"Dante? Are you okay?"

Khalifa’s voice snapped me from my shocked state as I pushed it all down, pushing the notifications that had just appeared to the back of my mind, now wasn’t the time to check on them.

"Hooo... I’m fine Khali." I breathed out, steadying myself.

"You’re not! You’re crying!"

"Huh?" I raised an arm to my face.

Wet.

"Heh! Seems I’m becoming quite soft lately."

"Dante...."

"I’m fine Khali, trust me."

"You were dead, Dante... truly dead. I felt your cold, lifeless body, yet you say you’re fine?"

Her words made me go silent.

Death.

My comprehension of that law had jumped by an extraordinary amount the moment I woke up, could it truly be because of what she said? That I had truly been dead? But, how was that even possible?

My intent moved and my energy status appeared,

CE: 500,000,000k/500,000,000k

My tank was beyond full, what with all the energy devouring I’d done since arriving here.

So if I chaotic denial hadn’t reacted and I didn’t lose any energy, then that meant what happened back there was not just me dying.

So, If it wasn’t me dying, what was it?

Father had said something about the Concept of soul, could that have been it?

And what was he muttering about laws being suppressed?

Damn! The questions kept coming and right now, there weren’t any answers, so,

"Would you believe me if I said I was training?"

I pushed them away for now, and focused on the agitated elf sitting ontop of me.

It wasn’t technically a lie, since I did get something very useful out of the experience

She stared into my eyes, her worry evident as she searched for any sign of deceit.

But.

I was fine.

Any form of doubt, hidden insecurity that asmodeus’ words might’ve left, gone.

My father was proud.

That was all that matters.

"Heh! Now, mind telling me what you were doing in my room so late at night?"

At my question, her worry immediately turned into embarrassment..

"Well... I, I... I was just checking.. yes, checking if you were alright, since you seemed pretty down earlier after having healed that woman."

"Since when did checking in turn into you sitting ontop of me?"

"It’s because I was worried when I didn’t feel any breath in you, you bastard!"

"Fine... fine.." I raised my arms in defeat.

....

"How is the boy?"

"He’s awake, he’s asked to see his big brother numerous times but I told him you were busy, hehehe."

"Damn! A demon, calling me big brother, this is not going to be a thing."

"Oh come on, Dante. I saw what you did there."

"I merely acted out of pity for the child."

"A demon child."

"I still think they’re a wretched race to be annihilated."

"But now, you can see the individuality in them, and that..."

She leaned in,

"Is enough for me."

......

......

A comfortable silence fell between us as we just stared into each other’s eyes in silence, her hair falling like a curtain over our faces.

"Thank you.." she muttered.

"For what?"

"For entertaining my foolishness. For putting up with my requests, even though they went against your own beliefs."

"Heh! I didn’t have much of a choice did I? It was either that, or have my exhibitionistic elf be upset with me."

"Humph. You keep calling me your this and that. I don’t remember when I ever agreed to any of that."

"Oh?" I smirked at her words and then,

"Ahhhhh!!!!!!"

Flipped her over, my frame pinning her beneath me.

"Get! Off of me..."

"You say I keep calling you my this and that, but weren’t you the one calling me your shameless pervert? If we’re to follow your logic, I never agreed to any of that either did I?"

She struggled futilely as she tried to get me off.

"Humph! I don’t remember saying any of that, now, Get off!"

"Well, I do. And for someone trying to free herself, you’re not very convincing, I mean, I’m not even holding your hands or anything, you’re just there, squirming like a cute worm.."

At my words her struggling figure froze, her head turning robotically towards her hands that were still free.

I swear I could see her face redden in embarrassment.

"Ahhhh! You BASTARD!!! Get off me!!"

She pushed me off, or at least, she tried to, but,

"Oops! Oh no you don’t." I grabbed her arms, pinning them above her head, as finally she became silent.

"Humph! What happened to not holding my arms captive?"

"Heh! Can’t have my exhibitionistic elf injuring herself by doing something futile huh?"

"Humph! I’m not your anything!"

"Let’s see...

You come into my room unannounced.

You sit comfortably ontop of me.

All that, whilst wearing, what the hell even is this? A piece of fabric?"

"It’s my night gown you bastard!!!"

"It’s a transparent piece of cloth! I can see everything!!"

"Pervert!"

"Yes! Like I said, I’m your shameless pervert and you’re my exhibitionistic elf."

"I never agreed to that."

"You never disagreed either."

I leaned in, my face coming to mere inches away from hers.

Our breaths mingled, hot, inviting.

Her eyes trembled softly, as her lips opened yet no words came out.

"You’re beautiful, Khali."

"You.. you don’t mean that, you’re just trying to make me lower my guard."

"Of course I am, hahahahaha, is it working?"

"Bastard!" She smiled, her tension easing.

"But, truly, what a beautiful piece of art you are.

Kind.

Genuine.

An innocent soul in this accursed world.

I don’t deserve you."

"Humph! So long as you know, and who said I’m giving myself to you?"

"You’re not?"

"I’m not."

"Then why aren’t you moving?"

"Because I can’t."

"But I’ve freed your arms."

.......

.......

"You slimy basta... umph..."

Her eyes widened in surprise as I finally closed the distance between us.

Our lips met softly, the tension we’d carried for so long quietly dissolving between us.

"Mmmm." Her eyes closed as I felt her arms wrap around my neck, our kiss deepening slowly.

"Haa... Haa.."

"So, I guess I can take that as a yes?"

"Stop talking and just kiss me you shameless bastard." She pulled me close, shutting me up firmly as we lost ourselves in each other.

Father had said to let them in.

To open up my heart.

And who else would fit more than the one person who has made sure I didn’t lose myself in my hatred, even at her own detriment?

I had a lot of making up to do, to all the women and those around me, but for now, it was all about the beautiful elf before me.

The night was just beginning, and I was damn sure going to make Khalifa know, in every which way, how much she means to me.

.....

A/N: hooo... finally done with all the heavy lifting, up next, some well deserved segz. Muahahahahahahaha...

I’m so jealous....

*********

Thanks for reading....