons and ghosts that lived in the human realm frequently used them for communicating with the demon realm.
„Xuan, I’ll ask Rika h-how to take you with me to the demon realm without harming you.“
„You can talk to her?“
„Somehow. I’ll be back soon.“
Xuan nodded and Hon went out. He walked to the highest spot he could see, which was just 30 minutes from the house, chanted something and raised his left arm. Suddenly, a crow landed on it.
„Can you fl-ly to the demon realm and leave a message for the secretary Rika of the circle of Violence?“
Hon asked and the crow cawed, seeming to agree.
„Then, p-please, ask her if there’s any way to bring a mortal into the demon realm. If there’s any way, then also tell her to w-write it down on a paper and bring it to me. You’ll find me on the road to the portal.“
The crow seemed to caw something which sounded like „Yes, your highness“ and wanted to fly away, when Hon added: „Also, tell her that I’m taking a g-good care of the necklace.“ That should convince her that I’m doing the right thing, Hon thought.
The crow flew away into the blue skies and Hon sighed and sat down. He watched the bright scenery for a while and started humming some melody. It was a melody he remembered from when he was alive, he used to hum it when he needed to calm down while fighting, later when he wasn’t sure how to solve some problems in his territory, but, in the past 50 years, he didn‘t feel nervous at all, so he hummed it when he was bored.
When he returned, he found Xuan in front of the house, picking up some leaves again. When he was picking up leaves this cheerfully the last time, Hon lost an arm, but he was sure he won’t try to hurt him again. He just hoped he wouldn't regret it.
„I sent a message. We s-should get an answer soon. Are you ready to leave or do you want to pack anything?“
„Not at all! Let’s go!“
Xuan said cheerfully and they left the cottage abandoned again. This seemed rather familiar, at least for Hon, but he couldn’t remember why exactly.
Xuan was picking up some leaves he found pretty and showed some of them to Hon, who had no idea how this boy was able to enjoy this childish activity after so many things that just happened.
Hon just wasn’t able to tell what leaves are pretty or ugly. They were just leaves. It would be more understandable if he was looking for a four-leaf clover or some flowers, but why basic fallen leaves? They were literally everywhere around them.
But, maybe... He would also enjoy this if he was younger... Maybe he saw so many ugly things that he wasn’t able to enjoy these small things anymore.
And Xuan understood he wasn’t interested, but that didn’t stop him from still picking those leaves up and showing them right into Hon’s face.
Hon was getting bored of walking and with Xuan ignoring him, minding only his leaves, he started humming the melody again.
Xuan stopped picking the leaves and came to Hon. He walked by his side for a while and when Hon stopped humming, he said, surprised: „You know that song?“
„Y-you know it too?“ Hon was surprised.
„My mom used to sing it to me when I was younger.“
„Oh! No wonder it got popular after 300 years...“
„It’s not that popular... She told me it’s just some old family song.“
„And here I thought it was my family‘s original song. Or what if-“ Hon stopped and looked at Xuan with sparkling eyes. „What if we’re some kind of family?“
When Xuan saw his excited face, he looked away and silently said: „I hope we’re not.“ And then left to pick up some more leaves.
Xuan didn’t want to think about the possibility that his beloved would be his family. Even if they were so far from each other in the family tree- family is still a family. And he wasn’t comfortable with incest. So he told himself that it’s not a possibility and, again, minded his own business.
Hon didn’t understand why it suddenly made him so upset, but he didn’t want to dig deeper. There wasn’t a big chance of them being a family anyways, since he was, apparently, the only one from his who survived. And the price for his life was too high. He didn’t even live that long. He didn’t even remember most of the things.
And as the two of them walked together in silence, they heard some weird noises coming from behind the trees right next to them.
Xuan quickly came to Hon, who stood in front of him and raised his left hand, in which he already held the katana to protect him.
„Stay close.“ Hon whispered and held his katana even tighter. They slowly moved to the trees and when they heard the noises getting louder, they stepped back.
Hon pointed his katana to the direction where the voices came from, ready to attack. It was a bit difficult holding it with his left hand, being so used to using his right one, but nothing he couldn’t do. He didn’t have any other choice anyways.
Xuan was hiding behind his back. Neither of them was scared, because, if it weren’t another demon monarch, Hon could easily slice it into pieces, even with his powers being reduced. They were just cautious.
Soon, two people, one tall man in dark red elegant kimono, with long blonde hair tied in a ponytail, an eyepatch over his left eye, and one also tall, even taller than the man, woman, in a dark red dress, with fluffy bright red boa and long straight black hair, came out from the forest.
„I FUCKING TOLD YOU THAT THIS WAS THE WRONG DIRECTION!“
„DON’T SAY BULLSHIT I TOLD YOU THIS IS NOT THE RIGHT WAY BUT YOU IGNORANT PIG DIDN’T LISTEN TO ME AGAIN!“
„EXCUSE ME?! IS THIS HOW YOU TALK TO YOUR QUEEN?!“
„I-“ the man wasn’t able to say any other word.
Then they both noticed two other people looking at them, one of them even pointing a katana at them.
Soon, the man kneeled down and bowed. „Your highness.“
„You little shit. I am your highness. Don’t bow to Yumeno. Anyways, Yumeno, sweetie, don’t point that thing at me, it wouldn’t be nice if I accidentally broke it, would it?“ The woman asked and smiled.
Hon sighed and returned his katana into its case.
„You know them?“ Xuan whispered to Hon, who just nodded.
„Florence... What a surprise seeing you here.“ Hon smiled awkwardly and slightly bowed.
„Oh, I missed you! Leaving without saying a word? As a king, you should watch your manners!“ Florence said with a big smile on her face and kicked the other man’s waist.
„You useless lowlife! Get up.“ She said and the man stood up as she ordered.
Then, she approached Hon, put her arm under his and dragged him down the path. She ignored Xuan, who was standing behind him, and happily talked to Hon.
Xuan and the man followed them. The man didn’t even look at Xuan, but Xuan was nervously looking at him and then back at Hon. That big guy somehow reminded him of a bull. And that woman... Whatever she was wearing didn’t seem like anything he’s seen before.
Well, they were foreigners. This was probably the first time he’s seen someone with round eyes, and it amazed him. He would observe them a bit more if he wasn’t so scared.
„So, darling, I heard that you’re coming back! Such great news! You know, I was starting to miss our late night conversations and tea parties! You were the only one who actually didn’t mind when I ate all the desserts!“
„Yeah... I didn’t like those desserts anyways...“ Hon tried to look as away from her as possible.
„You’re so humble! And that’s what I love about you! Anyways, why would you pick such a damaged body? You even have some paper on your face that’s blocking your power!“
„I know... An accident happened... I’m getting rid of it anyways...“
„How on earth have you managed to hurt yourself like that?! You’re a demon king, god damn it!“
„Yeah yeah... I just... Fell into the river...“ Hon said as he was getting very uncomfortable.
It wasn’t that he didn’t like this woman at all... She was like his sister and the only person in the demon realm, besides Ethan, Rika, Moka and sometimes Ortel, who he could chat with about anything. She was always so carefree and, even though she was annoying sometimes, and everything she always thought about were plants and desserts, she would always help Hon out if anything serious happened.
He just really didn’t feel like meeting her today.
„Fell into a river! How does a demon king fall into a river?!“
„I actually jumped...“
„...“ Florence stopped walking.
„Yeah...“
„Are you stupid?“ She turned to face Hon. She was taller from him, so he had to look up just to see her angry face.
„Probably...“
„Hon’s not stupid!“ Xuan yelled from behind them.
The man looked at him, ready to choke him. Florence stopped him, let go of Hon’s arm and swiftly got in front of Xuan, bending down to look right into his eyes. She even grabbed the bottom of his face, tips of her nails slightly pressing against Xuan’s cheeks and moved it into a few directions to get a better look at him.
„And who’s this little demon here?“
Xuan wasn’t expecting her to approach him so quickly and didn’t know if he should lie or reveal his true identity.
„It’s actually a human...“ Hon said instead of him and walked to them.
„Oh! I see! His aura is so strong! Do you plan to absorb his soul before returning to the demon realm? You would get so much additional power! Isn’t this clever?“
„I am not planning to do that. It’s a friend.“
Xuan was nervous, because he had no idea who these people were and the woman also looked and acted very odd, so he really wasn’t sure if she was some Hon’s friend or foe.
„I see... Getting a human friend! That’s the thing only you would do! I am not even surprised! Do you want to take him to the demon realm and make him your pet? Human pets are, certainly, very cute!“
„I-I sent a message to Rika to tell me if there’s any way to do that...“
Florence laughed out loud. „Of course there is, sweetie! There are multiple ways! And now, after Dante found a way to break the seal for other demons, it’s much easier than before!“
„It was Dante?!“
„Yeah, is there a problem with it?“
„Well- Yeah! He complicated my work here a lot!“
Xuan was stunned. So, the one who sent those demons after him was Dante, whoever that was. Just what was his motive?
„Oh! I’m sorry to hear that, but, well, we needed some innovations, didn’t we? And thanks to that, you don’t have to hurt your friend while trying to transport him!“
„...“
„We’ll go with the two of you! And then I’ll show you how to bring him into the demon realm! Ohhhh~ Can’t wait for you to bring him to some of our tea parties!“
„Yeah... Can’t wait...“
Xuan wasn’t speaking at all and just nervously looked at Hon, who was getting more annoyed by every minute of Florence‘s speech.
„Shall we go now? Adam! Entertain that human while I annoy Yumeno for a while!“
„At least she is aware of her annoyance.“ Hon thought.
The tall man named Adam just nodded and turned to Xuan. „What’s your name, human?“ he asked.
„Xuan...“
„Nice to meet you! Your name sounds spanish!“ he said and Xuan wanted to cry.
How the hell would Xuan remind someone of some Spanish name? What does Spanish mean? He already expected this journey to be odd, but these people are too odd for his taste.
And so, as they continued, Xuan tried to ignore Adam’s dumb talk, and Hon was unwillingly talking about his experiences from his journey with Florence.
„It could’ve been worse.“ Both of them thought the entire way, because it was true. There could’ve been someone trying to kill them or torture them. At least they weren’t bored now...