We'll Let The Fires Just Bathe Us

“Alex you have to come out of there.” I heard Jack’s smug voice go through the door.

It had been three days and I’d cooped myself up in my room for that period of time. My stomach ached with hunger pains but I was too stubborn to go do something about it. I wasn’t really mad at him, more at myself.

“If you don’t open this door in three seconds, I’m going to burst it down.” He threatened.

“One.” I didn’t move from my spot curled up on the bed.

“Two.”

“Three.”

The sound of splitting wood filled my ears and I almost smiled at how he didn’t bluff. “Come on, you need to eat.” He said, his voice almost soft. My gaze shifted up to see him standing next to the bed. I sighed and turned over, facing the wall. “You aren’t really that mad at me.” He said casually, sitting on my bed.

Yes I am.

“You can’t hate someone who made you feel that good.” He said, a smirk evident in his voice. I turned over to face him.
“Watch me.” I snapped.

Within a blink of an eye, Jack had me off the bed and was holding me about two feet off the ground by my shirt collar. His black eyes flashed as his grip tightened. I stared at him blankly, ready to receive whatever punishment he was going to throw at me. I watched his jaw clench as he took a breath and gently set me down, whatever he was about to do, he apparently thought better of it.

“You need to eat, Lex.” He repeated, his voice gentle.
“S’ Alex.” I mumbled, glaring at him.
“You need to eat, Lex.” He repeated, returning my glare.

I felt myself tense but nevertheless I nodded and he let go of me. I underestimated how much of my weight he was supporting because when he released me, I nearly fell to the ground but his strong arms stopped my body from hitting the floor.

“Easy there Lex, okay.” He said.
“Alex.” I corrected but he ignored me as he shifted his arms so he could carry me.

He brought me down stairs and lay me on the couch while he fixed something for me to eat. He came back a few minutes later with a sandwich.

“What did you put on this?” I asked, wrinkling my nose and inspecting it, slightly worried that he’d put human flesh on it.
“Um ham I think and mustard.” He said.

Okay so no human, good.

“You can’t have a good sandwich without lettuce.” I said raising an eyebrow.
“Fine.” He said, taking it from me and returning about thirty seconds later with, literally, the whole head of lettuce between the slices of bread.
“Jesus Jack.” I laughed, taking the head out and putting a leaf on the sandwich. He smirked at me, knowing just how much of a smart ass he was being and I found myself smiling at him.

Stop it. You’re mad at him.

“Anyway tomorrow there is a party and we’re going.” He said, picking up the remote and fiddling with the TV.
“You mean you are.” I remarked, scarfing the sandwich down.
“No. We. It’s sort of tradition to bring your pets and considering you’re new, everyone expects me to bring you to show you off.” He said.
“How many demons?” I asked.
“A lot. But don’t worry, I won’t let them touch you.” He reassured but surprisingly I wasn’t eased.
“Yeah right.” I mumbled.
“Why don’t you trust me?” He asked.
“Do you really not know the answer to that?” I spat, glaring at him. His jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed.
“Do you know how many people would’ve loved to be you that night?” He asked.
“And yet you still managed to pick the one person who didn’t.” I shot back.

His clenched fist uncurled and grabbed my collar. He yanked me forward like a rag doll and brought my face close to his. The dark abyss in his eyes made me feel like I was falling and my breath was stolen from me in terror.

“You loved it. And I quote, “Please fuck me. Please, Jack I want to feel you.” He quoted, smirking.

I felt my cheeks heat up and I looked down, knowing there was no way I could have a good come back for that.

“You hate me, I can tell that much.” Then he pulled me even closer, so that our lips were just an inch apart. His eyes threatened to pull me into their darkness. I felt like I could be just a speck of dirt being sucked into a vacuum. “But you know, I think you hate yourself more. Because you liked it and after I left, you wanted to pull me back into bed. You wanted me to make you feel that way again and you hate that because…Well I’m me.” He smirked.

I internally kicked myself because even now, I found him hot. His dark hair just made me want to run my fingers through it, I longed to feel his lips on mine, and I yearned for his teeth to nip at my skin.

“That’s not true.” I lied weakly. He smirked and threw me back, my limp body falling across the couch.

I couldn’t bear to stay on this subject anymore because I felt like if I did, I’d completely break and I’d probably wind up fucking him again.

“You’re like the most evil being on earth right?” I asked, not bothering to sit up.
“I am the most evil being on earth.” He corrected, apparently he would allow the subject change since it was about him. Egoistic bastard.
“Okay so then why haven’t you like…I don’t know…Turned me inside out?” I asked.
“What?” He laughed.
“Yeah, like you see psycho people on the news who have bombed places or tortured people or something.” I explained.
“Oh I see. Well that’s precisely it. They’re psychos. It’s not really them doing those things because they aren’t in their right mind. Me on the other hand, I am in my right mind. With other people they’re just crazy or have issues and that’s why they’re doing such horrible things. Me well, I’m just that bad.” He explained.
“Okay but still, why haven’t you?” I asked.
“Man I just can’t scare you can I?” He chuckled, “I’m not chaotic, and good thing too. If I was, the Earth probably wouldn’t exist.”
“So you’re what, lawful evil? Neutral?”
“I’m ‘I Do Whatever The Fuck I Want, Whenever The Fuck I Want’.” He said, drawing himself up.
“Uh huh.” I mumbled, sitting up and putting the plate on the coffee table. “So why haven’t you killed me yet? I know you’ve wanted to.” I said. He looked down for a moment, then looked back up at me with a stony expression.
“Because if I sent you to Hell, my shadow would find you in under a split second. I may be the Ruler of the Forth Quarter, torturer, murderer, eternal tormentor, and the most evil being in existence, but even I am not that cruel.” He said.
“Why does your shadow want me?” I asked.
“I don’t know.” He whispered, putting a hand on my knee. “But I’m not letting him get you.”

Notes

Title cred: Read All About It by Regina Specktor

1. I changed the format a bit so if it's easier to read this way or the old way, let me know.
2. Who else stayed up really fucking late to listen to the release of Something's Gotta Give?
3. Who else is having a piss poor mental health day?